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Asheville's Recreational Offerings Draw People In
Asheville residents and visitors alike can enjoy activities ranging from zipline tours and hot air balloon rides to fishing and rafting in what Outside Magazine calls one of the best towns in America for outdoor recreation.
Outdoor RecreationAsheville and its surrounding areas provide many opportunities for outdoor adventurers looking to take advantage of the prime location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Water sports are popular in Asheville – especially whitewater rafting, kayaking or... Read More »
Nantahala Outdoor Center Teams Up With Grove Park Inn
In Asheville, outdoor recreation is out of sight.
From whitewater rafting and scenic biking trails to beautiful gardens and horseback riding, Asheville is a hub for outside activities.
It’s no wonder the city recently hosted the annual conference of the Outdoor Industry Association, a trade association that provides services for more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers in the industry.
With such a strong reputation as a leader in open-air activities, it’... Read More »
Asheville, NC is a Top Place to Start a Fall Foliage Tour
Fall may just be the best time to visit one of America's most lavish homes – Biltmore in Asheville, NC. This century-old hideaway becomes surrounded by mountains glowing with autumn beauty. Thrill and chill seekers alike can find ways to enjoy the sights of autumn in Asheville. If the thought of adrenaline gets your blood moving, then a zipline tour through the forest or a climb on craggy rocks will make your heart race. There's also Segway tours, Jeep tours and guided canoe trips.... Read More »
Fun Things To Do in Asheville
1. Visit the famous Biltmore estate, a historical and architectural wonder.
2. Spend a day (or two) exploring the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
3. Test your bravery on Sliding Rock waterfall, a 60-foot natural water slide.
4. Lose yourself in the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
5. Feed your creativity at the Asheville Art Museum.
6. Gather up the kids for a science lesson at The Health Adventure.
7. Discover over 100 Asheville art studios and galleries in the River Arts... Read More »
Hiking Expert Randy Johnson Provides Tips for Local Trails for Every Skill Level
Western North Carolina makes it easy to lace up your walking shoes and hit the trail. That’s what brought me to the area, and the trail guides I write give me a life-enriching opportunity to share my enthusiasm for our mountains with newcomers.
Asheville’s outdoor lifestyle is no add-on – it’s an organic extension of our environment. Close-in ambles range from downtown Asheville’s Urban Trail to minutes-away paths at the North Carolina Arboretum and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at the Parkway’s... Read More »
Roller Derby Delivers a Big Hit in Asheville
Asheville may be far enough north for snow, but it does not have a hockey team. And those who want to see live football should be prepared to visit a high school on a Friday night. Yes, the town was almost completely devoid of any full-contact spectator sport until a few tough ladies laced up their roller skates and decided it was time to dish out a little pain. Actually, it looks like a lot.
Blue Ridge Roller Girls is western North Carolina’s only all-female, flat-track roller... Read More »
Pet-Friendly Asheville Businesses Pamper Furry Friends
If you consider your dog a diva, consider taking a trip to Asheville. Asheville's extravagent love affair with its furry friends is exemplified in Blaze-N-Skyy Pet Boutique's Mutts + Divas fashion show, where pets get the chance to strut their stuff down the catwalk. Pets can be pampered at Asheville boutiques like Funky Mutt, Waggers Dog Depot and Something to Bark About. Besides haute-dog couture, these stores and others offer fresh, organic baked goods for pets, grooming, training and... Read More »
McCormick Field in Asheville, NC
McCormick Field
McCormick Field in Asheville, NC, is the longtime home of the Asheville Tourists, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. McCormick Field is both a classic ballpark and an example of a ballpark reconstruction done right. It has been the center of baseball on the edge of downtown Asheville since opening in 1924 and undergoes renovations on a regular basis. Capacity at the ballpark is 4,000 and many home runs are hit at McCormick, thanks to a right-field wall... Read More »
Asheville's Rivers and Streams Provide Abundance of Water Recreation
Whether you prefer a gentle glide down a peaceful stream or riding the rapids of a lively river, there’s fun to be had on the water in Western North Carolina and the surrounding area.
Expert outfitters have the gear and the knowledge to equip those of all skill levels for kayaking, rafting, tubing, canoeing and more. For nearly 40 years, the Nantahala Outdoor Center has been a pacesetter in the world of whitewater rafting. Located in North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains National... Read More »
Chimney Rock Park Is a Popular Attraction for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Climb the towering 315-foot monolith known as Chimney Rock, the anchor of Chimney Rock State Park.
“The park encompasses everything you want in a mountain vacation in one place – hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, great views, waterfalls,” says Meghan Rogers, public relations and events manager at Chimney Rock State Park. “You name it, you can do it here.”
Chimney Rock first opened as a tourist attraction in 1902, when the Lucius B. Morse family... Read More »
Ashevillians Find Cycling to Suit Every Skill Level
Two wheels are better than four.
That's the motto in Asheville‚ a town where bartenders commute by bike‚ lawyers strap mountain bikes to their BMWs‚ and the person bagging your groceries might be a nationally ranked cyclist. Many competitive bikers call Asheville home‚ and an even greater number of amateur cyclists enjoy the city's dedication to two-wheel culture.
And that's just in town. Head to the outskirts and you'll find avid cyclists cruising country roads and mountain bikers tackling... Read More »
Asheville is a Family-Friendly City, With Plenty for Kids To Do
Sure‚ Asheville has plenty of activities to keep grown-ups busy – from lounging in a spa to rappelling down a rock face. But it’s also brimming with great places for kids to play.
A 60-foot natural water slide in Pisgah National Forest‚ a children’s science museum‚ native animal exhibits‚ nature hikes‚ guided rock climbing‚ a fun center with laser tag‚ batting cages and bumper cars – you’ll find a diverse range of fun stuff around here to keep the whole family entertained.
Tour a 19th-century... Read More »
Asheville Provides a Great Place To Launch a Day Trip
With so much to see and do in Asheville, you may wonder why you’d ever want to leave town. But a short road trip yields any number of unique destinations – with great shopping, entertainment, history and dining.
Nearby Hendersonville, the second-largest downtown in western North Carolina (Asheville is first) can keep you busy for days with historic sites, great outdoor vistas and fun things to do. Its historic downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
“I think our... Read More »
Tourists to Asheville Can Enjoy Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway has been nicknamed America's Favorite Drive, and 20 million annual visitors make it the most visited attraction within the U.S. National Park System.
The 469-mile byway that connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia provides an economic impact of $2.3 billion each year to the communities through which it passes.
One of those communities is Asheville, which is near milepost 377.
“The Blue Ridge... Read More »
Golfers Can Drive Away the Hours at a Variety of Courses in and Around Asheville
Driving through the mountains of North Carolina is a popular activity, but it is not reserved to only the roads. It also extends to the numerous golf courses scattered throughout the region, where avid golfers can tee it up and drive golf balls nearly year-round.
Asheville sits in the midst of the Smoky Mountains, and there are more than 40 golf courses in the region. The weather is ideal for the sport much of the year. The cool mountain air is a pleasant contrast to the humid summer conditions... Read More »
