Asheville Activities

Black Mountain Center for the Arts

225 W. State St., Black Mountain, 828/669-0930. blackmountainarts.org. This community arts center in the beautifully renovated Old City Hall houses monthly exhibits in the gallery along with programs in music, visual and performing arts. Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5p.m.; Sat., 1-4 p.m. H/A.AC.

Folk Art Center

MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy., 828/298-7928, southernhighlandguild.org. Home of Southern Highland Craft Guild, representing craft artists from Southern Appalachia. Houses three fine art galleries and offers daily craft demonstrations. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Apr.-De.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan.-Mar. H/A.

Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery

1 Page Ave., 828/255-0775, grovearchade.com. The Gallery features the crafts, stories and music of the Blue Ridge through rotating exhibitions, educational programs, a craft shop and a state-of-the-art interactive exhibition about the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Open 10 a.m.-6p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5p.m. Sun. H/A.

Biltmore Estate

One Approach Rd., 828/225-1333, 877/245-8667, Biltmore.com. Explore the wonders of Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC for a day or a week. Discover America’s largest home, magnificent gardens, award-winning winery, great shopping and delicious dining and a four star escape at our inn. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. H/A. AC.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian Trail Conference Regional Office, 160-A Zillicoa St., 828/254-3708, appalachiantrail.org. Approximately 300 miles of this Maine-to-Georgia primitive hiking trail through North Carolina. Voted most popular outdoor destination by Blue Ridge Outdoors and favorite long distance trail by Backpacker.

Blue Ridge Parkway

828/298-0398, nps.gov/blri. The 469-mile parkway intersects Asheville at US 25, 70 and 74, and NC 191. The Linn Cove Viaduct (MP 304, 25 miles north of Asheville) is an engineering marvel that wraps around Grandfather Mountain.

Botanical Gardens at Asheville

151 W.T. Weaver Blvd., 828/252-5190, ashevillebotanicalgardens.org. This 10-acre nonprofit nature preserve (next to UNCA) is dedicated to preserving and displaying the native flora of the Southern Appalachians. Garden-themed gift shop. Open daily dawn to dusk. Garden Path Gift shop open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. No admission fee. H/A. Donations welcome.

Chimney Rock Park

Hwy. 64/74A, Chimney Rock, 828/625-9611, 800/277-9611, chimneyrockpark.com. An elevator inside the mountain or a network of trails takes you to stunning 75-mile views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Trails lead to a 404-foot waterfall; family and pet friendly. Ticket plaza opens daily 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. during daylight-saving time). Open all year except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. AC.

North Carolina Arboretum

100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, BRP MP 393, 828/665-2492, ncarboretum.org. A 434-acre public garden offering 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking/biking trails, a greenhouse complex and the Southeast’s finest bonsai collection. Group activities, gift shop and food service available. Open daily 8 a.m. - 9p.m. Apr.-Oct., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Bonsai Volunteers in the Garden: 12:30-4 p.m. Tue. & Sun., 10 a.m.-4p.m. Sat. H/A. AC.

Asheville Brews Cruise

828/545-5181, brewscruise.com. Get an insider’s take on some of the great local beers being crafted in Asheville. We offer guests a behind-the-scenes, “VIP” experience. Cost includes transportation, guide, samples and souvenir pint glass. Wed.-Sat. evenings pickup 5:45 p.m., drop off 9:30 p.m. Sat. pick up 1:45 p.m., drop off 5:15 p.m. AC.

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Hwy. 19 W., Bryson City, 828/488-2175, 888/590-9267, noc.com. World-class rafting, paddling school with NOC since 1972 on the Nantahala, Ocoee, Pigeon, French Broad, and Nolichucky Rivers. Biking, hiking, climbing, group adventure programs. Dining, retail. Reservations taken daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. H/A. AC.

Grandfather Mountain

US 221 & Blue Ridge Pkwy., Linville (75 miles from Asheville), 828/733-4337, 800/468-7325. The highest peak in the Blue Ridge and globally recognized nature preserve. The Mile High Swinging Bridge; bears, cougars, otters, and other animals in their natural habitats; picnic areas, The south’s best hiking trails. Open 8 a.m.- dusk. H/A. AC.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oconaluftee Visitor Center, U.S. 411 N., Cherokee (55 Miles from Asheville), 828/497-1904, nps.gov/grsm. The nation’s most popular park extends 70 miles along the North Carolina/Tennessee border and contains over 500,000 acres of protected forest. The Mountain Farm Museum is a display of historic farm buildings on U.S. 441 N.

River Arts District

The River Arts District is the hip and upcoming warehouse-turned-art-district in Asheville. This neighborhood of modest old brick buildings holds dozens of studios that contain the masterworks of artists who have been drawn here from the world over. Open the doors to find music, dance, and an exhilarating array of visual arts and craft. Location: Triangle of Clingman, Lyman and Depot St. Asheville, NC 28801. 828/252-9122. Hrs: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. For more information visit http://www.riverdistrictartists.com.

Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum annually presents an exciting, inviting and active schedule of exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent collection of 20th and 21st century American art. Any visit will also include experiences with works of significance to Western North Carolina’s cultural heritage including Studio Craft, Black Mountain College and Cherokee artists. Special exhibitions feature renowned regional and national artists and explore issues of enduring interest. The Museum also offers a wide array of innovative, inspiring and entertaining educational programs for people of all ages. 2 S Pack Sq. Asheville, NC 28801 .828/ 253-3227.

Thomas Wolfe House

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th Century American Literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel. The facility houses an exhibit hall featuring personal effects from the Wolfe family home, Wolfe's New York City apartment, and his father's stonecutting shop. An audio-visual program on Thomas Wolfe's life and writing is shown every hour, and guided tours around the boarding house leave from the visitor center. The building also houses a gift shop. 52 North Market Street

Asheville, NC 28801. 828/253-8304