48 Hours in Asheville: What to Expect During Your Tour

Mission Hospital, the flagship Mission Health facility, was ranked as North Carolina's "Best Hospital" in 2020 by Business North Carolina, was named a “Top Hospital” in 2022 by the Leapfrog Group, and holds an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

Recently ranked the third best farmers market in the US, the market shops are open year round from 8:00 AM to 5 PM daily, boasting everything from fresh produce to plants, arts, and crafts.

Founded in 1960, the local symphony orchestra is popular among Asheville music lovers, both as a place to enjoy the classical repertoire (and beyond) and to volunteer.

Located in downtown Asheville and home of Asheville’s professional minor league baseball club, the Tourists, this stadium has contained the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jackie Robinson.

Established in 1948, The Asheville Art Museum presents 14 to 17 exhibitions annually, specializing in American art from the 20th and 21st centuries with a spotlight on works from the Southeast. You can explore volunteer opportunities and programs for learners of all ages here.

The Wortham Center consists of three venues in the Pack Square Cultural District: the original 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre, the box-style Tina McGuire Theatre, and the 60 to 80 seat Henry LaBrun Studio, used for events and classes. The venues host touring acts and nearly 40 local arts groups, hosting over 200 public events per year, including music, comedy, and dance performances.

Placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1976, Pharmaceutical millionaire E.W. Grove intended this building to be the first indoor shopping mall in America. Since it first opened in 1929, it has been a busy center of industry, an army base, and a place to house national weather records. Today, it is once again the lively and elegant mall Grove imagined, containing delectable restaurants, luxury apartments, a maker’s market, co-working space, and other local businesses.

Since its establishment in 1913 by Fred Seely, the inn has become an emblem of the area's heritage, hosting American presidents, diplomats, and the famed annual national gingerbread house competition. This resort features spa treatments, fine dining at The Sunset Terrace and Blue Ridge Restaurant (two of its many eateries) as well as a par-70 golf course redesigned by famed architect Donald Ross in 1923.

The Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt, is unparalleled as America's largest private home. This 35-bedroom estate on 8,000 acres is not just a historical landmark; it's a cultural hub hosting concerts, festivals, and events, making it a continually engaging destination.

Pisgah National Forest stands out as one of the country's premier destinations for outdoor adventures, and it's easy to see why. Spanning over 500,000 acres, this magnificent park features lush hardwood forests, mountain peaks brushing the sky, roaring rivers, majestic waterfalls, and an extensive network of hiking trails. Conveniently situated to the North and South of Asheville, the nearest entrance is just a short drive from downtown Asheville.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a picturesque, 469-mile route that gracefully meanders through the high peaks of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. As it passes through Asheville, it offers breathtaking views of the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River and opens up access to some of the region's best hiking trails. Free to all, with plenty of designated viewpoints along the way, the Parkway is an accessible escape into nature's beauty.

This stunning park encompasses 10,000 acres of lush forest, lakes, and 86 miles of trails. Not to be outdone by the nationally treasured attractions of the area, DuPont is known for elegant waterfalls, excellent mountain biking, and as a filming location for both Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games.

A small but growing airport, Asheville residents can easily access just about anywhere in the world via a connecting flight through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in nearby Charlotte, NC, or the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA.