Outdoor activities in Asheville are a mix of adventure sports and some laid-back vibes amidst scenic beauty. Asheville comes with an ideal terrain and atmosphere to spend active holidays and make plenty of unforgettable memories. So, explore the wilderness of Asheville and spend some time in the lap of nature with these exciting outdoor activities Asheville has to offer. From the most adventurous experiences to the most popular ones, the following list combines it all to make sure you do not miss these unique experiences while planning a trip to Asheville.
Outdoor Activities in Asheville
From sunrise to sunset, let's discover the best spots for outdoor activities in Asheville:
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Known as America’s largest home The Biltmore Estate spawns a gargantuan area of 178,926 sq ft. Commissioned by George Vanderbilt and built by his architect Richard hunt the estate stands as America’s one of the most prominent examples of the architecture of the Gilded Age. The chateau was built sometime between 1889 and 1895 and is still inhabited by the descendants of Vanderbilt. A...Read more -
America’s longest linear Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and runs about 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina. It runs along the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountain from the Appalachian Mountain Range. There are many highlights along the way where you can have a small pit stop and enjoy the view such as the Mabry Mill, Craggy Gardens, East Fork Overlook and many m...Read more -
Pisgah National Forest
(374 Votes)
The Pisgah National Forest Park which was formed in 1916 is home to some of the most amazing waterfalls, forest covers and mile high peaks. The Blue Ridge Mountain and the Great balsam mountains are a part of it and so are Bent Creek, Mills River, and Davidson River. There are many number of attractions in the forest such as Looking Glass Rock, John Rock, Black Balsam Knob, Sam Knob, Graveyard ...Read more -
Western North Carolina Nature Center
(681 Votes)
A 42 acre zoological park located in Gashes Creek Road The Western North Carolina Nature Center is home to over 60 species of animals and birds. Here you’ll find especially the animals native to the South of Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1924 and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums the Nature center offer an array of Family as well as School Programs. Some of the place...Read more -
Asheville Hot Air Balloons
(566 Votes)
If you are searching for a recreational activity amidst the clouds then Asheville Hot Air Balloons is the perfect place for you. For about an hour when you are up in the air and down below its all green, the view from there, is once on a lifetime experience. You’ll be flying in one of the best hot air balloons namely the Cameron hot air balloons which are FAA certified and are guaranteed ...Read more -
Asheville Zip-line Canopy Adventures
(305 Votes)
One of the most exciting places in Ashville for a truly adventurous experience the Asheville Zip-line Canopy is the perfect place to go to. It has about 60 unique climbing, zipping, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges anchored to over 30 trees. The adventure includes 11 zip-line sections, nine treetop platforms, three adventure tower platforms, three sky bridges and zip-lines ...Read more -
The Craggy Gardens are a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and also the most beautiful viewpoint in the Parkway. There are trails to the picnic point where you can have a fun and enriching experience of hiking. The trails are filled with exquisite flora and especially in summer a purple tunnel of rhododendron forms around the trails which adds a very magical feel to the whole place. The Gardens ar...Read more -
Chatlos Memorial Chapel
(280 Votes)
Nested within the Blue Ridge Mountains the Chatlos Memorial Chapel looks like a chapel pulled from a fairy tale. There’s also the Billy graham training centre at The Cove which offers Christian training year round. The steeple soars about 87 feet tall and the inside of the chapel the chandeliers handcrafted from wrought iron. The green surrounding create a fresh and serene atmosphere for ...Read more -
Mc Cormick Field
(266 Votes)
The home ground of Ashville Tourists, McCormick Field is a baseball stadium. The place is built with a beautiful backdrop of side hills and trees making it quite a charming place to catch a game. The stadium itself dates back to 1924 but the stands were built sometime before 1992 and holds a capacity to entertain about 4,000 baseball fans. A nice place to catch a game in season with family and ...Read more -
The village was conceived as a company town for Biltmore estate by George Vanderbilt and was formerly known as the town of ‘Best’. The town contains several shops and houses which offer an array of diverse selection of merchandise from handicrafts to custom designed jewelry. You’ll find a great deal of outlets for shopping, dining and recreation as the town, although small, is...Read more -
One of the most relaxing and engaging walking tours of Asheville the Urban Trail is a 1.7 mile long trail that leads you through the street of downtown Asheville. The trail has about 30 pit stops that are significant artistically and historically to Asheville including many sculptures one of which is Thomas Wolfe's size 13 bronzed shoes. The Trail was designed by volunteers and built with donat...Read more -
The Montford Park Players
(57 Votes)
Quite a unique bunch of performers who perform Shakespeare’s plays for free at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. They’re also North Carolina’s longest running Shakespeare Festival. The place is a perfect combo of fun and entertainment as it’s outdoor and also there are facilities available for refreshments. The Amphitheatre is perfect place for a picnic with family and fr...Read more -
The Visitor’s Center is an important place that will allow you to explore Asheville at its best. This should be the first place on your checklist when visiting Asheville since the center gives you up to date information about all of Asheville’s attractions, places of stay, travel, food and many more. They also have brochures and coupons which give you great discounts and offers at c...Read more -
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area And Campground
(81 Votes)
Located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest the Campground are the best camping grounds in Asheville. With a lush green surrounding and an amazing view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Powhattan the campgrounds are the perfect choice for a picnic barbecue or a weekend getaway. Also the campground is convenient to a variety of cultural and natural attractions, including art and music v...Read more -
Botanical Gardens At Asheville
(143 Votes)
The Botanical garden here hosts an amazing collection of flora native to the South Appalachian mountain ranges. It was established in 1961 on a land which was completely eroded and abandoned but now are one of the most beautiful places in Asheville. There are about 600 or more species in here with April and May being the peak seasons for spring blooms. There are also about 50 endangered species...Read more