Asheville is a town located on the east coast of the United States, in the state of North Carolina. It’s surrounded by rich nature: to the west is the Chattahoochee National Forest, to the north is the Cherokee National Forest, and to the east is Mount Mitchell. What makes the town of Asheville famous is, without a doubt, the grand mansion known as the Biltmore Estate. Many tourists visit as well. Another major attraction is the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), a scenic drive that’s also extremely popular among Americans.
From this wonderful town of Asheville, which boasts such amazing tourist spots, we’ll introduce six places to visit, including an arboretum, an art gallery, and even a zoo! Be sure to use this as a guide for your trip!
1. Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is one of the most popular places to visit in Asheville. Many tourists come to Asheville just to catch a glimpse of this beautiful, castle-like mansion.
The Biltmore Estate was built over many years starting in the late 1800s as the home of the Vanderbilt family, who were known as railroad tycoons of their time. Designed in the French Renaissance style, the estate has a floor area of 16,300 square meters and more than 250 rooms! One of the highlights is the luxurious interior design and advanced architecture for its time. It features a library, art gallery, indoor pool, and even systems like an elevator, fire alarms, and an intercom—truly ahead of its time.
The grounds are vast, with numerous restaurants, gift shops, hotels, botanical gardens, and even a winery. Visitors must reserve tickets in advance to tour the estate. It's especially recommended to visit during Christmas when the entire mansion is beautifully decorated and even more spectacular!
Name: Biltmore Estate
Address: 1 Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803-2662
Official/Related Website URL: https://www.biltmore.com/
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
America is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 755-kilometer road stretches from North Carolina to Virginia—but it's not just any road. Along the way are countless must-see spots where you can experience breathtaking views and exciting activities.
There’s Humpback Rocks, where nature and culture come together, Otter Peaks with its picture-perfect scenery, and James River, where you can enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking. You can also encounter deer, go trekking, play golf, or take a motorcycle ride—this area is full of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Additionally, there are various programs hosted by rangers and volunteers, including campfires, music events, historical talks, slide presentations, and nature walks. The Blue Ridge Parkway Association offers a free smartphone app that provides maps, navigation, and detailed information. Definitely a must-add to your Asheville travel plans!
Name: Blue Ridge Parkway
Address: Asheville, NC
Official/Related Website URL: https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
3. North Carolina Arboretum
While the Rose and Azalea Gardens within the Biltmore Estate grounds are famous tourist spots in Asheville, there’s another destination that’s highly recommended for flower and garden lovers. The North Carolina Arboretum is located in the Bent Creek Forest of the Pisgah National Forest, south of Asheville. It’s also easily accessible from the famous Blue Ridge Parkway.
At the North Carolina Arboretum, you can see a wide variety of plants native to the southern Appalachian Mountains. In addition to the bonsai garden and azalea collection, there are plenty of family-friendly activities like hiking trails, guided tours, and craft demonstrations. Another highlight is the café offering organic dishes and the gift shop featuring handcrafted works by local artists. You can also rent this beautiful garden for weddings or special celebrations—what better way to combine sightseeing in Asheville with a memorable event!
Name: North Carolina Arboretum
Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806-9315
Official/Related Website URL: https://www.ncarboretum.org/
4. Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center
Among Asheville's many tourist attractions, the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center (SHCGF Art Center) is a must-visit for those who love creativity and craftsmanship. There are four main galleries where you can view a variety of unique artworks, including paintings, sculptures, pottery, and crafts. Why not come here and get inspired?
The permanent collection gallery features about 250 pieces of art ranging from 1855 to the late 20th century. The collection covers a wide range of crafts, including wood carvings, textiles, furniture, ceramics, dolls, and Southern Appalachian folk art. The craft shop inside the center is fascinating, with colorful, large patchworks displayed on its long walls. There’s also a second shop on Lodge Street in Asheville, where you’ll find artistic pottery and clothing sold in an exceptionally beautiful building—another great spot worth checking out!
The SHCGF Art Center also hosts events where visitors can watch demonstrations of pottery, glasswork, wood carving, and more. How about picking up a unique piece of art as a souvenir from your Asheville trip?
Name: Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center
Address: Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805
Official/Related Website URL: https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/folkartcenter/
5. Craggy Gardens
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most popular tourist routes not only in Asheville but also throughout the United States, there are many sightseeing spots. One of them is Craggy Gardens, a spacious park located about a 20-minute drive east from downtown Asheville, in the highlands.
This scenic park has plenty of picnic tables where visitors can enjoy hiking and take in the breathtaking views. The exposed rocky peaks and the magnificent scenery of the Southern Appalachian Mountains are spectacular. From June through summer, you can also see wildflowers blooming throughout the garden.
One of the recommended trekking trails for tourists is a 2.5 km round-trip course that offers fantastic panoramic views. There are also moderately uphill trails and more challenging routes for advanced hikers. If you’re up for an adventure, visit the visitor center to get detailed information about trail lengths, highlights, and seasonal tips.
Name: Craggy Gardens
Address: Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, 364 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28711
6. WNC Nature Center
Located on the outskirts of Asheville near Lake Craig is the WNC Nature Center. Among Asheville’s attractions, this is especially popular with tourists traveling with children. It’s a facility where you can learn about and interact with the wildlife and natural environment of western North Carolina.
There’s the Appalachian Station, where you can see reptiles and amphibians, a small mammals section featuring raccoons and foxes, and the Red Wolf Run, which is a sanctuary for endangered red wolves. There are many other animals to meet as well! Inside the center, there’s also a gift shop where you can find stuffed animals and other souvenirs—definitely worth a visit!
Name: WNC Nature Center (Friends of the WNC Nature Center)
Address: 72 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28805, USA
Official/Related Website URL: https://wildwnc.org/
◎ Summary
Asheville is a city that continues to grow in education, economy, and the arts. It often ranks high on lists of the best places to live in the United States. With its abundant nature, such as the autumn leaves along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s also considered a tourist destination with many attractions. Asheville is developing as a popular sightseeing spot—recently, a hotel with an outdoor pool opened at the Biltmore Estate, further enhancing its appeal.
Asheville also has its own airport, and it’s conveniently accessible—about two hours by plane from New York. If you’re looking to visit somewhere off the beaten path on your next trip to the U.S., why not consider Asheville as one of your destinations?