Things to do in Asheville
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Smoky Mountain Jeep Tour: Elk & Waterfall, 99% Wildlife SightingsA guided safari-style jeep tour through Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a local Cherokee or Appalachian descendant guide, combining wildlife viewing in prime elk habitat with scenic stops at Mingo Falls, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cherokee, North Carolina. The afternoon departure carries a 99% elk sighting success rate. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours in a small open-air group jeep, departing from Maggie Valley.Is it for me?Book the afternoon Elk Tour if you want the 99% elk sighting success rate and are willing to time the departure around when the herds are most active in the valleys. The morning and other departures follow the same scenic route and stops but do not carry the same wildlife guarantee.
Blue Ridge Mountains: Photo tour with local guidesSpend half a day exploring secret waterfalls and mountain vistas in the Blue Ridge Mountains with award-winning local photographers Chris & Bonnie. You’ll get hands-on tips for your camera, use their tripods if needed, and discover hidden spots most visitors miss — plus plenty of laughs and muddy boots along the way. It’s an experience that lingers long after your photos are edited.
Asheville city tour: Gilded Age history with a local guideA three-hour guided walking tour of downtown Asheville's Arts District led by a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city's Gilded Age history to life. You'll move through historic streets learning how Asheville became a mountain retreat for America's wealthiest families and discover the surprising stories that shaped the community. The tour welcomes children from age 5 and suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you're without a car—the tour departs from downtown where buses run, and your guide navigates both the route and Asheville's history.
Asheville Ghost Tour: Riverside Cemetery & Montford NeighborhoodThis is a guided ghost tour of Asheville that walks through Riverside Cemetery and the Montford neighborhood, stopping at sites tied to local hauntings and historical crimes. The tour is the only one in the city that enters a cemetery, giving you access to the receiving vault and stories about the authors buried there, the mass murderer Will Harris, and spirits said to remain. The walk takes two hours and covers moderate ground; you'll also get recommendations for restaurants and bars that fit the ghostly theme.Is it for me?The guide delivers stories and history as you walk, so you'll follow comfortably at a conversational pace—this works well if you want ghost stories and local history without a rushed schedule or heavy physical demands beyond steady walking for two hours.
Asheville Jeep Holiday Season City Tour: Decorated NeighborhoodsThe Asheville Holiday Season City Tour is a 90-minute guided drive through the city's most decorated neighborhoods, departing from downtown. You choose between an open-air Jeep or a custom-built military transport vehicle, sip complimentary hot chocolate in a thermal mug, and listen to festive Christmas music as the guide points out holiday displays and historic sites. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're traveling with young children or anyone who prefers to stay seated and warm while seeing the lights—the vehicle does the moving, the guide does the narrating, and you arrive back downtown without navigating the neighborhoods yourself.
Asheville Downtown Walking Food Tour: Tastings & StoriesA private walking food tour through Asheville's Downtown Arts District where you stop at selected venues for tastings guided by a local who connects each flavor to the region's culinary traditions. The tour lasts three hours, unfolds entirely on foot, and all tastings are included so you move between stops without arranging anything separately. Wheelchair accessible, and suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Choose this if you want a guide-led walking tour through multiple neighborhood stops rather than a single restaurant, so you taste how different blocks each contribute to Asheville's food story.
Blue Ridge Parkway hike from Asheville: Waterfalls & viewsA private hiking tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville combines five hours of guided exploration through ancient Appalachian forests, cascading waterfalls and panoramic mountain overlooks. Your guide handles pickup and transportation from Asheville, and the itinerary adjusts to crowd conditions and your fitness level, so the day stays flexible. Minimum age is 12; moderate physical fitness is required.Is it for me?Book this private tour if you want to set your own hiking pace and have the guide choose trails on the day based on your energy and interests, with transportation included so you're not managing logistics.
