The Parkway
As part of the U.S. National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile recreational motor road that runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains, eventually connecting to the Great Smoky Mountains. Hiking, waterfalls, picnic spots and gorgeous views keep both locals and visitors coming back for more. In 2017, the Parkway was the most visited National Park in the U.S. with a little over 16 million visitors!
The Biltmore House
This French Renaissance castle, built in 1895, has become a worldwide spectacle. It sits on an 8,000-acre estate with 75 of those acres being designated for the gorgeous gardens on the property. From the winery and shopping to house tours and horseback rides, there is so much to do on this breathtaking estate.
Breweries
In 2014, Sierra Nevada opened it’s second brewery just outside of Asheville. Guests can take a behind-the-scenes tour and sample some brews. The brewery also has a large restaurant where people can stop in for a farm-to-table meal to go with their beer. Wicked Weed has become one of the most popular beer stops in town. They create 130 different styles of beer a year and have a great outdoor dining space and tasting room. All said and done, Asheville has 26 craft breweries and a grand total of 60 within the Asheville region.
River Arts District
The River Arts District holds Asheville’s history near and dear. In 1994, a few artists in the district opened their doors to the public and just like that, the very first studio stroll took place. Fast-forward to today and over 200 artists are opening their studios for visitors. Sitting along the French Broad River, the district is home to a large array of artists that work in a vast number of mediums.
Music Venues
Music constantly fills the streets of Asheville. The city holds the nation’s longest-running folk festival and is home to numerous GRAMMY-award winning artists and musicians. Iconic venues like the Orange Peel, which has hosted acts like the Black Keys and Bob Dylan, are scattered throughout the city. The Grey Eagle is one of the original venues in Asheville and even has an in-house Taqueria.