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.