Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family friendly seating will be available on this experience!
Departing from Bryson City, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and beyond remaining parallel to the Fontana Lake stopping at the perfect viewing spot just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9pm.
In the Basket
Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with hand-pulled pork slider, a couple pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.
And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.
Featured Breweries
March 14 May 2 May 23(S)
Ever wonder what Chimney Rock looks like after sundown? Find out during this nighttime excursion, led by an expert naturalist. You will want to bring a headlamp or flashlight, dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water. Space is limited to 15, and advance registration is required
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Summer Art Camp To Go!
Join us for Summer Art Camp To Go! Sessions are available for K–12 students. Each weekly session includes several age-appropriate art projects using a variety of materials to engage students in an exploration of art through creativity and imagination. Enrollment is limited, and registration is required.Registration includes instructional videos for each project, art materials, and daily virtual classes. Virtual classes—beginning at 10am via Zoom—include time for inspiration, Q&A, and sharing. Streaming instructional videos and creative challenges are designed to provide hours of creative engagement at your own pace each day. All art materials necessary for each session are available for curbside pickup at the Museum the week before each session begins; if you prefer to ship materials to your home, then two weeks’ advance registration is required. Registration starts this Monday. For more information, email Sharon McRorie, education programs manager, or call 828.253.3227 x124. Members: $85, Non-Members: $95 (additional charge for shipping materials) |
Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools at 10:30 in the morning on Thursday, June 18. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
While we wish we could celebrate our girls in person this season, we will use the Girls on the Run of WNC VIRTUAL 5K run and walk as an opportunity to join together virtually to support the unstoppable strength, resiliency, and power of every girl! Our virtual 5K will be held from Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th. Here are a few ways you can participate:
- Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or another distance of your choosing in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or somewhere that is safe. Don’t worry about how fast or how far you go, as we teach our girls, it is all about finding your happy pace and to keep moving forward!
- No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Participation in the Virtual 5K is FREE. However, you can donate to Girls on the Run during registration to help support girls in our community or you can create your own fundraising page (see Become a Fundraiser tab). All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund, which aims to make the program accessible to all girls, regardless of their ability to pay the program registration fee.
A virtual run is an event that can be run (or walked!) from any location you choose and any time during the open event date (Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th). It is a great way to get active and celebrate with your family, friends, or co-workers while we practice social distancing.
Walk, run, jog, indoors on a treadmill or outside in the neighborhood, a virtual run is the best way to get comfortable moving at your happy pace!
No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Show your GOTR spirit from your respective event by posting pictures and videos to the Facebook Event or using #gotrwncvirtual5k #GOTRatHome #GOTRGotYourBack and tagging @gotrwnc!
Check back on our social media to see if you have been featured!
Takeout, dine in or delivery? Find your favorite flavor at www.foodinasheville.com Enjoy your favorite dishes from Asheville’s independent restaurants either from the comfort of home or easily find restaurants in our area that are open for dine in services! Restaurants are changing their dining options daily, so so make sure to check the website often for what’s new.
Thank you for supporting local, independent restaurants!
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
New Park Updates Starting June 5
Since moving into Phase 2, we have slowly begun to reopen more and more amenities within the Park, while still emphasizing safe social distancing, handwashing/hand sanitizing, and masks where necessary. Here is what you need to know before visiting:
- The Park is open Fridays – Tuesdays; the Ticket Plaza hours are from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Park closes at 7pm. We will continue to be closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays for construction on the top parking lot.
- Since the Park will be operating at a “limited” parking capacity to allow for safe & maintainable social distancing, entrance into the Park will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If capacity is reached, the Park will close to any further entry until some space has cleared to allow more vehicles to enter.
- The top parking lot is still closed due to construction, so all guests will be required to park in the Meadows area (just past the Ticket Plaza).
- While we are still encouraging guests to hike into the Park from the Meadows, we are now offering a limited shuttle service up to the top parking lot for those who are unable to hike. Facemasks or face coverings are required on all shuttles. Masks will be available for purchase for a minimal cost at the Ticket Plaza and in our gift shops. Shuttles will only be able to transport a limited number of guests per trip which may result in longer wait times. If you plan to ride the shuttle, please plan your day accordingly.
- All annual passes purchased between March 2019 and March 2020 will receive an additional two months to their expiration date to make up for the period in which the Park was recently closed.
- All six hiking trails are open, the Great Woodland Adventure trail is open for those looking for an easier, family-friendly hike. The Animal Discovery Den will be closed.
- The elevator will remain closed at this time.
- Cliff Dwellers gift shop and the Sky Lounge (near the Chimney) will be open with limited capacity. Snacks and bottled drinks will be available at both of these locations.
- The Ticket Plaza will be accessible by drive-thru windows or the lobby will be available for one-person entry at a time.
- The restrooms are open and will be marked with standing areas to provide proper social distancing. Beverage vending machines are also located next to each of these restrooms.
- The Old Rock Café (in Chimney Rock Village) is open daily from 11am – 5pm for limited indoor and outdoor seating, which will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take-out service is also available. Please see OldRockCafe.com for more information.
- Our associates will be taking appropriate precautions to protect the safety of ourselves and all of our guests. We are prepared and trained to handle any situation during this time.
- Please recreate responsibly and continue to maintain proper social distancing, handwashing, and hygiene during your visit. Stay safe!
This plan is subject to change depending on circumstances. We appreciate your support and understanding during these unprecedented times and look forward to seeing you on the mountain sometime soon.
See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.
Offered on weekends, April – October.
Bluegrass Brunch
hosted by Aaron Woody Wood & The Sufi Brothers
Pickin’ on the Porch w/ Chicken Coop Willaye 1030AM
Bald Mountain Boys 11AM – 12:30PM
Sufi Brothers 12:45PM – 3PM
Be sure to check out our Bloody Mary Bar, the BEST selection of pickled products and other additions in Asheville. The MOJO Kitchen will be serving a special Brunch menu until 3PM as well.
Food & music start at 10:30am
ADULT beverages at Noon.
This event has been canceled due to the Coronavirus crisis.
Experience firsthand how food is grown and raised in the Southern Appalachian Mountains! Choose from close to 20 WNC family farms to visit and encounter the sights, tastes, and stories of farm life through guided tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The tour is family-friendly and a wonderful summer adventure for visitors of all ages and interests. Learn more and purchase your tour pass at asapconnections.org.
- 18 +
- SEATED SHOW
- 11 AM DOORS/ 12 PM
Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and belly dance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join us every month and relax and enjoy our dancing dames and dandies in an up close and intimate setting. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!
Every Sunday Except First of Month.
The Venardos Circus, a touring Broadway-style animal free production, is thrilled to announce that due to popularity of their first livestream show in May, a brand-new live online-only show via livestream on Father’s Day, June 21st, 2020. Venardos Circus will perform two shows – one in English at 4pm CDT, one in Spanish at 6pm CDT. No live audience seating will be available near the performance site, just via the Internet. Access the livestream will require a ticket with a suggested donation of $15 per person available at their website here. Venardos Circus has pivoted from its usual format in response to COVID-19, and this livestream offers as great opportunity for audiences across the country and around the world to join the live event and enjoy a little circus magic from anywhere in the world. The Venardos Circus will be donating 25% of proceeds from this livestream to the TechPays Foundation which provides STEM and Computer Science programs for underserved boys of color.
While we wish we could celebrate our girls in person this season, we will use the Girls on the Run of WNC VIRTUAL 5K run and walk as an opportunity to join together virtually to support the unstoppable strength, resiliency, and power of every girl! Our virtual 5K will be held from Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th. Here are a few ways you can participate:
- Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or another distance of your choosing in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or somewhere that is safe. Don’t worry about how fast or how far you go, as we teach our girls, it is all about finding your happy pace and to keep moving forward!
- No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Participation in the Virtual 5K is FREE. However, you can donate to Girls on the Run during registration to help support girls in our community or you can create your own fundraising page (see Become a Fundraiser tab). All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund, which aims to make the program accessible to all girls, regardless of their ability to pay the program registration fee.
A virtual run is an event that can be run (or walked!) from any location you choose and any time during the open event date (Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th). It is a great way to get active and celebrate with your family, friends, or co-workers while we practice social distancing.
Walk, run, jog, indoors on a treadmill or outside in the neighborhood, a virtual run is the best way to get comfortable moving at your happy pace!
No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Show your GOTR spirit from your respective event by posting pictures and videos to the Facebook Event or using #gotrwncvirtual5k #GOTRatHome #GOTRGotYourBack and tagging @gotrwnc!
Check back on our social media to see if you have been featured!
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
New Park Updates Starting June 5
Since moving into Phase 2, we have slowly begun to reopen more and more amenities within the Park, while still emphasizing safe social distancing, handwashing/hand sanitizing, and masks where necessary. Here is what you need to know before visiting:
- The Park is open Fridays – Tuesdays; the Ticket Plaza hours are from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Park closes at 7pm. We will continue to be closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays for construction on the top parking lot.
- Since the Park will be operating at a “limited” parking capacity to allow for safe & maintainable social distancing, entrance into the Park will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If capacity is reached, the Park will close to any further entry until some space has cleared to allow more vehicles to enter.
- The top parking lot is still closed due to construction, so all guests will be required to park in the Meadows area (just past the Ticket Plaza).
- While we are still encouraging guests to hike into the Park from the Meadows, we are now offering a limited shuttle service up to the top parking lot for those who are unable to hike. Facemasks or face coverings are required on all shuttles. Masks will be available for purchase for a minimal cost at the Ticket Plaza and in our gift shops. Shuttles will only be able to transport a limited number of guests per trip which may result in longer wait times. If you plan to ride the shuttle, please plan your day accordingly.
- All annual passes purchased between March 2019 and March 2020 will receive an additional two months to their expiration date to make up for the period in which the Park was recently closed.
- All six hiking trails are open, the Great Woodland Adventure trail is open for those looking for an easier, family-friendly hike. The Animal Discovery Den will be closed.
- The elevator will remain closed at this time.
- Cliff Dwellers gift shop and the Sky Lounge (near the Chimney) will be open with limited capacity. Snacks and bottled drinks will be available at both of these locations.
- The Ticket Plaza will be accessible by drive-thru windows or the lobby will be available for one-person entry at a time.
- The restrooms are open and will be marked with standing areas to provide proper social distancing. Beverage vending machines are also located next to each of these restrooms.
- The Old Rock Café (in Chimney Rock Village) is open daily from 11am – 5pm for limited indoor and outdoor seating, which will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take-out service is also available. Please see OldRockCafe.com for more information.
- Our associates will be taking appropriate precautions to protect the safety of ourselves and all of our guests. We are prepared and trained to handle any situation during this time.
- Please recreate responsibly and continue to maintain proper social distancing, handwashing, and hygiene during your visit. Stay safe!
This plan is subject to change depending on circumstances. We appreciate your support and understanding during these unprecedented times and look forward to seeing you on the mountain sometime soon.
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
HRC is proud to announce a series of one-week tennis youth camps this summer. Half day and full day camps are available. Campers get tennis training and get to use many of the amenities of HRC such as the racquetball courts, hammock/picnic area, rec room and pool. All camps are led by High Performance Tennis Pro Cre Still.
“We are very excited to be able to offer the camps this summer. We can handle all abilities on our tennis courts and have fun off and on the court with all the things available to us at HRC,” stated Still. “Our camps are already popular and this year we are adding a few more surprises that will add to the fun of the camps!”
HRC’s High Performance Tennis Camp is offered June 22-26, July 13-17 and July 27-31. This camp is available for tournament players ages 10-18 and is 9am-5pm every day. HRC Pros lead campers through tennis training, match play, off-court fitness, pool time, cross training through other sports and more with snacks provided. Price is $495/week or $125/day.
:
Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.
For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.
Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Participants will have the opportunity to connect with Melissa McKinney and others via the Zoom App for an inspired music collaboration project. The group will spend time getting to know a little bit about one another and then they will pick a song that inspires them and that they feel will lift others. Through a combination of group and one on one instruction, participants will learn to use the Soundtrap recording App to record their parts. Participants will also receive guidance on how to creatively video their part of the music video that will accompany the audio project. The audio and video will be edited into a music video that will be released on social media with the desired outcome to Spread Joy to others during this difficult period of time. Participants will need to have access to Computer, iPad or tablet or smartphone.
Zoom Link: TBD
While we wish we could celebrate our girls in person this season, we will use the Girls on the Run of WNC VIRTUAL 5K run and walk as an opportunity to join together virtually to support the unstoppable strength, resiliency, and power of every girl! Our virtual 5K will be held from Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th. Here are a few ways you can participate:
- Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or another distance of your choosing in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or somewhere that is safe. Don’t worry about how fast or how far you go, as we teach our girls, it is all about finding your happy pace and to keep moving forward!
- No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Participation in the Virtual 5K is FREE. However, you can donate to Girls on the Run during registration to help support girls in our community or you can create your own fundraising page (see Become a Fundraiser tab). All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund, which aims to make the program accessible to all girls, regardless of their ability to pay the program registration fee.
A virtual run is an event that can be run (or walked!) from any location you choose and any time during the open event date (Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th). It is a great way to get active and celebrate with your family, friends, or co-workers while we practice social distancing.
Walk, run, jog, indoors on a treadmill or outside in the neighborhood, a virtual run is the best way to get comfortable moving at your happy pace!
No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.
Show your GOTR spirit from your respective event by posting pictures and videos to the Facebook Event or using #gotrwncvirtual5k #GOTRatHome #GOTRGotYourBack and tagging @gotrwnc!
Check back on our social media to see if you have been featured!
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
New Park Updates Starting June 5
Since moving into Phase 2, we have slowly begun to reopen more and more amenities within the Park, while still emphasizing safe social distancing, handwashing/hand sanitizing, and masks where necessary. Here is what you need to know before visiting:
- The Park is open Fridays – Tuesdays; the Ticket Plaza hours are from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Park closes at 7pm. We will continue to be closed on Wednesdays & Thursdays for construction on the top parking lot.
- Since the Park will be operating at a “limited” parking capacity to allow for safe & maintainable social distancing, entrance into the Park will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If capacity is reached, the Park will close to any further entry until some space has cleared to allow more vehicles to enter.
- The top parking lot is still closed due to construction, so all guests will be required to park in the Meadows area (just past the Ticket Plaza).
- While we are still encouraging guests to hike into the Park from the Meadows, we are now offering a limited shuttle service up to the top parking lot for those who are unable to hike. Facemasks or face coverings are required on all shuttles. Masks will be available for purchase for a minimal cost at the Ticket Plaza and in our gift shops. Shuttles will only be able to transport a limited number of guests per trip which may result in longer wait times. If you plan to ride the shuttle, please plan your day accordingly.
- All annual passes purchased between March 2019 and March 2020 will receive an additional two months to their expiration date to make up for the period in which the Park was recently closed.
- All six hiking trails are open, the Great Woodland Adventure trail is open for those looking for an easier, family-friendly hike. The Animal Discovery Den will be closed.
- The elevator will remain closed at this time.
- Cliff Dwellers gift shop and the Sky Lounge (near the Chimney) will be open with limited capacity. Snacks and bottled drinks will be available at both of these locations.
- The Ticket Plaza will be accessible by drive-thru windows or the lobby will be available for one-person entry at a time.
- The restrooms are open and will be marked with standing areas to provide proper social distancing. Beverage vending machines are also located next to each of these restrooms.
- The Old Rock Café (in Chimney Rock Village) is open daily from 11am – 5pm for limited indoor and outdoor seating, which will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take-out service is also available. Please see OldRockCafe.com for more information.
- Our associates will be taking appropriate precautions to protect the safety of ourselves and all of our guests. We are prepared and trained to handle any situation during this time.
- Please recreate responsibly and continue to maintain proper social distancing, handwashing, and hygiene during your visit. Stay safe!
This plan is subject to change depending on circumstances. We appreciate your support and understanding during these unprecedented times and look forward to seeing you on the mountain sometime soon.