Welcome to Sky Top Orchard!

We are asking guests to visit on weekdays whenever possible. We offer the same items you love on those days as we do on weekends plus it helps keep crowds down on weekends. Thank you!

The mountains of western North Carolina are full of pick your own u-pick orchards. We offer more. In addition to a long list of apple varieties, visit Sky Top Orchard and you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views, orchard ponds with ducks and geese, a barnyard area with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, peacocks and more, a bamboo forest to explore, lots of picnic areas and, of course, a mountaintop of fragrant apple and fruit trees. View our downloadable map to see all that we have to offer and visit our picking schedule to find out what’s available now.

When you purchase a bushel of apples, a wagon load of pumpkins or a cooler full of apple cider you’ll take home more than the makings for delicious fall recipes, you’ll take home a mountain of memories too. And don’t forget our famous apple cider doughnuts. They’re an autumn tradition. We bet you can’t eat just one.

Ready to join us on top of our mountain? Plan Your Visit Today!

To keep guests and our staff safe, we require face masks (covering both nose and mouth) by employees and guests in any area where social distancing is difficult so plan to wear them in the fruit stand, in line for doughnuts, in any areas that are not out in the orchard where you are picking. You must also maintain a distance of 6 feet in all lines and areas where you encounter others.

4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA

The entries have been chosen for this year’s annual juried exhibition. Thank you to all who entered.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at 11:00am on 26 September.

The exhibit can be viewed in our Solomon Gallery 15 September – 17 October, during normal business hours.
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm

View the list of accepted entries.

Ready for a change of scene, but not ready to travel in the age of COVID-19? The library has just what you need. Check out Passport Around the World. Call BCPL’s Ask a Librarian line (828) 250-4700, email [email protected], or call or email your local library, and tell us where you would like to virtually visit. Your librarian will select 5-10 items about your destination of choice, anything from documentaries, folktales, and cookbooks to travel guides, poetry, and children’s books. We will notify you when your items are ready. Pick up your Passport bundle at the curbside pickup location of your choice. Bon Voyage!

2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE

The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.

But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.

Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.

We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:

* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.

* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.

COVID-19 Visiting Policy

Masks are required when entering the museum. This is for the safety of our visitors and our docents. Exceptions will be made according to ADA instructions. Visitors must make a reservation to visit the museum. Self Guided tour reservations are available Thursday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm. To make a reservation you can call (828) 669- 9566, register at the front desk, or click here. 

ACCESSIBILITY
The first floor houses our traveling exhibit gallery and our second floor houses “Our Pathways” exhibit.  The first and second floor are accessible by ADA standards.  A lift is available to take visitors to the second floor.

Upon reopening, the Nature Center will be open seven days a week, from 10 am until 4:30 pm.  Asheville residents receive a discounted rate with local ID and children under the age of 3 are free.

Beginning October 7, the three-hour documentary-styled art installation Question Bridge: Black Males will be on view at the Asheville Art Museum. This innovative transmedia project facilitates a dialogue between Black men from diverse and contending backgrounds, and creates a platform for them to represent and redefine Black male identity in America. The work will be on view during regular public hours from October 7, 2020 through March 15, 2021.

Question Bridge: Black Males is a project that explores critically challenging issues within the African American male community by instigating a transmedia conversation among Black men across geographic, economic, generational, educational, and social strata of American society. Question Bridge provides a safe setting for necessary, honest expression and healing dialogue on themes that divide, unite, and puzzle Black males today in the United States.

Adonna Khare, Pool Party, 2015, carbon pencil on paper, 6 × 20 feet. Collection of the Artist. © Adonna Khare, image Phil Hatten.

An exhibition highlighting the works of John James Audubon juxtaposed with the work of 21st-century artists who continue his tradition of animal allegories and metaphors is currently on view at the Asheville Art Museum. The exhibition features more than 40 works and will be on display in the Explore Asheville Exhibition Hall through November 30.

In advance of the Virtual WNC Career Expo Goodwill and AARP are hosting webinars to help job seekers prepare.

Show up to the expo ready to shine with Goodwill’s WNC Career Expo Prep Week (Each Virtual Webinar Held from 1:30-2):

• 10/5 Doing the Research: What employers will be present at the EXPO? Which employers should you target? What are the employer’s values? What types of questions will you ask the recruiter?
• 10/7 Resume Revamp: Quick tips to update, polish, and make your resume standout to the employers you are targeting.
• 10/9 Nail the (Informational) Interview: Setting Career Expo goals. How to maximize the few minutes you have in front of an employer. Preparing your questions to ask the employer.

To register for these webinars with Goodwill, email [email protected] with the course you would like to attend.

This is a 45 minute class that’s great for beginners and those wanting to deepen their current Tai Chi Practice. This is an online class and is open to all adults. In this class, you don’t have to memorize anything or learn complex routines. Its all about getting into the flow!

Classes will now be streamed via the “Begin with Breath Connect” Website. Monthly and Annual Memberships are available. Sign up here:

https://app.namastream.com/#/begin-with-breath-connect/auth/signup

Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.

Take a moment away from the busyness of life to breathe in breathtaking vistas as the sun sets before you. Enjoy a 2 mile round trip hike to a mountaintop and sink into a lovely all levels yoga practice on the summit while soaking up the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A unique way to practice self care and social distancing ;)

Need a different date? Sunset hikes are available daily for private groups of 1-20. Message me with your desired date and group size or visit the website at https://ashevillewellnesstours.com/tour/yoga-hikes/ to browse options.

Covid Considerations: for a detailed rundown of the precautions we’re taking, visit our website at https://ashevillewellnesstours.com/tour/yoga-hikes/

FEATURING:
* Latavius Mulzac (Maranda Curtis, Vashawn Mitchell, Kandace Springs)
* Slim Gambill (Lady A, Tyler Hilton, Last Call w/ Carson Daly)
* Daniel de los Reyes (Zac Brown Band, Chicago, Earth, WInd & Fire)

An off-the-cuff, stripped down, lean and mean evening of music and banter with three extraordinary instrumentalists. Performing everything from Afro-Latin Jams to 70’s-style Jazz Fusion to Gambill’s original material, this is a chance to never-seen-before, never-to-be-seen-again performance. The musicians start together and finish together–where the music goes in between is anybody’s guess! This stripped-down lineup of Electric Guitar, Keys and Latin Percussion is sure to light up the night.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis patio and lawn. Reservations are highly recommended.

Bring your warmest of blankets and/or chair and join us ***FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9th*** for our Movie At The Orchard event showing The Sandlot. It’s $15 a carload to park ($25 for high-occupancy vehicles). Also available: Good To The Bone BBQ, bakery, playground, Crazy Good Kettle Corn, plus more!

Gate opens at 6:30pm

Movie start at dark

*Weather permitting
*Buses, please call ahead to reserve your spot (828)243-7019
*No apple-picking permitted after 6pm

The Haunted Farm is Back! This year we are celebrating #10YearsOfTerror! Opening Night is Friday, October 9th, 2020! Are you ready for a night of terrifying Fun and Excitement you won’t soon forget?! Come see what The 2020 Haunted Farm has in store for our Biggest and Best year yet! ARE YOU PREPARED TO BE SCARED?!

The Haunted Trail expands to a new home with more nights of fright! The 8th Annual Haunted Trail, Asheville’s only family friendly haunt, is excited to announce their expansion to The Adventure Center of Asheville. The same great experience local families have based their traditions on has moved to downtown Asheville and is doubling their dates. The Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. The night includes a heart pumping walk through the Trail with live actors, spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.
Committed to safety, the Haunted Trail will provide a memorable and safe experience. Our completely outdoor event is a no touch experience, and distancing and masks will be strictly enforced. Go to www.hauntedtrailwnc.com for more safety measures.
Have a family friendly fright night, and say Boo To Hunger! This year, The Haunted Trail, is supporting the efforts of MANNA Food Bank who is serving the immediate needs of our community. $1 from every ticket will go directly to MANNA to say Boo To Hunger.
The Haunted Trail is produced by Asheville Plays!. Asheville Plays! was founded by a local husband and wife team who create lasting memories through the power of play. The Haunted Trail is Asheville Plays! signature event, and they are striving to make The Trail a treasured part of your family’s tradition.
For more information, visit www.hauntedtrailwnc.com. For more information about Asheville Plays!, visit www.ashevilleplays.com.

The Adventure Center of Asheville is excited to be the 2020 venue for the 8th Annual The Haunted Trail presented by Mellow Mushroom. The no-touch no-contact outdoor Haunted Trail is the only Halloween event in Asheville that is ideal for children ages 3-12 years old. Experience a family-friendly heart pumping walk with live actors (at a distance), spooky sounds, and spectacular props. The younger ghouls can enjoy the (actor-free) “Sweet Peek Tour” of the Trail at 6:30pm before it gets dark.
This year The Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail will also be available for ages 4 and over. Climb on one family-friendly aerial trail while it is illuminated with thousands of colored twinkle and laser lights.
In addition to the Trails, there will also be spooky live entertainment, no touch activities while in line, and food and beverages available including hot chocolate. It is a perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season with the family.
As the Haunted Trail and the Adventure Center are committed to safety, Social Distancing and Wearing Face Masks (for ages 4 years old and over) are required. The Haunted Trail Scenes will have barriers and at least a 10-foot space between guests and the performers. Guests lining up for both activities will be separated into Family Groups.

Ground breaking authors that are changing the the world of literature one word at a time will be in the building reading excerpts from their works! You’ll have a chance for questions answered and autographs being able to add first additions to your collects.

Envious machinations and evil intentions take hold in American Shakespeare Center’s Othello, live streaming on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7pm. The show will be shot in 3-camera cinema-quality and presented live from the stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse.

Directed by celebrated ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny, this stunningly relevant production of Shakespeare’s tragedy of racism and jealousy promises to bring audiences to the edge of their seats. Acclaimed actress Jessika D. Williams, who has won a cult following from her appearance on the popular television series Doctor Who, appears in the title role of Othello. Opposite Williams is veteran actor-manager John Harrell as the malevolent Iago. It’s a struggle between good and evil when these two titanic talents square off.

BlkFrs LIVE offers Schaefer Center Presents audiences synchronized live viewing of ASC’s new production of Othello. The comprehensive “Virtual Tour” program is designed to make it possible for people to experience the joy of Shakespeare in performance and the magic of the Blackfriars Playhouse from far away.

The American Shakespeare Center’s productions are intimate in scale, yet epic in scope. The company utilizes Shakespeare’s staging conditions (universal lighting, minimal sets, character doubling, cross-gender casting, and live music) to blend Shakespeare’s stagecraft with a modern sensibility. This engaging approach to the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries is what led the UK Telegraph to call ASC “one of the most accomplished Shakespeare companies in the United States.”

GHOSTED: COMEDY WALKING TOUR

COVID has postponed our bus tours, but it won’t stop us from laughing! Our brand new experience is an up tempo theatrical walking tour of haunted Asheville. You and 13 others will depart from the LaZoom Room and follow an undead guide through Asheville’s creepy streets in search of window into the past. Along the way, we’ll encounter real ghosts that will have you jumping out of your skin. Not really! Or really? Take the tour and find out!

Ever wanted to try your hand at the pottery wheel? Have you always wanted to learn to throw but you’re not sure if you want to commit to an 8-week class? Or maybe you and some friends are just looking for something different to do in Asheville on a Friday night. Well, look no further. Ready, Set, Throw is here!

Even if you’ve never touched clay before, our highly skilled staff will guide you through the entire process. It’s the perfect opportunity to get creative and have fun! All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Level: All Levels, Beginners Welcome
Tuition: $55 Per person, per night