Visit the working studios and galleries in Asheville’s River Arts District and experience hundreds of artists– painting, pottery, jewelry, glass, metal, wood and much more. Open every day.
Allanstand Craft Shop
Established in 1895, Allanstand Craft Shop is nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America. Explore artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more, crafted by the members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, over 400 artists and craftspeople of Southern Appalachia.
AILY CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
March – December
Visitors are invited to watch and interact with Guild artisans demonstrating their craft in the lobby from 10am-4pm. Visit craftguild.org/events or call 828-298-7928 for the schedule.
Cúrate is a celebration of authentic Spanish cuisine. For those who have visited Spain, the Cúrate menu will bring back memories of the country’s best jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture. In recognition of the restaurant’s all-Spanish wine list, Cúrate was listed as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast Magazine in 2018. Cúrate means ‘cure yourself’ in Spanish, reflecting the belief held by Chef Katie Button and her family that there are curative effects in sharing good food and wine with family and friends. Experience the essence of Spain in downtown Asheville… one plate at a time.
Hiking Through a Rhododendron Tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Craggy Gardens offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch far into Tennessee to the west and toward central North Carolina to the east. These views can be enjoyed from the parking area near the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and along nearby hiking trails.
A large picnic area is popular with visitors. On clear nights, Craggy Gardens is also a perfect place for stargazing.
In early summer, Craggy Gardens becomes a mountain-sized bouquet when the rhododendron thickets on the upper heights cover the landscape in pink and purple. A favorite hiking trail, Craggy Pinnacle, leads hikers through a “tunnel” of rhododendron to the summit which offers 360-degree view. This 1.5 mile round trip is an easy walk.
Books, CDs, souvenirs, and a photographic display can be found in the Visitors Center, and restrooms are on premises. There is no food concession.
Hours of Operation
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center: Memorial Day through October
This section of the Parkway is closed in the winter months.
Hours of operation are subject to change. Contact directly for most current information.
Location
Craggy Gardens is approximately 24 miles from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Craggy Pinnacle parking lot Milepost 364.1
Craggy Gardens picnic grounds Milepost 367.5
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center Milepost 364.6
For more information, contact:
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Milepost 384
Asheville, NC 28803
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: 828-298-5330
Visitor Information Recorded Message: 828-298-0398
http://www.nps.gov/blri
Mountain High Adventures is a custom, guided tour service based in Asheville, NC. We offer sightseeing and hiking tours along the Blue Ridge Parkway, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Pisgah National Forest. Chauffeured private hourly rentals are also available.
A blend of great regional micro brewed beers and bluegrass acts. Both traditional and alternative bluegrass acts represented at this annual event. 1PM – 7 PM.
Consistently creative cuisine — Chestnut offers classics done right with a touch of cutting edge. From house cured meats to perfect mashed potatoes to local steak cooked to a turn to local vegetables fresh from the farmer; it’s not what you do, but how you do it.
WHERE DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE COMES FOR. Creative Cuisine & Craft Cocktails
Since 2012 Chestnut has been making a gustatory impression on Downtown Asheville. Located at 48 Biltmore Avenue Chestnut is in close proximity to some of the city’s favorite venues including the Fine Arts Theater, Diana Wortham Theatre, and The Orange Peel.
In the heart of downtown Asheville many gather to participate listen and dance to the Asheville Drum Circle. Everyone is welcome to dance, drum, and celebrate with one another. It starts around 6:00 pm and ends at 9:45 pm. The drum circle has been active since 2001. For another authentic yet very different Asheville longtime music event, go to the Shindig on the Green.
Caribbean inspired vegetarian friendly restaurant and bar with three locations in Asheville. A local and tourist favorite serving neighbors near and far with laid back vibes and fresh flavors.
Celebrating 16 years in historic Biltmore Village, fig is a small bistro with a big heart. We offer wholesome lunches and simple suppers rich in European tradition and served with a southern twist. Menus change with the seasons featuring daily specials along with fig classics like our sublime quiche, rich and savory bolognese and pan seared salmon. fig is a place where you go to be with your friends, be it a late lunch, an espresso and some dessert, or a glass of chilled rose in our tree filled courtyard. Our friendly little wine list, although small, is carefully curated with discerning palettes and budgets in mind. Understated yet elegant, with only 40 seats inside, fig feels familiar and intimate—your home away from home.
Professional Fly Fishing Guide Service based in Asheville North Carolina. Specializing in guiding and teaching fly fishing for trout, smallmouth bass and musky in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. Offering Guided Float Trips for trophy brown trout on South Holston River and Watauga River. Offering Guided Float Trips for trophy Smallmouth Bass near Asheville, NC. Offering Wade Trips for trout near Asheville, NC. Asheville Fly Fishing Company is committed to providing you with the trip of a lifetime. We value long-lasting relationships with our guests and enjoy sharing memorable days on the water. We are professional, hard-working guides who love bringing people to the finest waters this area has to offer. We welcome anglers of all experience levels and enjoy helping our clients develop their fly fishing skills. For more advanced thrill-seeking anglers, we can provide you with the most challenging yet rewarding fly fishing you will experience.
When the sun sets on Biltmore Village and the local shop owners return to their homes, the Corner Kitchen keeps cooking. Enjoy the warmth of our illuminated interior with comfortable cuisine. Order a unique cocktail and gaze upon the mountain sky from the comfort of our pristine patio. Find out what locals have known for over 16 years — dinner doesn’t only happen downtown in Asheville.
Zambra is a charming nod to the tastes and traditions of the Western Mediterranean, offering downtown Asheville a contemporary twist on fine wine and tapas. In between the romantic amber-lit ceiling and smooth stone floor is a festive atmosphere that holds true to our name which means “gypsy dance of celebration.” We’ve carefully selected only the best of local ingredients and exotic Spanish wines to give our guests an unforgettable feast of the senses and a warm celebration of life.
Asheville’s only full service outfitter, French Broad Outfitters runs daily kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and tube trips on the historic French Broad River through the heart of Asheville and the Biltmore estate. Instruction, camping equipment rentals, shuttles, and sales in the River Arts District.
French Broad Outfitters is a full-service river outfitter in Asheville, NC. With three in-town locations, we offer kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and tube trips on the third oldest river in the world.
Our outfitter store is a full-service kayak shop with anything that you would need for a day on the river. Our Hominy Creek location, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is a two-acre bar/playground situated on a peninsula with the French Broad.
Tupelo Honey is a revival of Southern food and traditions rooted in the Carolina mountains we call home. Our recipes are simply crafted and made from scratch with responsibly sourced ingredients that bring the best of every season. For 20 years, we have infused our Southern spirit into every bite. At Tupelo Honey, we create breakfasts, lunches and suppers that invite you to put on your Sunday’s best and gather around the table for gracious and delicious Southern food.
Sunny Point Café is a family owned, independent restaurant serving upscale comfort food from dawn to dark. Whether you want breakfast for dinner or a scrumptious dessert for breakfast we would love to satisfy your craving. We take pride in our made-from-scratch products and farm-to-table approach with our menu selections. At Sunny Point, we like fresh ingredients so much we have our own garden adjacent to the restaurant. During peak growing season, staff works daily in the garden harvesting ingredients for our specials – hard to get much fresher! Feel free to walk through our garden before or after your meal. Our café is small, but we do have a covered outdoor dining area, as well as tables in the garden, so you can dine al fresco most seasons. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the patio. Dinner is served starting at 4:00pm Tuesday-Saturday, and yes, you can order items from our breakfast and lunch menu in the evenings. We are busiest weekend mornings, but have provided plenty of shaded seating so you can relax while waiting for your table. Please note we are unable to seat incomplete parties, thanks for understanding.
Let the local experts guide you to our favorite “secret spots” along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in our National Forests. Home to 250+ waterfalls and miles of hiking trails, the stunning scenery does not disappoint. Our tours provide a unique blend of storytelling, sightseeing and nature discovery! We visit historical sights and 150-foot waterfalls, and even enjoy wild food foraging on all of our tours. Our aim to provide a soul-nurturing experience in the outdoors is the reason why our guests return to experience these mountains with us, again and again! If you have a half day to spend with us, we recommend the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour so you can capture multiple highlights of western North Carolina, including the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, historic sites and “secret” hidden waterfalls. For those who have just a few hours to spend with us, we recommend the Guided 2-Hour Waterfall Hike. Private Tours, fully customizable, are also available and offer a range of hikes!
Jettie Rae’s Oyster House is a neighborhood destination where families and friends gather. It is a place to celebrate life, to toast after a long day of hard work, and to enjoy the finest oysters and freshest fish available. We offer quality cocktails and honest food done well in a relaxed and casual environment. We look forward to seeing you!
Inspired by a heritage stretching from Maine to the Gulf Coast, we celebrate the Gullah Geechee, French, Native American and Spanish cultures that have influenced the preparation of our seafood. We honor sustainability, we’re conscious of our source and we support the families and individuals who make their living from our coastal waters.
Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures is a mountain bike guide service that specializes in professionally guided trips in Pisgah and Dupont. Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures offers self-supported guided trips that we will customize to your individual tastes and ability levels. We offer 1/2, full, and multi-day trips that include a snack and lunch. Let the locals show you the best Pisgah has to offer.
Biltmore House, the main residence, is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is the largest privately …
Outdoor Recreation, Gardens, Food and Wine, Music, Family Fun and more…
Visit the Western North Carolina Nature Center – home to over 60 species of animals including river otters, black bear, red wolves and cougars. The Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. The Nature Center is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. Less than 230 facilities in the United States have met the high accreditation standards set by AZA.
Black bears, red wolves, otters, and red pandas await you! Learn more about the special animals you’ll see who call the WNC Nature Center home.