12 Best Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina

Planning a trip to Asheville, North Carolina, soon, and not sure what to do? You’re in the right place!

This city tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a little bit of everything, including scenic mountain views, artsy neighborhoods, historic charm, and enough quirky local spots to make it feel completely different from anywhere else in the South.

To help you make the most of your time on your visit, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do in Asheville, plus a few of the best hotels for every budget if you still haven’t booked your accommodation yet. 

Ready? Let’s get to it! 

Asheville at a Glance

Asheville is easy to explore, but a few local tips can help you make the most of your visit. After spending time here, these are the things we found most useful!

Important tip: Stay downtown and leave time for the mountains!

• Downtown is very walkable: Asheville’s downtown core is compact, making it easy to explore on foot. Many of the city’s best restaurants, breweries, shops, and attractions are within a few blocks of each other, and there are plenty of public parking garages if you have a car.

• Don’t skip the neighborhoods: Some of Asheville’s most interesting spots are outside downtown. The River Arts District is filled with working artist studios and galleries, while West Asheville is known for its local restaurants, breweries, and laid-back atmosphere.

• The mountains are part of the experience: Asheville sits right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, so make time for at least one outdoor adventure. Whether it’s driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, chasing waterfalls, hiking, or whitewater rafting, some of the area’s best experiences are just outside the city.

How I would spend 3 days in Asheville

Asheville may be small, but it packs a lot into its mountain setting. Between waterfall hikes, buzzing breweries, creative neighborhoods, and incredible local restaurants, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your days. Here’s how we’d spend the perfect three days exploring Asheville!

• Day 1: Start your Asheville trip with a fun introduction to the city on this guided e-bike tour, then spend the afternoon exploring the River Arts District before heading downtown for dinner and this nighttime ghost tour.

• Day 2: Head into the Blue Ridge Mountains on this waterfall and hiking tour, then refuel downtown with burgers before spending the afternoon exploring Asheville’s quirky downtown area. End the day with Southern comfort food at Daddy Mac’s and an evening stroll!

• Day 3: Spend your final morning exploring West Asheville, then choose between tasting your way through the city’s craft beer scene on this brewery tour or getting adventurous on this French Broad Gorge whitewater rafting trip, before wrapping up your trip with classy rooftop drinks.

For even more details, see our 3-day Asheville itinerary with our personal recommendations!

Things to Do in Asheville

1. Hear the ghostly tales hiding in downtown Asheville

Asheville has a fun, artsy reputation during the day. But after dark, the city takes on a totally different feeling, and that’s exactly why we like to recommend this nighttime walking ghost tour to anyone looking for something a little different to do in the evening! 

The tour begins at the Asheville Masonic Temple on Broadway Street, which already sets the mood perfectly. Then, over the next two hours, your guide will lead you through the city, sharing all the strange stories, eerie sightings, and unsettling bits of history tied to places like Pack Square and other downtown landmarks. 

We think this is such a fun option if you enjoy learning about a new city’s history, but you want something a little more entertaining than a standard sightseeing tour. It’s also a great pick for your first evening in Asheville, since it helps you get your bearings downtown while adding a bit of spooky fun along the way.

It’s important to mention that this route is entirely on foot, so you’ll definitely want comfortable shoes! And, with thousands of positive reviews, we recommend booking ahead if you have a specific night in mind. 

2. Cruise through downtown on an e-bike

Asheville is a hilly city in the mountains, and taking this guided e-bike tour is such a smart way to see the best of it! You still get all the fun of biking through the city, but the electric assist takes the edge off the hills, so you can focus on the scenery instead of working up a sweat. 

Honestly, this ended up being one of our absolute favorite things to do in Asheville (which is why it’s our top pick for this list!). Over the course of three hours, you’ll cruise across downtown and past some of the city’s prettiest streets and greenways. Along the way, your guide will stop at several different viewpoints and landmarks, sharing stories about Asheville’s history, architecture, and culture. 

We especially love this tour for first-time visitors or anyone short on time. You get to cover so much more ground than you would on foot, and it’s a great way to figure out which neighborhoods you want to come back to later for food, shopping, or a bit more wandering.

Your bike, helmet, and guide are all included, and the pace is relaxed and designed for sightseeing rather than speed, so you definitely don’t need to be an experienced cyclist. Just make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes for riding.

3. Chase waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway

If you came to Asheville for mountain scenery, this Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall tour definitely deserves a spot in your itinerary. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the region, and this guided experience makes it incredibly easy to enjoy the best of it without having to plan anything yourself.

Over the course of around five and a half hours, you’ll head into the Blue Ridge Mountains with your guide, hike through beautiful forest scenery, and visit three different waterfall areas near Asheville. Since the group is capped at just seven hikers, the experience is a lot more personal compared to other tours, so you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and really get to know your guide.  

In our opinion, this tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains without having to rent a car, pick trailheads, check parking areas, and figure out which waterfall routes are realistic to do in a day. Having a guide who really knows the area is also a huge plus, since weather and trail conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

Another reason why we always recommend this tour is that it includes hotel pickup and drop-off (as long as you’re based within 3 miles/4.8 kilometers from the city center), so it’s super convenient if you’re staying downtown. 

4. Spend time in the River Arts District

If you want to experience Asheville’s creative side, carving out time for the River Arts District is definitely a must! 

This colorful neighborhood is located along the French Broad River just outside of downtown, and it’s packed with dozens of working artist studios, galleries, cafes, breweries, and creative spaces. 

You can easily wander around for a few hours, popping into studios, watching artists at work, browsing all the art for sale, and (of course) stopping for coffee or a local beer between galleries. Entry to the area is completely free, although fair warning: it’s very easy to leave with a handmade souvenir you didn’t plan on buying!

In our experience, late morning or afternoon is usually the best time to visit, since more studios tend to be open around those times. And, if you’re visiting after storms or heavy rain, it’s also worth checking opening hours ahead of time since they can vary by studio.

5. Hunt for gems and meet the cutest goats

Next up on the list is this gem mining and goat farm tour, which takes place at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine in Hendersonville (around a 30-minute drive from Asheville). 

The experience combines gem mining with a visit to the onsite goat farm and aviary. All the mining equipment is included. And best of all, you get to keep what you find, which is so much fun for kids. That said, this activity isn’t just for families. If you’re an adult who likes crystals, fossils, animals, or quirky roadside-style attractions, you can definitely have a lot of fun here, too! 

In our opinion, this activity works really well if your Asheville itinerary has been heavy on hiking, history, or guided sightseeing and you want something a bit more relaxed and fun. It’s hands-on, easygoing, and different from the usual mountain-town activities. Plus, the crystal and fossil store (the largest in North Carolina) is super impressive. 

In terms of timing, plan on spending about two hours total here. And since it starts in Hendersonville rather than downtown Asheville, it pairs really nicely with other stops south of Asheville or with a casual lunch in Hendersonville afterward.

6. Get to know downtown Asheville through the eyes of a local

If you want a stronger sense of Asheville’s history and architecture (or you don’t fancy the themed ghost tour), this insider walking tour is definitely worth checking out! 

We absolutely love this walking tour because it’s short enough to fit into almost any itinerary, but detailed enough to help downtown make more sense as you wander around later on in your trip. 

The tour itself begins at Pack Square, right in the heart of the city. Over the course of about an hour and 45 minutes, your guide will lead you past notable landmarks in downtown Asheville, sharing stories about Asheville’s culture and historic buildings. One of the highlights is the Basilica of Saint Lawrence, a beautiful downtown landmark that’s easy to miss if you don’t know about it. 

Technically, you could find all these spots yourself since Asheville is such a walkable city, but having a local guide right there pointing out specific details is actually super helpful. We tend to book a tour like this at the beginning of a trip because you can ask a ton of questions and get neighborhood tips, helping you build a better mental map of downtown.

All in all, this is a fantastic introduction to Asheville and an easy way to really get the most out of your trip. 

7. Slow down at the botanical gardens

If you’re looking for a nature-y activity without having to drive deep into the mountains, the Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit. 

Located near UNC Asheville (just a short drive north of downtown), this peaceful spot showcases plants native to the Southern Appalachian region and feels like a quiet escape from the busier parts of the city.

Once you’re there, you can stroll the walking trails, spot seasonal blooms, sit by the water, and enjoy a slower side of Asheville for an hour or two. The trails are mostly hard-packed gravel with a few gentle hills, so they’re manageable for most visitors, although not fully accessible throughout.

In our experience, spring and early summer are especially beautiful here, and mornings are usually the best time to visit in warmer months when temperatures are more comfortable. 

Our favorite thing about the botanical gardens is that entry and parking are completely free, making this one of the best low-cost things to do in Asheville. And since you don’t need a ton of time here, it’s easy to combine with other plans nearby, such as lunch downtown or an afternoon in the River Arts District.

8. Sip your way through Asheville’s brewery scene

Asheville has a huge craft beer reputation, and this guided brewery walking tour is a fun way to experience it without having to choose breweries on your own. 

The tour itself focuses on the South Slope area, which is one of the best parts of the city for brewery hopping. Over the course of about three hours, you’ll visit three breweries and sample 10 different local beers. Your guide will be a certified cicerone, so you’ll get to hear about all the different brewing styles, ingredients, local beer culture, and what makes each stop different. 

We also really love the fact that this is a walking tour, so you can enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving. The South Slope is compact enough that moving between stops feels easy, and the meeting point is at Hi-Wire Brewing South Slope Brewpub on Hilliard Avenue, which is super convenient if you’re staying downtown.

Since tastings are included, this tour also offers decent value when compared to paying separately at multiple breweries. Just keep in mind that there’s no food included on the tour, so we’d definitely recommend eating beforehand, as brewery hopping is always more fun when you’re not running on an empty stomach.

9. Ride the rapids of one of North Carolina’s most scenic river gorges

For all the adrenaline junkies out there, this French Broad Gorge rafting trip is definitely something you’ll want to work into your itinerary. 

The French Broad River is one of the signature waterways around Asheville, and rafting through the gorge gives you a completely different perspective on the mountain scenery, not to mention it’s really fun! 

The full experience lasts around four hours, with roughly two hours spent navigating the river. You’ll move through forested stretches, tackle whitewater sections, and may even stop for a swim depending on the conditions. 

This tour is ideal if you’re craving a bigger adventure while you’re in Asheville. Hiking and scenic drives are great, but a rafting experience will definitely add a memorable dose of energy to your trip. In our opinion, it’s especially fun for families with older kids, groups of friends, and couples who want something more action-packed than a standard sightseeing day.

As you plan your day, note that the tour starts near the River Arts District area. And your helmet, life jacket, paddle, and round-trip river transport are all included, so you won’t need to sort out the technical gear yourself. Just wear clothes that can get wet, bring a change of clothes for afterward, and avoid bringing valuables onto the river! 

With the gear, transport, and expert guidance all taken care of, the whole experience is super easy from start to finish, and it’s easy to see why this rafting trip is so highly rated! 

10. Follow Asheville’s black cultural heritage trail

Another experience worth making time for is the Black Cultural Heritage Trail. This self-guided trail highlights the stories of Black communities that helped shape Asheville, taking you through Downtown, Southside, and the River Area.

The full route takes around two and a half hours to complete if you walk the entire trail and stop to read the markers along the way. However, you can easily tackle just one section if you’re short on time. Along the route, you’ll discover stories of Black entrepreneurs, educators, families, workers, and community leaders whose contributions helped shape Asheville into the city it is today.

We think this trail is especially worthwhile if you want to experience Asheville beyond the restaurants, historic buildings, and scenery. It adds important cultural context to your visit, offering stories that don’t always get covered on other tours. 

Since the trail is self-guided, you can explore at your own pace. If you’re visiting Asheville in the spring or summer, we definitely recommend going in the morning or late afternoon, as the city can get quite hot. 

11. Find your calm on a mountaintop yoga hike

If you’re looking for an activity that will help you unwind and relax, this mountaintop yoga and meditation hike is definitely for you! It combines a guided mountain hike with an all-levels yoga session and meditation, making it one of the most unique wellness experiences in Asheville. 

After meeting your guide at the Bearwallow Mountain Trail, you’ll take a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) hike up to the summit, where you’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once you’re there, you’ll settle in for a yoga and meditation session before heading back to the trailhead.  

If you like the idea of heading into the mountains for a yoga session, but you aren’t exactly a seasoned yogi, don’t worry. The class is designed for all levels, so you definitely don’t need to be super flexible or experienced to join. 

We always recommend this activity because it fits Asheville so well. The city has a strong wellness scene, and pairing yoga with a mountain hike is just so on brand and perfect for solo travelers, couples, or anyone who wants a peaceful reset during a busy trip.

Not traveling with your yoga mat? No worries! A yoga mat is included, so all you really need to bring is comfortable clothes, sturdy walking shoes, and a bottle of water. 

12. Saddle up for a peaceful horseback trail ride

If you’re feeling adventurous but you want something a little slower-paced than water rafting or hiking, this guided horseback ride is definitely worth checking out.

The ride itself lasts just over an hour, and best of all, beginners are more than welcome to join! Before setting off, you’ll get a full safety orientation and plenty of hands-on guidance, so there’s no need to worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before.

The tour takes place at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins in Cullowhee, so it’s a bit outside of Asheville. However, if you’re already planning on exploring other parts of Western North Carolina, you can easily pair this experience with a trip to one of the many waterfalls or mountain towns in the area. 

From a planning perspective, this activity is relatively straightforward. All equipment is provided, including a helmet, so you don’t need to bring anything special with you. Just be sure to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and double-check any rider requirements before booking. 

Horseback riding experiences are naturally a little pricier, but between the scenery, convenience, and beginner-friendly setup, we think this one is worth every penny! 

Where to Stay in Asheville

If this is your first time visiting Asheville, we generally recommend staying either downtown or just outside of it. That way, you’ll be close to restaurants, breweries, live music venues, and historic streets, while still being within easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains and some of the area’s best hiking.

To make planning a little easier, we’ve rounded up three great hotel options for every budget. 

Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa – $$$

If you’re looking to treat yourself on your trip, we cannot recommend the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa enough! This historic resort first opened in 1913, and although it feels wonderfully tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s still only about a 10 to 15-minute drive from downtown Asheville (super convenient!). 

The property itself is absolutely stunning, with its huge stone fireplaces, onsite pool and golf course, and a famous subterranean spa that’s an attraction in itself. This resort is definitely on the more luxurious side, but it’s a fabulous choice for romantic getaways, spa weekends, and special occasions.

Price-wise, you can expect rooms to fall between $350 and $700 USD per night, although rates can climb higher on weekends and during peak seasons. Check availability and book your stay here!

Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville – $$

For a mid-range pick in Asheville, you can’t go wrong with Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville. 

We always recommend this hotel because it has a stunning rooftop terrace with both mountain and city views, which is hard to beat after a full day out in Asheville. We also love its location on Page Avenue near the Grove Arcade, so most of the city’s best restaurants, shops, galleries, breweries, and music venues are within easy walking distance.

In terms of pricing, you can expect rooms to fall between $150 and $300 USD per night, which is excellent value for such a central location. Secure this modern mid-range stay in Asheville here!

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown by IHG – $

And last but not least, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown is a fantastic budget-friendly option. 

In our opinion, this hotel tends to work best for travelers who plan on being out and about for most of the day. It’s just a 10-minute drive away from downtown, so you’ll still be close to the action without having to pay downtown boutique hotel prices. Each room also comes with handy extras like a microwave and mini-fridge, which are always useful for snacks and leftovers.

In terms of pricing, you can expect rooms to fall between $100 and $220 USD per night, making this one of the best-value stays close to downtown Asheville. Check out your options and book your stay here!

Didn’t find what you’re looking for here? Check out all the hotels listed for Asheville here and find your perfect stay!

Thanks for reading!

Asheville is the kind of place that’s easy to fall in love with. Between the mountain views, waterfall adventures, creative neighborhoods, and incredible local restaurants, there’s something here for every type of traveler. Whether you spend your days hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or exploring the city’s quirky corners, Asheville has a way of keeping you busy while still feeling wonderfully laid-back.

Before you head off, be sure to check out our other USA travel guides for more inspiration, itineraries, and practical tips. We’ve also linked some of our most popular blogs below to help you plan your next adventure!

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