Things to See and Do in Asheville North Carolina
Blue Ridge Heritage Area ~ Blue Ridge Parkway ~ Biltmore Estate ~ NC
Arboretum
Blue Ridge
Parkway: A scenic byway stretching 500 miles along the crest of
the Blue Ridge Mountains with lots of natural attractions.
Overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and other areas of interest
(like the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center and the Folk Art
Center in Asheville NC) are available along the parkway. Short
trails offer the chance to get away from the road and see the Blue
Ridge Mountains from a whole new perspective.Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center: The Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, located in Asheville, North Carolina (at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 384), features a variety of exhibits which highlight the natural and cultural diversity, economic traditions, and recreational opportunities found in Western North Carolina and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Folk Art Center: Traditional and contemporary Southern Appalachian crafts, including century-old pieces, are displayed in this folk art center, which also houses the first craft shop in the U.S. Phone: 828-298-7928
Thomas Wolfe Memorial: Thomas Wolfe's childhood home, which he immortalized in "Look Homeward Angel," is almost exactly the same as when he lived there, and offers tours and information about his life and works.
Western North Carolina Nature Center: Animal center features an educational farm with livestock, small animals, and poultry, plus a wide variety of animals on display, from bears and bats to spiders and snakes.
Smith-McDowell House Museum: Discover Asheville’s first mansion and oldest surviving structure, now restored as a history museum.
Urban Trail: Learn about Asheville's Urban Trail (Museum Without Walls) architecture and historic past on this unique 1.7-mile walking tour, which includes delightful sculptures along the way, including Thomas Wolfe's size 13 bronzed shoes. Tour leaders or audiotapes are available to guide you. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call the Asheville Area Arts Council, 828-258-0710 or visit www.ashevillearts.com .
Chimney Rock Park: Chimney Rock Park is the natural fulfillment of your trip to the mountains. This is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. The Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, offers the best of the mountains in one place - spectacular 75 mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events, and much more.
Land of the Waterfalls: Surrounded by the gentle grace of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Transylvania truly has something for everyone: 260 waterfalls, hundreds of acres of state and national forests, a thriving music and arts community, and fantastic shopping and dining in a charming Appalachian town.
North Carolina Arboretum: The 434-acre site is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. Mountain peaks bound the property's visual perimeters, and 1.8 miles of the Bent Creek stream run through the center of the Arboretum.
OTHER ASHEVILLE AREA ATTRACTONS
