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Elijah Mountain Gem Mine- Hendersonville
Become a prospector from the 1800’s when you mine for your own gem stones at the water flume! Keep what you find, rubies, emeralds, amethyst, citrine, crystals and dozens more! Valuable gems found every day. Both you and the kids will love it. Family pricing. Bring lunch and picnic at our picnic tables near the stream. Also visit our antique store next door. Open Memorial Day thru October, Thursday - Sunday, check website for hours. Easy access, just 2 & ½ miles west of downtown Hendersonville on Highway 64 at 2120 Brevard Road, Hendersonville, NC.
Biltmore Estate
George Vanderbilt created Biltmore Estate in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains more than a century ago as a retreat for family and friends; a place to rediscover gracious hospitality and revel in nature’s beauty. His vision holds true today. Explore Biltmore House, a magnificent 250-room château filled with priceless art and antiques. Stroll through century-old gardens designed by America’s first landscape architect. Savor award-winning wines and taste our chefs’ creations using estate-raised foods. Enjoy our 8,000 acres of forests, farmlands, and rivers on bikes, horseback, and rafts. Request a FREE 32-page Visit Planner
1-800-543-2961
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tuckasegee River Excursion (3½ hour round trip), Nantahala Gorge Excursion (4½ hour round trip) and the Gourmet Dinner Train (2½ hours) are just a few of the wonderful excursion trips available to passengers. 1-800-872-4681 or 828-586-8811
Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School is the south’s only AMGA Accredited Guide Service. They offer rock climbing, ice climbing guiding and rock climbing courses across North Carolina. A great and exciting way to see the Mountains! FMG also offers a teen adventure summer camps June through August. We only use American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) trained and certified Instructors and Guides. No other guide service in the Southeastern USA upholds this incredibly high standard. Excellence in Rock Guiding and Instruction since 1994.

Grandfather Mountain
Be inspired by views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, laugh at bear cubs and otters in natural habitats, and escape into a globally recognized nature preserve with 12 miles of the South's best alpine hiking trails. Open all year. US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville.
800-468-7325, 828-733-4337
Mountain Adventure Guides
Mountain Adventure Guides has guided rock climbing in Western North Carolina since 1999. MAG is well qualified to guide you and your friends or family on an exciting day of rock climbing near Asheville or Brevard, North Carolina. No experience is required and MAG provides all of the gear.

1-800-USA-Raft
Asheville Tourists Baseball
Take yourself down to the ballgame this summer at McCormic Field, 30 Buchanan St., as you watch Asheville's minor-league heroes, The Tourists, confront a host of regional contenders. 828-258-0428
Linville Caverns
Located in WNC near Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns are worth the visit. Deep beneath Humpback Mountain, nature has sculpted a veritable masterpiece in stone. Toiling many centuries, slowly moving ground water has been the primary artist for this creation of underground labyrinths. The water dissolved out an incredible series of rooms and passages. The cavern was discovered in the 1800's by men intrigued by the mystery of fish swimming out of the mountain. Since then, extensive research has been done to acknowledge the history, folklore, geology and biology of Linville Caverns. The mystery is still alive. 828 756-4171 or 800-419-0540
Asheville Historic Trolley Tours
Sightsee Asheville in style aboard our vintage touring trolleys.Visit Asheville's major attractions on this live, narrated tour including the Grove Park Inn,Montford Historic District, Grove Arcade, Biltmore Village and much,much more.The ticket price includes admission to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Grove Arcade Building. 888-667-3600
Chimney Rock Park
In one place, the best of the mountains. Here you’ll find a variety of hiking trails – fun for the whole family or a little time alone; 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure, Hickory Nut Gorge and the Blue Ridge foothills; 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls - showcased in the 1992 movie, “The Last of the Mohicans”; a 26-story elevator blasted out of the inside of the mountain and special events, guided hikes and rock climbing and activities for groups, too. Just 25 miles SE of Asheville. Open all year. Live it up! 828-625-9611
Flat Rock Playhouse
Flat Rock, NC
The State Theatre of North Carolina, and one of the finest local playhouses in the United States. Highly acclaimed throughout the theater world. The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina. Check the web site for schedule: www.flatrockplayhouse.org.
Bele Chere
For three days each year, always the last full weekend in July, the central downtown area is barricaded against vehicular traffic and the largest free street festival in the Southeast holds court in Asheville. Festivalgoers from across the country come to celebrate our mountains, our bustling downtown area, our diverse cultures, and the festival that brings it all together once a year. (828)259-5800
Huck Finn River Adventures
In the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains flows a river that is full of beauty & excitement. Let Huck Finn River Adventures show you the French Broad river where history, beauty & adventure come together to make this the best part of your visit to the mountains of North Carolina.

Guided white water rafting

Unguided & private float trips

Overnighters

Sunset dinner tours

Custom trips
Toll Free 877-520-4658
Mast General Store
Authentic general store featuring quality goods, traditional clothing and custom fit shoes. Since 1883, Mast General Store has been outfitting the Appalachians with traditional mercantile goods, comfortable clothing, rugged footwear and quality outdoor gear for all mountain seasons. Discover for yourself why..... some times are just too good to leave behind, and why it is a simple pleasure to just browse throughout the store.
Haunted Asheville
For the first time ever, Asheville's haunted sites can be visited by bus or on foot. The tours are officially endorsed and produced by Asheville ghost expert Joshua P. Warren, author of the best-selling book "Haunted Asheville". Guests will learn the facts behind unusual sites and also how to investigate the paranormal. Leaving Weds thru Sunday 8pm in front of Barley's. Call for other times and availability. (828) 216-3383
Diamond Brand Outdoors
Diamond Brand Outdoors is a complete outfitter and guide service in Arden, NC and in Downtown Asheville, NC. Whether you love hiking, camping, fly fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, or canoeing, Diamond Brand Outdoors is your one-stop shop for gear and information for your adventures in beautiful Western North Carolina!
The Secret Garden Inn & Spa
Whether you're looking to purify, indulge or simply get away from it all, The Spa at The Secret Garden has a treatment that is just right for you. Choose individual treatments or a luxurious day spa package. Imagine... ...melting into dreamland with a tonifying facial masque, your body buttered with organic vanilla cream and wrapped in warm linens. (800) 797-8211
Hickory Furniture Mart
When you’re in Asheville, you’re just over an hour away from the nation’s leading home furnishings resource and a shopping experience you’ll never forget. See a thousand lines in nearly a hundred beautiful factory stores, outlets and galleries. Ideas galore. Famous North Carolina prices. On-site hotel, restaurant, shipping service. Visit hickoryfurniture.com. 800/462-MART
Haunted Ghost Tours of Asheville

Ghost Tour
Discover the unexplained and unknown Asheville
Departs daily from the Haywood Park Hotel at 9 p.m.
Go Blue Ridge Card
Go Blue Ridge Card is the Parkway’s ultimate attraction pass, featuring pre-paid admission to over 25 of the best attractions and activities in Western North Carolina! Visit as many of the included attractions as you like for one low price and save money over buying tickets directly at the ticket gate. Plus, receive a full-color guidebook to the area. Attractions include Biltmore, Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain, White Water Rafting, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, and MORE! Visit www.goblueridgecard.com. 800-887-9103
Grove Arcade Arts and Heritage Gallery
The gallery features an state-of-the-art, interactive exhibition that uses a solid terrain model animated with regional voices, video, music and lasers to bring the culture and history of Western North Carolina to life. The Grove Arcade Arts & Heritage Gallery is a project of the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation. Opened in January 2006, the gallery features the crafts, music and stories of the Blue Ridge. Visit the gallery and experience the places, objects and activities that authentically represent the people of Western North Carolina. The Gallery’s mission is to strive to help drive the local economy of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area by establishing strategic partnerships and promoting the region’s arts, crafts, music and cultural heritage.
Hickory Ridge Homestead
Experience Appalachian life in the late 18th century at this living history museum composed of a log cabin, a weaving room, a barn and a smoke house. This outdoor drama, Horn in the West, set during the same era, is performed on site. Located at 591 Horn in the West Dr., Boone.
828-264-2120
Blue Ridge Corn Maze
Bring the whole family and find your way out of a maze that traverses six acres of corn field. Open July through October. 828-884-4415
Thomas Wolfe House
The boyhood home of the author Thomas Wolfe (Look Homeward, Angel) is furnished with family posessions and open for tours (appx. 30 min.). A number of special events take place each year. Small admission fee. feature story 828-253-8304
Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville's First Mansion
If you are planning a visit to the Asheville area for the color season, you might want to plan a visit to the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Built circa 1840 by James McConnell Smith, the Smith McDowell House is Asheville's oldest surviving house and the oldest brick house in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Small admission fee. Feature Story
828-253-9231
Mineral & Lapidary Museum
The museum is located at 400 North Main Street below the Genealogical and Historical Society. 828-698-1977
Asheville Art Museum
As the single visual arts facility serving Western North Carolina, the Asheville Art Museum, its collection and programs are the only such resources available to the diverse communities in the region.
Cherokee
Learn the history and meet the people of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Visit the Oconoluftee Indian Village and see "Unto These Hills" for a great educational opportunity.
YMI Cultural Center
For years, the 18,000 square foot YMI building was the social and economic center of Asheville's Black community. Currently YMI is a cultural center operating with support from the City of Asheville. Its impressive Tudor-style structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features four galleries and a 300-seat performing arts theatre.
Land of the Waterfalls
Visit over 250 majestic waterfalls throughout Transylvania County. We're in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains where the air is cool, the waters are pure, and the welcome is warm!
Carl Sandburg Home
This historic site consists of a 22 room house, barns, sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an orchard. This is where Carl Sandburg felt the peace and solitude he required to write. Feature Story 828-693-4178
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre
The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre's work includes family oriented dance theatre productions, collaborative shows, community involvement, dance networking, educational training, touring shows and presentations, and an international exchange program.
Appalachian Cultural Museum
The mission of the Appalachian Cultural Museum is to provide a continuing reinterpretation of life and culture in the Blue Ridge region, and to serve as a laboratory for new museum ideas.
The Health Adventure
The Health Adventure is a health and science museum for children and today's families dedicated to improving health awareness, promoting wellness lifestyles, and increasing science literacy through programs and exhibits.
Address (physical): 2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
Address (mailing): PO Box 180, Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 254-6373
Fax: (828) 257-4521
URL: www.thehealthadventure.org
Western North Carolina Agricultural Center
This is the home of the Western North Carolina State Fair. The facilities include the McGough Arena, J. Clayton Davis Arena, Outside Warmup Rings, Sales Arena, Stall Barns, and Youth Building.
Gorges State Park
The newest addition to North Carolina's state parks is right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gorges State Park has over 80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate rain forest. The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and concentration of rare and unique species makes this a wonderful park to visit. 828-966-9099
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre
SART’s purpose has been to produce quality theatre by a professional non-profit company and to present plays concerning Appalachia that portray the rich culture and heritage of its people and to promote the development of original plays. 828-689-1384
Sliding Rock
Test your sense of adventure at this popular natural water slide fueled by 11,000 gallons of water a minute! Wear old jeans or shorts for the 150-foot long ride down slick rock into a six-foot-deep pool of chilled mountain water. And for safety's sake, there's a life guard or two watching the fun and aiming to keep it that way. 1-800-648-4523 or 828-877-3265
Mount Mitchell
The eastern United States highest mountain. Experience a wonderful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville to the Mount Mitchell State Park. A great place to have a picnic and walk on the surrounding trails. 828-271-4779 ext. 200
North Carolina's National Forests
Take a look at some of the nation's top national forests located in the great state of North Carolina.
Vance Birthplace
On Reems Chreek Road off US 25 near Weaverville is the restored late 18th century homestead of North Carolina Senator and Civil War Governor Zebulon B. Vance. Open year-round. Admission is free. 828-645-6706
Flat Rock Playhouse
One of the finest local playhouses in the United States. Highly acclaimed throughout the theater world. Check their web site for schedule.
Cherohala Skyway
This new two-lane skyway spans 40 miles to link Tennessee's Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, NC. Many scenic overlooks allow for beautiful view, excellent photography, and picnic lunches. Allow 1-1/2 to 2 hrs travel time. 828-479-6431
Western Carolina University's Mountain Heritage Center
On WCU campus in Cullowhee. The center celebrates heritage of the Southern Appalchian region through exhibits, publications, educational programs and demonstrations. Free.   828-227-7129
Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center
Downtown across from Pack Square, Pack Place Education, Arts and Science Center houses Three Centuries of Pack Square, and is the home for the Asheville Art Museum, Diana Wortham Theater, Colburn Earth Science Museum, the Health Adventure and the YMI Cultural Center.
"A must see" when visiting Asheville, NC. 828-253-3227
Oconaluftee Indian Village
Travel back to 1750 when you enter this recreated Cherokee community featuring Native American guides in traditional costumes. Craft demonstration including canoe construction and arrow making take place in the midst of a seven sided coucil house, sweat lodge and cherokee homes. , Ghwy 441 N. Cherokee. 828-497-2111 or 828-497-2315
Asheville's Urban Trail
The Asheville Urban Trail creates a living, historic walking tour of Asheville: a museum without walls, that illustrates and highlights the city's heritage. "The remarkable abundance and survival of much of the city's turn-of-the-century architecture has set the decorative tone for the rebirth of the downtown area. And the visual beauty and intricate detail of the architecture style found here is not only a feast for the eyes, but also stands as a visual reminder of the remarkable, creative history of the city and of the dynamic and talented individuals who first chose Asheville as home." Along the Urban Trail the history of the city and of its people is represented in story and art. Feature Story 828-259-5800
Blue Ridge Parkway
One of America's finest driving routes, following the the Blue Ridge Mountains from Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Folk Art Center
The Folk Art Center, located just east of the heart of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 382, is a center for one-of-a-kind, handmade crafts that are a part of the very fiber of the mountains. Feature Story
828-298-7928
Cradle of Forestry
This is a historical site and interpretive center in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. The Cradle of Forestry is a beautiful place to visit any day of the week. 828-877-3130
Appalachian Trail
This world famous trial runs through North Carolina on its way from the State of Maine from the Stae of Georgia.
Pearson's Falls
Located between Tryon and Saluda is Pearson's Falls. The Tryon Garden Club has own this 250-acre site for nearly 70 years. Hours are 10am -6pm Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults. 828-749-3031 
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
One of America's oldest research forests that is maintained by the USDA Forest Service.
Nantahala National Forest
This national forest contains the Memorial Joyce Kilmer Forest that contains one of America's oldest stand of Poplar Trees.
Pisgah National Forest
Nearly 500,000 acres of protected forest, featuring hundreds of miles hiking, biking, and horse trails, waterfalls, and beautiful mountaintop views. Feature Story 828-257-4203 or 828-877-3265
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
A multi-agency wildlife center focusing on the wonders of NC native wildlife. Attractions include aquarium, guided walks, tour of fish hatchery, and gift shop. The center also offers a verity of schedules programs for groups. Special-event programs and educator workshops are also scheduled during the year. Free admission. FR 475 off us 276 N. Pisgah Forest. 828-877-4423
Pisgah Forest Fish Hatchery
Housed at the base of John Rock, the hatchery raises the thousands of trout used to stock area streams. Feeding the fish is a real treat for kids, and an educational center with programs and interpretive walking trail will educate and entrain all ages. FR 475 off US 276 N., Pisgah Forest.
828-277-3121
Asheville Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, North Carolina is located in one of the three most diverse temperate ecosystems on earth - the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Our collections are primarily native species displayed in both natural settings and in ways designed for ease of examination and beauty. 828-252-5190
Riverside Cemetery
This cemetery in Asheville is the burial place of Thomas Worlfe and O Henry. 828-258-8480
North Carolina Arboretum
A 427-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center, state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking trails. feature story
828-665-2492
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
America's most visited National Park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has the Blue Ridge Parkway going through it, so it is to access with great vistas around every turn.
WNC Nature Center
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is the first place where area children meet the animals they have read about. Deers, bears, cougars, wolf, racoons, birds and even farm animals are there for all to learn about. Exhibits on area poisonous snakes are worth absorbing. An aviary, self-guided nature trail and petting zoo make this a great place for the family. Small admission fee. 828-298-5600
Catawba Science Center
This is 12,000 sq. feet of "hands-on" experimental exhibits that include live animals, earth and physical science, toddler areas and natural history exhibits. Located on the SALT block in the Arts & Sciences Center of Catawba Valley, 243 Third Ave., NE in Hickory. 828-322-8169


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