Plan Your Trip

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

Find the best rehabilitation and skilled communities around Asheville that offer both offer short-term and long-term options including rehabilitation services, care for those recovering from surgery or injury, and ongoing medical care for chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Amid the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, here's a list of county health departments in our region with accurate information and resources related to each county. 

Centrally located near downtown Asheville in a cozy vintage bungalow, they offer integrative massage therapy, Thai yoga bodywork, Ashiatsu (back walking), and an herbal apothecary. They offer heart-centered and high-quality services while still maintaining fair and competitive prices.  

Offering authentic Japanese food known as “washoku,” this casual north Asheville eatery serves a bounty of fresh, home-style dishes in a casual setting. Guests can enjoy complimentary green tea and even a crane folding activity while dining! Try the sushi buffet on Sundays. 674 Merrimon Ave, Suite 105

Take a guided tour for sightseeing, art, wildlife, history, food, beer, waterfalls, wellness and more in Asheville and western North Carolina. See our list of favorites.

Take a self-guided, scenic tour of Hendersonville's apple country! Find many orchards with a big variety of fresh apples, pumpkins, cider, produce, baked goods, jellies, honey, and more at roadside many apple markets throughout Henderson County. Some orchards allow you to pick your own apples! Download the Crest of the Blue Ridge Orchard Trail for a full list, including harvest timelines.

Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are home to hundreds of world-class artists. Here are our favorite galleries to see their creations.

Tapas style Mediterranean restaurant is ideal for sharing with your group and trying new things! Enjoy small plates you can eat with your hands along with a creative, herbal-focused menu of house sodas, tonics, and cocktails. Try their shatta spicy dip, chicken shawarma, and beef kebabs. Order the baklava for takeout to enjoy at home!  853 Merrimon Avenue

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. 

This nonprofit yoga center offers donation-based classes and workshops, focusing on yoga and healing arts. They offer all-levels yoga classes, including yoga for kids, meditation, private yoga therapy, and more. Yoga mats and props provided! Visit the onsite Karma Cafe for a nourishing post-yoga meal or shop at the onsite thrift shop Zen & Now for preloved yoga clothing. 

Head to historic Grove Arcade for activities, games, demonstrations, and a live raffle at 5 PM. Enjoy beer and wine courtesy of Wedge Brewing at the festival, as well as food and drink specials at top restaurants nearby. Festival is free. 12-7 PM. 

Find the best places to stand-up paddleboard in and near Asheville on the pristine waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rent SUPs, take lessons and even take a guided river trip. Fun way to see fall color, too!

Enjoy many choices for great theatre, plays, music, dance and more in Asheville and nearby areas.

Set the mood for a romantic getaway with these top places in the mountains with extra perks for couples like hot tubs, stunning views, romance packages with amenities like couple’s massage,... read more

Book a romantic getaway in the heart of downtown Asheville at this boutique hotel. Oversized suites, luxurious baths, red roses, handmade chocolates, early check-in and late check-out.
Rate: From $730 for 2 nights/2 people

Sylva offers a picturesque, small-town escape with plenty of unique places to stay including rustic cabins, large vacation rentals with back porch mountain views, charming B&B’s, historic inns, and more.

Explore the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains on horseback! Find a variety of guided trail rides in and around Bryson City.

Sleep under the stars in our national parks, forests or a campground. Or stay in a hostel.

This brewery around the corner from Main Street takes pride in being kid-friendly with board games, coloring supplies, chalk, and nonalcoholic options. (147 1st Ave E)

On the southside of downtown, explore the fast-growing "Brewery District" with eight breweries and a growing number of restaurants and shops, transitioning from sleepy industrial warehouses to a hip neighborhood. 

Touring America’s Largest Home is easily the number one indoor attraction in Western North Carolina. Experience the beauty of Biltmore House and its century-old gardens where the Vanderbilt family once strolled. Come see why George Vanderbilt chose Asheville as the site for his famous estate. Explore Biltmore's 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain backyard, taste award-winning wines, dine and shop. See our extensive guide with many photos and tips.

Spend three nights or more at this historic inn in Waynesville and take advantage of $10 off/night for a room and $15 off/night for a suite.
Rate: From $110

This beloved WNC toy store is not only a place to shop but also a place for kids and adults to play. From classic toys to the newest, hottest items on the market, you’ll find them here. (418 N Main St)

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.

Gem mining has been a favorite activity for visitors to the mountains of North Carolina for many years. Most gem mines in the Asheville and Franklin areas are open from spring through autumn. Also tour several gem and mineral museums.

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.

Stay in this grand, historic B&B near downtown Asheville and romance it up with flowers, champagne and Godiva chocolate truffles. Plus, enjoy a two-course gourmet breakfast, wine reception, free parking and more.
Rate: $84/couple in addition to room

Give the gift of craft gear made right here in Asheville. Diamond Brand Gear’s beautiful canvas wall tents, elegant bags and duffles, and camping tents are built to last. Discover a variety of durable products that are perfect for your outdoorsy loved ones.

Black Mountain Yoga features classes for all ages and abilities. They offer a range of class styles, including flow and yin with gong sound healing, gentle and restorative, sunrise yoga, kids yoga, and private yoga therapy sessions. They also have a private sauna. Fun fact: The studio is 100% wind-powered.

Some 185 working artists have set up shop in the River Arts District. Drive a little, walk a little to visit studios and galleries. Find an amazing variety of art and see how the artists create it. It's just a few miles from downtown Asheville and Biltmore Estate.

Since 1930, this old-school bakery has delighted customers with its long, glass case filled with baked goods — apple fritters, doughnuts, assorted cookies, cakes, pies, and more. (309 N Main St)

This pristine reservoir near Cashiers has the highest elevation of any lake east of the Mississippi. Signal Ridge Marina rents a variety of Bennington pontoons and tritoons, as well as tubes, paddleboards, skis, wakeboards and kneeboards. There's even a beach!

Find a big variety of healing modalities around Asheville for the ultimate holistic health options including reiki, sound healing, coaching, Ayurveda, reflexology, acupuncture, and more. 

Find some of the most spectacular scenery with many hikes along the rim to peaks like Table Rock, Hawksbill and Shortoff. And don't forget Linville Falls!

Retreat to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a week of self-care! Stress management, fitness, spa, and culinary experts help you relax and break old habits that no longer serve you. Whether it's weight loss, yoga, hiking, or healthy, chef-prepared food that interests you, Skyterra guides you towards sustainable lifestyle changes at a 300-acre wooded campus of pristine trails and waterfalls. All-inclusive with programming, lodging, three delicious chef-prepared meals daily catered to your dietary needs and preferences, snacks, and refreshments. See their website for rates. 

From casual to sophisticated, there are many restaurants for all tastes, with flavors from around the world. Plus, find many more award-winning chefs throughout the mountains. See our top picks for dining in Asheville.  

 Located in West Asheville, Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas features eight signature ramen bowls and multiple tapas, including poké bowls, gyoza, and tempura sweet potato. Find a great selection of sakes, plus many local brews. 630 Haywood Rd

This 99-acre pristine, secluded lake is located in the Southern portion of DuPont State Recreational Forest and is the largest lake in the forest. The hike to the lake is three miles round trip from High Falls Access Area. Trails are easy to moderate.