Things to do within a few miles…

• Saddle Up Ride through Pisgah National Forest. $50 -$ 90+ / person (828) 768-9025 or take out (828) 768-9063 Worth the 30 minute drive. Many guests visit Sierra Nevada after a horseback ride.”

• WNC Nature Center View otters, a black bear, a barn owl, and more animals while walking on an outdoor trail. Admission to facilities 10:00 to 3:30. Can buy tickets on-line or on site (cash not accepted). https://wildwnc.org/ (828) 259-8080

• Upper River Arts District is “a vibrant community of over 700 artists, collectives, and galleries.” www.riverartsdistrict.com

• Disc Golf This area has several awesome disc golf courses!

• The front nine holes of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course were harmed by Hurricane Helane and is now a 18-hole championship-length disc golf course.

• Also, Check out Hall Fletcher Disc Golf Course, Highland Brewing Disc Golf Course, and Buncombe Sports Park.

• Golf Western North Carolina is known for great golfing! Check out Reem’s Creek, Omni Grove Park, and Chestnut Mountain Golf Club.

• Asheville Museum of Science “Small science museum featuring playful, hands-on exhibits, plus various events for children.” www.ashevillescience.org

• Navitat Canopy Adventures Have a tree based zipline canopy adventure. 2-2.5 hour adventure. www.navitat.com (828) 626-3700 

• For a great brewery in the Asheville Area consider Wicked Weed (Biltmore Ave. Location), Sierra Nevada (Mills River), Highlands (East Asheville) or New Belgium (RAD)

Hiking

• The Blue Ridge Parkway is open from Asheville to Cherokee and also from Asheville to Mt. Mitchell.
• To the South many well-known hikes including Grandfather Mountain are now accessible. Also, many overlooks with breath-taking views are now open. Don’t forget to have lunch at the Pisgah Inn.
• To the North, Craggy Gardens it a great hike to where mountain meets sky. Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River and has trails that range from easy to very difficult. Stop by the Vistors Center located North on the Parkway for more info.
• Strawberry Gap Trail is the newest trail in the stunning Upper Hickory Nut Gorge trail network–opened in September 2022. The trail climbs upward for three miles through beautiful, boulder-strewn forests. About halfway up, a rock outcrop offers sweeping views over a picturesque valley and range upon range of distant, blue mountains. The climax of this trail is Blue Ridge Pastures, where the forests give way to a ridgeline pasture, revealing dramatic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, Bearwallow Mountain, Little Pisgah Mountain, and in the distance the highest mountains in the eastern United States.
• Asheville Botanical Gardens Located on UNC Asheville’s campus, this short trail provides beautiful scenery for a leisurely stroll. Plus, the gift shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Looking Glass Rock Trailhead One of the most popular hikes in Pisgah, the summit of this hike offers panoramic views atop a large smooth rock that gets its name from the way it reflects ice in the winter. On the way up, you’ll encounter several springs and plenty of rhododendron and mountain laurel. This difficult hike is 6.1 miles round trip.
• The North Carolina Arboretum www.ncarboretum.org 828-665-2492 This family-friendly facility features elaborate gardens, wooded trails, and educational displays. $20 parking fee. Enjoy more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails.
• DuPont Falls Enjoy this award-winning hike! Hiking trail with amazing waterfalls. Take I 40W to exit 46A for I 26 East towards Hendersonville. Take I 26 east to Exit 40. Turn right off Exit 40 onto NC 280. Take NC 280 south 16 miles to US 64. Turn left onto US 64 and go 3.7 miles to the stop light. Turn right onto Crab Creek Rd and go 4.3 miles to DuPont Road. Turn right onto DuPont Rd and go 4.2 miles. Note that DuPont Rd becomes Staton Road. Many people stop at Sierra Nevada after a hike!