Things to do in Asheville
Sort
Asheville Ghost Tour: Downtown Walking & Dark HistoryYou walk downtown Asheville at night with a local guide who covers five major sites tied to the city's darker history: a suicide, a murder, Civil War ghosts, and the spirits of Thomas Wolfe and his brother. The tour lasts around two hours, includes the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Grove Arcade, and moves at a steady pace through accessible downtown streets. Book it if you want the real stories behind Asheville's haunted reputation without the theatrical production.Is it for me?Pick this if you want Asheville's actual dark history told by someone who knows the city, not a theatrical production—the walking pace and downtown route mean you're moving through real locations where these stories happened, not sitting in a theater.
Asheville Electric Bike Tour: Downtown & Blue Ridge ViewsA 3-hour guided electric bike tour through Asheville's downtown, Grove Arcade and Arts District with a local guide, helmet and e-bike included. The electric pedal assist and throttle handle Asheville's steep terrain, so you cover ground without the strain. A training session starts the tour; children from age 1 can join as passengers on cargo bikes or in child seats.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Asheville's downtown, historic buildings and mountain views without the strain of climbing steep hills on a regular bike. The electric assist means riders of different fitness levels can stay together and cover more ground in 3 hours than they would on foot or a standard bike.
Blue Ridge Parkway & Waterfall Hike from AshevilleYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to three different waterfalls across Pisgah National Forest and a state forest, walk about 3 miles on easy-to-moderate trails with snacks and drinks included, and return by early afternoon. The guide handles navigation and stories about the area's history, so you just focus on the walking and the views.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see multiple waterfalls and the Blue Ridge Parkway without renting a car or figuring out which trails to hit — the guide handles the route and the timing, leaving you to walk and look around.
Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour: 10 stops, live narrationThe Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour is a narrated sightseeing loop on a vintage Gray Line trolley that stops at 10 locations across downtown, Biltmore Village, River Arts District, and South Slope Brewing District. One complete loop takes roughly 90 to 100 minutes, with trolleys departing every 30 minutes (April through October) or every 60 minutes (November through March). You hop off wherever you want to walk around, then board the next trolley to continue—no fixed itinerary, no guide you're locked to, no need to arrange your own transport between neighborhoods.Is it for me?Start at the Asheville Visitor Center on Montford Avenue if you're staying downtown or arrived without a car—the trolley loop connects all the neighborhoods you'd otherwise need to drive between, and you can hop off to explore each one at your own pace without figuring out parking or directions.
Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway hiking tour near AshevilleA half-day hiking tour near Asheville that visits both well-known waterfalls and lesser-known ones in Pisgah National Forest, then wraps with Blue Ridge Parkway views. Your naturalist guide leads a small group on trails totaling 4 hours, pointing out wildlife, plants and edible species along the way. Hiking poles, snacks, an air-conditioned vehicle and ponchos are included; children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?The 4-hour pace means steady walking with breaks at waterfalls and viewpoints, so you need moderate fitness and comfort on uneven terrain. Small-group size keeps the hike from feeling rushed, and your guide adjusts the route based on how the group moves — this works well if you want to see multiple waterfalls without a full-day commitment or a solo scramble to find them.
Asheville: Comedy Sightseeing Bus Tour with Live ActsYou’ll ride through Asheville’s downtown and Montford neighborhoods on a rolling comedy show—complete with live skits, quirky guides, and plenty of laughs. Expect surprise performances, local stories you probably haven’t heard before, and an easygoing vibe where everyone gets swept up in the fun—even if you’re not usually one for tours.
Hendersonville: Gem Mining & Goat Farm with Crystal StoreYou mine for gems and fossils in rushing water channels, keep whatever you find, then spend time with goats and peacocks on the farm. The aviary and creek are open to explore at your own pace, and the on-site crystal store gives you time to browse without pressure. Everything is included except any crystals you buy in the shop, and the whole outing takes a few hours depending on how long you linger.Is it for me?This works well if you want a hands-on activity that doesn't require a guide or a strict schedule — you show up, mine for gems at your own pace, spend time with animals, and leave when you're ready. It's accessible for families with small children, strollers, and wheelchairs, which is what makes it possible to bring everyone along without planning around mobility.
Asheville Walking Tour: Historic Architecture & Hidden GemsAsheville by Foot's guided walking tour covers downtown Asheville's historic sites and architectural landmarks in about two hours, led by a live English-speaking guide. The route includes the Thomas Wolfe Memorial boarding house, the 1920s Grove Arcade, and cultural centers built by the African-American business community at the turn of the 20th century. Children are welcome from age 10; strollers work for younger kids on the paved downtown streets.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to understand the architectural and social history behind each neighborhood rather than just identify individual buildings—the walking format lets you see how structures connect to the streets and stories around them.
Asheville Waterfall Jeep Tour Pisgah & Blue Ridge ParkwayA 3-hour jeep tour through Pisgah National Forest near Asheville takes you to multiple waterfalls and the Blue Ridge Parkway for long-range mountain views from 5,000 feet above sea level. Your guide provides bottled water, snacks, hiking poles, rain gear and first aid supplies; children are welcome from age 5. The tour includes stops to walk to waterfalls off the beaten path and photo breaks at scenic overlooks.Is it for me?Book the shared jeep tour for multiple waterfall stops and Blue Ridge Parkway views, or choose private if your group wants a custom route with longer hikes beyond the standard morning itinerary.
Asheville Downtown Walking Tour: Beer Tasting & Local ArtsYou walk two hours through Asheville's downtown with a local guide, stopping at Grove Arcade, the Basilica, and Leaf Global Arts Center. You taste local beer and spirits, get a discount map for the rest of your stay, and receive free artwork shipped to your home. The private option includes the Prohibition-era tunnels under Pack's Tavern. You pay what you think it's worth at the end.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Asheville's actual downtown without planning each stop yourself—the guide handles the history, the tastings, and the recommendations, and the discount map keeps working after you're done. The tip-based format means you're not locked into a price before you know if it's worth it.
Asheville Brewery Walking Tour: 3 Breweries & 10 Beer SamplesYou meet a Cicerone certified guide at Hi-Wire Brewing and visit three local breweries—Hi-Wire, Twin Leaf, and Burial Beer—sampling ten different beers along the way. You'll see the production floor at Twin Leaf, hear the brewing history from someone who knows it, and finish with a real understanding of what makes Asheville's beer culture distinct. The tour is downtown, walkable, and takes a few hours.Is it for me?Right for beer drinkers who want to understand what they're tasting, not just taste it. The guide is certified in beer knowledge, which means the tour goes deeper than a casual walk—expect real learning about brewing, ingredients, and Asheville's beer culture alongside the samples.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Guided Jeep Tour with Fall Foliage ViewsYou’ll ride in a custom jeep along the most iconic stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway with a small group and local guide. Expect stops at high overlooks above Pisgah National Forest for views—and maybe some windblown laughs—plus stories about history and nature. Bottled water is included; bring layers for unpredictable mountain weather.
Asheville: Adults-Only Comedy Ghost Tour Downtown & MontfordYou’ll ride through downtown Asheville with a local guide who knows every twisted tale and joke in town. Expect laughter, eerie stories in Montford’s shadows, and plenty of weird history—all adults-only, with live commentary and entertainment on board. You might leave still giggling at something you heard hours ago.
Asheville Ghost Tour: Spirits of Depression & ProhibitionA guided walking ghost tour through downtown Asheville after dark, led by a local historian who takes you to five haunted sites—the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Grove Arcade, Battery Park Hotel, Flatiron Building, Pritchard Park, and the Legal Building—where spirits tied to Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the Gilded Age are said to linger. Every tale is researched and documented history, not invention. You'll stand on the ground where these stories happened, though you won't enter private buildings. The tour runs 60 or 90 minutes depending on which option you choose.Is it for me?Choose the 60-minute tour if you want the core haunted sites and stories in a single evening; pick the 90-minute extended version if you prefer a slower pace through downtown and deeper dives into each location's history. Either way, you're walking with someone who knows Asheville's past and can answer questions as they come up, rather than following a recorded audio or reading plaques alone.
Private Half-Day Hike near Asheville: Customized Trail & PeakA privately guided half-day hike near Asheville where you choose the terrain—waterfalls, wildflowers, forested creekside paths, or a 6,000-foot peak—and the guide shapes the route to match your distance and difficulty. Meet downtown Asheville at 8:30am for a 4–5 hour outing including transportation time; snacks are provided, and trekking poles are available on request at no charge. The guide speaks English and will contact you before the hike to lock in your preferences.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and shapes the hike to your fitness level and interests, so whether you're new to hiking or you want to push yourself up a peak, there's a route that works. You arrange your own transport to the trailhead unless you add hotel pickup separately.
Asheville: E-Bike Tour River Arts, Murals & Grove Park ViewsYou’ll cruise Asheville by e-bike with a local guide—gliding past riverside murals in the arts district, shady historic streets lined with grand old homes, and up to mountain views at Grove Park Inn. Expect spontaneous stories and real moments along the way—plus plenty of chances to pause for photos or just take it all in.
Asheville: Mountaintop Yoga Hike & Meditation RetreatYou’ll hike through Asheville’s forests with a local guide, pausing for stories and mountain views before unrolling your mat for an hour of all-levels yoga at the summit. Mats are provided (so no packing stress), and there’s time to soak in the scenery or snap photos before heading back down. It’s peaceful, grounding—and surprisingly fun even if you’re not a yoga pro.
Asheville Food Tours: Downtown tastings with local guidesAsheville Food Tours is a guided tasting tour through Downtown Asheville Arts District with 6 to 8 stops at local restaurants, lasting 3 to 3.5 hours. The guides—Paddy, Stu Helm and Sarah Ray—have deep ties to the restaurant community and lead the same tours year after year, which means the tastings stay consistent and the relationships with chefs stay strong. Alcohol is included at no extra cost, and the portions across all stops add up to a full meal.Is it for me?The 3 to 3.5 hour window means you can fit the tour into a morning or early afternoon and still have time to explore the rest of Asheville or plan dinners elsewhere—and the guides' connections to restaurant owners give you insider recommendations for the rest of your trip.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Scenic Drive Tour with Naturalist & Photo StopsYou’ll glide along the Blue Ridge Parkway with a certified naturalist who knows every curve and story behind these mountains. Expect peaceful photo stops, easy walks under rhododendrons, and real local insight from your guide. It’s less about rushing and more about soaking in those quiet moments—maybe even catching yourself smiling at an unexpected view.
Cullowhee: Horseback Trail Ride Azalea & Fern ForestsYou’ll meet your horse at Arrowmont Stables in Cullowhee before heading into mountain trails lined with wild flame azaleas and cool pine forests. Guided by locals who know every turn, you’ll get safety tips, all gear provided—even ponchos if it rains—and plenty of time to get comfortable before setting off. Expect quiet moments among trees and some laughter along the way.
