Plan Your Trip

Hike to the top of Glassy Mountain via a five-plus-mile trail system located on the grounds of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock.

A bee mural now covers two sides of the building housing Hands On! Children’s Museum. The mural, which is designed to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, depicts honeybees, butterflies, and native flowers. Plants in the pollinator garden at the base of the mural provide shelter, nectar, and pollen. The mural is part of an international campaign by artist Matthew Willey called The Good of the Hive, which involves painting 50,000 honeybees in murals around the world. To see the mural, head east on Third Avenue from Main Street toward King Street and look to your left.

From the innovative to the traditional, Asheville has a plethora of Indian restaurants for every taste. See the best places for a lunch buffet to sample everything or to satisfy a specific craving for curries, thalis, or tandoori dishes served piping hot and spiced to your preference.

Many are craving fresh air as cabin fever sets in and a break from coronavirus news becomes necessary. Find hikes, waterfalls, scenic drives and more that allow you to safely enjoy the outdoors while maintaining a safe, social distance.

Known as the sweetest little yoga studio in Asheville, this studio honors all paths of yoga and features multiple classes throughout the week, including Yoga Basics, Morning Vinyasa Flow, Yoga for Resiliency, Prenatal Yoga, Kundalini Yoga with a meditation and gong bath, and more. This small neighborhood studio is the original donation-based yoga studio. 

Find the top retirement communities in and around Asheville. Choose from the community that best meets your needs whether you're looking for independent living, service options, continuing care, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing.

This beautiful waterfall setting is an easy hike in Pisgah National Forest. It's located in a lush cove off NC Highway 215, about 10 miles north of Highway 64 and 6.7 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

There are plenty of outdoor adventures for children of all ages, including a special KidZip, educational trails, nature centers and more.

This music festival held at Montreat College near Black Mountain is entirely student-organized, providing students with hands-on experience in creating a fun family-friendly event, celebrating art and culture. 1 PM-8 PM. 

This premier hot yoga studio in Asheville offers multiple types of hot yoga classes at 100-105 degrees, including Hot 26, a Bikram-inspired class. They also offer Inferno Core, a hybrid pilates and yoga class, which provides a full-body workout. Only in town for the week? Buy the visitor’s pass for $50 for a week’s worth of classes. This pass includes a yoga mat and towel rental.

Create romantic memories of your big day on a mountain peak, by a waterfall or even at a brewery. Elopement and small wedding packages suit your personal style with custom vows, a short video of the ceremony, beer or champagne, photography, commemorative gifts and more.
Rate: From $495

This quaint mountain village at 3,700 feet elevation has great restaurants, breweries, shops, Wildcat Lake beach, and many events including the Woolly Worm Festival in October. Near Beech Mountain skiing and Grandfather Mountain hiking.

Downtown Asheville's historic public square has been a central focal point since the city's creation in 1797. Spanning from the Vance Monument to the Roger McGuire Green in front of City Hall and the County Building, it's home to many festivals and free events. 

Asheville’s Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) is all about food in Asheville and making a difference in the kitchen and in the community. Consider a gift card from AIR’s many award-winning restaurants and experience how AIR is food in Asheville…and so much more.

See breathtaking 75-mile views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory Nut Gorge, and Lake Lure. The park also features the highest waterfall in an NC State Park and hiking trails. Shopping and dining located at the park entrance.

This area is part of Pisgah National Forest and is located in Henderson County, just 13 miles from downtown. The area has picnic sites, campsites, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, fly fishing, and tubing. Trails range in difficulty level from easy to strenuous.

Solve clues, take on challenges and unlock secrets to find Alice! Dress the part in this self-guided, escape room-style event in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $80/team. Kids are free. Participants will use the event app to play. Start anytime between 9 AM and 2 PM and expect to solve the mystery within 2-3 hours. 

This free 4-day festival celebrates black business and entrepreneurship in Asheville. Enjoy a weekend of music, live performances, food, local vendors, community, and more in the River Arts District on Depot St.  

Founder Alison Colberg L.Ac. Dipl. O.M. practices Daoist influenced Classical Chinese medicine which includes acupuncture, herbalism, essential oils, nutraceuticals, medical qi gong, functional medicine, stone medicine, nutritional therapies, and medical intuition as well as several adjunct techniques. They have a full dispensary of Chinese medicinal herbs for unique, custom formulas for each client's individual needs. ​

Find plenty of kid-friendly restaurants in Asheville with extra “kid perks” like casual settings with outdoor space, play areas, arcade games, and more. 

Biltmore is a little slice of heaven and as any local can tell you, using the annual pass just twice almost makes up its value, plus it comes with so many great perks and exclusive discounts you can’t find anywhere else. Read on for the top reasons to get your annual pass, and find out how to get discounted annual passes, for a limited time.

Explore the best mountain communities in North Carolina with stunning views, resort-like amenities, golf courses, hiking trails, and more for your perfect mountain home.

Find mountain biking heaven in the Nantahala National Forest with 40 miles of trails overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains. Located near Bryson City, where you can find bike rentals and supplies.

(2-40 miles, easy, moderate, strenuous) This state park near Morganton has 40 miles of hiking trails. Our favorite is High Shoals Falls 2.7-mile loop trail to a beautiful 60-foot waterfall. Combine several trails for a much longer hike.

Find places to stay around Burnsville including top cabins, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and more!

Play, listen and dance at the Drum Circle every Friday night in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville (except for winter months). All are welcome to one of the most diverse audiences you'll ever expereience.

Hike, mountain bike or horseback ride a multitude of trails to see many waterfalls and lakes on 10,000 acres. Plus, picnic on mountaintops and swim at Hooker Falls. Visitor center, free admission.

Stay in popular West Asheville in this conveniently located hostel on Haywood Rd with walkability to restaurants, bars,... read more

Carolina Living Choices is a free printed guide for active, senior living retirement in Western North Carolina. They offer a wealth of information and expertise on real estate, 55+, and retirement communities near Asheville, including lifestyle resources for education, enrichment, recreation, and travel. See helpful articles and request a free digital retirement guide on their website. 

See our top spots to visit in downtown Asheville on the Dog City USA trail, which includes the Doggie Welcome Center, a restaurant with a dog menu, a bakery and a hotel with rescue pooches. 

(507 Haywood Rd) This craft beer collective in West Asheville is the perfect spot for beer snobs, offering a variety of hard-to-find craft, world-class craft beer. Choose from their 20 rotating taps and extensive bottle selection of craft beers, wines, meads, sakes, and ciders. Open daily 12-11 PM.

See gorgeous countryside, mountain views and charming communities on a windshield tour via national and state scenic byways near Asheville. Lots of opportunities for stops along the way. 

Whether you’re gathering around the grill at a hibachi steakhouse, have a hankering for sushi take-out, or want a colorful poke bowl, find our top picks for Japanese restaurants in Asheville.

Find places to stay in Dillsboro including historic Inns, cabins, vacation rentals, and hotels that offer riverfront lodging, walkability to town, scenic balcony views, pet-friendly accommodations, hot tubs, and access to plenty of outdoor activities.

Indulge in an exclusive getaway at a private retreat at one of the historic Cottages on Biltmore Estate. Beautifully updated to offer a unique experience of Biltmore, each of these private homes... read more

Stay at Biltmore at their more casual hotel, adjacent to the restaurants, winery, and outdoor activities in Antler Hill Village. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at The Village... read more

We are lucky enough to have six rivers near Asheville that are good for rafting and kayaking. Find professional companies that provide rafting guides, so no experience is necessary. You can even learn how to kayak in the rapids or paddleboard on a lake.

Bike, jog and walk the 13.5 paved rail-to-trail path that connects the towns of Ruth, Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City - with plenty to see along the way.

Taste your way through Beer City USA at craft breweries and pubs in and near Asheville. Many are located downtown, so you can create your own walking tour. See our top spots for local brews.