ATTRACTIONS
Amusements
Cherokee Indian Reservation
Main Street, Cherokee Visitor Center
828-497-9195, 800-437-1601
Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smokies and learn the history of the Cherokee people at this reservation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Tribe. Outdoor drama, cultural attractions, a casino, numerous shopping venues, and much more are offered at this reservation. more...Shadowbrook Golf & Games
701 Highway 9 • Asheville, NC 28711
Black Mountain
828-669-5499
Featuring two championship miniature golf courses with natural landscaping and water features, this kid-haven venue also offers a huge variety of video and interactive games, as well as a snack bar and party rooms. map
Casinos
Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel
777 Casino Drive • Asheville, NC 28719
828-497-7777, 800-HARRAHS
This casino features over 2,500 of the hottest video gaming machines, as well as a large variety of table games, a culturally themed childcare facility, entertainment by world famous performers in a 1,500-seat pavilion theater throughout the year, five excellent restaurants, and a 15-story, 252-room luxury hotel that includes an indoor pool, fitness area, and a conference center. more...
Historic Homes & Buildings
Biltmore Estate (circa 1895)
1 Approach Road • Asheville, NC 28803
828-274-6333, 800-299-4730
The centerpiece of this magnificent 8,000 acre estate is Biltmore House, a 250-room French chateau built by George Vanderbilt. The largest private residence in America, the house contains Vanderbilt's original collection of 50,000 fine art pieces, furnishings, and antiques. The estate includes elegant manicured gardens, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted; shops, restaurants, a luxury hotel, and the most visited winery in the country that produces award-winning European-style wine. more...Smith-McDowell House Museum (circa 1840)
283 Victoria Road • Asheville, NC 28805
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
828-253-9231
At various times this beautifully restored, local Historic Landmark Antebellum mansion was the home of mayors, a Confederate major, and many friends of the Vanderbilts, and is Asheville's oldest surviving structure. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features history exhibits, restored rooms decorated with period furnishings that cover the periods of 1840 to 1900, and magnificent grounds designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers. more... mapThomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
52 North Market Street • Asheville, NC 28801
Located in Downtown Asheville
828-253-8304
The historic boyhood home of author Thomas Wolfe that was portrayed as 'Dixieland" in his first novel, "Look Homeward, Angel", this beautiful boarding house is preserved for its role in influencing and shaping the personality, imagination, emotion, and thought that emerged as the literary masterpieces that were produced from Asheville's "most famous son." more... map
Historic Sites & Monuments
Cradle of Forestry
1002 Pisgah Highway • Asheville, NC 28719
Pisgah Forest, 41 miles from Asheville
828-877-3130, 800-660-0671
Travel back in time at this historic complex that was the site of the birth of the science of Forestry in America and features a wide array of activities and attractions such as historic cabins, crafters, guided hikes and tours, movies, hands-on exhibits, special events, a 1915 logging train, a helicopter simulator, scavenger hunts, a cafe, and a gift shop. more...Oconaluftee Indian Village
U.S. Highway 441 North • Cherokee, NC 28819
Located 44 Miles West
828-497-2111
This unique site is an authentic recreation of a Cherokee Indian Village which features guided tours by Cherokee guides in native costumes, as well as customs, rituals, and craft demonstrations by Cherokee artisans. A replica of a seven-sided Council House and typical homes as they were 250 years ago are also on site. more...Riverside Cemetery (circa 1800's)
53 Birch Street • Asheville, NC 28805
828-259-5800
Visit the final resting place of many famous politicians from Asheville, as well as several of Asheville's famous writers, including Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry, at this historic cemetery that also features unique monuments and mausoleums, massive oaks, and pine trees in a park-like setting. more... mapVance Birthplace State Historic Site (circa 1830)
911 Reems Creek Road • Asheville, NC 28787
Weaverville, Seven Miles from Asheville
828-645-6706
The historic mountain homestead of North Carolina's Civil War Governor Zebulon B. Vance, this log cabin and the surrounding area is recreated with structures, artifacts, and furnishings that capture and represent the period from 1790 to 1840 during the early pioneer days. more... mapYMI Cultural Center (circa 1893)
39 Markers Street • Asheville, NC 28802
828-252-4614
One of Asheville's National Historic Landmarks, this center was commissioned by George Vanderbilt and houses many art galleries and offers a wide variety of classes and performances in cultural art and history. more...
Museums & Galleries
Ariel Gallery
46 Haywood Street • Asheville, NC 28801
Located in the Historic Downtown Art District
828-236-2660
Original works in metal, glass, clay, fiber, iron, paper, and wood by local artists are on display at Ariel Gallery. Closed on Mondays. more... mapAsheville Art Museum
2 South Pack Square • Asheville, NC 28802
Located at Pack Place
828-253-3227
Explore world class special exhibitions and an outstanding collection that showcases the very best of 20th and 21st century American art at this "fine small museum." The single visual arts facility serving Western North Carolina, the Asheville Art Museum offers a wide variety of programs and facilities for all ages to enjoy. more... mapBlack Mountain College Museum & Arts Center
56 Broadway • Asheville, NC 28801
828-350-8484
This community arts center and museum exhibits the artwork of Black Mountain faculty and students in a wide array of media styles such as ceramics, paintings, weaving, and sculptures. Monthly exhibits in several gallery spaces are also on display and programs in music, visual, literary, and performing arts are available. more... mapColburn Gem & Mineral Museum
2 South Pack Square • Asheville, NC 28802
Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center
828-254-7162
Explore the rich treasures of the earth at this museum that is called "a mini-Smithsonian of gems" by the Washington Post and carries a dazzling collection of mineral crystals and gemstones from North Carolina and from around the world. more... mapEstes Winn Auto Museum
111 Grovewood Road • Asheville, NC 28804
Grovewood Gallery
828-253-7651
Once the weaving shed for Biltmore Industries, this building now houses approximately twenty antique cars, including a 1926 Cadillac, a 1927 La Salle, and a 1922 La France fire engine, as well as authentic horse drawn carriages. more... mapFolk Art Center
382 Blue Ridge Parkway • Asheville, NC 28815
Blue Ridge Parkway at Oteen
828-298-7928
Home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, this art center contains a fine collection of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians plus features a full schedule of fine crafts exhibits by regional, national, and international artists. The Guild's century-old Allanstand Craft Shop is on site, as well as three galleries, an auditorium, and a library. more... mapNorth Carolina Homespun Museum
111 Grovewood Road • Asheville, NC 28804
Grovewood Gallery
828-253-7651
This unique museum provides exhibits and displays on the history of Biltmore Industries, a hand weaving operation, plus offers weaving demonstrations and free educational films. more... mapSky People Gallery
51 North Lexington Avenue • Asheville, NC 28801
828-232-0076
A contemporary gallery, Sky People Gallery exhibits the works of more than 20 artists. mapStuart Nye Hand Wrought Jewelry
940 Tunnel Road • Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-7989, 800-456-1933
Welcoming visitors weekdays from 8:00 to 11:30 AM and 12:30 to 3:30 PM. You may watch the craftsmen work and we will answer any questions you may have. Samples of jewelry are on display. more... mapSwannanoa Valley Museum, The
225 West State Street • Asheville, NC 28805
Black Mountain
828-669-9566
The collection of this museum gives the historical account of the Swannanoa Valley from the earliest native Americans and the Stone Age to the present day. map
National Parks & Natural Wonders
Blue Ridge Parkway
199 Hemphill Knob Road • Asheville, NC 28803
828-298-0398
Considered to be the most scenic highway in the nation, this 469-mile stretch of road winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, through Asheville, and into the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Numerous overlooks, hiking trails, and roadside exhibits are all along this stretch. more...Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock Highway • Asheville, NC 28646
Linville, 75 Miles from Asheville
828-733-2013, 800-468-7325
Designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the U.N., this magnificent mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range and features a world-class nature preserve with numerous environmental habitats for native wildlife. The famous Mile-High Swinging Bridge is also located on this mountain, as well as numerous hiking trails, a nature museum, over 100 picnic areas, and a theater. more...
Parks, Gardens & Zoos
Asheville Farm
43 Bright Blue Sky Lane • Leicester, NC 28748
828-515-0177
Asheville Farm raises Icelandic sheep, dairy goats, free range chickens and guinea fowl. Farm tours are welcome. more... mapBotanical Gardens, The
151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard • Asheville, NC 28804
UNC at Asheville campus
828-298-7928
Beautiful ten acre botanical garden that features a large arrangement of plants native to the Appalachian Region with approximately 7000 species on site displayed in natural settings. A visitor center and gift shop are also onsite, as well as a half-mile loop walking trail. more... mapChimney Rock Park
Chimney Rock, Highway 64/74A
828-625-9611
Privately owned since 1902, this spectacular, natural scenic attraction park features a 26-story elevator and a network of trails that take you to the top of the rock for a breathtaking 75-mile view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A 404-foot waterfall and a nature center are also on site, as well as numerous hiking trails and picnic areas. more...Western North Carolina Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Road • Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-5600
Formerly the old zoo, many of the old inhabitants can be found at this nature center that features exhibits that elucidate and explicate the plant and animal wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. A children's hands-on nature lab and educational farm with a petting area are also on site. more... map
Science & Technology
Health Adventure
2 South Pack Square • Asheville, NC 28801
828-254-6373
A hands-on health and science museum that features a wide variety of educational exhibits and displays that are designed to delight, entertain, and educate the entire family. more... mapPack Place Education, Arts and Science Center
2 South Pack Square • Asheville, NC 28801
828-257-4500
An Asheville landmark, this 92,000 square foot center houses five of Western North Carolina's premier attractions including the Asheville Art Museum, the Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum, the Diana Wortham Theatre, the Health Adventure, and the Y.M.I Cultural Center. more... map
Tours & Cruises
Asheville Blue Ridge Touring
240 Kimberly Avenue #2 • Asheville, NC 28804
828-275-5765
Specializing in custom local sightseeing and relocation tours for individuals and small groups, this tour company also provides local and regional transportation services with motorcoach step-on guides and inbound receptive operators available. more... mapAsheville Urban Trail
City-County Plaza, Downtown Asheville
828-259-5800
This historic walking tour makes a 1.7-mile loop of the downtown area and tells the fascinating story of Asheville as it is interpreted through art. more...Ghost Hunters of Asheville
1 Battery Park Avenue • Asheville, NC 28801
828-779-HUNT (4868)
Ghost Hunters of Asheville offers paranormal enthusiasts three separate ghost tours to hunt down the spirits in Asheville's paranormal world. Guests enjoy use of ghost-hunting tools on the exclusive interactive downtown tour which guarantees paranormal photographs. A walking tour of historic Montford's most haunted inns and homes is available. Riverside Cemetery beckons to those who dare enter and commingle with the ghosts. more...Mount Pisgah Balloons
1410 Pisgah Highway • Asheville, NC 28712
828-667-9943
This company offers scenic and relaxing hot air balloon rides in the Mount Pisgah area plus features an onsite shop where you can learn more about hot air balloons and ballooning. more...
| Print - ATTRACTIONS | Back to Top >> |