Jason is the former Content Manager for ExploreAsheville.com and a former television news reporter. He's also an avid outdoorsman who spends nearly all his free time hiking and photographing the mountains of western North Carolina. When he's not hiking or writing, you'll find him singing karaoke around town or catching a local sports game.
Clear your head and stretch your legs at one of Asheville's many parks and greenways. Many of these green spaces are just minutes from the bustling downtown areas in Asheville and Black Mountain, meaning you won't have to go far for a nice walk. Asheville Botanical Gardens Less than 10 minutes north of downtown Asheville, you'll find an urban oasis. The 10-acre Asheville Botanical
Feel the rush of sliding down a 60-foot all-natural water slide in the heart of gorgeous Pisgah National Forest! The appropriately named Sliding Rock is an experience unlike any other and it’s one of the most exciting ways to cool off in the warmer weather months. People of all ages lineup to take the plunge down the sloping rock face waterfall on their way to landing into an 8-foot-deep
As one of the most pet-friendly cities in America, Asheville, North Carolina, is fun to explore with your best friend. We've worked to make it even easier to navigate the city with your dog. Here are answers to frequently asked questions. Does my dog need to be on a leash? Yes. In Asheville and Buncombe County, if your dog leaves your property, it must be on a leash. This law is designed to
Meet Sammy, a four-year-old Corgi-Sheltie rescue dog! He loves to hike and catch Frisbees in his dog-friendly hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. And, word around the dog park is that he’s been known to climb trees in pursuit of squirrels. Every dog has his day and this is Sammy’s dream day of adventuring here in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Watch below! Follow in Sammy’s
The Grove Arcade is an Asheville landmark, featuring a mix of more than 35 businesses: eateries, galleries, and locally-owned shops just waiting to be explored. Check out information on the Grove Arcade's Winter Wonderland holiday event! When you walk into the Arcade, glance above and then down. Light streams in from a glass ceiling of skylights creating a quilt of geometric shadows on the
As the mountains green up with the coming of spring, the new season also brings a burst of color to the trails in and around Asheville. Hundreds of types of wildflowers appear on the paths that lead to stunning vistas and thundering waterfalls. These trails are among local favorites for seeing the best spring wildflowers in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Different kinds of
Few experiences embody the excitement of the holidays like enjoying a display of bright, twinkling Christmas lights and meticulously-designed decorations. Visitors to Asheville, N.C. can enjoy these dazzling, family-friendly light shows that are sure to inspire the spirit of the season. 1. Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum It’s one of the newer light displays in Asheville
It's called the brightest holiday tradition in Asheville! The North Carolina Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights , which began in 2014, features one million bright, energy-efficient LED lights throughout the nationally-known gardens. The lights illuminate the natural beauty and landscapes of the arboretum during the winter season. In addition to the lights, enjoy live music
From the tree-lined streets dotted with independent boutiques to the open-air markets featuring local crafts, Asheville's shopping scene is as diverse as it is unique. The relatively new Asheville Outlets, just five miles from downtown, offers a destination for shoppers looking for national brands at great prices. The Asheville Outlets are conveniently located near the intersection of I-40 and
Every Friday night in the rounded outdoor amphitheater of downtown's Pritchard Park people join together to play thundering sounds on the drums, dance to the powerful rhythms, or just sit back and enjoy the show of individuality and diverse community. The Drum Circle is a free event all about creating harmony, both in music and with one another. The weekly ritual draws hundreds of people
