Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Asheville, North Carolina: Things-To-Do on a Budget!
33
items I'm a transplant to the Asheville, NC area and discovering everything this beautiful, mountain city has to offer. An active downtown scene, art galleries, festivals (every weekend, free classes 7 workshops, live music and scenic views all around. Com...
Map
Sections
6
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants, Bakeries Coffee/Tea Shops...
Health & Wellness
Arts & Entertainment
Local Favorites
Tours
Outdoor Activities
This is the 1st thing I did when I got to Asheville! It really oriented me to the city and connected me to it's past, present and future!
Asheville Free Walking Tours
There are no words…simply beautiful. Pretty sure it was free and I just paid for parking. At peak seasons it is at it's absolute best!
NC Arboretum
Loved this and it's free! No pet's though.
NC Botanical Gardens
Historic park located in the heart of this perfectly preserved neighborhood. Features many groups conducting outdoor classes or just a great place to walk your dog & enjoy the fresh air.
Montford Park
If you are vegan/vegetarian like me…even if you are not, you will love this market!
WNC Farmers Market
Not just a central park to enjoy in downtown Asheville, home to regular markets, drumming circles and festivals throughout the year.
Pack Square Park
Use this site to plan all of your hiking excursions near Asheville.
Asheville Hiking Trails
A beautiful lake and bird sanctuary with a complete walking trail and kayak/canoe rentals available.
Beaver Lake
For true adventurers this is the active Asheville destination. I really thought this would be too much but everything is safe, organized and fully supervised. Fun for all!
The Adventure Center of Asheville
Restaurants, Bakeries Coffee/Tea Shops...
Ok and this is coming from a vegetarian/vegan…the sweet potato, cabbage, collard pancake was one of the best things I have ever tasted. My family and friends absolutely loved their fish and sides. This is an internationally celebrated, young chef who you won't want to miss!
Good Hot Fish
One of my fav coffee houses. You can get medicinal mushroom and CBD-THCt add-ons in all of your drinks which are already fantastic on their own!
Plant Bar - Coffee and Tea
Excellent tea shop featuring the finest, eastern loose leaf teas. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly…a great place to relax and restore!
Dobra Tea Asheville North Carolina
Know for their chocolate of course…but their pastries are the best kept secret in town!
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Michelin-star restaurant in downtown Asheville. Unpretentious, relaxed & casual with food that is out of this world!
Chai Pani Asheville
The vegan oasis! Upscale, absolutely delicious plant-based cuisine everyone in your group will love.
Plant
Health & Wellness
So much more than yoga. I've taken meditation classes, qigong, women's group and specialty workshops. They also have a fantastic thrift store that supports the center. They are mainly operated through the support of volunteers so it's a great way to meet community members and get connected
Asheville Community Yoga
I spent so much time here learning & experiencing soul collage, tarot, shamanic ceremonies, full moon ceremonies, palm, reading, astrology workshops…all the things!
Sanctuary Studio
Perfect downtown center for authentic, soul-inspired yoga classes.
Asheville Yoga Center
Great center for workshops, classes, ceremonies for holistic wellness.
The Well
The name says it all! Warm, inviting center for wellness-based learning & practice.
Urban Oasis
Arts & Entertainment
This area of town has the kindest, most creative people I have ever met. It was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene and they have come back better than ever! They need the support of residents and visitors to come & enjoy the true beauty they create. Don't forget to walk the scenic greenway while you are there.
River Arts District
The is the best way to explore downtown while taking in the best of Asheville's gallery scene!
First Friday Art Walk Relaunch | Downtown Arts District
Local Favorites
I visited at Christmas time! The lights, the food and the holiday decor were unmatched. You have to see the amazing features this house had more than 100 years ago, it's unbelievable!
Biltmore
Stay overnight if you can but also just walk the beautiful grounds, enjoy the world-class restaurants & bars, get a relaxing spa treatment…there's so many ways to take in this breathtaking hotel cut into an Asheville mountainside.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
Yes, the library! I also visited the North and East branches. Libraries in Asheville have free workshops and classes on a variety of topics.
West Asheville Public Library
You have never seen anything like this…a game cafe. Old school boardgames! Everything set-up and facilitated for you. Super cheap and appropriate for all ages and skill levels. Please just try it!
Well Played Board Game Café: Home
All of the Asheville makers are here! Creative crafts, unique art pieces, original personal care products, hats & apparel, antique & hand-made furniture. More than 300 “booths” featuring the best Asheville artisans have to offer in one, conve...
Marquee
Tours
Embarrassed to say I've been on this tour so many times the employees know me! I bring anyone who visits me in Asheville to the factory. The tours are fun, super quick, educational and frankly this is the best chocolate I've ever had…no one leaves disappointed!
Chocolate Factory Tour in Asheville
Just drive this! The segment of the parkway along Asheville is spectacular and not too long a drive. See the card on self-guided driving tour audios you can purchase very inexpensively to enhance this scenic drive.
Blue Ridge Parkway
I have so many family member and friends come and I start every visit with this tour. It's educational, entertaining and gives great ideas for what we want to do during their stay!
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville
I used this for my self-guided blue ridge parkway driving tour. Transforms your vehicle into a professional driving tour for everyone to enjoy.
Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours by Action Tour Guide
Not exactly Asheville but while you are this close take in this wonderful train ride to experience the mountains at their absolute best!
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Tours with personality…yes, they are as fun as they look, lol! I plan to go on every single tour they offer.
LaZoom Tours