Guidebook for Leicester and Asheville Area
Sightseeing - Mountains and Outdoor Activities
Hot Springs is a small mountain town that is known for top class white water rafting and happens to have the Appalachian Trail pass right through the middle of downtown. There is an excellent backpacking shop and some art galleries in town. The drive along route 63/209 from our property is winding and beautiful. There are trout streams, hiking and water sports. Plan it as a day trip.
158 locals recommend
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a small mountain town that is known for top class white water rafting and happens to have the Appalachian Trail pass right through the middle of downtown. There is an excellent backpacking shop and some art galleries in town. The drive along route 63/209 from our property is winding and beautiful. There are trout streams, hiking and water sports. Plan it as a day trip.
Brevard is a beautiful mountain town with many shops, galleries antiques, coffee shops and restaurants. It is a full day of activities. The surrounding mountains (Pisgah Forest) is full of waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, paddling and trout fishing).
231 locals recommend
Brevard
Brevard is a beautiful mountain town with many shops, galleries antiques, coffee shops and restaurants. It is a full day of activities. The surrounding mountains (Pisgah Forest) is full of waterfalls, hiking, mountain biking, paddling and trout fishing).
Black Mountain is a beautiful mountain town with wonderful views, galleries, restaurants, shops, great souvenirs, festivals and great backpacking shop, bike store and much much more. It is well worth the visit! It reminds me of Breckenridge Colorado.....the town has a wonderful mountain vibe to it.
267 locals recommend
Black Mountain
Black Mountain is a beautiful mountain town with wonderful views, galleries, restaurants, shops, great souvenirs, festivals and great backpacking shop, bike store and much much more. It is well worth the visit! It reminds me of Breckenridge Colorado.....the town has a wonderful mountain vibe to it.
Hendersonville is yet another great mountain town. Lots of shops, galleries, food, and family activities. Throughout the year there are numerous festivals the largest is the fall apple festival. There are numerous apple orchards surrounding the town.
282 locals recommend
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is yet another great mountain town. Lots of shops, galleries, food, and family activities. Throughout the year there are numerous festivals the largest is the fall apple festival. There are numerous apple orchards surrounding the town.
Lake Lure is an out of the way little Mountain Jewel. Lots of shops, tourist souvenirs, and one of a kind finds. The Views and the drive are amazing......lots of curves! There is a beautiful river that runs through town. Along the way you pass through Bat Cave NC.....it is a one of a kind place!
325 locals recommend
Lake Lure
Lake Lure is an out of the way little Mountain Jewel. Lots of shops, tourist souvenirs, and one of a kind finds. The Views and the drive are amazing......lots of curves! There is a beautiful river that runs through town. Along the way you pass through Bat Cave NC.....it is a one of a kind place!
Rainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. ... Located in the Pisgah National Forest, adjacent to Gorges State Park, Rainbow Falls is just one of a series of cascades and waterfalls on a two-mile stretch of the river.
46 locals recommend
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. ... Located in the Pisgah National Forest, adjacent to Gorges State Park, Rainbow Falls is just one of a series of cascades and waterfalls on a two-mile stretch of the river.
The French Broad River is a popular river for outdoor sports of all kinds. River outfitters offer guided trips along the 200-mile-long waterway ranging from whitewater rafting to gentle canoe trips.
The French Broad River now supports a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, and catfish. The Asheville riverfront has been revitalized with parks, artist studios, and other businesses.
Kayaking, tubing and raft trips throughout the spring, summer and fall.
21 locals recommend
French Broad River
The French Broad River is a popular river for outdoor sports of all kinds. River outfitters offer guided trips along the 200-mile-long waterway ranging from whitewater rafting to gentle canoe trips.
The French Broad River now supports a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, and catfish. The Asheville riverfront has been revitalized with parks, artist studios, and other businesses.
Kayaking, tubing and raft trips throughout the spring, summer and fall.
The Blue Ridge Parkway (part of the U.S. National Park Service) runs north and south from Asheville with plenty of spots for roadside picnics, breathtaking vistas, easy to difficult hiking trails, and a reprieve from commercialism. The 469-mile, non-stop recreational motor road follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. With the use of the milepost system (the numbers increase as you drive south), you can easily find points of interest along the way (don't rely on GPS here). There is no admission fee and most of the things to do along the way are free. It's one of the most scenic routes in America.
756 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayThe Blue Ridge Parkway (part of the U.S. National Park Service) runs north and south from Asheville with plenty of spots for roadside picnics, breathtaking vistas, easy to difficult hiking trails, and a reprieve from commercialism. The 469-mile, non-stop recreational motor road follows the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. With the use of the milepost system (the numbers increase as you drive south), you can easily find points of interest along the way (don't rely on GPS here). There is no admission fee and most of the things to do along the way are free. It's one of the most scenic routes in America.
Shops and Asheville Tourism
Great community book store. Lots of unique books and gifts. Regular visits from authors.
133 locals recommend
Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StGreat community book store. Lots of unique books and gifts. Regular visits from authors.
This is a busy neighborhood where all the Asheville Hipsters hang out.....lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, tea shop, art gallerys, unique gifts, etc. Great place to spend an afternoon!
214 locals recommend
West Asheville
This is a busy neighborhood where all the Asheville Hipsters hang out.....lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, tea shop, art gallerys, unique gifts, etc. Great place to spend an afternoon!
Right in the center of downtown Asheville. The park is surrounded by lots of great resturants, shops, art galleries, and the list is simply to long to write! Lots of street performers and the location the drum circle is held each Friday night during spring, summer, and early fall months. Downtown is the place to visit!
73 locals recommend
Pritchard Park
67 Patton AveRight in the center of downtown Asheville. The park is surrounded by lots of great resturants, shops, art galleries, and the list is simply to long to write! Lots of street performers and the location the drum circle is held each Friday night during spring, summer, and early fall months. Downtown is the place to visit!
Asheville has everything you can imagine..... Top class food (local and international), amazing local coffee, shops, galleries, local artists, street performers, museums (art, science,etc), play houses, Drum Circle, and the list goes on. Even after you live here for years......you still are amazed at what you discover. Endless possibilities wonderful for families, couples and groups.
339 locals recommend
Downtown
Asheville has everything you can imagine..... Top class food (local and international), amazing local coffee, shops, galleries, local artists, street performers, museums (art, science,etc), play houses, Drum Circle, and the list goes on. Even after you live here for years......you still are amazed at what you discover. Endless possibilities wonderful for families, couples and groups.
Asheville Museum of Science is located in the heart of downtown, offering interactive science experiences that are perfect for ages 3-99
74 locals recommend
Asheville Museum of Science
43 Patton AveAsheville Museum of Science is located in the heart of downtown, offering interactive science experiences that are perfect for ages 3-99
The Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place.
157 locals recommend
Asheville Art Museum
2 S Pack SquareThe Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is located on the center square of downtown Asheville, 2 South Pack Square at Pack Place.