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.
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!
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.
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
Urban Orchard Cider Co. provides two warm and inviting spaces in two unique parts of the Asheville, allowing visitors to experience our one-of-a-kind hard ciders that are made on site. We proudly offer a welcoming atmosphere that fosters creativity, invigorating discussion with friends, or a warm chair to enjoy your cider in one hand and your new favorite book in the other.
In a time where product labels can be difficult to navigate and interrupt, you can be sure that Urban Orchard Ciders are of the purest form. We are dedicated to producing the highest quality craft ciders that we feel good about drinking ourselves. Forget the days of overly sweet ciders, full of artificial sweeteners, aromas, and flavors. We let fresh-pressed apple juice do the job for us. Aging/maturation and a variety of yeast strains are competitive advantages for us and we have found that the extra work delivers us a superior product in the end. Stop by for a visit!
Chai Pani literally means “tea and water.” It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” In Downtown Asheville (and now in Downtown Decatur) it means innovative, fun, affordable and delicious Indian cuisine. We’d go so far as to say it’s “mindblasting.”
Some of the best food of any country is its street food, and Chai Pani features chaat – crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy, brightly flavored Indian street snacks. And because there’s nothing more comforting and delicious in any culture than a home cooked meal, Chai Pani also brings you thalis – traditional family meals highlighting India’s amazing culinary diversity.
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.
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…
Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Grove Arcade is a beautifully preserved historical building in the heart of Downtown Asheville that represents the heart and character of the town. It’s rich history and ornate architecture combined with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove, Grove Arcade was built to celebrate the city he loved so much. Its rich history, ornate architecture, and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants were designed to offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Learn the fascinating story behind its construction, government takeover, renovation, and finally its grand reopening in 2002.
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.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the French Broad River, and parallel with the River Arts District, Asheville is home to our East Coast Brewery and Liquid Center tasting room. Come spend some of your time in Western North Carolina with us imbibing on an Asheville-brewed Fat Tire and vibing with friends, family, our amazing bartenders and tour guides. Every Friday is Fat Tire Friday. A delicious cast of rotating food trucks will feed your belly as we feed your soul on one of our award-winning brewery tours. Please visit our website to learn more about upcoming events, our live music schedule, private room rentals, and to reserve your ticket on one of our tour experiences.
Located just outside of downtown Asheville on 124 acres adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Resort. Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures takes you on a 2-3 hour journey into 150 year old trees overlooking historic downtown Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains on 11 ziplines from several hundred feet to 1200 feet long. Additional adventures at the same location include a treetop adventure park, KidZip, and miles of mountain biking trails offering Asheville’s only one stop complete outdoor adventure center. With over 40 years in the outdoor adventure industry, the family owned business is the most experienced outdoor adventure company in the SE with 3 generations involved in the operation.
Are you looking for adventurous outdoor activities or exciting things to do in downtown Asheville? Well look no further… The Adventure Center of Asheville offers Asheville’s Best Outdoor Adventures, just 5 minutes from downtown. Enjoy expansive views of the Asheville skyline from Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures or hop on one of our top-end mountain bikes and learn the meaning of “flow” on our on-site trail system created and groomed for the KOLO Bike Park. Looking for a unique and exciting challenge? Then head up into the trees at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an elevated obstacle course with five levels of difficulty. Bringing the kids? Check out KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under 10.
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.
Experience expertly prepared cuisine that emphasizes estate-raised and local ingredients, with world-class service inspired by the Vanderbilts. White linen tablecloths, fine china, and crystal add to the elegance, along with sweeping views of the estate.
Dinner showcases the season’s finest meats, seafood, and hand-crafted pastas served in a beautifully appointed location perfect for celebrations.
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.
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.
Experience Jargon’s innovative menu of modern American plates, creative cocktails and desserts in a unique and fabulous setting. We source food from local growers that showcase seasonal offerings and unique ingredients that are blended with artistry and skill by award winning Chef Steven Goff and his crew. Located in a small historic building in the heart of West Asheville, Jargon’s continental social cuisine is inspired by the world around us, unconstrained by borders, and intended to bring folks together to delight in a language we all understand… delicious food. Masterful technique, amazing ingredients and deep relationships with local farmers and food providers all contribute to the dining experience at Jargon. It is our pleasure to wow your palate and surprise you with a culinary delight like no other.
Plant is an evolving chef-driven vegetable, fruit, and active-foods restaurant in Asheville, NC. We serve dinner from an open kitchen and bar, with 13 tables, 47 seats, kitchen-side dining, and a seasonal dog-friendly patio.
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.
Wai Mauna SUP Tours was founded in 2015 in Asheville, North Carolina, when the founder, Kyle Ellison, moved from his childhood home in Maui to the mountains of North Carolina. Looking for a way to “bring Maui to the Mountains,” he named the new company “Wai Mauna SUP Tours”—a phrase which, in Hawaiian, means “fresh water in the mountains”—and offered guided paddleboard trips on Asheville’s French Broad River.
In 2021, Wai Mauna SUP Tours expanded to Driggs, Idaho, and now offers paddleboard rentals and shuttles on the scenic Teton River, with plans to expand in coming years to a mountain town near you!
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.