Top 12 Favorite Day Trips from Asheville
From quaint small towns to the outdoor playground of the Blue Ridge Mountains and local cultural attractions, it is hard to narrow down a list of things to do around Asheville. But below, we go over some of our favorite twelve places to visit and explore that make for a comfortable day's excursion from the city.
Small Town Excursions
If you have Asheville as a base camp on your vacation and just can’t get enough of that small mountain town charm, look to the city's smaller but no less fun neighbors.
- Black Mountain: Located only a short 20-minute drive from the Asheville area, this small town hosts a fantastic variety of shops and galleries. Take a walk through the downtown and grab a drink at Black Mountain Brewing before hopping over to Lake Tomahawk for a bit of the great outdoors.
- Flat Rock: If you are a fan of the arts, head south out of Asheville and head for the small town of Flat Rock. Here you can visit the Carl Sandburg Home and then catch a show at the State Theatre of North Carolina at the Flat Rock Playhouse.
- Burnsville: Home of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, Burnsville is a small town that offers big adventure and iconic mountain charm. Take a stroll down Main Street to visit local artists or explore the fresh air of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Great Outdoors
Whether you like keeping your feet on solid ground or jumping into the water, Asheville is surrounded by thousands of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, rivers, and serene lakes. You will be spoiled for choices, but here are some of our favorite places to explore.
- Lake Lure: If you're looking for an all-around great outdoor destination, Lake Lure has you covered. Just past Chimney Rock, this picturesque river and lake are surrounded by mountains providing outdoor adventures for every taste, from gentle hikes to thrilling mountain biking, fishing, and kayaking.
- Linville Caverns: Opened for public touring in 1937 these limestone caverns feature beautiful natural rock formations and an underground stream. Tour guides provide information and history of the area as you visit the inside of Humpback Mountain. And at a comfortable 52 degrees, it is a great day trip to escape the summer heat.
- Pisgah National Forest: From Kitsuma to Upper, Middle, and Lower Black Mountain, Pisgah offers hundreds of miles of backcountry mountain biking. The Shut-In Trail is a 16mile hike that takes you to the summit with some of the best scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Must-See Attractions
Some of the country's best art, historical, and cultural attractions are located just a short drive from Asheville. Once you’ve finished exploring downtown Asheville and the River Arts District, hop on over to these other fantastic destinations.
- The Folk Art Center: As you visit, set aside a few hours of your trip to Asheville to swing by The Folk Art Center. Admire centuries of artistic handicraft from the area, interact with guild artisans during daily craft demonstrations, and take home a one-of-a-kind memento from the oldest craft shop in America. The Allanstand Craft Shop features artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more.
- Biltmore Estate: If you are in the Asheville area, Biltmore is a must-see. It’s not just the house; there are villages on the grounds with world-class shopping, restaurants, a winery, mountain biking, ATV driving, and so much more.
- Shelton House: This historic homestead in Haywood County features the Shelton House museum, barn, and grounds where you can enjoy a feeling of the late nineteenth-century rural origins of the area. It is also home to the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, founded in 1977.
Locally Crafted
With one of the highest concentrations of microbreweries in the country, abundant orchards, and vibrant wineries, you could spend a season or more touring western North Carolina's plethora of crafted beverages.
- Burntshirt Vineyards: Whether you are interested in a guided tasting or tour of the facility, this local winery is a great day stop. Located in nearby Hendersonville, Burntshirt features a spectacular view of the 30 acres of vineyard and offers daily tours.
- Sierra Nevada: This nationally recognized brewery got its start in 1980. Offering tastings and tours that take you behind the scenes of the brewhouse, their nearby Mills River location is an excellent stop to grab a drink and a bite to eat in their Taproom.
- Appalachian Ridge Cidery: If cider is more your style, Western North Carolina is the place to be. With ample orchards, cider isn’t far behind. Based in Hendersonville, Appalachian Ridge focuses on an artisan branch-to-bottle approach. Visit for a special tasting on the deck overlooking the orchard or inside their antique barn.
Unwind Downtown
As the sun starts to set and you head back to Asheville after a day of fun, head downtown to Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar to unwind. Very few cities can boast of having a dueling piano bar. Asheville is one of them.
Our expert musicians impress with an all-request show, six nights a week, while our bartenders serve the best drinks in the region. So come sing along to the best music of the past few decades, enjoy a delicious drink, and party till the night closes.
