Places to visit in Asheville, NC.
Whether you are a nature lover or a history buff, there are plenty of things to do in Asheville, North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround the city and boast an array of museums and attractions.
The Biltmore Estate, a 19th-century home, is one of the area’s most well-known attractions. The house is filled with artwork by masters like Renoir.
Biltmore
Located on 8,000 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore is one of the largest privately owned houses in the United States. Millionaire George Vanderbilt built it in the late 1800s.
There are more than 1 million visitors to the estate each year. The property includes several restaurants, lodging, a winery, parks, and hiking trails. It is also home to the Western North Carolina Nature Center, a 42-acre zoological park with more than 60 species of animals.
The house features many decorative details and yards of tracery. The exterior incorporates stone architecture reminiscent of French chateaus. The interior has numerous rooms, a basement with kitchens, and 65 fireplaces. The ceiling of the library features a vast 18th-century Italian painting.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
The Omni Grove Park Inn offers a luxurious Asheville, North Carolina retreat. This historic resort features stunning mountain views and Donald Ross-designed golf courses. It is a member of the Historic Hotels of America.
The hotel has 513 guest rooms and suites. It also has an underground spa and two retail promenades. Guests can also participate in a variety of activities.
The hotel’s Great Hall is the centerpiece of the resort. It is 120 feet across and has 24-foot ceilings. Most evenings feature live music. It is also home to the hotel’s bar, opposite the check-in counter.
In the late 1980s, the Grove Park Inn added a multimillion-dollar spa facility. Today, the Omni Grove Park Inn is one of the country’s top five spa resorts.
The North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is a public garden and natural museum in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Founded in 1986, the Arboretum is an affiliate of the University of North Carolina System. It is on four hundred and thirty-four acres of cultivated gardens and wooded land.
The North Carolina Arboretum’s mission is to preserve and celebrate nature, provide educational opportunities, and encourage personal connections with nature. Visitors will find more than ten miles of hiking trails that connect to the nearby Pisgah National Forest.
The Arboretum features the National Native Azalea Collection, a plant collection of almost all native azalea species in the United States. The Plant Collections Network accredits this collection.
The North Carolina Arboretum also offers many special exhibits. For example, the Nature Discovery Room displays changing exhibitions, and the Baker Exhibit Center showcases interactive exhibits. There are also several classes offered. Some of the courses focus on art, science, and environmental sustainability.
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Western North Carolina Nature Center is an accredited zoo of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This 42-acre zoological park is home to 60 species of animals native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
The center is an educational destination that actively promotes species’ survival. Visitors can meet black bears in the wild and learn about their natural habits. Throughout the year, there are events for families to enjoy.
Some possibilities include the Heyday Fall Festival, Behind the Scenes tours, and Brews and Bears. These events include games, arts and crafts, and other special activities.
The Nature Center has an indoor exhibit that mimics the natural environments of the mountains. This includes a wolf enclosure and an area for red wolves to breed. The animal displays also have a variety of other animals native to the region.
Asheville Pinball Museum
Located in the Battery Park district of downtown Asheville, the Asheville Pinball Museum offers visitors a chance to play various classic and modern pinball machines.
The museum has nearly 40 pinball machines on display. Some of the devices feature incredible artwork from famous TV shows. You can also enjoy the nostalgic sound of vintage pinball machines.
The Asheville Pinball Museum is a fun place to visit. Not only do they have a wide range of vintage pinball machines, but they also have arcade games and retro consoles.
You can even play the classic game of Steeplechase and a horse race-themed board game. In addition, the museum has other exciting attractions, including a Prohibition-era gambling parlor.
The Asheville Pinball Museum features three different rooms with pinball machines. The front room has vintage pinball machines dating back to the 1930s.
Best Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina
Places to visit in Asheville, NC:
- Biltmore
- The Omni Grove Park Inn
- The North Carolina Arboretum
- Western North Carolina Nature Center
- Asheville Pinball Museum