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Sports & Recreation in Asheville, NC

It’s beautiful on the outside in Asheville

By Kevin Litwin on November 21, 2015

Sports & Recreation in Asheville

Whenever you get the chance in Asheville, take it outdoors. Residents and tourists can enjoy recreational activities like hiking, biking, golf, swimming and even zip-lining, with the natural beauty of Asheville and its moderate climate adding to the enjoyment.

Throughout the County

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation oversees a number of recreational venues, such as indoor and outdoor pools, soccer fields and greenways. Organized activities include coed outdoor volleyball leagues, kids’ fishing tournaments, teen 5K runs and adult kickball and dodgeball leagues.

Let Nature Run Its Course

Challenging terrain and eye-pleasing scenery make Asheville a favorite among mountain bikers, especially with riding groups like the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club. Hikers take strolls along several Buncombe Greenway trails and the French Broad River Trail, while families can also enjoy Aston, Carrier and Pack Square parks, as well as the convenient Azalea and French Broad River dog parks.

Harvest House Recreation Center and the Montford Complex provide even more ways to get active. Take time to stop and smell the roses at North Carolina Arboretum with its 434 acres of gardens. The Arboretum contains one of the world’s most renowned collections of bonsai, and houses popular, dog-friendly hiking and mountain biking trails.

Culture, Events and Activities in Asheville, NC

The Club Scene

As beautiful as they are challenging, golf courses in Asheville draw many players. Among the most popular courses are the Broadmoor Golf Links and High Vista Golf Club, while The Omni Grove Park Inn has hosted PGA Tour events. Other top area venues include Asheville Municipal Golf Course and the Country Club of Asheville, which is undergoing a renovation.

Zipping Right Along

Experience a bird’s-eye view of the North Carolina mountains and see Asheville from the treetops while riding zip lines at places like Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours, Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, The Gorge and Navitat Canopy Adventures. Asheville Treetops Adventure Park now includes a KidZip line for children under age 10, while Navitat Canopy has added Moody Cove Adventure and Blue Ridge Experience packages, along with a nighttime zip line tour.

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Moments in the Sun

With free admission and open year round, the Botanical Gardens at Asheville showcase the diverse flowers, plants, trees, shrubs, mosses, herbs and grasses that thrive in the temperate ecosystem of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. About 700 species are represented, and the gardens have many paths and resting spots for visitors to enjoy.

One for the Road

Billed as America’s Favorite Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through Asheville and offers opportunities for hiking, camping, water activities and viewing fall foliage. The Asheville portion of the parkway spans from milepost 384 to milepost 394, with milepost 384 housing a convenient visitors’ center.

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