ATTRACTIONS – source asheville.com

Following is a list of just of a few of the many attractions that make Asheville one of the Southeast's leading tourist destinations. Click on links for more information about specific attractions.

Family Fun Center Climbing walls, trampoline games, Putt Putt, skeeball, ping pong, scooters, children's inflatable play area, pinball, velcro wall and more. Interactive, wholesome, family-oriented games and activities. Concessions and private party accommodations. Indoor facility located across from the Beach @ Lake Lure. U.S. Hwy. 64/74A, 25 miles southeast of Asheville.

Chimney Rock Park
Find the best of the mountains in one place. This privately-owned scenic attraction near Asheville offers spectacular 75-mile views, a 404-foot waterfall, hiking trails and more. 828-625-9611

Grandfather Mountain
Be inspired by views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, laugh at bear cubs and otters in natural habitats, and escape into a globally recognized nature preserve with 12 miles of the South's best alpine hiking trails. Open all year. US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville.
800-468-7325, 828-733-4337

 

Sunset Cruises
Join Southern Waterways and experience the Biltmore Estate and the Frech Broad in a whole new way on a relaxing sunset raft, canoe, or kayak ride though George Vanderbilt's prized land holdings. Wednesday and Saturday nights only. 828-252-8474

 

Cherokee
Learn the history and meet the people of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Visit the Oconoluftee Indian Village and see "Unto These Hills" for a great educational opportunity.

 

Linville Caverns
Located in WNC near Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns are worth the visit. Deep beneath Humpback Mountain, nature has sculpted a veritable masterpiece in stone. Toiling many centuries, slowly moving ground water has been the primary artist for this creation of underground labyrinths. The water dissolved out an incredible series of rooms and passages. The cavern was discovered in the 1800's by men intrigued by the mystery of fish swimming out of the mountain. Since then, extensive research has been done to acknowledge the history, folklore, geology and biology of Linville Caverns. The mystery is still alive. 828 756-4171 or 800-419-0540

 

Oconaluftee Indian Village
Travel back to 1750 when you enter this recreated Cherolkee community featuring Native American guides in traditional costumes. Craft demonstration including canoe construction and arrow making take place in the midst of a seven sided coucil house, sweat lodge and cherokee homes. , Ghwy 441 N. Cherokee. 828-497-2111 or 828-497-2315

 

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours
Sightsee Asheville in style aboard our vintage touring trolleys.Visit Asheville's major attractions on this live, narrated tour including the Grove Park Inn,Montford Historic District, Grove Arcade, Biltmore Village and much,much more.The ticket price includes admission to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Grove Arcade Building. 888-667-3600

 

Hickory Furniture Mart
When you’re in Asheville, you’re just over an hour away from the nation’s leading home furnishings resource and a shopping experience you’ll never forget. See a thousand lines in nearly a hundred beautiful factory stores, outlets and galleries. Ideas galore. Famous North Carolina prices. On-site hotel, restaurant, shipping service. Visit hickoryfurniture.com. 800/462-MART

 

Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt created Biltmore Estate in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains more than a century ago as a retreat for family and friends; a place to rediscover gracious hospitality and revel in nature’s beauty. His vision holds true today. Explore Biltmore House, a magnificent 250-room château filled with priceless art and antiques. Stroll through century-old gardens designed by America’s first landscape architect. Savor award-winning wines and taste our chefs’ creations using estate-raised foods. Enjoy our 8,000 acres of forests, farmlands, and rivers on bikes, horseback, and rafts. Request a FREE 32-page Visit Planner
1-800-543-2961

 

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tuckasegee River Excursion (3½ hour round trip), Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4½ hour round trip) and the Gourmet Dinner Train (2½ hours) are just a few of the wonderful excursion trips available to passengers. 1-800-872-4681 or 828-586-8811

 

McDowell County Tourism Development Authority
Pristine natural resources, rich history & mountain culture sketch distinctive landscapes in the Pisgah National Forest. In McDowell County, abandon daily routines to experience waterfalls, pristine trout streams, magnificent hiking trails, golf courses & spectacular Lake James. Pan for gold, pick apples or bike the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plan to visit soon!
888-233-6111

 

Asheville Tourists
Take yourself down to the ballgame this summer at McCormic Field, 30 Buchanan St., as you watch Asheville's minor-league heroes, The Tourists, confront a host of regional contenders. 828-258-0428

 

Blue Ridge Corn Maze
Bring the whole family and find your way out of a maze that traverses six acres of corn field. Open July through October. 828-884-4415

 

WNC Farmers Market
This market is conveniently near downtown Asheville, N. C., and between two major Interstate Highways. We are on a thirty-six-acre site with a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains, and the Biltmore Estate. The market was first opened in 1977, and is now open all year round, and seven days a week. The public is invited to come here and enjoy the atmosphere and character of the mountains. Admission is FREE.
828-253-1691
 

Hickory Ridge Homestead
Experience Appalachian life in the late 18th century at this living history museum composed of a log cabin, a weaving room, a barn and a smoke house. This outdoor drama, Horn in the West, set during the same era, is performed on site. Located at 591 Horn in the West Dr., Boone.
828-264-2120

 

Cherohala Skyway
This new two-lane skyway spans 40 miles to link Tennessee's Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, NC. Many scenic overlooks allow for beautiful view, excellent photography, and picnic lunches. Allow 1-1/2 to 2 hrs travel time. 828-479-6431

 

Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center
Downtown across from Pack Square, Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center houses Three Centuries of Pack Square, and is the home for the Asheville Art Museum, Diana Wortham Theater, Colburn Earth Science Museum, the Health Adventure and the YMI Cultural Center.
"A must see" when visiting Asheville, NC. 828-253-3227

 

Asheville's Urban Trail
The Asheville Urban Trail creates a living, historic walking tour of Asheville: a museum without walls, that illustrates and highlights the city's heritage. "The remarkable abundance and survival of much of the city's turn-of-the-century architecture has set the decorative tone for the rebirth of the downtown area. And the visual beauty and intricate detail of the architecture style found here is not only a feast for the eyes, but also stands as a visual reminder of the remarkable, creative history of the city and of the dynamic and talented individuals who first chose Asheville as home." Along the Urban Trail the history of the city and of its people is represented in story and art. Feature Story 828-259-5800

 

Blue Ridge Parkway
One of America's finest driving routes, following the the Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

Folk Art Center
The Folk Art Center, located just east of the heart of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 382, is a center for one-of-a-kind, handmade crafts that are a part of the very fiber of the mountains. Feature Story
828-298-7928

 

Cradle of Forestry
This is a historical site and interpretive center in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. The Cradle of Forestry is a beautiful place to visit any day of the week. 828-877-3130

 

Bent Creek Experimental Forest
One of America's oldest research forests that is maintained by the USDA Forest Service.

 

Nantahala National Forest
This national forest contains the Memorial Joyce Kilmer Forest that contains one of America's oldest stand of Poplar Trees.

 

Pisgah National Forest
Nearly 500,000 acres of protected forest, featuring hundreds of miles hiking, biking, and horse trails, waterfalls, and beautiful mountaintop views. Feature Story 828-257-4203 or 828-877-3265
 
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
A multi-agency wildlife center focusing on the wonders of NC native wildlife. Attractions include aquarium, guided walks, tour of fish hatchery, and gift shop. The center also offers a verity of schedules programs for groups. Special-event programs and educator workshops are also scheduled during the year. Free admission. FR 475 off us 276 N. Pisgah Forest. 828-877-4423

 

Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery
Housed at the base of John Rock, the hatchery raises the thousands of trout used to stock area streams. Feeding the fish is a real treat for kids, and an educational center with programs and interpretive walking trail will educate and entrain all ages. FR 475 off US 276 N., Pisgah Forest.
828-277-3121

 

Asheville Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, North Carolina is located in one of the three most diverse temperate ecosystems on earth - the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Our collections are primarily native species displayed in both natural settings and in ways designed for ease of examination and beauty. 828-252-5190

 

Riverside Cemetery
This cemetery in Asheville is the burial place of Thomas Worlfe and O Henry. 828-258-8480
 

North Carolina Arboretum
A 427-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center, state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking trails. feature story
828-665-2492

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
America's most visited National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the Blue Ridge Parkway going through it, so it is to access with great vistas around every turn.

WNC Nature Center
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is the first place where area children meet the animals they have read about. Deer, bears, cougars, wolf, raccoons, birds and even farm animals are there for all to learn about. Exhibits on area poisonous snakes are worth absorbing. An aviary, self-guided nature trail and petting zoo make this a great place for the family. Small admission fee. 828-298-5600

YMI Cultural Center
For years, the 18,000 square foot YMI building was the social and economic center of Asheville's Black community. Currently YMI is a cultural center operating with support from the City of Asheville. Its impressive Tudor-style structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features four galleries and a 300-seat performing arts theatre.

Carl Sandburg Home
This historic site consists of a 22 room house, barns, sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an orchard. This is where Carl Sandburg felt the peace and solitude he required to write. Feature Story 828-693-4178

Western North Carolina Agricultural Center
This is the home of the Western North Carolina State Fair. The facilities include the McGough Arena, J. Clayton Davis Arena, Outside Warmup Rings, Sales Arena, Stall Barns, and Youth Building.

Gorges State Park
The newest addition to North Carolina's state parks is right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gorges State Park has over 80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate rain forest. The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and concentration of rare and unique species makes this a wonderful park to visit. 828-966-9099

Mount Mitchell
The eastern United States highest mountain. Experience a wonderful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville to the Mount Mitchell State Park. A great place to have a picnic and walk on the surrounding trails. 828-271-4779 ext. 200

North Carolina's National Forests
Take a look at some of the nation's top national forests located in the great state of North Carolina.

Diamond Brand Outdoors
Diamond Brand Outdoors is a complete outfitter and guide service in Arden, NC and in Downtown Asheville, NC. Whether you love hiking, camping, fly fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, or canoeing, Diamond Brand Outdoors is your one-stop shop for gear and information for your adventures in beautiful Western North Carolina!
828-684-6262 Arden & 828-251-4668 Asheville

Tour Asheville DBA Haunted Ghost Tours of Asheville
  Ghost Tour
Discover the unexplained and unknown Asheville
Departs daily from the Haywood Park Hotel at 9 p.m.

Shakers Ridge
At Shakers Ridge, you will tour an actual working horse farm. We will ride over 110 acre farm at whatever pace you feel confident. Come see for yourself why everyone is recommending Shakers Ridge.  

McDowell County Tourism Development Authority
Pristine natural resources, rich history & mountain culture sketch distinctive landscapes in the Pisgah National Forest. In McDowell County, abandon daily routines to experience waterfalls, pristine trout streams, magnificent hiking trails, golf courses & spectacular Lake James. Pan for gold, pick apples or bike the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plan to visit soon! 888-233-6111

Haunted Asheville
For the first time ever, Asheville's haunted sites can be visited by bus or on foot. The tours are officially endorsed and produced by Asheville ghost expert Joshua P. Warren, author of the best-selling book "Haunted Asheville". Guests will learn the facts behind unusual sites and also how to investigate the paranormal. Leaving Weds thru Sunday 8pm in front of Barley's. Call for other times and availability. (828) 216-3383

Riverlink Bus Tours
Riverlink will give you tours of Chicken Hill, Richmond Hill Inn, Riverside Park, French Broad River Park, and Swannanoa River. Tours are $10 per person. 828-252-8474

  Keeping it simple. If you're seeking an outdoor adventure, look no further. Asheville is surrounded by     natural beauty and numerous opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Here are some safe places to start your outdoor adventures.

• Blue Ridge Parkway

• Asheville Parks and Recreation

• Linville Gorge

• Mount Mitchell

• Craggy Gardens

• Mount Pisgah

• Shining Rock Wilderness

• Nantahala River Gorge

• New River State Park

• Mount Jefferson State Park

• Holmes Educational State Forest

• Forges State Park

• DuPont State Park