Visiting Asheville, NC? Here is your ultimate bucket list.
Caroline’s been living in Asheville since 2001 and Erin has been visiting since 2006, so we have a sizable list of things we’ve done on our bucket list. Like Esther and Jacob, trying new restaurants is one of our favorite things to do but we know not everyone feels that way, so we’ve grouped similar activities together at the top and listed food at the bottom.
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Last Updated: February 17, 2025
TLDR
📍 Location – Asheville, North Carolina, is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. It’s known for its vibrant arts scene, craft breweries, and historic architecture, including the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned home in the U.S. Outdoor enthusiasts love its scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, and the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway views.
🏛️ Attractions – Blueridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, Hikes, Smoky Mountain National Park
101 Things to Do in Asheville NC – THe Ultimate Asheville Bucket List
This is an evolving list that will continue to change as we find new things to see, do and eat in Asheville so keep checking back.
Tourist Attractions + Local Attractions
- 2.
Asheville Urban Trail
Take a walking tour and learn about Asheville’s history.
- 3.
Pritchard Park
Drum circles on Friday nights.
- 4.
French Broad River
Tube float (zen tubing).
- 5.
Amazing showcase of Appalachian folk art, from metalwork to textiles. See live craft demonstrations.
- 6.
River Arts District
Shop or browse art.
- 7.
Grayline Trolley Tours of Asheville
Fully narrated tours. See historic homes, hot-spots, and points of interest.
- 8.
Chicken Alley
Popular photography spot, cool street art and murals. It’s also the most haunted street in the city.
- 9.
Foundation Walls
Unique graffiti walls, popular Instagram spot!
- 10.
Asheville Yoga Center
Lots of events and workshops.
- 11.
Bring your own bike!
- 12.
Rent Bikes at Liberty Bicycles
Gravel bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, and more.
- 13.
One of the best spas in the country, with various contrast pools, scent-infused steam rooms, and fireside lounges.
- 14.
(UNCA) Free admission, donations are welcome.
- 15.
Very pretty cultivated gardens. Come around Christmas to see the arboretum covered in lights. Check out the bonsai exhibit too.
See More: 25 Free Things to Do in Asheville NC
- 16.
One of the top 10 tattoo shops in America according to USA Today.
- 17.
Take their free tour.
- 18.
Forage for Fungi
Take a foraging walk.
- 19.
All-you-can-play arcade and pinball machines for purchase.
- 20.
Beginner skateboarders are welcomed.
- 21.
Family owned metal recycling facility that has been serving the Asheville area for over 70 years.
- 22.
Ever wanted to try glass blowing? Take a class here.
- 23.
Use military-issue night vision equipment to explore in the dark.
- 24.
Contra dances, English country dances, and more.
- 25.
Japanese inspired spa, massages, outdoor soak tubs.
- 26.
Friday night barn dance during the summer.
- 27.
Designed by Rafael Gustavino when he came to Asheville to work on the Biltmore Estate.
- 28.
The City Comedy Tour was our favorite.
- 29.
All tours are BYOB beer and wine. No liquor is allowed on the bike.
- 30.
Stay in a Vintage Trailer.
National Park Units
- 31.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Just minutes from downtown Asheville. Our favorite view is from Black Balsam Knob.
- 32.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
July is the busiest time of the year. We love visiting and seeing fall foliage, but expect crowds. Check out the synchronous fireflies (late May, early June).
Outdoors + Hiking in Asheville
- 33.
Long-distance trail for hiking and backpacking, starts in Great Smoky Mountains and end in Outer Banks.
- 34.
(12 miles / 21 mins away) Great spot for swimming and camping, especially during the summer.
- 35.
(18 miles / 25 mins away) Scenic hike, lots of easy to moderate trails.
- 36.
(19 miles / 40 mins away) Tons of picnic tables, beautiful hike across the bald.
- 37.
Fly Fish the Ivy River
(19 miles/ 22 mins away) Try using barbless hooks. If you use a net, use one made of rubber.
- 38.
Mountain Bike in Brevard
(34 miles / 44 mins away) We recommend this for more intermediate bikers.
- 39.
(35 miles / 59 mins away) You can slide all the way down the waterfall into the plunge pool below.
- 40.
(37 miles / 1hr 9 mins away) Perfect spot to catch the sunset.
- 41.
(37 miles / 1 hr away) Easy 2.2-mile roundtrip trail. Great colors in the fall.
- 42.
Looking Glass Hike
(38 miles / 53 mins away) Bring snacks and plenty of water. Enjoy a picnic with an amazing view at the top!
- 43.
(39 miles / 1 hr 7 mins) Multi-use trails. You can go horseback riding here.
See More: 15 Best Hikes Near Asheville
- 44.
(52 miles / 1 hr 16 mins) Hikers like to play frisbee and kite flying here.
- 45.
(60 miles / 1 hr 26 mins) Third largest wilderness area in North Carolina.
- 46.
Bridge at Grandfather Mountain
(70 miles / 1 hr 24 mins) America’s highest suspension footbridge, breathtaking views from Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak.
- 47.
Camp at Mount Pisgah
(35 miles / 53 mins) Peaceful and quiet campsite, RV friendly.
- 48.
Sup on the French Broad River
(Asheville Outdoor Center) All SUPers must be at least 13 years old.
- 49.
The Smoky Mountain Adventure Center
Great indoor climbing with tons of space to grab a beer and hang out.
- 50.
Wedge Run
(Thursday nights) Flat and fast 10k, kid-friendly.
- 51.
Zip-Line with Navitat Canopy Adventures
(21 miles / 28 mins) Zipline through the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- 52.
Bent Creek
(10 miles / 16 mins away) Great spot for trail running.
- 53.
Run the Shut in Trail
(10 miles / 17 mins away) Originally built by George W. Vanderbilt to connect the Biltmore House to his hunting lodge.
- 54.
Wolf Ridge Ski Reosrt
Ski or snowboard in the winter.
Memorials + Museums
- 55.
No attached parking facility. There are several parking decks nearby, as well as metered and free street parking.
- 56.
Check out how this college played a big part in progressive, responsible activism in the mid 20th century.
Shows + Venues
- 57.
Great spot for live music.
- 58.
UNCA Basketball Game
Catch the Bulldogs in the Big South Conference game.
- 59.
Usually held in May. Tons of live music, arts, and cultural community.
- 60.
Quirky venue with a unique bar. Be sure to check out the curiosities, taxidermy, and other memorbilia.
- 61.
Women’s flat track roller derby league.
- 62.
Great independent films shown in an art deco theatre.
- 63.
Isis Music Hall
Stop by for bluegrass night. (Temporarily Closed)
- 64.
One of the longest standing venues.
- 65.
The oldest venue in Asheville, formerly known as the Civic Center.
- 66.
One of the most beautiful venues in Asheville.
Shopping
- 67.
For shopping and dining.
- 68.
They even have binoculars and telescopes. Rent one for your hike.
- 69.
Books about North Carolina, American History, the Civil War, the American South, etc.
- 70.
Outdoor apparel, gear, food, and more. We love their old school candy barrels.
- 71.
Also known as the Pisgah Market. Check out their craft workshops.
- 72.
Independent bookstore with a cozy cafe.
- 73.
Buy an Eno Hammock
It’s locally made!
- 74.
Buy or sell used gear.
- 75.
Unique vintage items, consignment, and more.
Food + Drink
- 76.
Grab a drink and stay for the awesome city and mountain views.
- 77.
You’ve got to try their walnut and apple strudel!
- 78.
Do a Brewery Tour
New Belgium, Highland, Catawba, Hi-Wire, Green Man, etc. We’re known as Beer City with 30 breweries to date. You could make this the focus of your whole trip if you wanted to. There are brew tours, brew buses, etc.
- 79.
Bohemian style tearoom with teas from all over the world.
- 80.
Great for beer outdoors.
- 81.
Monday nights are Burger nights.
- 82.
Innovative, global eats. Menu changes daily.
- 83.
Unusual, but delicious tacos. Try their breakfast tacos.
- 84.
The restaurant space is a former 1927 bus depot.
- 85.
Their menu changes based on Italian regions.
- 86.
We absolutely love the Basil eggplant.
- 87.
If you love BBQ and sandwiches, you should check out this spot.
- 88.
This cute shop is great for plant lovers. They serve organic coffees and teas, and fresh baked goods.
- 89.
We love the dancing shrimp roll and the Asheville roll.
- 90.
When you’re looking for tasty chicken tenders, they serve the best in town.
See More: 49 Best Places to Eat in Asheville
- 91.
Multi-level bar, craft cocktails.
- 92.
It gets busy here, but their ribs are worth the wait.
- 93.
Get the Huevos Rancheros.
- 94.
Huge portions of authentic Vietnamese food. Try the Chicken pho.
- 95.
Eclectic brews, fresh oysters. What’s not to love?
- 96.
Popular dive bar in a charming old building.
- 97.
Best Dessert in the country (Bon Appétit, 2016).
- 98.
Loved their Drops of Juniper Latte.
- 99.
A Chocoholic’s dream! Tons of hand-crafted artisan chocolates and pastries.
- 100.
Sounds crazy, but try the smoked shrimp pizza with fermented chiles.
- 101.
Their ice cream is full of flavor and not overly sweet. Strawberry and coffee ice creamare our favorites.
101 Things to Do in Asheville Map
Essential Tips for Visiting Asheville
- Shoulder season is March to May / September to November and is the best time to visit because there’s less traffic and the temperatures are ideal.
- Bring layers! In the summer, the days are often hot, but when the sun goes down most people are reaching for another light layer.
- Best way to get around is by getting a rental car (Book a RENTAL CAR here). You can also Uber or Lyft, but it starts getting pricey.
- Street parking is pretty congested year-round. If you’re lucky enough to find a spot you can save a little time by downloading the PassportParking app before you arrive or carry some quarters for the meters (there are more than 700 on-street meters downtown.)
- Metered parking is really only for short-term use (2 hours or less) and costs $1.25 an hour. They’re enforced from 8 am to 6 pm every day except Sundays and a few city holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving and 3 days at Christmas.
- Other parking options include three garages downtown: Civic Center, Wall Street, and Rankin. The Civic Center Garage is free for the first hour and then $1.00 per hour for each hour or fraction thereof. The daily maximum is $10.
Best Places to Stay in Asheville
See More: 15 Best Places to Stay in Asheville
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Asheville hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Asheville travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
What are your goals in 2024? Do you have any goals we can work on together?
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SEE More CITY Bucket Lists
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Caroline + Erin
They are entrepreneurs and creatives who are good at finding adventure, both big and small, everywhere they go. The two have made a daily practice of sharing vulnerabilities, truth telling, and side splitting laughter. Both value being able to spend time getting to know a place but understand that life doesn’t always allow one to really settle into a place. So, they’ve honed the art of traveling fast and seeing and doing all of the things that an adventurer can do in a day or two. The couple lives in Asheville, North Carolina and spend as much time as possible in the mountains.
I live in California and I want to come visit.
You totally should, Christine! Asheville is super charming.
Hey Guys! My brother lives in Asheville and I’m always thinking of cool new things to do. Love this article. Thank you!
Thank you, Hailey. We’d love to hear about your favorite spots when you visit him! :)
This post officially makes me want to go to Asheville! thanks for the photos and recommendations. :)
So happy to hear that, Angela. I hope you make the trip out there soon! :)