Join us for guided whitewater rafting near Asheville on the French Broad, Watauga, and Nolichucky Rivers. No experience is required and there is a professional guide in every raft. We also offer guided caving trips. Visit our website for discounts!

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The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT), founded in 1979, is Western North Carolina's first professional modern dance company. The company performs up to 80 times a year in Asheville, the southeastern United States, and abroad (France, Canada, Cuba, Mexico). ACDT's repertoire consists of full length modern dance theatre productions, smaller modern dance works, and educational dance theatre performances for children. ACDT is the producer of several dance and performing arts festivals in Asheville: The Fringe Arts Festival, the North Carolina Dance Festival, the Men's Dance Festival, and the 48 Hour Dance Project. In addition to their regular performance season, ACDT also invites dance companies and artists from around the world to share their talents and enrich the Asheville community.

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You'll tour through Montford Historic District, one of the largest historic districts in North Carolina! You'll see Asheville's impressive collection of Queen Ann style historic homes, the exquisite Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa where six U.S. presidents and countless celebrities and historical figures have visited, see the Thomas Wolfe Home and Museum, travel through Battery Park shopping and restaurant district and the Grove Arcade, Visit Pack Square cultural area, Biltmore Village, River Arts District, enjoy fabulous mountain views and so much more. Our professionally trained tour guides will relate the history and lore of Asheville… the Paris of the South. Your guide will combine humorous stories and historical information into a fun-filled tour. Asheville's Longest Running Trolley Line. Unlimited Hop-On & Hop-Off Privileges

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Calm water float trips on the French Broad River through the Biltmore property, in Asheville. Canoes, kayaks, rafts and tubes. Family fun adventure. Minimum child weight requirement is 35 pounds. Beautiful riverside facilities. Asheville's only riverside GEM Mining!!! Bicycle rentals, and guided interpretive float trips. Check our Web site for complete details. All of these ingredients make for a great day at the Asheville Outdoor Center for corporate retreats/meetings, team building, family reunions, parties, receptions large or small. Our location is just 10 minutes from downtown Asheville and Historic Biltmore Village with easy interstate access.

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More than 50 parks offering golf, swimming, tennis, skateboarding, roller hockey, climbing wall, nature center, playgrounds, basketball, community centers, ballfields, picnic shelters, trails and much more.

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The Asheville Tourists are a single-A minor league baseball team that competes in the 16-team South Atlantic League. The Tourists are currently affiliated with the major league team, Colorado Rockies.

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The Asheville Urban Trail has often been called Asheville's "museum without walls." Started by a small group of citizens interested in helping revitalize downtown, the Urban Trail consists of thirty stations of bronze sculpture around downtown. Each station has a plaque illuminating some of the very interesting history of downtown's development and the various notable people who once lived here. Mostly local artists helped to create the whimsical bronze sculptures and other art works that are found at each station. The tour is a 1.7 mile walk that begins and ends at Pack Place and takes about two hours to complete in its entirety. Groups can arrange to schedule a tour guide by contacting Christy Ammerman at the Asheville Area Arts Council 10 days to 2 weeks in advance of their desired tour date. Guide-led group tours are $5/adult and $2/child. Additionally, walking guides and maps are available for self-guided tours free of charge at Pack Place and the Asheville Area Arts Council.

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Asheville's only family entertainment center featuring indoor and outdoor go-carts, indoor mini-golf, multi-level laser tag, indoor batting cages, climbing wall, soft play area, bumper cars, arcade gallery, mini-bowling and more. Ride for fun or race to win…our outdoor track is two stories tall and 1/4 mile long - it's the only one of it's kind in Western North Carolina! Check out Asheville's only laser tag arena complete with black lights, music and fog, our fully-interactive game matches two teams head to head in our multi-level arena. Our state-of-the-art arcade gallery hosts over 110 games. With such a large selection and a frequently updated game selection, there is something every age and every skill level can enjoy. Fuel the fun at The Depot Diner, located inside our facility. With a wide variety of menu items including pizza and burgers, and more healthy choices such as salads and wraps. The entire family will love Asheville's Fun Depot!

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Float on an inner tube, picnic in the shade, or just catch some rays at this beach in the mountains. Enjoy the Water Works with water slides and other soaking-wet fun.

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Discover the wonders of Biltmore™ in Asheville. Begin with the breathtaking beauty of 250-room Biltmore House — America's largest home® — and century-old gardens. Explore our 8,000-acre backyard through a variety of activities from horseback riding to rafting. Please your palate at our award-winning winery and restaurants, then browse our shops for unique items inspired by George Vanderbilt's estate. Finally, savor the long-lasting benefits of a luxurious getaway at our four-star inn.

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Closest whitewater rafting outfitter to Asheville, 22 miles northwest, Blue Heron Whitewater offers a variety of trips on the French Broad River. Choose the trip that fits your group and schedule. Half-day trips enjoy 5 miles, class II-III rapids, minimum age is 8. Full day trips enjoy 8 miles, a fresh, deli-style lunch and a class IV rapid, minimum age is 8. Families with younger children can choose the Float Trip, minimum age is 4. When water levels permit, the adventurous may opt to paddle inflatable kayaks, or guide their own raft. Blue Heron guides share the best rapid routes they know, and in the pools between, the human and natural history of this ancient river corridor. We provide the river-related gear, including splash jacket and pants, and wetsuits in cool weather, no extra charge. High quality experience, competitively priced. A fun rafting trip engages you with the mountains. When you are on the river you are no longer a spectator!

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The 25 western most counties and Qualla Boundary in North Carolina comprise the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. In designating this region as a National Heritage Area in 2003, Congress recognized that the cultural and natural resources of the Blue Ridge Mountains have played a significant role in the history of the United States and the State of North Carolina. Some of the defining landscapes include the deepest gorge in the Eastern U.S., Linville Gorge; the oldest river in North America, the New River; the most visited National Park lands in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway; the highest mountain east of the Rockies, Mt. Mitchell; the ancestral home of the Cherokee, and America's largest home, Biltmore.

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Outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities make the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most popular units of the National Park System. "America's Favorite Drive" winds its way 469 miles through mountain meadows and past seemingly endless vistas. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads and historic structures complement spectacular views of distant mountains and neighboring valleys. Don't miss the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2010. The Parkway incorporates several recreation areas, some exceeding 6,000 acres. These parks within the Parkway have visitor centers, camp grounds, picnic areas, trails and, in many instances, concessionaire-operated lodges, restaurants, and other facilities. The Parkway intersects Asheville at US 25, US 70 and US 74, and NC 191. The Linn Cove Viaduct (MP 304) is an engineering marvel that wraps around Grandfather Mountain. Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, the NC Arboretum, and the Folk Art Center.

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This 10-acre nonprofit nature preserve (next to UNCA) is dedicated to preserving and displaying the native flora of the Southern Appalachians. Garden-themed gift shop. Donations welcome.

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Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services (BCPG&R) operates four recreation parks, five river parks, one indoor and five outdoor pool's. Parks include: Lake Julian Park - fishing, boat rental and a boat launch, sand volleyball and horseshoes. The Sports Park - seven soccer fields, six-hole disc golf course, bocce ball courts, a walking trail and a sand volleyball court. Charles D. Owen Park - baseball fields, basketball courts, two fishing lakes and an official North Carolina Birding Trail. Hominy Valley Park - baseball fields, basketball courts, sand volleyball, a pool and tennis courts. In addition, parks have picnic tables, grills, playgrounds and restrooms. The river parks - picnic tables, grills and boat launches for small watercraft. No restrooms at the river parks. BCPG&R sponsors special community events throughout the year and provides high-quality programming for all ages.

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This National Park Service site honors the accomplishments of American poet Carl Sandburg. Take a guided tour of the historic home; visit the farm and trails. Free for farm and trails. Fee for house tour; cash and check only.

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Make your first stop in Cherokee at our new welcome center. Get assistance with your questions, directions, tickets for shows and attractions. You can also pick up other local information and brochures.

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Rock climbing is fun! Looking for an activity for the entire family? Try your hand at rock climbing. ClimbMax Climbing Center, in downtown Asheville, is a full service indoor climbing facility with guided outdoor tours available. ClimbMax has activities for groups of all ages and sizes, from birthday parties to corporate programs and is great fun for kids.

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Volcanoes! Earthquakes! Jewels! Amazing minerals! Mining! Where can you explore all this and more? At the Colburn Earth Science Museum, a downtown fixture since 1960, began as the Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum. Still home to the amazing collection of gems and minerals that have made it world renowned; the Colburn expanded its mission in 2004 to include all the earth sciences. With all ages, interactive, hands-on exhibits on geology, plate tectonics, meteorology and the history of mining in Western North Carolina, the Colburn Earth Science Museum is truly a place where the earth comes alive. Located on the lower level of Pack Place in the heart of Asheville near restaurants and shops, a visit to the Colburn is an adventure of discovery that the whole family will enjoy.

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Home of the first forestry school in America, this historic site offers guided walks, historic buildings, living history interpreters, outdoor fun, antique equipment, an old logging train, and the Forest Discovery Center.

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The Fiddlin' Pig features local, award-winning bluegrass and mountain music artists. Don't miss the pickin', grinnin' and dancin' LIVE at The Fiddlin' Pig!

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The entire family can become artists at this paint-your-own-pottery studio on Wall Street in downtown Asheville. You can also shop our art boutique where you can find a unique hand-crafted gift to take home.

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Home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild representing craft artists from Southern Appalachia. Houses three fine galleries and offers daily craft demonstrations. It is also the home to Allanstand, the nation's first craft shop, and a Blue Ridge Parkway information desk and Eastern National bookstore.

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Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on Asheville's own French Broad River. Just 30 minutes (24 miles) from Asheville. A guide in every raft guaranteed! Five-mile and nine-mile whitewater trips or calm water rentals available. Only whitewater company in the Southeast that uses Biodiesel in all of our diesel vehicles. Family owned and operated.

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Ghost Hunters of Asheville offer paranormal enthusiasts three separate ghost tours to hunt spirits in Asheville's supernatural world. These 90-minute tours cover different aspects of historic, haunted Asheville. Our exclusive interactive downtown tour uses ghost-hunting equipment and guarantees paranormal photographs. Historic Montford District's architectural beauty and stunning landscapes serve as backdrop for hunting ghostly specters. Riverside Cemetery beckons to those who dare enter and commingle with the ghosts of eras past. Our superior customer service includes free use of ghost-hunting equipment, no minimum number of guests required for tour, smaller tour sizes for more personal attention and one-hour pre-tour cancellation policy. Call to reserve your special spot today! We look forward to sharing our ghost hunting adventures with you.

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Step back into the Wild West at Ghost Town in the Sky. Surrounded with breathtaking views in a beautiful mountain setting, Ghost Town is a timeless, family theme park located in the heart of Western North Carolina.

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The Go Blue Ridge Card is an all-access pass that includes admission to 30 of Western North Carolina's most popular attractions. Pay just ONE LOW PRICE for the pass and visit as many attractions as you want, while saving up to 35% or more compared to the cost of buying individual tickets at each location. Enjoy such top attractions as Biltmore; Chimney Rock State Park; Grandfather Mountain; whitewater rafting; Cherokee; Linville Caverns; and Tweetsie Railroad – these and 20 other attractions are all included in the single cost of your Go Blue Ridge Card. With everything you need already loaded onto your Card, you can focus your trip on collecting memories instead of credit card receipts. Available online at or purchase locally in Asheville at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce at 36 Mortford Avenue and at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 384 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Offering visitors easy access to its towering peaks, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically diverse mountains and in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Feel the rush when you cross the Swinging Bridge; marvel at 360-degree views from one-mile above sea level; photograph bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer in natural habitats; hike rugged back-country trails or stroll gentle nature paths; eat in our restaurant or take your order out to one of many scenic picnic areas; chat with our entertaining, knowledgeable staff and let us help you find your own perfect mountain adventure.

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This year the nation's most popular park celebrates 75 years as the 'people's park'. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park extends 70 miles along the North Carolina/Tennessee border and contains over 500,000 acres of protected forest. The Mountain Farm Museum is a display of historic farm buildings on US 441 North.

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Travel through fertile valleys and down into moutain gorges. Offering 4 to 4.5 hour round-trip and Dinner Train excursions in beautiful Western North Carolina. Depot is in Bryson City, NC.

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This 1880s brick farmhouse is listed on National Register. Former summer boarding house and farm. Museum, guided tours, miniature horses and antique farm equipment displays.

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Definitely not your mamma's typical tour bus experience, LaZoom is Asheville's only rolling comedy tour bus. One of WNC's most unique things to do, LaZoom's 90-minute odyssey through Asheville spells quirky fun for both first-time visitors and long-time residents. Each tour takes you to Asheville's favorite neighborhoods and landmarks and features a knowledgeable and witty tour guide, a heavy dose of corny jokes, and slapstick characters all along the way. So, prepare to laugh your socks off and Get on the Bus! Voted Asheville's #1 attraction by previous LaZoom bus riders on TripAdvisor.com.

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McCormick Field is home to the Asheville Tourists professional baseball club. This single A team is an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies organization. ESPN.com has named Asheville's McCormick Field as part of the website's "10 quintessential road tours that capture the best of the majors and minors."

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The Museum of the Cherokee Indian transports visitors through the world's largest collection of Cherokee artifacts, archives and documents while connecting to the living traditions of the Cherokee today. This educational, interactive experience begins with ancient Cherokee myths from a people who have lived in Southern Appalachia for 11,000 years and takes visitors through a vivid history of survival and sophistication as the Europeans pushed onto Cherokee land. Visitors will meet some of the best-known Cherokees and learn of their heroic efforts to preserve their beloved tribe, land and way of life.

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Come out to experience Western North Carolina's newest adventure, Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours. The first of it's kind in the Asheville area, this three hour tour includes 11 zipline experiences and five sky bridges over 22 acres of scenic vistas. Your experience is not only an adventure but an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and plants and wildlife that make Western NC so unique. You will reach elevations of over 80 feet as you glide through the trees with gradual elevation change. This experience is not a "drop and stop" adventure but more like soaring at birdseye view through grand white oaks, blooming frazier magnolias, flame azaleas, thick mountain laurel and rhododendron. Learn and see the plight of the Hemlock and efforts being taken to save this majestic tree in danger of disappearing in the region. Canopy Rangers escort each small group throughout the tour to share knowledge and monitor your ride. Active participation in your adventure experience is required.

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434-acre public garden in south Asheville with 65-acres of cultivated gardens including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested trails, Garden tours, Segway® Tours, Art Walk, Nature Activities for kids, rotating science, art and cultural history exhibits, a Cafe and gift shops.

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Step into the Oconaluftee Indian Village and back to the mid-1700s to witness Cherokee life at a time of rapid cultural change prompted by the influence of the British and their contemporary lifestyle. Experience pottery, basketry, blowgun demonstrations, arrowhead knapping, mask and canoe carving, beadworking, and weaving. Witness the replica village prepare for an attack from European settlers in the outdoor mini-drama "A Time of War". Listen as Villager Guides answer questions about all things Cherokee and experience traditional Cherokee social dance like the Quail Dance, among others, at the Village Square. Audio cell phone tours are also available. "Hands on Cherokee" offer visitors classes on the traditional, ancient techniques of pottery, basketry and beading. Taught by Cherokee artisans at the Village, class sizes are limited, and advanced registration is recommended.

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We've got the fun and the fish! Tour our exhibits! Walk our trails! Feed the fish! Operated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education offers visitors an opportunity to explore the natural world of a mountain cove forest. Located at the states largest trout hatchery, feed brook, brown and rainbow trout which are raised from eggs and then released in local streams and rivers. Enjoy our wildlife garden, our award-winning film, and the NC WILD store. Wildlife education programs are also available for the public and groups. Located 10 minutes from Brevard in the Pisgah National Forest.

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Two championsip minature golf courses with natural landscaping and water features. Snack bar, arcade, party rooms - great for families.

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Relive the Victorian era at Asheville's oldest house (circa 1840). Explore opulent period rooms, history exhibits and grounds designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers.

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The Health Adventure is a fun-filled educational museum that sparks curiosity about health and science. Explore two levels of interactive exhibits, including blockbuster traveling exhibits from across the country. Participate in hands-on activities led by our expert educators. At The Health Adventure, we encourage creativity and individual discovery through smart fun.

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Known for its legendary craftsmanship, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Inc., was founded in 1946 to secure fair prices and provide a year-round market for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian artisans. As the nation's oldest and leading arts and crafts cooperative, Qualla has 300 members who create baskets, pottery, wood and stone carved sculpture, beadwork, fine art paintings and more for display and purchase at the co-op. Many member artists work with age-old, traditional techniques and materials, while others experiment with new methods and abstract forms. Entry to Qualla is a juried process and is restricted to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The purity and simplicity of ancient and contemporary Cherokee arts and crafts on display in the co-op's gallery have attracted collectors from around the world, and free gallery tours are available Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the summer. Qualla also offers appraisals and repair services.

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As North Carolina's original family theme park, Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, cowgirl, indian or an engineer. Shop along Main Street, pan for gold or visit the Deer Park. Tweetsie has amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park. And of course, hop aboard our historic steam-powered train for a fun-filled three-mile Wild West journey through the scenic mountains.

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"Unto These Hills" retells Cherokee history from the Cherokee perspective. The popular, family friendly play traces the Cherokee people over a period of several hundred years, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears and ending in the present day where Cherokee people, much like the new script that was unveiled in 2008, continue to rewrite their place in the world. The story comes to life with live music, ritual dance and authentic Cherokee costumes in the 2,100-seat, newly renovated mountainside amphitheater under the stars. Since its debut in 1950, more than 5 million visitors have attended the memorable drama.

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Thirty-eight years of rafting experience offering family, group, high adventure trips and team building on five Southeastern rivers - the Chatooga, the Nantahala, the Ocoee, the Pigeon and the Cheoah. Wildwater Rafting offers the best whitewater fun in the Asheville area with unparalleled attention to detail both on and off the water. Wildwater aso offers our exclusive Quality Service Guarantee! In addition to great whitewater adventures, join Wildwater for scenic Jeep and train excursions combined with your rafting trip or elevate your vacation on Western NC newest adventure, Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, located across from Wildwater's Nantahala River location. Wildwater's unique Raft & Rail, Rails & Trails, or Float & Fly packages provide the ultimate in Western NC outdoor adventure. Wildwater is a family owned and operated business focused on providing a unique vacation experience and helping create memories and family traditions that will last a lifetime. We hope you will join us.

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The WNC Nature Center is 40 acres of animals in their native habitats. It provides an opportunity to learn, to touch and to know our rich natural heritage through educational and interactive exhibits.

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This pioneer farmstead, tucked in the Reems Creek Valley, features the birthplace of Zebulon Baird Vance. The five-room log house--reconstructed around original chimneys--and its outbuildings are furnished to evoke the period from 1795- 1840. Vance's political career as Civil War officer, North Carolina governor, and U.S. senator is traced at the homestead. Also included is the history of Vance's famous mountain family. One of the dominant personalities of the South for nearly half a century, Zeb Vance served in public office for 30 years. Though he was a lawyer whose keen humor, intellect, and eloquent manner of speaking made him successful, his real interest was always politics. Characterized by a quality that tied him to the common people of the mountain coves, Zeb Vance was first elected to public office at the age of 24. He served in the N.C. House of Commons (legislative assembly of the day) and the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected governor three times.

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