Fathom Favorites : Asheville Sites

1. Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway

The historic route winds through North Carolina and Virginia through the southern and central Appalachian Mountains. This road can be whatever you need it to be: a quick and easy respite from the highway for a relaxing nature hit at the many scenic overlooks, or a slow and deeper exploration of the many waterfalls, streams, lakes, gardens, and trails throughout. Stop along the way at Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center to learn about the region’s rich craft tradition (quilts, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, and more) through the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, and pick up a souvenir at Allanstand Craft Shop, the oldest craft shop in America.

Photo by Team Fathom.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville, NC 28803

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2. The North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum

A 15-minute drive from Downtown Asheville is all it takes to get to the Arboretum’s 434 gorgeous acres, a wonderland of cultivated gardens and miles of forest trails designed by pioneering landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead (of Central Park fame, though he also did so much more) for optimal meandering, picnicking, hiking, and biking. The flowers and patterns in the Quilt Garden change with the seasons. The Bonsai Exhibition Garden honors the art of small trees. The super cute Rocky Cove Railroad is a whole miniature city with farms, cows, and even the general store. It’s also a great stop on your way into the city from the airport.

Photo by Team Fathom.

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
+1-828-665-2492


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3. Peace Gardens & Market

Peace Gardens & Market

DeWayne Barton, community activist and founder of Hood Huggers International local tours, planted a seed in an overgrown lot for a community garden with deep roots. There’s a greenhouse and growing area and sculptures. There’s a performance pavilion, fire pit, and pizza oven. There’s even a two-bedroom bungalow (the Peace Garden Retreat), awarded to anyone who wants to come and build and create (installations, performance art, social change) during their six-week stay.

Photo by Team Fathom.

47 Bryant St., West Asheville

+1-828-301-0166

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4. Grail Moviehouse

Grail Moviehouse

Asheville’s funky, independent, locally owned theater screens independent, first-run films, art movies, cult classics, documentaries, locally produced flicks as well as one-off cinema events. A range of artisanal providers supply the snacks. A great place to stop in the River Arts District.

Photo by Team Fathom.

17 Foundy St.
+1-828-239-9392


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5. Asheville Wellness Tours

Asheville Wellness Tours

What’s better than getting out into nature? Making it extra mindful and restorative with a helpful guide to bring more meaning to the activity. Asheville Wellness organizes private and group tours that combine yoga and hiking and yoga and baby goats (can you stand the cuteness overload?), as well as forest bathing, a meditative ritual that’s at once restorative and therapeutic. The company also leads winery tours, because good wine offers a whole other kind of wellness and therapy.

Photo courtesy of Asheville Wellness Tours.

+1-828-407-0711

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6. Biltmore

Biltmore

George Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age home on 8,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the largest residence in America — at a staggering 175,000 square feet. You can visit, tour, dine, stroll the gardens, and even spend the night. (You’ll definitely need a full day.) There are playgrounds, horseback riding trails, seasonal events and museum-worthy exhibitions, and a whole host of activities for kids, making it a good destination any time of year.

Photo by Team Fathom.

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