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. 

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...

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... 

Thomas 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... 

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (circa 1838) 1928 Little River Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, Located 27 Miles from Asheville, 828-693-4178, This exquisite historic site preserves and protects the antebellum house to which the famous poet and biographer Carl Sandburg relocated to in 1945 and which served as his home for 22 years. The site also preserves the over 260 acres of land the house sits on, as well as over 50 historic structures. Features of the property include the early 19th century house, a 1900's dairy goat barn complex, an orchard, flower and vegetable gardens, and over five miles of trails. Guided tours are available. more... 

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... 

Vance 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... 

YMI 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...

16 Patton 16 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, Located in Historic Downtown Asheville, 828-236-2889, 877-798-6728, 16 Patton features original contemporary fine art by regional and national artists in such mediums as ceramics, sculpture, drawings, glass, and paintings.  more...

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...

Asheville 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... 

Black 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... 

Colburn 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... 

Estes 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... 

Folk 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... 

North 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... 

Sky 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.

Stuart 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... 

Swannanoa 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. 

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...

Linville Caverns Highway 221 North, Marion, NC 28752, 828-756-4171, 800-419-0540, These natural limestone caverns are located at the base of the scenic Humpback Mountain and feature stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as an underground stream. more...

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...

Botanical 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... 

Chimney 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...

North Carolina Arboretum, The 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, University of North Carolina, 828-253-7651, Nestled in a gorgeous natural setting, this 426-acre arboretum features gardens that reflect the unique cultures and crafts of the Southern Appalachian Mountains plus offers many miles of nature trails that provide leisurely walking, as well as challenging hiking. A wide variety of classes, educational programs, and workshops are available. 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... 

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... 

Pack 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... 

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... 

Asheville 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...

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...

Sky Tours 76 South Bear Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28805, 828-251-5379, Unique tour company that offers hot air balloon champagne pleasure flights over the mountains and valleys surrounding Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Reservations are required. 

Rockhouse Vineyards 1525 Turner Road, Tryon, NC 28782, 828-863-2784, Well known for their Chardonnays, Viogniers, and Merlots, among other selections, which are made exclusively from Rockhouse grapes and local Tyron growers. more...