Discover Top Tours & Unique Experiences in Asheville, NC

Urban Escape Vehicles rents campervans and Class B RVs out of East Asheville, and owner Melody King started it for people who love van life but aren't ready to buy a van. The fleet runs from two custom Ram Promaster vans at $145 and $167 a night to a Winnebago Travato and a Mercedes Boldt with a shower, toilet and TV at $287 and $350 a night. Every van comes stocked with linens, towels and kitchen and camping gear, plus power for laptops and phones, and they fit in a regular parking space. Rentals start at three days, and pets are welcome.

Hickory Nut Gap is a working family farm out on Sugar Hollow Road in Fairview, east of Asheville, and the same family has been farming it since 1916. They raise 100% grassfed beef plus pasture-raised pork and chicken, and the farm store and butchery is where you stock up on all of it, along with local goods and prepared food. Fall is when the farm really comes alive. Weekends bring hay rides and pony rides by donation, with the money going to Project HNG. Wednesday through Sunday the kids, and plenty of grown-ups, hit the culvert slides, the trike track, the sound silo and the creek with its little rope swing. Local apples, farm-pressed cider and pumpkins fill up the store in September. The calendar stays full out here. Monthly Big Barn Socials, barn dance shows with live music and a two-step instructor, stargazing nights, birding walks and Sunday morning qi gong all happen on the farm, so grab tickets early for the bigger nights.

The WNC Nature Center is a 42-acre wildlife park on Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville, and it's all about the animals of the Southern Appalachians. Black bears, red and gray wolves, cougars, bobcats and river otters live in big wooded habitats, plus red pandas, and the new Gateway to the Southern Appalachians area was just finished this year. It's open every day from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, with last admission at 3:30. Adult tickets run $16.95 plus tax, kids 3 to 12 are $12.95, 2 and under get in free, and City of Asheville residents pay less. Active duty and retired military get in free, and the ticket window is cashless. The calendar stays busy, with monthly behind-the-scenes Wild Walks, Wolf Howl nights in the fall, a stuffed animal Critter Check Up in December, and Brews & Bears after-hours nights with beer and live music on second Fridays in summer.

Oak and Grist Distilling Company is a small-batch, grain-to-glass artisan distillery in Black Mountain, just east of Asheville. Using locally grown and malted barley, they craft whiskey and gin that capture the flavors of Western North Carolina, and their covered patio overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the best spots for sipping award-winning craft spirits near Asheville.

Asheville Retrocade is West Asheville's dedicated classic arcade bar at 800 Haywood Road, packed with restored vintage arcade cabinets and pinball machines alongside a full bar. Tokens get you unlimited play on dozens of games from the 80s and 90s, making it the top retro arcade experience in Asheville NC for nostalgia trips and group nights out.

JuneBug Retro Resort is a 50-acre outdoor music venue in Weaverville, north of downtown Asheville. Live bands play americana, rock, and folk on a vintage 1953 Ford flatbed stage by the creek with rotating food trucks.

Two Trees Distilling is a craft distillery in Fletcher, NC — about 15 minutes south of Asheville off I-26 — producing small-batch spirits aged sustainably with locally sourced Appalachian grains and mountain water. Toasted wood varieties are matched to specific grain profiles for rich, smoke-edged whiskeys and gins, and Two Trees is also the distillery behind Tim Smith Spirits from the Discovery Channel's 'Moonshiners' series. Voted Best Distillery in Asheville Media Group's Best of Asheville awards in both 2023 and 2024.

Asheville Art Museum, located at 2 S Pack Square in the heart of downtown Asheville, offers visitors a lively and evolving collection focused on 20th and 21st-century American art. The museum highlights important regional work alongside national and international artists, with special attention to Western North Carolina’s cultural heritage including Studio Craft, Black Mountain College, and Cherokee artists. The four-level facility includes rotating exhibitions, an intergenerational makerspace called Wells Fargo ArtPLAYce, a rooftop café with sculptures, and an extensive art library. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours on Thursdays until 9 PM, the museum encourages visitors to pre-purchase tickets online for a smooth contactless experience.

Located at 15 Stage Lane in downtown Asheville, North Carolina Stage Company is a premier professional theatre dedicated to presenting a diverse and dynamic repertoire of plays and performances. The intimate venue seats approximately 125 guests, providing an hands-on experience with excellent sightlines and sound quality. NC Stage Company champions contemporary works alongside classics, highlighting regional stories and global themes. The theatre prioritizes accessibility with reserved seating options, hearing loop systems, and nearby parking at Civic Center and Rankin Avenue garages. Serving the Asheville community since 1985, it is a cultural cornerstone for those seeking high-caliber live theatre productions. Currently in its 21st season, NC Stage was founded by Charlie and Angie Flynn-McIver in 2001. After establishing lively acting and directing careers in New York City, the couple returned to their home state of North Carolina to establish NC Stage Company, and have been producing professional theatre ever since. NC Stage has been twice recognized for artistic excellence by both the prestigious American Theatre Wing and the North Carolina Theatre Conference George A. Parides Award. The company was also voted best local theatre for 11 out of the past 13 years in the Mountain Xpress Best of WNC Poll. NC Stage has hosted 3 world premieres, including Stalking the Boogyman in 2013, Curvy Widow, and Brave New World, both in 2016. NC Stage is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, under a Small Professional Theatre Tier 4 Contract.

The Blue Ridge Orchestra is Asheville's all-volunteer community orchestra, performing classical and orchestral concerts across Western North Carolina since 1999. The ensemble stages full-program concerts at venues like Diana Wortham Theatre and local churches, plus outreach performances in area schools and smaller music clubs throughout the season.

The Wortham Center is Asheville’s go-to hub for seriously good performing arts — a cozy multi-venue setup where you can catch everything from sharp theatre pieces and dance shows to live music and comedy. It features a classic 500-seat main theater that’s perfect for both nationally touring acts and local productions, along with smaller black box and studio spaces for experimental performances and workshops. The center’s vibe is intimate and welcoming, making you feel like you’re part of the show rather than just a spectator. Plus, it’s right in the mix downtown with easy access to great restaurants and after-show hangouts.

Downtown Asheville's ACT has been staging productions since 1946, making it the oldest continuously operating theater in the city and second oldest in North Carolina. Two stages: the Heston Mainstage (approx. 309 seats) and the 40-seat 35below black box. Programming spans musicals, dramas, comedies, a Readers Theatre series, and youth productions season-round.

Asheville Yards is an independent concert venue at 75 Coxe Avenue occupying the former Rabbit Rabbit site — a restored industrial space with raw energy, a capacity of around 600, and a reputation for booking adventurous, cross-genre lineups. From Americana and folk to punk and electronic, the stage draws national acts and emerging artists alike. Food trucks and craft beer on tap round out the experience.

Battery Park Book Exchange is a downtown Asheville used bookstore and champagne bar in the historic Grove Arcade on Battery Park Avenue. Hosts live jazz shows weekly in the back room.

the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) offers an engaging and hands-on science experience for visitors of all ages. AMOS features interactive exhibits spanning geology, biology, paleontology, physics, and environmental science, including the notable Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton and the Colburn Hall of Minerals. The museum's highlights include a STEM lab, tree climb, terrabox topography simulator, fossil dig, toddler nest, and rotating special exhibits focused on current science topics.

Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours offers an award-winning guided experience exploring the best rooftop bars in downtown Asheville. Over the course of three hours, you’ll visit three stunning rooftops, sip seasonal handcrafted cocktails or mocktails, and take in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville’s iconic cityscape. The tours combine great drinks with fascinating history shared by expert local guides, making it a perfect mix of fun and culture.

Dalton Distillery is downtown Asheville’s first legal distillery, crafting small-batch Caribbean-inspired vodka and rum right here in the mountains. They take pride in handcrafting their spirits using rainwater and local mountain spring water, creating clean, complex flavors that stand out. The distillery also features a lively bar with indoor and outdoor seating, billiards, ping pong, arcade games, and a great local vibe. Tours & Tastings offered every weekend.

Locals and travelers consistently rate Biltmore Estate as Asheville’s #1 experience for its layered blend of history, luxury, and hospitality. The restaurants are praised for locally sourced, farm-to-table menus and attentive staff. Cedric’s Tavern offers a relaxing atmosphere for unwinding over freshly made pretzel buns and Lusty Monk Mustard Butter, while the Stable Café and The Bistro deliver memorable lunches after estate tours. Families enjoy the annual Biltmore Christmas celebration with spectacular décor and festive dining. For special occasions, locals recommend The Dining Room and Wine Bar for anniversary dinners and tastings.

Step back in time and level up your night at Level 256, a classic arcade bar right in Asheville’s buzzing South Slope. This spot packs over 30 meticulously maintained arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and more than 300 authentic console games across all generations—from Atari to the latest PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Entry gets you unlimited play, so whether you’re chasing high scores or battling friends, every round is pure nostalgia and fun. The bar boasts a rotating selection of 16 craft beers on tap alongside curated cocktails, making it the perfect place to mix drinks with game wins.

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Highlights some of the best trails in Asheville with the mission to inspire great Southern adventures.

Experience the best of the mountains all in one place! Enjoy six unique hiking trails, 75-mile panoramic views, and the tallest waterfall in any North Carolina State Park.

The Amazing Pubcycle is a 15-person pedal-powered (motor assisted) vehicle like no other. Imagine riding your bike (sideways), hanging out at your favorite pub (on wheels), and witnessing entertainment that tantalizes all of your senses. Hop on!

The Salt Spa of Asheville is the only Himalayan Salt Cave in Asheville with a negatively ionized dry salt air microclimate. Here, you can breathe salt air & relax deeply at the same time. Halotherapy is an amazing natural health support. Breathe and Relax

Discover the unique flavor of Asheville, NC on our guided walking tours of the city’s culinary treasures in historic downtown.

Asheville Free Walking Tours is the best way to get to know the city from a local perspective! We walk through the cities rich history, while also learning about some of the best shops, restaurants and bars and even getting a taste at a few spots!

Hop on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated journey, highlighting the history, homes and hot-spots of this “city of surprises.”

Asheville's Only Authentic Salt Cave.

All-you-can-play arcade plus full bar.