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The Moog Factory is home to the Moog synthesizer, a big brand that left a large imprint on the world of entertainment and music composition when it emerged in the s.
 
 

55 Best Things To Do In Asheville, NC From Locals | Uncorked Asheville – Asheville Insider Guide: Top Things to do in Asheville, NC

 

Choose from a variety of train adventures departing from Bryson City. Many special event train rides including beer, wine, and Polar Express. Open all year and just minutes from downtown Asheville.

See our feature. There’s a lot happening in this lake town! In addition to a beach to keep cool on hot summer’s day, there’s a wonderful Town Center Walkway that connects the beach to the beautiful Flowering Bridge.

Take a boat tour of the lake or bring your mountain bike for their new trail system at Buffalo Creek Park. Read and see more! Stroll through a variety of gardens and on peaceful woodland trails, located in Asheville adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Don’t miss their impressive bonsai garden exhibit and many special events during the year. Just 22 minutes from Asheville, Navitat Canopy Adventures is a world-class eco-adventure with huge ziplines traversing a secluded acre mountain cove with 1, ft of elevation change.

Fly above the treetops on zip lines up to ft high, from ft to 3, ft long and at speeds up to 65 mph! Rappel, walk suspended sky bridges and see panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Downtown’s quaint old buildings, brick sidewalks, galleries and general store take you back to a more leisurely time.

Each summer, Folkmoot U. On summer Friday nights, come down for the Mountain Street Dances. Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville’s history, current culture, and counterculture with their minute interactive bus tours that depart from downtown.

Haunted and beer tours, too! The largest downtown in western North Carolina outside of Asheville is filled with historic buildings and updated streetscapes with flowers and art. Find many spots for outdoor dining and a big variety of quality shops and galleries along a six-block stretch of Main Street.

Free parking. Stop by their big Tasting Room to sample 15 brews every day of the week, along with live music and many outdoor concerts. Take a minute guided tour of the fascinating brewing and packaging process. Easy parking.

Experience a unique oasis in Asheville, a salt-enriched microclimate that allows the body and mind to gain relaxation and balance. The power of salt therapy has been known for centuries. Plus, get a hot salt stone massage and other spa treatments. Read more in our full-page feature on the Salt Cave. Soak away your stress in a private hot tub under a canopy of trees, dip into an invigorating cold plunge and relax in the cedar sauna.

After your soak, get a customized massage and a variety of treatments. Located just ten minutes from downtown Asheville. Picturesque Main Street has many local shops, restaurants, galleries, brewery, museums and favorite O. Taylor toy store. This is the Land of the Waterfalls with hiking, biking and famous Sliding Rock.

Home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee, NC offers a variety of ways to experience the cultural heritage and long history of the tribe. Watch “Unto These Hills. Experience a fun-filled rafting adventure with knowledgeable guides or choose a milder calmwater trip in the heart of the scenic valley near Hot Springs.

Enjoy both indoor and outdoor experiences. Half and full-day trips. Asheville Picnic Company caters to your adventurous spirit! The souvenir food baskets are curated with you in mind and filled with local favorites, allowing you to truly experience the taste of Asheville while on the go!

Explore more with Asheville Picnic in hand! Enjoy professional theatre in the heart of downtown Asheville with world-class productions in a very intimate setting only seats! They also host concerts and other events, so there’s something happening almost every weekend. One of the few museums in the country dedicated to felines. Near Dillsboro. This historic building houses 30 local shops, restaurants, and lifestyle services.

Their Makers Market, an open air market featuring local artisans, is open daily. Grove Arcade is pet-friendly and offers free public WiFi. Located at the Mayland Earth to Sky Park in Yancey County, this nationally recognized observatory is open to the public for degree views of the moon, planets, and stars through custom-built telescopes.

Each 2-hour stargazing session offers a chance for visitors to learn more about the night sky. Sample wines in the Tasting Room, included in admission to Biltmore Estate. Enjoy specialty tastings and a variety of tours. Shop for all the Biltmore wines and plenty of gift items. Located in Antler Hill Village, it’s open late every day. Watch horse jumping competitions with the best riders in the country at this amazing new world-class equestrian resort south of Asheville.

Have we made you hungry yet? You must need something to eat by now to soak up all of that booze. And man, all of those waterfalls and hikes sure do make a gal ravenous.

One of the best things to do in Asheville is eat. We always openly share that Tom and I Christine have many food intolerances. Asheville is extremely understanding and accommodating for food allergies, intolerances, and preferences.

This entire section is all about the food. PennyCup Coffee Co. Vortex has delicious donuts and coffee. Just look for the double-decker red bus. Newer to Asheville, Rowan Coffee in downtown is simple but delicious. That historic building is gorgeous inside.

Find a park, art museum, music, restaurants, and chocolate shops. The French Broad Chocolate Lounge has everything a chocolate lover desires. Discover desserts, hot cocoa, truffles, bonbons, cakes, custards, cookies, coffee, brownies, booze, and ice cream.

Need we say more? French Broad Chocolates serves up lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. We also personally love nearby Asheville Chocolate. Asheville Chocolate features tea, coffee, and hot chocolate with a variety of hand-crafted chocolates. Plus, find decadent gelato. Vegan and gluten-free options included. At the end of August, the best apple orchards around Asheville start opening. Create your Asheville fall bucket list here.

We love grabbing a light dinner with some of my favorite cocktails at Edison. If you are stuffed from lunch, just snack on a charcuterie board with drinks from The Great Hall Bar. We are not going to lie: waking up in the mountains is rough, especially if there is fog. The darker mornings make it harder to get up and out the door early. Not only do they serve breakfast all day, but they offer lunch and dinner as well as locally source their food.

And, mimosas. Read all of our top breakfast recommendations — touristy and more local — with vegan and gluten-free options, too. One of our weekend brunch favorites includes Jerusalem Garden Cafe in downtown Asheville.

Read more about the best Asheville brunch spots. Personally, two of the most fun places to get lunch if you are visiting Asheville are at Biltmore Estate.

You will need a Biltmore ticket or annual to enter them. Stable Cafe has the best sandwiches and cocktails in the coolest setting: The former Vanderbilt horse stables.

GQC has both vegan and gluten-free options. Whether or not you are a vegan or vegetarian, Laughing Seed Cafe is another gem, and we devour subs gf pizza and grinders available at Apollo Flame Bistro, especially after a BRP parkway hike. Bouchon, Ukiah, and Limones are the perfect date night restaurants. You may also grab dinner at the breweries like Wicked Weed and Bhramari. Asheville has the best donut shops.

We just ate a delicious Vortex donut the other day; it melted in our mouths. If you are here in the fall, go to all of the apple orchards and try their donuts. We think Sky Top has the best since they make their cinnamon cider donuts in front of you and serve them piping hot. Many of the AVL food trucks circulate the brewery scene. We always go for the tacos and burritos — and yes, they can do lactose and gluten-free. Visiting Biltmore is a must, at least once. We are annual passholders and head to Biltmore a few times a month.

You can easily spend a day at Biltmore touring the house and wine tasting. Grab a bite to eat, walk the gardens, and hike one of their miles worth of trails. Think red wine and chocolate. See how to make the most out of that Biltmore ticket price.

Also, know that there are kid-friendly activities on the Estate , including a farmyard and live demonstrations. If you are visiting Asheville in November through early January, Biltmore at Christmastime is spectacular. Enjoy a Candlelight Christmas Evenings Tour of the home with the fireplaces lit and Christmas trees in every room.

One of our personal favorite things to do in Asheville involves visiting The Thomas Wolfe Memorial and taking a house tour. You might recognize his name from his novel Look Homeward, Angel. Most notably, Wolfe barely changed the names and spellings of his Asheville community members.

This was scandalous and ill-received gossip, at the time. She was quite the entrepreneur of her time. Also watch a short video and tour the museum. One of the free things to do in Asheville, the Black Mountain College Museum offers contemporary and historic exhibitions, events, and research opportunities for the community.

We dropped in one afternoon and toured the current art exhibitions. Small but worth a quick visit, you can budget about minutes here. Of course, kids are welcome. This area is a mini-version of Wynwood Walls in Miami, Florida. You might just catch Gus Cutty or Jerry Cahill working on a masterpiece. Watch an indie film at Grail Moviehouse or attend the Uncommon Market.

Bike the new RAD greenway. If you are looking for wilder things to do in Asheville, check out the LaZoom bus. How many times have you spied a purple bus tearing down the streets of Asheville full of giggling and rowdy adults?! We suggest purchasing tickets in advance. Get there early, too, as you board the bus based on your arrival order. Totally worth that ticket price at least once. Walk into a funky, kitschy bar full of eccentric tour guides and cat pillows before hopping on the drunk bus.

Zelda Fitzgerald stole my heart although she did hump a bush in the rain. Find locally crafted bevies. They even hand you a personal cooler. For the best Asheville things to do for your inner geologist, head to the Asheville Museum of Science. A smaller science learning center, learn more about North Carolina geology and local specimen. AMOS has gemstones, dinosaur bones, and animal installations. Encounter hands-on exhibits and scavenger hunts, learn about the French Broad River, and dig for fossils.

AMOS is also one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Asheville. They even have a forest-themed playground with bears. Downtown Asheville is a hub for famous attractions and some unpopular hidden gems. There is no better way to uncover them than by walking the Asheville Urban Trail.

You can get an official map from the Pack Square Park information center to guide you, but ideally, the trail starts at the park.

It is an easy-to-follow trail with a total of 30 stops, guided by notable landmarks. You can enter any of the restaurants or cafes to enjoy a drink or a delicious local dish. This is why you need to have Mountain Play Lodge as one of the top things to do in Asheville for kids.

It will take care of your kids by giving them an adventurous experience that they will never forget. The indoor play area features slides, a jungle climbing structure, and a toy Biltmore Village.

Kids will have the time of their lives here running, climbing, jumping, and making new friends. You can sit at the lounge area and enjoy your favorite drink or snack as you wait for your kid to drop from exhaustion. It is located about 22 miles northwest of Asheville in Marshall, a small town known as a hub for arts. You can choose between full-day trips and half-day trips, but either way, you can be sure to have an adventurous rafting trip. The employees and guides have been conducting rafting trips on the French Broad River for over 25 years, an assurance that you are in safe hands.

And even if you are a solo traveler, you will find a like-minded group of people to join. Direction and tourist information sign to Biltmore. Andriy Blokhin Shutterstock. Not every day needs to be full of adventure when you are on vacation. The acre urban mall is packed with vibrant shops, restaurants, condos, and entertainment areas.

If you want an adventure that will take you outside Asheville but not too far away you should visit the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site , located about 30 minutes away. It was the home of Carl Sandburg; writer and poet and was established as a historic site to preserve it and his legacy. His writing won him three Pulitzer Prizes including one for his biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Visitors come here to pay their respects and learn more about his life and literary work. Source Randy Reus. If you are a fan of electronic music, then you probably know of Bob Moog, the engineering physicist who invented the Moog synthesizer that transformed the electronic genre of music.

He passed away in , and the Moogseum was founded in as a space to showcase his achievements in the music industry and preserve his legacy. Apart from learning the history and science of electronic music, you will be given the opportunity to play a theremin and synthesizer. You will also have access to over pieces of archival material that can only be found at the Moogseum.

If you are a music fanatic or are interested in physics engineering, this is the ideal attraction in Asheville for you. Considering how much walking you will engage in during your vacation in Asheville, you will need to give your feet some tender love and care at some point. The Wake Foot Sanctuary is where everyone goes, owing to the top-notch service provided. Located in downtown Asheville, the spa takes care of your feet and arms through long soaks and massages, as you take a nap or enjoy your choice of beverage.

You can also get a head, neck, or shoulder massage to relieve tight muscles and enhance blood flow. Built in , Grove Arcade is one of the historical buildings in Asheville and in the region. It is named after E. Grove, who built it as a celebration of his love for Asheville. The arcade is designed in a s architectural style and features shops, restaurants, art galleries, offices, and apartments.

Here you can find local and international cuisine and local farm products and artworks at the Makers Market. It is an iconic place to hang out in the evening and interact with locals. This vibrant and colorfully decorated neighborhood along the French Broad River is one of the top free things to do in Asheville.

A hub for the arts, River Arts District hosts over local artists showcasing and selling their beautiful pieces. The friendly artists will welcome you with warm smiles and engage you in their creative process of creating their pieces which include paintings, photographs, pencil work, glassware, sculptures, and more. If you find anything you like, please buy it to support them.

It is a lovely and delightful neighborhood, and when you want to take a break, you can have a meal in any of the local restaurants. River Arts District has a vibrant nightlife of live entertainment and dancing. Imagine an elevator that, instead of being used to access the top of a building, is used to access the top of a rock! Well, this is the thrilling experience you will have at Chimney Rock State Park , one of the most iconic places to visit near Asheville.

Visitors come from near and far to explore the park and climb the top of the historical Chimney Rock, a million plus old granite monolith, that offers dramatic views of North Carolina comprising of forest vegetation, waterfalls, a lake, rolling mountains, valleys, and hills. On a clear day, you will have over 75 miles of spectacular scenery to feast your eyes on.

Other exciting activities to enjoy in Chimney Rock State Park include birdwatching, picnics, hiking, and woodland adventure. At the base of the park is the Village of Chimney Park where you can shop and dine. Source Kimberly Curtis. Nestled in the scenic Pisgah National Forest, the spa offers a salt bath treatment in an outdoor hydrotherapy tub, surrounded by trees, as you listen to amazing forest sounds. You will get lost in nature as you decompress and soak up the scenery around you.

Other services include massages, cold therapeutic showers, and the wet cedar sauna. You need to make a reservation in advance before visiting. Located next to the French Broad River, this scenic park is a popular spot for pet owners who want to walk their dogs and still enjoy some outdoor tranquility.

French Broad River Park is dotted with green grass, wildflowers, and trees, that form large shades, making it perfect for a picnic. There are themed exhibits on everything from Blue Ridge flora and fauna to Cherokee history , traditional Appalachian culture, and the construction of the Parkway which lasted from to The Visitor Center features a foot, interactive digital map of the Parkway, as well as an award-winning minute film that offers an excellent overview of the history and nature that make the BRP so special.

It ultimately connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail , which stretches 1, miles from the North Carolina mountains to its coast. One of our favorite memories from our latest trip to Asheville was a magnificent picnic we shared while watching the sunset at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.

Located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost Note that it can get quite windy and cold up there, with an elevation of approximately 5, feet. So this excellent Asheville attraction brought back loads of nostalgic arcade memories. They also offer adult beverages such as beer some from local breweries , as well as snacks and sodas. As we search for a Blue Ridge Mountain town to call home, Weaverville NC would be at the top of our list if real estate prices were not a factor.

Located 8 miles from downtown Asheville, Weaverville population 4, feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the burgeoning metropolis. There are lots of fun things to do in Weaverville NC, including an array of downtown parks, great restaurants , historical museums , and cultural attractions. From weekly drum circles in Pritchard Park to decades of killer concerts at the Orange Peel, Asheville is known as one of the hippest music towns in the Blue Ridge region.

The Moog Store and Moogseum both offer great opportunities to learn more about this iconic inventor and his enduring influence on the evolution of popular music. The Moog Store is offering small group sessions by appt only that include a brief history of Moog Music, demos of historically significant instruments, and more. Located on a picturesque acre plot of land in Leicester NC about 17 miles from Downtown Asheville , this fourth-generation family farm started focusing on growing grapes back in They have more than 6 acres of grapes planted now, and plan to gradually expand it 10 acres.

You can also purchase their small-batch wines online. Although there are no apple orchards in Asheville proper, there are quite a few options in Hendersonville NC, which is just 25 miles south of the city. Starting on Labor Day weekend, the farm also features family-friendly activities such as an apple cannon, cow train, and a corn maze you can try to navigate.

Formally known as the Basilica of St. Inside, the basilica features elaborate stained glass windows made in Munich , statues of saints made in Italy , a marble altar from Tennessee , and a wood carving of the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle made in Spain.

Walk-in visits are permitted during the hours posted on their website, and self-guided tours of the basilica are free though donations are always appreciated.

Horseback riding is a great way to immerse yourself in natural beauty Asheville has to offer, and the Biltmore Equestrian Center offers private two-hour tours.

Theirs are the only Asheville horseback riding tours within the city limits, exploring the trails of the historic property. Expert guides lead up to four guests at a time through the world-renowned estate, which is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest.

Note that all participants will need a Biltmore day pass or annual pass, or an overnight room at the estate. The area is home to two beautiful lakes Junaluska and Logan , surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in NC, and offers awesome outdoor recreation in the Shining Rock Wilderness. Downtown Waynesville is very walkable, with the best shops in a 5-block area on Main Street. Christmas at the Biltmore is easily the largest celebration, with a tree-raising event, daytime and candlelit nighttime tours of the festively decorated rooms of the Biltmore House, and holiday happenings in both the Antler Hill and Historic Biltmore Village areas.

But the largest privately owned home in America is far from the only Asheville Christmas game in town.

 

Fun places in asheville nc – fun places in asheville nc –

 

They were charging a ‘holiday’ rate for the whole time that the…. From Business: Discover incredible sights and tastes on our walking food tours with Asheville’s ultimate foodies! Find out why Asheville is one of the nation’s fastest growing…. From Business: You have one goal: escape the room in under 1 hour. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business’s suitability for you.

YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page. Advertise with Us. The Antique Car Museum showcases a wide range of vintage automobiles that are still functional to date.

The Gallery of the Mountains showcases amazing artwork by local artists. And once you are done exploring, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the patio of the Golden Fleece Restaurant as you soak up the natural ambiance. The house was bought by his mother, Julia Wolfe, for her family. When Wolfe wrote his first novel, he incorporated his experience living in the house with his family as well as the lives of his friends and other people who lived or visited the home.

In his novel, he named the house Dixieland. Thomas Wolfe died in from tuberculosis and in , the house was designated a historic site in his honor. In , the Thomas Wolfe Memorial house was destroyed in a fire, however, it was restored and reopened in It is one of the most visited attractions in Asheville owing to its historical and literary significance.

If for some reason you cannot take a walking tour of Asheville, this is where Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville comes to your aide. The tour company prides itself in providing locals and visitors the best sightseeing tours of the city. The company has been in operation since , an assurance that they know Asheville, even its most hidden gems, better than anyone else.

Tours are conducted in their beautiful and spacious trolley cars that drive around the city stopping at major attractions. Gingo Scott Shutterstock. Pritchard Park is lined up with tall trees and lovely landscaping. You can either sit on the benches or at its amphitheater-style seating area. The park might be small, but it might also be one of the coolest things to do in Asheville.

Winding pathway through mountains. Wiktor Shutterstock. Located about 35 miles away from downtown Asheville, the park is home to the summit of Mount Mitchell which stands at 6, feet above sea level. If you are feeling energetic or you just enjoy hiking, you can walk to the summit which will take you about 4 and a half hours.

However, if hiking is not your struggle to embrace, you can drive up to the summit, where a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding scenic landscape awaits you. Other draws to the park include its tent-only camping ground which is open from May to October.

If you are looking for free things to do in Asheville, look no further, Pisgah National Forest is your answer. The breathtaking forest that was once considered the property of George Vanderbilt is characteristic of rolling mountains, scenic hiking trails, spectacular waterfalls, and whitewater rivers. Among its biggest draws is its school of forestry, which is the first in the United States, and two designated wilderness areas, Linville Gorge and Shining Rock, which are two of the first such areas in the country.

Visit Pisgah National Forest ready to have a picnic surrounded by tall trees and spectacular forest vegetation, hike any of its beautiful trails, go on a scenic drive, or enjoy a thrilling bike ride. It derives its name from the fact that when it rains in winter and the water freezes on the rock, it reflects the sun like a mirror.

Source Jaime Landauer. Biltmore School of Forestry was located here when it was established by Carl A. Its location in the middle of a forest gives it the advantage of enjoying a beautiful setting surrounded by cool fresh air and a spectacular view. Visitors come to explore its interactive exhibits which show Dr. Other activities to do at the Cradle of Forestry in America include hiking, birdwatching, a visit to the Forest Discovery Centre where you will watch a documentary, explore historical buildings which include a commissary and a schoolhouse, a logging locomotive, a portable sawmill, and a gift shop.

Kids can have fun with the firefighting helicopter simulator and at the Adventure Zone. The Cafe at the Cradle will be at your service offering you snacks and lunch. We know you have been on a food tour, but trust us when we say you have never experienced anything like what No Taste Like Home Wild Food Tours company offers. It prides itself as the biggest foraging education company in the world.

You will embark on a tour through fields and the forests of Asheville in search of wild foods like mushrooms, leaves, plants, seeds, and wild fruits. The tours are guided by experts who have many years of wild food knowledge and will teach you everything you need to know about wild edibles.

After a day of collecting wild food, you will take back your findings to a restaurant in Asheville, chosen by the tour company, where they will use your food collection to make you a meal.

This is one of the most exciting things to do in Asheville and one that you will not be forgetting any time soon! Founded by a street-performing couple, Jima and Jen, LaZoom Tours offers sightseeing tours of Asheville, but with a twist. Instead of the usual boring bus tour, the company has entertaining tour guides who perform comedy skits, inside the bus, of all the places that you are going to explore.

You will learn about each place in a very entertaining way. Beer is served on the bus. The science museum features interactive exhibits in which you will find over minerals like feldspar, beryl, and kyanite, that have been collected in North Carolina and other parts of the world. The interactive exhibits and educational programs cover everything about the formation of the earth, from volcanoes to general geologic processes.

Notably, the Southern Appalachian Forest exhibit imitates the biodiversity of Asheville and gives visitors an experience that feels as if they were in the actual Appalachian Mountains! The Asheville Museum of Science might not be so popular, but it is one of the best things to do in Asheville for families and kids. Source Dave Withers. The historic Craggy Mountain Line is a 3.

The small railroad is part of the former historic Southern Railroad. Visitors are given a ride in one of the vintage trains or trolleys from the s, through the scenic forested area.

They have themed rides during the festive season for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Craggy Mountain Line also offers charter rides for groups and families that are celebrating special occasions.

If you are visiting Asheville with friends for a birthday celebration, why not take an exciting 2-hour charter ride here! The Adventure Center of Asheville is located about 10 minutes away from downtown Asheville in a tree preserve. For the Full Tour , there are 11 zip lines and sky bridges awaiting you. The Adventure Center of Asheville has the KidZip , which takes pride in being the first zip line designed for children under the age of 10 in the United States.

Other exciting activities offered here include mountain biking, a Kolo bike park, and afterschool clubs and camps for kids. The old historic hotel opened in and has been visited by many United States presidents. Irina Mos Shutterstock. The grandiose resort has hosted a long list of American presidents including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. If you are seeking a luxury stay in Asheville during your vacation, this is the right resort for you.

You will have a world-class experience through the cuisine served, accommodation, and other amenities offered by the resort. Apart from its location which offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Omni Grove Park Inn resort is famous for its award-winning spa.

The spa is designed to imitate the outdoors with its cavern and rock formation architectural design. The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn is everything you need to relax and forget about the world for a while. Nestled in Park Square Cultural District, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is a center for live performances that include music, theater, and dance. If you are looking for an evening plan while in Asheville, you should have Wortham Center for the Performing Arts on your list of things to do in Asheville.

And even if you are not interested in watching a performance or there are no events lined up during your stay, you can simply take a tour of the complex. Located about 20 minutes from the city, Hickory Nut Gap is an ideal place to include in your itinerary if you are looking for unique attractions near Asheville.

The lush farm is set on the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, comprising large acres of green grass for the animals to feed on.

If you are interested in agriculture or understanding the process of rearing animals and meat processing, you will enjoy a tour of the farm. Hickory Nut Gap is renowned for its healthy grass-fed beef, and pasture-raised pork and chicken. Some of the products you can purchase here are homemade sausages, ham, local cheeses, barbeque, jewelry, pottery, handmade soap, and beer. Sometimes you just want to take a long drive away from the city to unwind and get lost in nature.

In Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway makes this possible with its miles of endless meanders through spectacular forest vegetation. Its beauty in all seasons is what makes it a famous attraction. Your view will be a landscape characteristic of mountain vegetation, rolling mountains and hills, and valleys. You can drive for 10 to 50 miles and then back to the city.

The Blue Ridge Parkway also draws visitors with its gorgeous hiking trails, picnic sites, and other outdoor activities like biking. If you want to have a taste of the Appalachian Trail , you can drive 36 miles to Hot Springs, a town through which the mighty trail cuts. Hiking the whole length of the trail from Maine to Georgia is a dream come true for many hiking enthusiasts.

It takes 5 to 7 months to complete and only 1 out of 4 hikers finish the hike. In Hot Springs town, the 1. It might be short, but even experienced hikers say it is no walk in the park. However, the promise of the beautiful degree panoramic views throughout the hike makes it all worth it.

Plus, you can tell people you hiked the mighty Appalachian Trail! Source Carla Martin. Ghost tours make for the most thrilling and memorable adventures.

You will be given guided tours of all the spooky places in the city and those that hold a dark history like the Biltmore Village. The guides are knowledgeable and artful in their story-telling leaving you thrilled and chilled. Warren, the owner of Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours believes that the mountains and the city harbor the spirits of Native Americans who lived here years ago and that their ghosts can be seen and their presence felt during these tours.

Source Josh Tripoli. The college was renowned for its emphasis on focusing on the success of individual students rather than the institution.

Unfortunately, a lack of funds forced the college to close in Visitors can explore exhibitions, watch films, or attend lectures, interviews, and seminars during a visit here. Downtown Asheville is a hub for famous attractions and some unpopular hidden gems. There is no better way to uncover them than by walking the Asheville Urban Trail. You can get an official map from the Pack Square Park information center to guide you, but ideally, the trail starts at the park.

It is an easy-to-follow trail with a total of 30 stops, guided by notable landmarks. You can enter any of the restaurants or cafes to enjoy a drink or a delicious local dish. This is why you need to have Mountain Play Lodge as one of the top things to do in Asheville for kids. It will take care of your kids by giving them an adventurous experience that they will never forget. The indoor play area features slides, a jungle climbing structure, and a toy Biltmore Village.

Kids will have the time of their lives here running, climbing, jumping, and making new friends. You can sit at the lounge area and enjoy your favorite drink or snack as you wait for your kid to drop from exhaustion. It is located about 22 miles northwest of Asheville in Marshall, a small town known as a hub for arts. You can choose between full-day trips and half-day trips, but either way, you can be sure to have an adventurous rafting trip.

The employees and guides have been conducting rafting trips on the French Broad River for over 25 years, an assurance that you are in safe hands. And even if you are a solo traveler, you will find a like-minded group of people to join.

Direction and tourist information sign to Biltmore. Andriy Blokhin Shutterstock. Not every day needs to be full of adventure when you are on vacation.