Top Summer Activities in Asheville

1. Rent a Bellyak. Do It.

Kayaking? Been there, done that. Paddleboarding? Been there and fell off. If you’re looking for a new adventure, try bellyacking. This fun activity was actually pioneered in our fair city, and we love it. You belly up to the board and paddle with webbed gloves through some stunning scenery while staying cool on the water. Perfect.

2. Forage for Food. 

There’s no taste like home. Really. That’s a thing. Asheville’s No Taste Like Home offers foraging tours led by expert guides who will help you find wild treats in the forest. After your excursion, you can cook up your finds - or head to one of Asheville’s many terrific restaurants for locally sourced dishes. 

3. Speaking of Restaurants…

If you are a foodie, Asheville is the perfect spot. There are so many incredible food spots in town that cater to just about everyone's personal tastes. From Chinese dim sum to Southern Style BBQ joints, Asheville has a little bit of everything.  Some incredible options include:

• Curate - This Spanish tapas restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who loves delicious and authentic small plates. The restaurant's menu features a variety of traditional Spanish dishes, including tortilla Espanola, patatas bravas, and paella.
• Buxton Hall Barbecue - Buxton Hall Barbecue is a popular spot for barbecue lovers. The restaurant serves up classic Carolina-style barbecue dishes, including pulled pork, smoked brisket, and ribs.
• Limones - Limones is a Mexican restaurant that offers a unique and creative take on traditional Mexican cuisine. The restaurant's menu features dishes such as duck enchiladas, mole chicken, and shrimp tacos.
• Early Girl Eatery - This farm-to-table restaurant serves up delicious Southern-style comfort food using locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant's menu features dishes such as fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and mac and cheese.
• Rhubarb - Rhubarb is a farm-to-table restaurant that specializes in Southern-inspired dishes. The restaurant's menu features dishes such as buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and pork belly.
• French Broad Chocolate Lounge - This dessert spot is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. The lounge serves up a variety of handmade chocolates, truffles, and desserts, as well as coffee and other drinks.
• Cúrate [Bar de Tapas] - This is the sister restaurant of Curate, and it offers a more casual atmosphere with a focus on Spanish-style cocktails and small plates.
• White Duck Taco Shop - White Duck Taco Shop is a popular spot for tacos in Asheville. The restaurant's menu features a variety of creative and delicious taco options, including Korean beef, duck mole, and buffalo chicken.
• Sunny Point Cafe - This brunch spot is known for its delicious breakfast dishes and outdoor patio seating. The restaurant's menu features dishes such as shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and huevos rancheros.
• Tupelo Honey - Tupelo Honey is a Southern-style restaurant that serves up classic dishes such as fried chicken and biscuits, shrimp and grits, and chicken and waffles. The restaurant also offers a variety of cocktails and craft beers.

4. Yoga-Hike the Beautiful Blue Ridge

You like yoga; you like hiking. Now you don’t have to choose between these healthy activities. Join the folks at Asheville Wellness Tours or Namaste in Nature for a beautiful, peaceful, and restorative journey in the incomparable Blue Ridge Mountains. 

5. Go Big or Go Home: The Women’s Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip

One of Asheville’s most popular summer events, this is a chance to push yourself harder and connect with a dynamic, supportive group of women. You’ll do 20 miles of backpacking over 3 days - and have a lifetime of memories. Starts July 19, so get your tickets now.

6. Ohhh and Ahh Over Asheville’s Waterfalls

Do you want waterfalls? We have got plenty of waterfalls. 

Asheville enjoys an embarrassment of riches when it comes to natural beauty, and our waterfalls are sights to behold. Whether you want to hike in or drive up, there is a waterfall for you. Find one that meets your needs, take pictures, and then put the camera away and just enjoy. 

6. Visit a Trampoline Park

If you want quads that will hurt for three days and children who will sleep for 14 hours straight, go to Launch Trampoline Park. From Toddler Time and the Foam Pit  to the Ninja Course, Tumble Tracks, and Rock Climbing Wall, there is something for all ages. Bounce, baby, bounce.

7. Get Your Art On

Asheville offers an abundance of opportunities to explore your creative side. You can work with sterling silver to make stacking rings, create an acrylic pour painting masterpiece, attend an alcohol inks or pottery throwing lesson, and so much more. Check out Explore Asheville’s Event Calendar for more artsy-craftsy ideas.

8. You’ll Need to Go to Shindig On the Green

Shindig on the Green is free, it’s fun, it’s music, it’s dancing, and it’s summer. This recurring event features outdoor mountain bluegrass music, so feel free to toe-tap and get down. You can even bring your own instrument and join in informal jam sessions around Pack Square Park. 

Official performances begin at about 7:00 pm and run until about 10:00 pm. Bring along a blanket, a picnic, and fun people, and you’re guaranteed to have the best time.

9. Do Not Miss the Drum Circle

Pritchard Park. Friday. Starting at 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Be there. 

You’ll be awestruck by the thundering beauty of drums and powerful rhythms. Drum, dance, or just sit back in the circle and be thoroughly captivated as hundreds of people come together to create harmony. You’ll also enjoy everything from belly dancers and hula hoopers to cowbells (the only cure for a fever…) and triangles. Great for any age.

10. Drink Up at Some of the Countries Best Breweries

To many, Asheville is known as “Beer City” or the “Beer Capital of the Southeast.” These titles are both well deserved, as Asheville is home to roughly forty breweries, some of which are nationally distributed such as Sierra Nevada and New Belgium.

Some of the most notable breweries in the area  are:

• Highland Brewing Company - One of the oldest and largest breweries in Asheville, Highland offers a variety of year-round and seasonal beers in a spacious tasting room.
• Wicked Weed Brewing - Known for its creative and experimental brews, Wicked Weed offers a wide variety of beer styles as well as a full food menu in its downtown Asheville location.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company - Originally based in California, Sierra Nevada's east coast brewery is located just outside of Asheville and offers guided tours, tastings, and a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine.
• New Belgium Brewing Company - Based in Colorado, New Belgium's east coast brewery is located in Asheville and features a tasting room, tours, and a large outdoor space for events.
• Burial Beer Co. - With two locations in Asheville, Burial specializes in Belgian-inspired beers as well as IPAs and stouts.
• Green Man Brewery - Located in the South Slope area of downtown Asheville, Green Man offers a variety of year-round and seasonal brews in a cozy taproom.
• Asheville Brewing Company - Known for its pizza as well as its beer, Asheville Brewing has three locations in the Asheville area and offers a variety of beer styles as well as a full food menu.
• Hi-Wire Brewing - With two locations in Asheville, Hi-Wire offers a range of year-round and seasonal beers as well as a full calendar of events and live music.
• Funkatorium - Specializing in sour and funky beers, the Funkatorium is the sour beer-focused taproom of Wicked Weed Brewing, located in the South Slope area of downtown Asheville.
• Wedge Brewing Company - Located in the River Arts District of Asheville, Wedge offers a variety of beer styles in a unique outdoor setting, featuring a large patio and views of the nearby railroad tracks.

11. Explore the Local Mountain Bike Trails

If you are looking for an exciting way to spend time while in the Asheville area, then mountain biking may be your answer. With easy access to the nearby Bent Creek Experimental Forest, a multitude of bike parks, and the famous Dupont and Pisgah, there is no shortage of available mountain biking trails for riders of all skill levels.

12. Catch a Concert

There are a plethora of incredible music venues throughout the city. Many of these places not only put on shows featuring local and regional acts, but also nationally known artists. Venues such as the Orange Peel and the Grey Eagle have been entertaining music lovers for years, while newer spots like Rabbit Rabbit have been bringing in some of the best acts around. 

13. Go to Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar, of Course!

Speaking of music. Tired after all this Asheville excitement? Catch your second wind at Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar. Sip a cold cocktail while you listen to the hottest songs of summer (and whatever else our crazy talented musicians decide to play). You’ll encounter all sorts of revelry and perhaps a bit of tomfoolery. All in all, a great way to cap off a summer day.

What are your plans this summer? Let us know! And we’ll see you at Off The Wagon.