Asheville NC Attractions and Places to Visit

Attractions and Places to Visit Downtown Asheville offers an outstanding collection of early 20th century architecture, and boasts more art deco architecture than any southeastern city other than Miami Beach. Guided walking tours are available. They are more than 150 retail shops and about 50 restaurants in downtown Asheville.

Asheville Urban Trail The Asheville Urban Trail an art museum without walls, a walk through time, an opportunity to examine the rich architecture, to enjoy neighborhoods and learn about the people and events that have given Asheville its distinctive flair. Walking the Urban Trail you will learn intriguing stories about the city's past while exploring a wealth of shops, restaurants, galleries and lively public spaces. The entire Trail is 1.7 miles long and takes roughly two hours to walk. The Urban Trail was begun by the City of Asheville as part of its ongoing program to improve the quality of our city through the display of public art. The Trail was designed by volunteers and built with donations from individuals, groups and organizations who wish to leave a lasting legacy to their community. There are now thirty "stations" (sculptures and plaques) that define the Urban Trail. The story of the city is celebrated by commemorating five periods of the city's social history: Pink granite markers embedded in the sidewalk display the icon for each period and guide the visitor along the Trail. Pack Place Asheville (828) 258-0710

Biltmore Estates Plan your getaway to America's Largest Home, Biltmore House, surrounded by inspiring gardens, America's most-visited winery, and the interpretive River Bend Farm. Play in our 8,000-acre backyard with an array of outdoor activities, indulge in one-of-a-kind shopping, and savor our restaurants' exceptional fare. Visit Biltmore in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC and let our gracious hospitality inspire you. 1 Approach Road Asheville (828) 225-1333

Blue Ridge Parkway A drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway is slow paced and relaxing. Almost any overlook or trail will reveal much of the natural and cultural history here. Explore the many communities along the route that make our region so special. Enjoy the view, but watch the road! The scenic parkway winds some 470 miles along the highest ridges from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Parkway intersects Asheville at U.S. Highways 25, 70, and 74 and NC 191. (828) 298-0398

Cataloochee Ski Area Our winter playground is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks – riding the chairlift has never been more rewarding. Smooth, gentle slopes like Easy Way and Rabbit Hill, serviced by a beginner’s chairlift, gives you the novices the elbowroom they need to learn the basics and practice their skills. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders find plenty of action on Rock Island Run and Lower Omigosh, while seasoned experts can face the steepness found on Upper Omigosh. For skiers and snowboarders looking for a thrill our Cat Cage Terrain Park delivers with ramps, rails and boxes. 1080 Ski Lodge Road, Maggie Valley (828) 926-0285

Folk Art Center The Folk Art Center is a center for one-of-a-kind handmade crafts that are a part of the mountains. The Center is the home of three separate Parkway partners who share the building; the Southern Highland Craft Guild, National Park Service, and Eastern National a nonprofit, educational branch of the National Park Service. East of Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville (828) 298-7928

North Carolina Arboretum The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by the dense folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural garden settings in America. The North Carolina Arboretum is a public institution -- integrating education, landscape, and research -- that elevates the aesthetic, cultural, and economic quality of life in North Carolina. The Arboretum, through conservation of the traditional values, environmental resourcefulness, and botanical mystique of the Southern Appalachian region, broadens contemporary expressions of landscape stewardship. 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville (828) 665-2492

Southern Highlands Guild The Craft Fair is an event where connoisseurs and novices alike come to craft a collection, connect with tradition, and invest in regional culture. The Craft Fair takes place in beautiful downtown Asheville at the Civic Center, 10am-6pm Thursday through Saturday, and 10am -5pm Sunday. Over two hundred craftspeople fill two floors with fine handcrafted items, while local musicians play live on the arena stage, and craft educators share their knowledge with children in hands-on projects. Asheville Civic Center 87 Haywood Drive Asheville (828) 259-5736

YMI Cultural Center The YMI Cultural Center is an enduring asset in the City of Asheville. Housed in a local landmark building which is on the National Register of Historic Places, the YMICC runs programs in cultural arts, community education and economic development. Commissioned by George Vanderbilt in 1892, this beautiful, multi-level 18,000 square foot, Tudor-style structure was built by and for the several hundred Negro craftsmen who helped construct the Biltmore House. It became known as the Young Men's Institute or YMI. 39 South Market Street Asheville (828) 252-4614