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.

Stay at this elegantly renovated 1899 home with all the modern amenities and perfectly located within walking distance from downtown Asheville. Add a picnic basket with homemade treats and explore our top picnic spots for a romantic picnic this spring or summer!

Aside from donation-based yoga classes, they offer sliding scale healing arts services, including acupuncture, Ayurvedic wellness consultations, holistic health coaching, treatments with essential oils, reiki, reflexology, and more

Drive the Parkway north or south from Asheville and quickly climb the Blue Ridge Mountain ridge to see breathtaking vistas. You can reach elevations of 5,000+ ft. Our mile-by-mile guide of the Parkway covers the 193-mile section near Asheville. Along the way, plan to stop to visit the Folk Art Center or discover one of the other fun things to do along one of the most scenic drives in the United States.

There are lots of options if you want to plan a few fun day trips while you are in Western North Carolina. Explore our favorite cool small towns in the NC mountains near Asheville, each with its own personality, local shops and restaurants, friendly residents, and relaxed atmosphere.

Choose from a large variety of cabins, cottages, and vacation rentals in the Blue Ridge Mountains (that sleep 2-25 guests). Eligible properties offering our Mountain Discovery Pass will receive a Biltmore Estate pass as well as access to activities including zip-lining, a trampoline park, rafting, snow tubing, and a ski lift pass!
Rates: From $100/night studio, $134/night 1BR, $185/night 2BR

This is the coolest town on our list for temperature (highest town in the eastern USA at 5,506 feet elevation). While it's very popular for skiing and snowboarding each winter, they have an impressive trail system for hiking and mountain biking in the summer. Summer golf and scenic chairlift rides too. Each fall, follow the yellow brick road at Autumn at Oz.

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.

Give the gift of camping comfort with products that make outdoor adventure accessible. What started as an idea to create an innovative pop-up camper has evolved into a line of award-winning adventure trailers and camping accessories. Check out their innovative gear, designed to enrich multiple areas of your life. 

Experience colorful leaves and crisp autumn air where the mountains meet the lake! Save 25 percent off lodging this fall at Lake Junaluska's Terrace Hotel or Lambuth Inn when you book between Aug 1 and Labor Day. This special offer is valid for multiple-night stays from Sept 6-Nov 6.

Tucked into a bend of the Mills River, North River Farms occupies 1,450 acres. The farm partners with DB bar D Outfitters to offer guided hunting and fishing trips on the property. Full-day and half-day fly-fishing trips with an expert guide are available along more than four miles of private-access water.

This contemporary hostel offers an idyllic location in the heart of downtown Asheville with walkability to all of the city’s big highlights. Accomodation options include bunk areas, private... read more

Looking for some family fun in or around Asheville, North Carolina? Check out our list of the top family-friendly outings for exploring Asheville with kids! Western North Carolina is a virtual outdoor playground with parks and gardens, kid-friendly hikes, whitewater rafting, ziplining, biking, and more.

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

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.

Find information on Asheville-area public schools, private schools, colleges, and universities. Many also offer public events and programs.

Find charming Bed & Breakfasts and Inns in Hendersonville with plenty of amenities including daily scratch-made breakfasts, fireplaces, hot tubs, gardens, pet-friendly, and more. All... read more

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.  

One of the country’s most celebrated resorts for its history, elegance and southern charm. Ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and... read more

Be a kid again and splash around in a cool mountain swimming hole. Ride down Sliding Rock, swim under a waterfall, sun on a mountain beach or pristine lake, or spend a lazy day tubing down a river.

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

(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.

 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

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. 

Active military receives 15% discount on any room and suite rates at this luxury, log-constructed mountain lodge, offering private balconies and breathtaking views of the valley, just 12 miles from downtown Asheville.
Rate: From $169/night

This new Japanese smokehouse in downtown Asheville is the work of James Beard-nominated chef/owner Michael Lewis, offering a blend of Japanese street food and Southern BBQ to be enjoyed and shared by friends and family. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options. (121 Biltmore Ave)

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.

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.

Stroll down Marion's Main Street lined with historic buildings, churches and the courthouse. It sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains near popular attractions like Mt. Mitchell and Linville Falls. Don't miss the Livermush & Bigfoot Festivals!

Serving a variety of traditional Japanese dishes including sushi and sashimi, this restaurant is a local favorite for take-out. Enjoy hibachi dishes (though not cooked in front of guests) and large portions. Try the Fire and Ice roll! 2 Regent Park Blvd

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. 

Shop 75 national and local outlets in this beautiful, new outdoor shopping village. It's located on I-26, just six miles from Biltmore and seven miles from downtown Asheville. It's pet-friendly, and there are many events and sales throughout the year.

Find a variety of places to eat and drink in Brevard including upscale dining casual eateries, pubs, food trucks, bakeries, coffee shops, and more!

Traveling with your dog? See our Pet-Friendly Guide to Asheville and the North Carolina mountains that includes lodging, hiking, Biltmore, kennels, dog parks and more.

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

Enjoy scenic horseback trail rides in the Asheville area with miles of trails, experienced guides and gentle horses. For the more experience riders, there are hundreds of miles to explore.

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.

This kid-centered festival celebrates Earth Day with a variety of fun, environmentally-focused activities for kids in grades K-12 including arts, crafts, music performances, hands-on learning, interactive booths, and more. 12 AM-4 PM at Rabbit Rabbit in Downtown Asheville.