9 Unforgettable Asheville Attractions For First-Time Visitors
We love living in Asheville because of those stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, cascading waterfalls, and delicious restaurants catering to diverse palates. Explore our favorite Asheville tourist attractions to kick off your Western North Carolina adventures, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, Asheville Salt Cave, Wake Foot Sanctuary, and The Omni Grove Park Inn.
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I don’t know about you, but whenever I land in a new place, whether it’s Trieste, Italy or Ljubljana, Slovenia, I always research the area’s top attractions to see what it’s known for. What am I supposed to see? What shouldn’t I miss? However, Tom and I get sightseeing fatigue easily, and while we won’t hit all of the “musts,” we enjoy getting a feel for a new place. North Carolina is no different, and with so much to do in Asheville, these are my top picks. All photos are our own.
What You'll Find In This Guide
Where To Start In Asheville
If you only have 36 hours or even one weekend to spend in WNC and are looking to hit the blockbusters, we suggest starting with these renowned tourist spots. And, if it is raining, don’t miss our guide of things to do during inclement weather.
5 Famous Asheville Attractions For First-Time Visitors
These are the most well-known places to see in Asheville worth your time and money. If you are traveling with young children, you might also enjoy our family-friendly activities list.
Biltmore Estate
While this isn’t one of the most budget-friendly tourist attractions in Asheville – tickets start at $79+ – we certainly think it is worth it for all that you can do at Biltmore. We are Biltmore Estate annual passholders every year for the estate’s hiking trails, restaurants, and special exhibits. We live 10 minutes away and still plan overnights during Passholder Appreciation months. Biltmore Estate is also incredibly family-friendly with a farmyard, ice cream shop, and wooden playground.
Get A Feel For Biltmore’s History
The former residence of Edith and George Vanderbilt, Biltmore Estate is a National Historic Landmark and America’s largest home. Before going, I highly recommend reading Denise Kiernan’s The Last Castle. She taught me the behind the scenes of not only the construction of Biltmore Estate but the people behind it. Who knew Edith engaged in politics? It’s fascinating.
How To Plan Your Visit
- Tour Biltmore House with stops in the library, indoor pool, Halloween Room, and bowling alley.
- Stroll the gardens for those gorgeous Biltmore Blooms.
- Dine at Biltmore, including Cedric’s Tavern, Village Social, or Stable Cafe (our favorites).
- Shop at Antler Hill Village, and head to Biltmore Winery for wine tasting.
- Stay overnight at one of their gorgeous properties like The Inn on Biltmore Estate and Village Hotel. The Inn even has a library bar.
- Hike and mountain bike those gorgeous trails. We love the Lagoon and Deer Park Trails up to the Walled Garden.
- Attend beautiful Candlelight Christmas Evenings in the winter to see the holiday decor with blazing fireplaces.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
One of the most iconic Asheville tourist attractions for adults, even as locals we frequent The Omni Grove Park Inn. We bring all of our out-of-state visitors here, and I most appreciate the holiday events, breathtaking sunsets, dining options, and rooftop drinks. Enjoy free admission, but you might have to pay for parking depending on your length and time of stay.
History Of The Grove Park Inn
Constructed just after Biltmore in 1913, Edwin Wiley Grove designed the inn along with his sales of Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic – quinine – to prevent malaria. He wished to create a relaxing place in the clean mountain air to improve everyone’s health.
Today, The Omni Grove Park Inn is a luxury resort in North Asheville. It houses a world-class spa and golf course. The stunning property boasts a stone facade and sprawling views of Mount Pisgah and Downtown Asheville. The Grove Park Inn is also one of the most haunted tourist spots in Asheville; keep your eyes out for The Pink Lady. F. Scott Fitzgerald also summered here.
Best Things To Do On Property
- Order sunset drinks and dine at Edison (make reservations).
- Sit with a drink and charcuterie board from The Great Hall Bar in front of the floor-to-ceiling fireplaces or on the second-level terrace.
- Attend The Annual National Gingerbread House Competition each winter.
- Visit Grovewood Village across the street for the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, Grovewood Gallery, and delicious restaurant, ELDR.
- Shop in their numerous stores for anything from Asheville shirts to hiking gear, local art, and holiday ornaments.
👻 If you love all things spooky, take a popular guided ghost tour to see Asheville’s most haunted sites.
River Arts District
If you enjoy eye candy and art shopping plus an indie theater and river walk, the River Arts District (RAD) is a must for sightseeing in Asheville. It’s one of the city’s most eccentric neighborhoods.
The area is filled with stunning murals (they do change out like RBG up there). Spy a sloth, troll, or Homer Simpson. Gus Cutty, who creates amazing portraits across Asheville (Anthony Bourdain, RuPaul, Dolly Parton…), helped paint pleb urban winery – one of Asheville’s most eclectic wineries. You’ll also recognize Jerry Cahill’s rainbow pieces near his studio.
Best Things To Do In The River Arts District
- Catch an indie or mainstream movie at the Grail Moviehouse; it’s budget-friendly and family-owned. We’ve seen anything from Barbie to a silly cat video festival here.
- Walk, bike, or skate the newly renovated RAD Riverwalk along the French Broad River. This also connects to Asheville’s top parks like Carrier Park and French Broad River Park. One side connects to New Belgium.
- Dine at the best RAD restaurants like RosaBees, Baby Bull, Guajiro, or 12 Bones.
- Shop for art and meet local artists at the coolest studios and markets like Marquee, Cotton Mill Studios, and Foundation Woodworks.
- Drink a craft brew at Wedge or wine taste at pleb. We also love Bottle Riot, one of the best wine bars around.
Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP)
One of the absolute “must” Asheville attractions, take a scenic drive down the two-lane, 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). I love the mountain views, gorgeous tunnel entrances, endless overlooks, cascading waterfall hikes, and great Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trails. You might even spy wildlife.
About The BRP
Deemed “America’s favorite drive,” the Parkway spans Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The speed limit is typically 45 mph. Drop into visitor centers filled with information, gifts, and your NPS passport stamp access. Just keep in mind that much of the BRP will close in the late fall and early winter for fog, ice, and snow. The National Park Service is your go-to for road and facility closure updates.
Where To Start
- The Blue Ridge Parkway lights up with the best fall colors near Asheville. For top fall foliage hikes, start with Black Balsam and Graveyard Fields.
- Just a few more local hiking trails we love include Craggy Gardens, Skinny Dip Falls (even post-flooding), Crabtree Falls, Little Butt, Mount Mitchell, and Craggy Pinnacle.
- Be sure to visit the Pisgah Inn – open seasonally spring through fall – for great eats and stunning views. Then, hike Mount Pisgah and Fryingpan Mountain Tower.
- If the parkway overwhelms you, sign-up for this popular BRP hiking and waterfall tour.
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Asheville is for book lovers, and as a literary traveler, I always visit a city’s bookstores, historic literary sites, national libraries, and books-to-movies filming locations. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial is a budget-friendly and unique Asheville attraction – and it’s not as tedious as you might assume. Trust me, I’ve been a plenty of times.
History Of The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
The home tour is actually Wolfe’s mother’s boarding house. Julia was quite the entrepreneur of her time. Their family home no longer stands just down the road, but the boarding house is where all of the juicy stories lie.
Local Asheville author Thomas Wolfe is most well-known for his historical fiction tome, Look Homeward, Angel, sharing the time he spent in the boarding house. Yes, I’ve read it – it’s long-winded and dry. BUT, you don’t have to read or even like the book before visiting. In fact, you don’t need to know anything about Wolfe to enjoy the tour. Just know that Wolfe wrote about the townspeople, barely changing their names. It’s sort of like a Burn Book, but not as mean…
What Not To Miss
Take a guided tour through the home, and watch a short film. There’s also a small museum with Wolfe’s belongings. Budget one hour of your time; you won’t regret it.
4 Unique Places To Visit In Asheville
Tom and I both seek out less-touristy things to do, and Asheville has quite a few unique places that you won’t find anywhere else. Along with my favorites below, I also recommend paying for a wrist-band and playing vintage arcade and pinball games at the Asheville Pinball Museum. We love Shakespeare in the Park and attending an Asheville Tourists baseball game. Consider a walk through historic Riverside Cemetery, The North Carolina Arboretum, or the Asheville Botanical Garden.
Wake Foot Sanctuary
One of the best places to visit in Asheville after a long day of sightseeing, Wake Foot Sanctuary promises an urban oasis. This is your go-to for a massage and foot soak; make advanced reservations.
Wait, so am I just soaking my feet?
Yes! Yes you are, but Wake Foot is a transcendent experience. While prices range based on your package and selections, spend around $100 (including tip) for a therapeutic foot soak and a 20-minute massage. Just a foot soak starts at $40+.
The foot soak menu is endless, filled with bubbles and botanicals, which they reheat throughout your visit. Then, add a massage such as your feet and legs or head, neck, and shoulders. Sip on wine or tea while catching up with friends or your partner. This is even a great solo Asheville activity. Afterward, dine and shop at the Historic Grove Arcade. P.S. If my husband enjoyed it, yours probably will too!
Downtown Asheville
Many people ask us if Downtown Asheville is worth visiting? Yes! Enjoy endless craft breweries, rooftop bars, and award-winning restaurants. For sightseeing in Asheville, spy historic buildings and landmarks. Shop in boutique stores, and attend a festival in Pack Square. Spy vibrant street art, and grab a cup of coffee.
Get A Lay Of The Land First
🗺️ Downtown has multiple famous and popular walkable roads for nightlife, dining, shopping, and history. Head to Lexington Ave., Biltmore Ave., Broad Street, and Church Street. Stroll Page Ave. and Wall Street.
🚗 Best Downtown Parking Lots: Rankin Garage, Civic Center Garage, Wall Street Garage, Coxe Ave. Garage
What To See Downtown
- Battery Park Book Exchange – Enjoy one of the coolest AVL bookshops serving literary cocktails; then, head to Malaprop’s for translated literature and new releases.
- Historic Grove Arcade – On the National Register of Historic Places, find local shops and food.
- The Montford – This is a favorite Asheville rooftop bar with great views.
- Woolworth Walk – Shop at a great art gallery and emporium.
- LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour – Purchase tickets for Asheville’s purple comedy bus; it’s loads of fun.
- French Broad Chocolate Lounge – This is your go-to for all things chocolate in Asheville (with vegan/df options). Get the bon bons.
- Asheville Art Museum – If you love art, this is one of Asheville’s nicest museums. The Asheville Art Museum houses art from the 20th and 21st Centuries.
- South Slope Breweries – Asheville is famous for its beer scene. Our favorites downtown include Green Man, Wicked Weed, Hi-Wire, Catawba, and Burial. Can’t decide? Take a guided walking brewery tour.
James Beard Award-Winning Restaurants
Did you know that Asheville is nicknamed “Foodtopia?” The city is full of the most unforgettable restaurants for foodies. While we have our favorites as locals, two of the most popular foodie Asheville tourist attractions include Chai Pani and Cúrate. Both have won James Beard Awards.
Become Entranced at Chai Pani
Chai Pani serves the best Indian cuisine in town. Samantha Brown ate here (before their new Buxton digs), and Vice President Kamala Harris invited Chef Melwani to cook for the State Department luncheon. Select from mouthwatering Indian street snacks. I live for those okra fries and always get the bhel puri. Chai Pani does not take reservations. To avoid the lines, head to their quieter counter-service West Asheville restaurant, Botiwalla.
Make Reservations at Cúrate
Reservations at Cúrate are a must, especially if you crave Spanish tapas and sherry. The higher price point is worth it, especially if you crave that jamon like I do. Felix Meana and Chef Katie Button also opened La Bodega, another beautiful Downtown wine bar. La Bodega is a more casual option and great if you cannot get into Cúrate.
More James-Beard Recognized Places & People
Just a few more James Beard Foundation highlights:
- Semifinalist Jason Sellers of Plant for Best Chef Southeast
- Semifinalist The Market Place for Outstanding Restaurant
- Semifinalist Josiah McGaughey of Vivian for Best Chef Southeast
- Nominee Neng Jr.’s for Best New Restaurant
Asheville Salt Cave
A great place to recharge, the Asheville Salt Cave is one my personal favorite places in Asheville. Imagine lounging in chairs surrounded by 30 tons of pink salt. We were skeptical at first too, but it’s heaven. Forty-five minutes flies by when you are listening to water features and breathing in such pure and therapeutic air.
Along with the community salt cave, the Asheville Salt Cave offers massages, sound baths, and a designated children’s playtime. Shop upstairs – we bought a salt lamp for home – and sip a healthy tonic on their back deck. We’ve never experienced anything like it. Be sure to make advanced reservations online.
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.