Cheap Things To Do In Asheville Nc

Things To Do In Asheville Nc

Asheville, North Carolina has something for everyone. Its the biggest urban getaway in Southern Appalachia, but it feels like a little mountain town. It has world-class beer and food scenes, but you can show up to 5-star restaurants in muddy hiking clothes and no one will bat an eyelash.

It has easy access to the highest mountains in the east, some of the best whitewater in the country, and over 500 waterfalls. There are so many things to do in Asheville NC that you could spend months here and never get bored.

Wortham Center For The Performing Arts

IrinaK | Shutterstock

Address: 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

• It was opened in 1992
• It was formerly known as the Diana Wortham Theater

Nestled in Park Square Cultural District, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is a center for live performances that include music, theater, and dance.

The complex has three performance venues namely the Diana Wortham Theater, the Tina McGuire Theater, and the Henry Labrun Studio.

If you are looking for an evening plan while in Asheville, you should have Wortham Center for the Performing Arts on your list of things to do in Asheville.

And even if you are not interested in watching a performance or there are no events lined up during your stay, you can simply take a tour of the complex.

It is beautiful on both the interior and exterior.

• It is 18 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport

The Omni Grove Park Inn

The old historic hotel opened in 1913 and has been visited by many United States presidents. Irina Mos | Shutterstock

Rating: 4.5

Accommodation price: From $239 to $1,250 depending on the season

Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804

• It is a 4-star resort
• It was built in 1913

Set on the slope of Sunset Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Omni Grove Park Inn resort oozes elegance and luxury.

The grandiose resort has hosted a long list of American presidents including the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

If you are seeking a luxury stay in Asheville during your vacation, this is the right resort for you.

You will have a world-class experience through the cuisine served, accommodation, and other amenities offered by the resort.

Apart from its location which offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Omni Grove Park Inn resort is famous for its award-winning spa.

The spa is designed to imitate the outdoors with its cavern and rock formation architectural design.

The Spa at Omni Grove Park Inn is everything you need to relax and forget about the world for a while.

You dont have to be staying at the resort to dine here or access its spa, you can walk in at any time and give yourself an experience fit for royalty!

• It is 23 minutes from Asheville Regional Airport

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Fun & Free Things To Do In Asheville

• Written by: Maureen Therese

While having a surplus of disposable income does not hurt in a foodie/shopping destination like Asheville, freebies still abound in every direction. For those on a tight budget, no need to fret as the area is filled to the brim with gorgeous natural attractions, Additionally, a lively calendar of free events, plus a variety of free cultural and artsy attractions, will give you more than enough budget friendly activities to enjoy during your trip.

Here are 18 free things to do and see while visiting Asheville.

Explore Downtown Ashevilles Restaurant Scene

Downtown Asheville has an astounding array of critically acclaimed restaurants for a 45-square-mile mountain town with a population of less than 100,000 people.

Those seeking vegetarian, vegan, or just plain healthy food will have a wealth of options to choose from, from the Green Sage and Laughing Tree Cafes to Plant and Rosettas Kitchen & The Buchi Bar.

Looking for more exotic fare? Check out the award-winning Indian food at Chai Pani, the French fare of Bouchon, Korean restaurant Stone Bowl, and new-ish Ramen joint Futo Buta.

If youre looking for chef-driven dining, foodies fawn over hotspots such as Katie Buttons Cúrate , Peter Pollays Posana , Linton Hopkins H& F Burger, John Fleers Rhubarb, and Elliott Moss Buxton Hall.

But for good old-fashioned Appalachian food, check out rising star Ashleigh Shantis Benne on Eagle, 12 Bones Smokehouse , and the Tupelo Honey Cafe, one of the oldest restaurants in Asheville.

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Enjoy Breakfast All Day At Tupelo Honey

We are not going to lie: waking up in the mountains is rough, especially if there is fog. The darker mornings make it harder to get up and out the door early.

Plus, you want fuel before chasing those waterfalls.

If you are searching for a non-hotel breakfast, Tupelo Honey is one of Downtown Ashevilles most popular restaurants.

Not only do they serve breakfast all day, but they offer lunch and dinner as well as locally source their food. And, mimosas.

Of course, people swoon over Biscuit Head and Sunny Point Cafe , two of the best West Asheville restaurants.

Green Sage Cafe is usually one of our stops after an early morning appointment, and you can grab pastries and coffee from Old Europe Pasteries or Geraldines Bakery.

Read all of our top breakfast recommendations touristy and more local with vegan and gluten-free options, too.

Dip Into A Local Bar Or Pub

We just love the Asheville bar scene, and bar hopping is one of the most fun things to do in Asheville. Lets face it: there are far too many dive, LGBTQ+, sports, and classy bars to choose from.

A few of our favorite bars include Asheville Club, The Malvern serving up one of the best burgers in town The Times Bar and Coffee Shop, and The Odditorium.

For Asheville pubs and taverns, try Barleys Taproom , Bone and Broth, and the luxurious Red Stag Grill.

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Explore The North Carolina Arboretum

$

Wander through the Arboretums beautiful botanical gardens and enjoy the blooms of the season. If youre not interested in flowers, the bonsai garden alone is worth a visit!

There is a parking fee, but otherwise free admission to all gardens, trails, and buildings. Some garden shops and a little café are available if you need a break. Hiking and biking trails cover the property as well, from easy to moderate to difficult.

Wake Up With Local Coffee

The moment friends and visitors land in town, the DMs start pouring in: Where can we get the best coffee in Asheville?

PennyCup Coffee Co. is a small-batch roaster. Vortex has delicious donuts and coffee. We love the French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Well-Bred Bakery.

You cant go wrong with the cafe in Malaprops Bookstore because, well Malaprops, and Double Ds is an Instagrammers wet dream. Just look for the double-decker red bus.

Dont forget to grab a possum shirt at Izzys. Newer to Asheville, Rowan Coffee in downtown is simple but delicious. That historic building is gorgeous inside.

Oh, and Bebettes serves beignets!

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Tour The Basilica Of Saint Lawrence

Formally known as the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, this minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church is a major architectural highlight of downtown Asheville.

Included on the National Register of Historic Places, the elaborate church was designed and built by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino and local legend Richard Sharp Smith .

This is the only basilica in Western NC, and its 52 X 82-foot dome is reportedly the largest free-standing elliptical dome on the North American continent.

Inside, the basilica features elaborate stained glass windows , statues of saints , a marble altar , and a wood carving of the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle .

Walk-in visits are permitted during the hours posted on their website, and self-guided tours of the basilica are free .

Hike In Mount Mitchell National Park

Located in Burnsville NC, just 30 miles north of Asheville at BRP milepost 355, massive Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet.

Mount Mitchell State Park is one of North Carolinas most popular outdoor attractions , offering 7 different hiking trails encompassing around 15 miles.

The shortest is of them all is also the most rewarding. The trek to the summit from the parking lot is moderately strenuous due to the sharp incline.

But its just .4 miles, and rewards you with spectacular 360º scenic views .

The park also offers loads of camping options, a restaurant and concession stand, and an exceptional picnic area that includes 40 tables and two shelters with fireplaces.

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Shop At A Local Bookstore

$-$$, depends how many you buy

Book nerds rejoice! Support local and independent stores! There are some cool shops to choose from, all within walking distance of each other in downtown Asheville. I spent an afternoon wandering from bookstore to bookstore. It was a most glorious afternoon!

Malaprops Bookstore & Café was the first place I encountered a blind date with a book section. Books are wrapped in brown paper with a list of adjectives on the cover. Make a selection and buy it, title unseen!

Trust me: take a chance on a new book! Titles are staff picks or popular novels. And yes, the title will be on your receipt. Exchange it for another blind date if you already own or have read the one you just bought.

Another great local bookstore is the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. Sip wine or champagne while you peruse the shelves. Thousands of used books await and all in good condition. Dont miss the upstairs for the travel section!

Still in the mood for more books? Check out The Captains Bookshelf if you like to dig for buried treasure or Downtown Books and News for another blind date section or custom grab bag.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is another Asheville brewery that is worth checking out. You can sample different beers and take a tour to see the behind-the-scenes action.

Two different tours are offered guided and self-guided. You can drop in unannounced for the self-guided tour, but if you are interested in the guided tour, you must make a reservation in advance on the companys website.

Check out this short video of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company:

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Taste Cheese Along The Wnc Cheese Trail

If you are looking for cheesy things to do in Asheville, NC wink, wink dont miss tasting artisan cheese in Western North Carolina.

Follow the cheese trail map to meet with and buy from your local cheesemakers.

**Full disclosure on this one: Since we are lactose-intolerant, we have not done the WNC Cheese Trail. We had to mention it since everyone talks about and recommends the WNC Cheese Trail.

If we could eat cheese, wed be all over this.

Luxury: The Omni Grove Park Inn

Not only is this the most beautiful property in Asheville, but it also has the best sunset views from the terrace.

Rooms are comfortable and stylish, the staff is top-notch, and theres a good restaurant on the premises. It is highly recommended to come in for the gingerbread house display.

This is the one place in Asheville where youll need to clean up a bit the vibe is very high-end.

Its in the Montford neighborhood, surrounded by gorgeous historic homes. You can park on-site and drive downtown or to the RAD in 5 minutes.

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Bike Bent Creek Or Dupont State Forest

Asheville has an enormous mountain biking community and a trail network to support it. MTB enthusiasts can find wild technical descents on trails like Avery Creek or plunge 4,000 feet down the Black Mountain ridge on Snooks Nose.

But if youre new to the sport, the trails at Bent Creek and DuPont State Forest provide the perfect introduction and is one of the most fun things to do in Asheville NC. Bent Creeks convenient location right in town is a big plus.

You can find trails for all experience levels starting from Rice Pinnacle or Hard Times in Bent Creek or from the main parking area in DuPont. These parking lots fill quickly arrive by 8 am on weekdays, or 7 am on weekends. Hard Times has two entrances one in the bowl and one on the Parkway -, and the Parkway one has considerably more parking. Its an unmarked parallel parking zone shortly before Walnut Cove Overlook, but there are always cars there you cant miss it.

You can rent bikes and join group biking adventures with operators in Asheville and Brevard. Pura Vida Tours, which is Brevard-based, is a fabulous operator. Youll get personalized service from the owner, who has decades of local experience. His joy and enthusiasm to share the trails are infectious.

Ashevilles Best Free + Budget Things To Do

06/30/2020 by Chloe

Asheville is the nonconformist of North Carolinas cities. Its a part of the South, yet it doesnât quite fit into this box. Asheville attracts both mountain enthusiasts and artsy folk, merging all of these influences to make a city thats completely its own.

Ashevilleâs eccentric vibe has attracted celebrities throughout the years, from literary author Thomas Wolfe to the Obamas. Even the Vanderbilt family saw something special in the city and built the countryâs largest home here!

While its increasing fame can give off the impression that Asheville is a quirky getaway for the rich, itâs totally doable on a budget. Hereâs how:

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Visit The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

Located at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 384, less than 7 miles from Downtown Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a great place to learn more about the history of the route.

You can also get personal tips from park rangers on things to see and do on your epic road trip.

There are themed exhibits on everything from Blue Ridge flora and fauna to Cherokee history, traditional Appalachian culture, and the construction of the Parkway .

The Visitor Center features a 22-foot, interactive digital map of the Parkway, as well as an award-winning 24-minute film that offers an excellent overview of the history and nature that make the BRP so special.

Theres also a 1.4-mile loop trail that begins at the far end of the visitor center parking lot. It ultimately connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which stretches 1,175 miles from the North Carolina mountains to its coast.

Visit Americas Largest Estate

If youre visiting Asheville for the first time, plan an entire day to explore the 8,000-acre estate, which includes the 250-room Biltmore House, 75 acres of magnificent gardens, and the country’s most-visited winery, shopping, eating, four-star hotels, hiking trails, and more.

The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned mansion in America, with a priceless collection of art and antiques original to the Vanderbilt home. The winery offers complimentary tastings, and Antler Hill Village has great dining, shopping, and family activities.

If you’re on a budget but still want to get the Biltmore experience, visit Biltmore Village, which is located outside the Biltmore Estate. This former estate worker community is now filled with fantastic shopping, incredible arts and craft galleries, and delicious eateries.

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Head To Downtown Hendersonville Nc

Hendersonville is about 40-45-minutes away from downtown Asheville. A smaller city, find even more cafes, restaurants, shops, bookstores, and the best Hendersonville breweries.

Walk around the historic downtown and grab chocolate at Kilwins. Umi Sushi is our favorite fine-dining Japanese restaurant in WNC. The wineries, orchards, and DuPont State Forest are all nearby.

Hendersonville also has sweet Bed and Breakfasts and museums. Uncover all of the fantastically fun things you can do in Hendersonville, NC.

We also have a post showcasing our favorite Hendersonville restaurants, including German food and more BBQ.

Things To Do In Asheville Nc May 2022 With Friends

There is an abundance of activities in Asheville NC May 2022 for you to participate in. Whether its just you and your partner or a whole squad of stags and hens, Asheville NC May 2022 guarantees you an experience that will leave you with a dire thirst to return for more of its charm

Asheville NC May 2022 is a huge city, and so is the number of ways in which you can have fun here. We hope youve found something to your liking, which is highly probable, especially considering how unique and innovative some of the activities listed here are. Have as much fun as you can, and dont forget to like the article

Every year, Asheville NC May 2022 is blessed with 27 million visitors to show off its many wonders. The city has many activities for you to do to make your day enjoyable. No matter if you are a tourist or a native of Asheville NC May 2022 , you will find something fun to do in Asheville NC May 2022 .

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Romantic Things To Do In Asheville Nc April 2022

In my experience, every time you fall in love with a person you also fall in love with a place. The special moments and loving hours that you spend together are so deeply rooted in a sense of place that the city becomes an inextricable part of your story. The memory will always be tied to the special spaces you shared.

Heres our evergreen guide of what to do in Asheville NC April 2022 in winter 20 fun activities to help you enjoy the city even in the coldest months, making the most of the festive atmosphere.

But with the below things to do in Asheville NC April 2022 this winter youll be sure to see sparkling lights, eat delicious food in warm and unique places, play games like local Asheville NC April 2022ers and find out the best places to go for some sunny Asheville NC April 2022 walks!