Nature & Adventure
Western North Carolina is the world’s largest natural classroom with experiments and activities for the whole family.
Get out on the water on an old-fashioned paddleboat at Lake Julian in south Asheville. Children love the ducks and geese that live at the lake and this is a great spot for bird watching. Keep your eyes open for great blue heron or the glittering blue of a kingfisher.
Get a Parkway map and count and name the tunnels as you gain altitude on your drive through the mountains. As you go though the tunnels, see who can hold his or her breath the longest. Discover the Milky Way along an overlook at night. The city lights below create a mural, reflecting the stars overhead.
Gather your family for a mountain bike ride on the many dirt roads and trails at Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Cool off after your adventure by taking a dip in Lake Powhatan. And while you’re there, hike one of the interpretive trails to learn about ecological habitats and forest regeneration methods in the Southern Appalachians.
Climb to the highest point east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell, north of Asheville off the Blue Ridge Parkway. An observation tower near the top gives access to views of Buncombe County’s water source, the watershed fed by mountain streams and creeks.
Children love waterfalls. From the Parkway, head down U.S. 276 toward Brevard to enjoy these wonders of nature as well as Sliding Rock, nature’s own water slide.
There are 24 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.
"Unto These Hills... a retelling"
 | It's the greatest story never told, at least not as we are telling it this year. With a new script, new direction, new score, new choreography it is a story as old as time, and as fresh as the next performance. "Unto These Hills…a retelling" is a poignant drama that tells the story of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, from the arrival of the Europeans and the forced exile along the Trail of Tears in 1838–39, to the ultimate revival of tribal life and tradition that survives today. The third longest running outdoor drama in the nation features live music, ritual dance, and authentic Cherokee costumes, set onstage in a 2,800-seat mountainside amphitheater. Since its inaugural debut in 1950, over 5 million visitors have attended the memorable drama. |  828-497-2111 Mountainside Theatre |
1-866-USA-Raft
| Join us for guided whitewater rafting near Asheville on the French Broad, Watauga, and Nolichucky Rivers. No experience is required and there is a professional guide in every raft. We also offer guided caving trips. Visit our website for discounts! | 866-813-5210 13490 US Highway 25/70 |
A Sense of Humor
| A Sense of Humor is a "humor boutique" featuring fresh and witty merchandise for the home, office, and general everyday elimination of global grumpiness. We celebrate the unusual, the whacky, and the subversive nature of humor. We're a family-run, mostly family-friendly, and dog-friendly store that operates in the heart of downtown Asheville, North Carolina. We also operate a retail website at www.asenseofhumor.biz. Our list of fans grows daily. Come see why. | 828-225-5666 84 West Walnut Street, Unit B |
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
| Approximately 300 miles of this Maine-to-Georgia primitive hiking trail spans North Carolina. Voted most popular outdoor destination by Blue Ridge Outdoors and favorite long distance trail by Backpacker Magazine. | 828-254-3708 Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Office |
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts
| More than 50 parks offering golf, swimming, tennis, skateboarding, roller hockey, climbing wall, nature center, playgrounds, basketball, community centers, ballfields, picnic shelters, trails and much more. | 828-259-5800 70 Court Plaza |
Asheville Urban Trail
| The Asheville Urban Trail has often been called Asheville's "museum without walls." Started by a small group of citizens interested in helping revitalize downtown, the Urban Trail consists of thirty stations of bronze sculpture around downtown. Each station has a plaque illuminating some of the very interesting history of downtown's development and the various notable people who once lived here. Mostly local artists helped to create the whimsical bronze sculptures and other art works that are found at each station. The tour is a 1.7 mile walk that begins and ends at Pack Place and takes about two hours to complete in its entirety. Groups can arrange to schedule a tour guide by contacting Christy Ammerman at the Asheville Area Arts Council 10 days to 2 weeks in advance of their desired tour date. Guide-led group tours are $5/adult and $2/child. Additionally, walking guides and maps are available for self-guided tours free of charge at Pack Place and the Asheville Area Arts Council. | 828-258-0710 Downtown Asheville |
Botanical Gardens at Asheville
| This 10-acre nonprofit nature preserve (next to UNCA) is dedicated to preserving and displaying the native flora of the Southern Appalachians. Garden-themed gift shop. Donations welcome. | 828-252-5190 151 W. T. Weaver Boulevard |
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
| One of NC's newest state parks, Chimney Rock brings the best of the mountains together in one place. An elevator inside the mountain or a network of stairs and boardwalks takes you to 315 ft Chimney Rock and amazing 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont. With five unique hiking trails, the Park has something for everyone from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 discovery stations along the way to the more adventurous Four Seasons trail which climbs more than 400 ft. Be sure to hike the Hickory Nut Falls trail - the reward is the 404 ft falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the East. Chimney Rock also offers guided rock climbing lessons for beginner to advanced climbers. The Old Rock Cafe and Sky Lounge Deli offer tasty sandwiches and snacks to get you fueled up for your hike. Souvenirs of your trip can be picked up at Cliff Dwellers or the Sky Lounge Gift Shop. The Park offers discounts for groups, and is pet friendly. | 828-625-9611 US Highway 64/74A |
Compleat Naturalist Nature Store & Gallery
| A discovery packed nature and science emporium. Full selection of binoculars and telescopes. Hiking guides, packs and hats, nature books and toys. Adjacent gallery features the world's best wildlife artists. | 828-274-5430 2 Biltmore Plaza |
Country Boy Trail Rides
| Riding into many acres of countryside in beautiful Madison County, NC. | 828-649-9428 1571 Highway 213 |
EcoTrips
| We are a professional transportation and shuttle servicing the beautiful and historic downtown area of Asheville. EcoTrips drivers will provide personal customer service and commentary, delivering our passengers in state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly style. The sleek and open design of these EcoTrips' Global Electric Motorcars will enhance the visitor's sightseeing experience. The emission-free nature of this shuttle with protect the beauty and air-quality of our city. The innovation of this type of transportation will again stamp Asheville as a city of progress and opportunity. Global Electric Motorcars are a product of Daimler/Chrysler Company and meet local, state, and national safety standards. | 828-699-1623 Throughout downtown Asheville |
French Broad Rafting Expeditions
| Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on Asheville's own French Broad River. Just 30 miles from Asheville. A guide in every raft guaranteed! Five-mile & nine-mile whitewater trips or calm water rentals available. | 828-649-0486 9800 U.S. Hwy. 25/70, Bypass |
Grandfather Mountain
| Grandfather Mountain is the tallest mountain in the Blue Ridge and the only private park in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Feel the rush when you cross the Swinging Bridge; marvel at 360-degree views from one mile above sea level; photograph bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer in natural habitats; hike rugged back-country trails or stroll gentle nature paths; eat in our restaurant or take your order out to one of many scenic picnic areas; learn about the natural history of the region in our nature museum; interact with our knowledgeable staff and let us help you find your own perfect mountain adventure. | 828-733-4337 US 221 & Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305 |
Hot Springs
| Named for the hot mineral springs located there, the town is just 40 minutes north of Asheville at the junction of the French Broad River and the Appalachian Trail. Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, Hot Springs is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, healing and relaxation, a romantic getaway or family vacation. | US Highway 25/70 |
Huck Finn Rafting Adventures
| Raft with a company that does one river very, very well! Discover the nature and beauty that the Pisgah National Forest has to offer by rafting with us down the French Broad River. See sights only accessible by water as you experience the excitement of rushing whitewater or gently float along a calm water section of the river. Huck Finn offers full-day and half-day guided whitewater rafting trips (minimum age 8) as well as calm water float trips (minimum age 4). Package deals available include rafting and horseback riding, rafting and a massage, rafting and biking, and rafting and hiking. Group rates start with 10 people and we offer specially designed boy/girl scout trips. Huck Finn is located in Hot Springs which is a small town nestled in the mountains only 45 minutes from Asheville. Dining, shopping, the Appalachian Trail, and hot springs are located just outside our door. We look forward to taking you down the river and our most important trip is yours! | 828-622-9645 158 Bridge Street |
Madison County
| A recreational paradise! Whitewater rafting, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, mountain biking, horseback riding, hot mineral springs and skiing. | 72 South Main Street |
Moving Sidewalk Tours
| Enjoy the glide of Asheville's only downtown Segway Tour. Starting at the Asheville Visitor Center, you will receive training followed by a 2 to 2.5 hour tour of downtown including the Grove Arcade, the Asheville Urban Trail and parts of the Montford Historic District. | 828-776-8687 Asheville Visitor Center |
Nantahala Outdoor Center
| Home to 15 USA Canoe/Kayak Olympians and rated the "#1 Vacation with a Splash" by Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventure, Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is both a legend and a leader in the outdoor industry. NOC rafts nine of the East's best whitewater rivers including four rivers near Asheville, the French Broad, the Nantahala, the Nolichucky and the Pigeon. Full of splashy waves and expansive Blue Ridge vistas, these rivers are the best way to experience Western North Carolina's mountain beauty with your family or group! Interested in picking up exciting new skills on your vacation? NOC's Paddling School, named "the nation's premier paddling school" by The New York Times, can gently introduce whitewater paddling to anyone in as little as one day. Also offering fly-fishing, bike rentals, lake tours, hiking on the Appalachian Trail, three restaurants and the famous NOC Outfitter's Store, NOC has been Western North Carolina's adventure headquarters since | 828-488-2175 13077 Highway 19 West |
North Carolina Arboretum
| 434-acre public garden in south Asheville with 65-acres of cultivated gardens including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested trails, Garden tours, Segway® Tours, Art Walk, Nature Activities for kids, rotating science, art and cultural history exhibits, a Cafe and gift shops. | 828-665-2492 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way |
Pura Vida Adventures LLC
| Pura Vida Adventures offers guided rock climbing, canyoneering, biking, hiking, paddling, and waterfall trips in the mountains of North Carolina. Programs for beginner to advanced "Come Experience the Good Life" with us. | 772-579-0005 152 Hendersonville Highway |
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
| Explore the high country on horse back or in a horse-drawn covered wagon on several trails from which to choose. | 828-649-3464 1459 Caney Fork Road |
Sliding Rock – A Natural Water Slide
| The king of swimming holes in the mountains near Asheville, this 60 foot natural water slide down a well-worn slab of rock was providing summertime entertainment long before water slides became standard fare. | 828-877-3265 Pisgah National Forest |
Stuart Nye Hand Wrought Jewelry
| Stuart Nye has made quality jewelry by hand using nature's designs in sterling silver, copper and brass since 1933. Watch the craftsmen at work and see samples of the jewelry, which is for sale next door at Craft Guilds. | 828-298-7989 940 Tunnel Road |
WNC Nature Center
| The WNC Nature Center is 40 acres of animals in their native habitats. It provides an opportunity to learn, to touch and to know our rich natural heritage through educational and interactive exhibits. | 828-298-5600 75 Gashes Creek Road |