Asheville, North Carolina, is an exciting vacation destination all year round. There’s so much to do here! Asheville tourists (and residents!) enjoy participating in a wide variety of activities, and there's always a new adventure in Asheville to chase.
Whether your idea of a thrill is trying out a new activity for the first time, heading out on a breathtaking hike, or getting your blood pumping doing some ziplining or white water rafting, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Asheville!
Let’s check out some of the top adventurous things to do in Asheville:
Explore Activities in Pisgah National Park
Pisgah National Park is located only ten minutes from downtown Asheville! There are endless adventures to explore here, from hiking to fishing to exploring the numerous waterfalls in the park. The Linville River is a prime spot for year-round trout fishing, and there are several biking trails in the park!
You can have an incredible Asheville adventure exploring the park on foot, too. There are seemingly endless hiking trails to explore here! Looking Glass Falls is a popular destination throughout the year; in the summer, visitors love cooling off there, and in the winter, the falls freeze and give off the appearance of a looking glass. We’re proud and relieved to note that most of the hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest have been cleared since Hurricane Helene. Stay updated on trail closures and maintenance here!
French Broad River Tubing in Asheville, NC
One of our favorite outdoor activities in Asheville is tubing on the French Broad River! Have you ever been river tubing before? Affectionately called “floatin’ the river” by many down South, it’s a cherished pastime—especially during the hot summer months!
River tubing typically opens along the French Broad River in May and runs through September (Memorial Day to Labor Day is a standard schedule). Blow off some steam on vacation with this Asheville adventure! Along the way, you can wade and swim in the river, too. Gather your friends together to float the river together!
French Broad White Water Rafting
There’s more to do on the French Broad River than just float! White water rafting is an incredibly popular activity for residents and tourists alike here. Plus, it’s a little bit more adventurous than river tubing—so if you’re truly seeking a thrill, this might be more your speed.
If you haven’t been before, you may not be exactly sure—what is white water rafting? Essentially, you and your group get into an inflated raft (with a guide, of course!) and paddle along the river, traversing the rapids as you go.
It’s a really fun activity in Asheville to explore—every expedition always brings a lot of laughs. Teamwork is essential when white water rafting—everyone works together to stay on course! Enjoy some togetherness with your family or friends on this Asheville adventure—you’ll certainly get in some true bonding.
Zipline in Asheville
What could be more adventurous than ziplining? We can’t think of a better activity for those seeking some thrills!
Soar through the trees and experience Asheville from an aerial view when you head out on a ziplining expedition. French Broad Adventures has several ziplining options, including some half-rafting and half-ziplining day trips; you can try a little bit of everything during your trip! The zip lining adventure starts with a scenic UTV ride to get you to the start of the line and covers more than 4,200 feet of ziplining. Wow!
Take a Road Trip
You don’t have to leave Asheville to have an adventure, but we’d be remiss not to mention some of the incredible experiences that lie within a mere two hours of our city! After all, a short road trip can be a bit of an adventure in and of itself.
Hendersonville is about 40 minutes from Asheville, and there are a ton of cool things to explore there! Did you know it’s the top-producing apple county in North Carolina? Head there in the fall to try some delicious (and Macintosh and Granny Smith…) apples! Hendersonville is also home to historic spots like Carl Sandburg’s home and Wolfe’s Angel Statue—literary lovers will appreciate these sites.
Spruce Pine is a North Carolina town an hour’s drive from Asheville. Explore underground mines here and learn all there is to know about gems and the mining industry in North Carolina! The Emerald Village’s Black Light Mine Tour is a special Spruce Pine event offered only twelve times a year. This nighttime tour allows you to see hidden colors in the mine that are only visible under ultraviolet light. Some of the world’s largest deposits of the mineral Hyalite Opal are down in these mines, and they’re the only known deposits open to the public. That’s a pretty great adventure to embark on if you ask us!
Book Your Adventurous Stay in Asheville Directly with Greybeard!
Now that you know all of the thrilling things to do in Asheville, it’s time to book your trip! When it comes to choosing the perfect accommodations for your stay, Greybeard Rentals is here to meet all of your vacation rental needs.
Whether you have a specific mountain community in mind for your stay or want to stay closer to downtown Asheville, our North Carolina vacation rentals are spread throughout the greater Asheville area.
You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for when searching our rental inventory! We have pet-friendly rentals for those looking to travel with pets, cabins that are ideal for large groups, and rentals that are perfect for a romantic getaway to Asheville! Choose from rentals with a mountain view, or our extensive selection of secluded rentals if you want to take some time to relax, unplug, and unwind.
The team here at Greybeard is ready to help make your time in Asheville unforgettable. Browse our available vacation rentals now and book your vacation to Asheville directly with Greybeard!