Heal your soul in Asheville’s century-old wellness culture by tapping into offerings like mountainside hot tubs, a subterranean spa with hydrotherapy waterfalls, a Chinese medicine tearoom, salt caves, forest bathing and sound-healing sessions. Looking for inspiration? Stroll through Asheville’s arts district or take a winter hike to a panoramic mountain view. Multiple trailhead access points remain open all year long on the Blue Ridge Parkway and across Pisgah National Forest.
- Asheville’s colorful art and warehouse district along the French Broad River, the River Arts District, is coming into a new era as a walkable riverfront destination and entertainment district. This winter, a longer, improved greenway with art-infused pedestrian connectivity offers visitors a new way to experience this intensely creative area by foot or bike, or kayak (on warmer days) via new river access points. Watch artists working in studios, wander to airy wine bars or sample famous barbecue in a street-art-filled courtyard.
- Namaste in Nature, a local wellness tour company, will continue their guided in-person waterfall yoga hikes this winter, weather permitting, of course. Choose between a hike that goes to one relaxing waterfall or a hike that hits multiple waterfalls along the way. If temperatures do drop, guests may get the magical experience of Zen next to a frozen waterfall.
- Just opened, a multiuse trail system overlooking the French Broad River joins Asheville’s urban offerings for outdoor enthusiasts. Richmond Hill Park’s renovation was designed with mountain bikers and hikers in mind. The roughly 5-mile system will support mountain-bike skill development with options for beginners and advanced riders, including young children on balance bikes.
- New this year, the Asheville Hike Finder is now available on Alexa. Simply search “Asheville Hike Finder” in your Alexa app and enable for insider guidance as you select trails for views, waterfalls and skill level.
