8 Day Trips Near Asheville

1 Black Mountain

See on map

Black Mountain invites you to settle in and treat the old-fashioned town as your very own front porch. Stroll along the quiet downtown lanes and discover numerous gift shops, galleries and Appalachian-style craft stores. Or sample NC craft beer in the new Foothills Grange beer garden with an on-site food truck.

Notable nearby: There’s easy access to a variety of hiking and biking trails, with a host of recreational opportunities and attractions within easy distance. Golfers will want to check out the town’s golf course with its 747-yard, par-6 hole that ranks as one of the world’s longest.

2 The Land of Waterfalls

See on map

With two state parks and two national parks in its backyard, the charming town of Brevard is a prime gathering spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Mountain bike in the morning, rock climb at mid-day, kayak down a river in the afternoon and take a zip line ride at sunset – and gaze at a waterfall or 250 along the way. Always a great treat is Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest, perhaps the cheapest natural roller coaster on the planet – it’s a 60-foot glide down slippery rock into a pool at the bottom.

Notable nearby: Brevard Music Center opens its doors each summer with more than 80 concerts, while the fall’s Mountain Song Festival is a big favorite. If you’re the hearty sort, participate in the Assault on the Carolinas Bicycle Race with 100K or 50K options.

3 Mount Mitchell State Park

See on map

Rising more than a mile high, the peak of Mount Mitchell is extraordinary. From the mountain's summit at 6,684 feet, making it the highest point in the East, you'll be enthralled by spectacular views of surrounding mountains, ridges and valleys. This 1,900-acre state park offers camping, hiking and gathering spots, as well as an education center and exhibit hall. And if you’re seeking unrivaled fall colors, this is the place.

Notable nearby: In the shadow of the mountain is the quiet town of Burnsville with its shops, restaurants, playhouse and historic NuWray Hotel. If golf is in the plan, take your game to new heights at Mount Mitchell Golf Course.

4 Lake Lure

See on map

The Rocky Broad River tumbles downward through Hickory Nut Gorge to feed Lake Lure, a 720-acre body of water beautifully surrounded by tree-covered mountain ridges. A favorite of water sport enthusiasts, Lake Lure has a beach and marina where you can swim, boat, sail, canoe, kayak, fish, tube, wake board and ski. When the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa opened, it drew its share of the famous, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Franklin Roosevelt. But the inn and surrounding area may be best known for the filming of "Dirty Dancing."

Notable nearby: This area is also great for hiking, cycling, camping and bird-watching, while golfers head to Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure and the town’s own 9-hole course, credited to Donald Ross.

5 Chimney Rock State Park

See on map

If you’ve always wanted to see what it’s like to see for miles, then Chimney Rock is the place. From this 535-million-year-old monolith that tops out at more than 2,200 feet above sea level, it’s estimated the view stretches for 75 miles on a clear day. But there is much more than scenery to keep you busy, including hiking, rock climbing and nature explorations. Kids enjoy the Great Woodland Adventure, an easy trail where Grady the Groundhog teaches about the woods and its inhabitants. Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, home to live creatures, is next to the trailhead.

Notable nearby: After spending time in the park, you’ll find places to eat and shop in nearby Chimney Rock Village.

6 Linville Caverns

See on map

If you’ve ever wanted to see inside a mountain, venture down inside Humpback Mountain to explore natural limestone caverns featuring stalactite and stalagmite formations as well as an underground stream. Opened to the public in 1937, experienced guides take you into this subterranean world, providing the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the work of nature. The temperature stays a comfortable 52 degrees Fahrenheit virtually year-round. During winter and early spring, you'll also see bats that hibernate here.

8 Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

See on map

Carl Sandburg was regarded as “a poet of the people,” gaining worldwide fame as a writer, folk singer, social activist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and biographer. Sandburg and his family moved to Connemara Farm in 1945, a 200-plus-acre former estate that became a working farm to raise Mrs. Sandburg’s prize-winning goat herd, the descendants of which still roam the grounds. Tour the Sandburg home, visit the farm and hike on more than 5 miles of trails. The 1.5-mile hike to the top of Glassy Mountain is a guaranteed treat.

Notable nearby: You'll also be drawn around the corner from Connemara to the village with its quaint shops along Little Rainbow Row, complemented by the tasty treats at Village Bakery and Hubba Hubba Smokehouse.