Whether you like art, nature, entertainment, or something else, there are a lot of fun things to do in Asheville, NC.
Asheville is a wonderful city to visit with incredible museums, great events, interesting landmarks, and much more. From seeing antique cars at a museum to attending a show at a theater to playing vintage pinball games, there’s a large variety of incredible things you can do in the city.
If you’re wondering what to do in Asheville, then I got you covered! I made this guide with the most fun activities, must-see sights, great museums, events, and much more.
Best Things To Do in Asheville, NC
Check Out Biltmore
Biltmore is one of the best landmarks in Asheville. It’s a mansion that was the main residence of George Washington Vanderbilt II. The mansion was built at the end of the 19th century and is the largest house in the United States that is privately owned.
You can visit the mansion and do a tour, such as an audio tour, through which you can discover many of the house’s rooms. Biltmore is also great to visit with kids when you are in Asheville as there are special tours for children.
In addition to seeing the beautiful house and estate, and learning about the history of the house, you can also go to one of the events that takes place at Biltmore. For example, during Christmas, you can see beautiful Christmas lights here.
You can also sometimes see incredible art exhibitions at Biltmore.
Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
Go to the Asheville Pinball Museum
The Asheville Pinball Museum is a place that makes for a very fun activity in Asheville. You can find it in downtown Asheville. At this museum, you can find 70 playable vintage pinball machines and arcade games that you can play as many times as you like for a single fee of 15 dollars per person.
The games that you can play here include classic ones, such as Pacman and Space Invaders.
Keep in mind that the museum can be very busy and you may need to wait before getting in as there is a player limit of 65, which ensures that there is always a game to play once you are inside.
Address: 1 Battle Square Ste 1b, Asheville, NC 28801
Join a Guided Walk at the North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is an arboretum and botanical garden that you can find close to Asheville. There are many different types of gardens at this place that are all dedicated to a certain type of plants or flowers.
During many months of the year, you can go to the North Carolina Arboretum and join a weekly guided trail walk. These walks are free to attend and take place 2 times per week.
During these walks, you can see beautiful nature and learn about a variety of topics. The things that you can see during these walks differ per walk depending on the weather, conditions of the trail, and the expertise of the guide.
Besides that, there are all kinds of other events that take place at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
See Art at the Asheville Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum is a museum that you can find at 2 South Pack Square in the city of Asheville.
At the museum, you can find a collection of American works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Moreover, the museum focuses on art from Western North Carolina. You can see art here made by artists from the region, artists who studied at Black Mountain College, and many other artists.
You can see a variety of types of art here, including historic and contemporary crafts, paintings, works of glass, ceramics, wood carvings, stone carvings, and much more. In total, the collection of the museum of the museum includes 7,500 works in total.
There are also temporary exhibitions at the Asheville Art Museum.
Address: 2 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to a Performance at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts complex that consists of three venues and it is located in downtown Asheville.
The names of the three venues that make up the complex are the Diana Wortham Theatre, the Tina McGuire Theatre, and the Henry LaBrun Studio.
Lots of different types of events take place at the theater. For example, you can go here to see a comedy show, enjoy an incredible dance performance, or listen to good live music.
It is also possible to do classes at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. For example, it is possible to do adult ballet classes.
Address: 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Attend a Demonstration at Lexington Glassworks
Lexington Glassworks is a glassblowing studio and gallery that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re wondering what to do in Asheville. At Lexington Glassworks, you can see beautiful pieces of hand-blown glass that were made with old techniques and using material from the region.
In addition to seeing the beautiful pieces of glass and buying a piece if you like it, you can also go to Lexington Glassworks to attend a demonstration. There are live glassblowing events during which you can see the creation of the studio’s pieces, which is an interesting process.
Address: 81 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to the Grove Arcade and Shop
Grove Arcade is a wonderful indoor shopping mall that was established in the year 1928. It is the first indoor shopping mall in the United States and is rich in history.
Moreover, the building of the Grove Arcade is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a beautiful architectural style.
At the Grove Arcade, you can find many great stores, including local boutique stores. Whether you want to shop for apparel, jewelry, crafts, books, art, or something else, you can do it at Grove Arcade.
In addition to that, there are many dining options at Grove Arace, and you can find the Makers Market here, which is an outdoor market with many stalls where artisans sell their items.
Address: 1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
See Local Art at Woolworth Walk
Woolworth Walk is another one of Asheville’s art galleries. At Woolworth Walk, you can see works by 170 local artists in one space.
The art gallery has jewelry, decorative arts, crafts, fine art, and many other objects. The diversity makes the art gallery a very interesting place to visit.
You can also find “The Soda Fountain” at Woolworth Walk and get a delicious milkshake or another treat.
In addition, you can attend the “Opening Reception for the Featured Artist” every first Friday. During this event, you can see art by one specific local artist.
Address: 25 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
See Antique Cars at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum
You can find the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum at Grovewood Village in the city of Asheville. This is a must-visit museum in Asheville for those that love cars as you can find a collection of about 20 vehicles here.
These vehicles used to be owned by Harry D. Blomberg and the collection includes cars that are rare and unique.
For example, you can see an American LaFrance Fire Truck at the museum which is amazing to see.
In addition to that, there are many old cars on display at the museum with the oldest car being from the year 1913.
Address: 111 Grovewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Shop at the WNC Farmers Market
The Western North Carolina Farmers Market, or the WNC Farmers Market, is a wonderful farmers market where you can discover great products from Asheville and its surrounding area.
This is a year-round farmers market with an indoor area. You can get fruits, vegetables, crafts, and many other items from local farmers and producers at the market.
Furthermore, there is a garden center where you can buy flowers, and there are also local food trucks at the market where you can get delicious food.
Address: 570 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
See a Show at the Asheville Community Theatre
You can find the Asheville Community Theatre on Walnut Street in downtown Asheville.
The theater dates back to the year 1946. It is the oldest theater in the city that is still operating and it is one of the oldest community theaters in the United States.
Many types of shows take place at the theater and going to one of these is a great thing to do in Asheville. For example, you can go here to see a musical, attend a play, or see another type of performance.
What makes seeing a show a more fun experience is that the shows are performed by local artists.
If you like acting or want to learn how to act, you can also do classes at the theater.
Address: 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to the Asheville Retrocade
The Asheville Retrocade is a video arcade with a huge selection of video games.
There are both classic and modern video games to play here, and in total there are more than 5,000 different games to choose from. This means that you can likely find a fun new game to play or be able to play a game you already know here.
Furthermore, the Asheville Retrocade is a place where you can get great drinks. For example, you can get local craft beers, wine, and other types of beverages here.
There is also retro music, and there are many unique pieces of memorabilia, including beer memorabilia from the 1930s.
Address: 800 Haywood Rd #100, Asheville, NC 28806
Go to the Folk Art Center
The Folk Art Center of the Southern Highland Craft Guild is a place where you can see Southern Appalachian works of craft and learn about Southern Appalachian culture. The art center was established in 1980.
You can find a main gallery here with exhibitions of both traditional and contemporary works.
There is a permanent collection that includes works from a large period in time, with the oldest works being about 3,000 years old. The permanent collection also includes contemporary works.
There is also a focus gallery where you can see changing exhibitions of works of art by five members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Address: 382 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28805
Visit the WNC Nature Center
The WNC Nature Center is a zoological park that you can find in the city of Asheville. The park dates back to the year 1973.
At the zoo, you can see 60 species of animals that live or used to live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most of the animals that you can find at the center have permanent injuries or are not able to live in the wild anymore for other reasons.
It is very interesting to see the animals at the zoo and to learn about each species’ natural history.
Some of the animals that you can find at the WNC Nature Center include the American black bear, the American red wolf, and the American river otter.
Address: 75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Visit the Asheville Museum of Science
The Asheville Museum of Science, one of the best museums in Asheville, is a museum that you can find in Downtown Asheville.
This museum is aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 12, but the exhibits are fun for all ages.
You can find lots of different exhibits at the museum, including interesting and fun hands-on exhibits. Through these exhibits, you are able to learn about a wide variety of topics related to science.
For example, there is a hall where you can see gems and minerals.
There is also a teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton and there is an area of the museum where you can learn about astronomy.
Address: 43 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Do a LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour
The LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour is a fun tour through which you can explore the city of Asheville.
During this tour, you can learn about the city’s history from entertaining tour guides who give you information about the city using comedy skits, such that you can learn new things and have a lot of fun.
There are different types of tours to choose from and all can be great if you’re looking for fun activities in Asheville. For example, you can do the “City Comedy Tour” during which you will visit the River Arts District, the Montfort neighborhood, and many other places.
You can also do the “Haunted Comedy Tour” to learn about the dark past of the city, learn about mysteries, and hear about “hair-raising tales”.
Go to an Event at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, or the Asheville Botanical Gardens, is a 10-acre botanical garden with native plants from the Southern Appalachians.
Throughout the year, lots of events take place at this place. These events are very diverse.
For example, you can do a workshop in the garden and learn about nature or gardening.
There are also other types of events, including author reading events that you might find interesting.
Some of the events that take place here are free.
Address: 151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
Discover the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a place where you can find interesting exhibits related to the nature and culture of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
It is also possible to see the movie “The Blue Ridge Parkway – America’s Favorite Journey” at the visitor center. This is a short film during which you can get information about the region’s history and sights.
You can also get information about the Blue Ridge Parkway here from the people working at the center.
Address: 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Go to a Show at the Fine Arts Theatre
The Fine Arts Theatre is a movie theater that dates back to the year 1996 that you can find at 36 Biltmore Avenue.
The theater is a great place to check out if you love art and independent film, but you can sometimes also watch other types of movies here and there are special events.
Furthermore, the theater has a cozy and intimate atmosphere, and you can get great snacks and drinks here, including incredibly delicious popcorn!
Address: 36 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Visit Moogseum
Moogseum is a museum of the Bob Moog Foundation that makes for one of the best things to do in Asheville. You can find it at 56 Broadway Street. It is a non-profit museum that is dedicated to the legacy of Bob Moog.
At the museum, you can see interactive and immersive exhibits with which the museum aims to educate and inspire people through electronic music.
One of the exhibits that you can find here is one where you can play a synthesizer, and there is an exhibit where you can find an interactive theremin.
Furthermore, there is a “Bob Moog Timeline” with lots of archival material and photographs.
You can also find an interactive timeline here about the history of the synthesis.
Address: 56 Broadway Street (Front, Asheville, NC 28801
Explore the River Arts District
The River Arts District is a district of Asheville where you can explore Asheville’s local art scene. You can find a lot of working studies and art galleries here, where you can see lots of amazing works of art. From jewelry to works made of glass to pottery, you can see very diverse items here.
There are always studios and art galleries that are open to the public and where you can see great works of art.
There are also events that take place at the River Arts District. For example, every second Saturday of the month, there are gallery walks during which you can see demonstrations, listen to live music, do workshops, taste great food, and do much more.
During other times of the month, there are also many events such as tours and classes.
See a Show of the Montford Park Players
The Montford Park Players is a Shakespeare theatre company with great productions that take place at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, which is located at 92 Gay Street in Asheville.
The theater company was founded in 1973 and it is the longest-running theater company in the city.
Every year, there are various productions that can be fun to attend. For example, every year, you can see a great show of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Address: 92 Gay St, Asheville, NC 28801
Do a Guided Tour of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial, or the Thomas Wolfe House, is a historic house that is located in Asheville’s historic district. The famous author Thomas Wolfe lived in the house.
The house dates back to the year 1883 and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
Since the year 1916, only a few things about the house changed, which makes it an interesting site to see.
You can explore the house by doing a guided tour. There are several house tours every day, and these tours take place half past each hour.
Address: 52 N Market St, Asheville, NC 28801
Get Ice Cream at Sunshine Sammies
Sunshine Sammies is an ice cream shop that you can find at 99 South Lexington Avenue. You can find the ice cream shop inside a building that was built in the 1920s.
The ice cream shop opened as a solar-powered pushcart in 2013, but it now also has a retail location.
You can enjoy delicious and creative ice cream at Sunshine Sammies which is a fun and relaxing thing to do in Asheville. At this place, you can get incredible handcrafted ice cream sandwiches made with all-natural ingredients.
You can choose the cookie and the flavor of ice cream to get the ice cream sandwich that you like best.
Address: 99 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
See the Basilica of Saint Lawrence
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence is a minor basilica that is located in downtown Asheville. The church features a Spanish Renaissance architectural style, was built in the year 1909, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The basilica was designed by the architect Raphael Guastavino and is beautiful to see.
You can visit the basilica by doing a tour. You can do self-guided tours using a brochure that you can get at the basilica on several days of the week. You can do these tours for free, but donations are appreciated.
Address: 97 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
See Exhibits at The Biltmore Legacy
The Biltmore Legacy is an exhibition that you can see in Antler Hill Village close to the Biltmore House.
At the exhibition, you can see all sorts of treasures from the Biltmore collection.
For example, you can see objects from George Vanderbilt’s visit to Japan in 1892. It includes art and various decorative objects, including samurai armor.
Furthermore, you can see a silver Tiffany & Company tea set here that was a gift from George Vanderbilt’s mother.
There are also portable travel guides from the 19th and 20th centuries by Baedeker.
You can learn about the Vanderbilt Family at the exhibition, and learn about various individual family members.
Address: 197 Dairy Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
See Art at Grovewood Village
Grovewood Village is a wonderful destination if you’re looking for fun things to do in Asheville. You can find a variety of interesting places there.
For example, there is an art gallery here called the Grovewood Gallery that was established in the year 1992. At this place, you can find a variety of objects, including jewelry, textiles, pottery, works of glass, and more, made by 350 artists from across the country.
The gallery is located in a beautiful building.
The Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum is a great museum that you can also check out when you are here. At this museum, you can learn about the history of Biltmore Industries, which was one of the largest producers of handwoven wool in the world.
In addition to that, there are working studies at Grovewood Village, and you can find the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum here too.
Go to a Concert at The Orange Peel
The Orange Peel is a live music venue that you can find at 101 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville that was opened in 2002.
The music venue has a capacity of 1,050 people and has a state-of-the-art sound system.
Many well-known artists performed here in the past, including Bob Dylan, The Killers, and Post Malone.
In addition to presenting concerts by famous artists, you can also often go here to enjoy music by up-and-coming artists. There are also concerts of a variety of genres that you can attend here.
Address: 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
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What To Do in Asheville Tips
Asheville is a popular city and some places in the city can be very busy. So if you’re deciding what to do in Asheville and you want to visit a popular place in the city, such as the Asheville Pinball Museum, I recommend showing up early to avoid having to wait in line.
Asheville Things To Do Map
I hope I helped you find some fun activities in the city! Thanks for reading my guide to the best things to do in Asheville, NC.