With roaring streams, wild-flowering meadows and blazing sunsets topping tree-covered mountains, the Blue Ridge is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Adding to these gifts of nature are wonders of our own making: the majestic Biltmore Estate, the soaring Blue Ridge Parkway, and a delightful cascade of visitor-friendly farms, museums and adventurous playgrounds for adults and kids alike
Take a family hayride back in time with storytelling about “the most historically active place” along the Blue Ridge Parkway. An Appalachian cultural & historical center celebrating the people, music, art & natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A century old, the Orchard sits…
Experience a Blue Ridge Mountain fall adventure at Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill, where apples have been grown since 1930. You can pick apples, go on a Saturday wagon tour of the orchard, watch apples sorted, sample an apple cider slushie, or picnic in the Apple Pickin’ Picnic Shelter. Browse…
Discover Biltmore House & Gardens
Immerse yourself in the timeless hospitality of Biltmore® in Asheville, NC. Your admission includes a self-guided visit to Biltmore House—America’s Largest Home®—a masterpiece of architecture filled with treasures and antiques. Stroll…
Visit Biltmore Winery, housed in an historic structure original to the estate. Enjoy complimentary tastings of our handcrafted wines as our wine hosts take you on a journey through our reds, whites, and rosés. Linger at our Wine Bar where you can taste our reserve and sparkling wines by the glass…
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail, a collection of special places throughout the North Carolina mountains and foothills that embody the remarkable history and culture of the region. At each location, you will find an interpretive wayside sign that tells the stories of the people and places…
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Carl Sandburg and communicating the stories of his works, life and significance as an American poet, writer, historian, biographer of Abraham Lincoln, and social activist. Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for…
One of NC’s newest state parks, Chimney Rock brings the best of the mountains together in one place. With sweeping, panoramic, 75-mile views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Carolina Piedmont from its summit, standing atop the Chimney is a one-of-a-kind experience – one that is…
This unique historic site is home of the first forestry school in America, The Biltmore Forest School- 1898-1913. Today the Cradle of Forestry is a favorite Blue Ridge attraction in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest. Highlights include: 18-minute movie, hands-on exhibits, helicopter…
Gem Mining in NC! Located in Downtown Brevard, easy access from Asheville and Hendersonville! Crystal Mountain Gem Mine brings you and your family the unique experience of Gem Mining for your very own gem stones, keep everything you find! Enjoy our 52′ indoor water flume and our Rock & Fossil…
At Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, in Hendersonville, NC, you become a prospector from the 1800’s and mine for real gem stones that you can keep! Gems that are found daily include Rubys, Sapphires, Emeralds, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnets, Adventurine, Sodalite, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine…
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, about an hour from Asheville, is Emerald Village, North Carolina’s #1 gem mining attraction! Tour a real mine, see old mining equipment & enjoy the splashing waterfall! See the Company Store, re-creating an old mining town. Visit Discovery Mill, with many…
The Folk Art Center, located directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is one of Asheville’s most popular attractions for both vacationers and locals. Juried craftspeople from the Blue Ridge Mountains of nine southern states are represented through exhibitions, special events and daily craft…
Whitewater rafting, zipline canopy tours, calm water float trips – we’ve got it all! Raft & Zipline with us & experience two of Asheville’s natural wonders; the French Broad River & the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Best of all, with French Broad Adventures you don’t have to…
Come experience the wonder and excitement of prospecting for gemstones in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere. Gem Mountain is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just onemile from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Gem Mountain is a fun, family oriented attraction that your family will be…
Gorges State Park, North Carolina’s Crown Jewel, is part of the natural area that National Geographic named as one of the 50 of the World’s Last GREAT Places – Destinations of a Lifetime. Plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges and sheer rock walls await all Gorges State Park…
Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge and a nature preserve of global importance. Inspiring scenery helps you leave city life behind when you cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, photograph black bears, river otters, cougars and bald eagles up close in natural habitats,…
Green River Adventures in Saluda, NC provides an unforgettable outdoor experience with top notch customer service as its core value. With their roots based in kayak instruction, they have evolved into a full-adventure business providing everything from the most popular Guided Inflatable Kayak trips…
Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery is the place where LEARNING comes into PLAY in downtown Hendersonville. Hands On! is an educational and fun children’s museum offering exhibits and programs, and a great way to spend the day with your children, grandchildren, and students ages 1–10. This is a safe…
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For great family fun, step inside a mountain at the only show cavern in the NC Blue Ridge. Guided tours take visitors through Humpback Mountain along a level pathway beside an underground stream. Linville Caverns is home to many fascinating features, including unusual stalactites & stalagmites,…
At Little Switzerland Motocycle Rentals, we offer Dual Sport rentals! We are located on the premises of the Skyline Village Inn, which is at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and 226A (at the Diamondback) near Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland,
We now have a BMW 650 GS, a Yamaha TW200…
Nantahala Outdoor Center offers outdoor adventures at multiple Southeastern locations! Choose whitewater rafting on the Nantahala, French Broad, Pigeon, Ocoee, Chattooga, Ocoee or Chattahoochee Rivers. Visit NOCs main campus at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River for…
Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Waterfall Rappelling, Mountaineering, Rock & Ice Climbing. Yoga Hikes, White Water Kayaking, River Tubing, Youth and Scout Programming. Our adventure guiding company was created out of the obvious need for outdoor recreation experiences and education. Based out of the…
Natural beauty comes in a kaleidoscope of colors every season at The North Carolina Arboretum. Surrounded by lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 393.
The 434-acre public garden offers…
Pearson’s Falls and Glen is a top natural attraction in Polk County, NC, hosting over 20,000 visitors each year. We are located in the foothills of Western North Carolina off Hwy. 76, between the towns of Tryon and Saluda.This unique botanical preserve is comprised of 268
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We’ve got the fun and the fish, and it’s free!
Feed the trout at the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery; Outdoor trail and wildflower garden; Indoor exhibits featuring live animals; Wildlife film
Trout Hatchery:
A visit to the center starts with a walk…
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Come explore an educational tour with over 200 snakes and reptiles right here in WNC. See a two-headed Corn Snake as well as albino collection of snakes, turtles, toads and frogs. Plus, lots of other unique interactive exhibits and gift store.
At Serpentarium Magic, it is our goal to supply all…
People need to play. It’s beneficial to mind and body. At Sky Zone Trampoline Park, we take our activity a different kind of way. And our innovative trampoline park provides the most up-to-date activities and features. Whether it’s a birthday party, an afternoon pickup game of Ultimate…
In one of the state’s most rugged areas, South Mountains State Park features elevations to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall, mountain streams and more than 40 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. A true backcountry experience is offered at 24 backpacking campsites at seven…
The Southern Highlands Reserve is dedicated to sustaining the natural ecosystems of the Blue Ridge Mountains through the preservation, cultivation and display of plants native to the region and by advocating for their value through education, restoration and research. Located in Western North…
Take a trip back in time! As the Asheville area’s primary general history museum, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center hosts traveling exhibits on a range of historical topics. We also interpret the story of the settlement and
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Tryon International Equestrian Center at Tryon Resort is one of the world’s premier equestrian lifestyle destinations and competition venues, and home to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games! It is a spring, summer
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The WNC Nature Center is Asheville’s Wildlife Park and features over 60 species of animals native to the Southern Appalachians including otters, cougars, red wolves, black bear, birds of prey and reptiles. The Nature Center is one of only six facilities in North Carolina to be accredited by the…
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