Cheap Things To Do in Asheville NC: Top Places (In 2024)

Asheville is also known for its food and drink scene, with a wide range of options available and many cheap things to do in Asheville NC. Whether you want to get a beer at your favorite local bar or go out for a nice dinner, there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you’re looking for something more laid-back, try one of Asheville’s many outdoor cafes. The city’s incredible weather makes it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, so grab your shoes and head out! For example, you can spend the day touring the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends or taking in some great views while visiting Biltmore Estate.

There are also plenty of bars in Asheville that offer live music—it’s easy to find something that suits your tastes or schedule! And if you’re planning on staying overnight in town, consider renting an Airbnb instead of staying at a hotel or motel—that way you can save money (and use it towards your next adventure).

Here are the Cheap Things to do in Asheville NC

Asheville, North Carolina has a variety of cheap or free activities to enjoy. Here are more detailed descriptions of the cheap activities to do in Asheville, North Carolina that I listed earlier:

1. Visit the downtown area: Downtown Asheville is a vibrant and walkable area with many local shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. You can find everything from clothing and accessories to home goods, books, and artisanal food products. Many of the local businesses are independently owned and offer unique and often handmade items. You can also find a variety of restaurants serving everything from comfort food to fine dining.
2. Take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens at Asheville: The Botanical Gardens at Asheville is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The gardens feature a variety of plants, including native and exotic species, as well as a stunning conservatory. There are also several walking trails to explore, as well as a children’s garden. Admission to the gardens is free, although donations are appreciated.
3. Check out the WNC Nature Center: The WNC Nature Center is a great place to learn about the animals and plants that call western North Carolina home. The center has exhibits on animals such as black bears, bobcats, and reptiles, as well as a variety of plants, including native wildflowers and medicinal herbs. There are also several hiking trails to explore, as well as a picnic area. Admission to the nature center is relatively inexpensive.
4. Go on a self-guided brewery tour: Asheville is known for its thriving craft brewery scene, and there are many local breweries to choose from. You can easily create your own self-guided brewery tour by visiting several of the breweries in the area. Many of the breweries offer tastings or pints for a small fee, or you can purchase a flight of beers to try a variety of different brews.
5. Visit the Folk Art Center: The Folk Art Center is a great place to learn about traditional and contemporary crafts in the region. The center has exhibits on a variety of crafts, including pottery, woodworking, and textiles. There are also demonstrations by local artisans, where you can see crafts being made firsthand. Admission to the center is free.
6. Take a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains: The Blue Ridge Mountains are a beautiful and scenic place to go for a hike. There are many trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. The mountains offer breathtaking views and a chance to experience the natural beauty of the region.
7. Visit the Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market: The Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market is a great place to find locally grown produce, as well as handmade crafts and other goods. The market is open year-round and features a wide variety of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
8. Go on a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive that runs through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The parkway offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests, as well as many opportunities for hiking and picnicking.
9. Visit the Colburn Earth Science Museum: The Colburn Earth Science Museum is a great place to learn about geology, minerals, and fossils. The museum has a variety of exhibits on these topics, as well as a mineral gallery and a fossil preparation lab. Admission to the museum is inexpensive.
10. Check out the North Carolina Arboretum: The North Carolina Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The Arboretum has a variety of gardens, including a bonsai garden, a medicinal herb garden, and a native plant garden. There are also several hiking trails to explore, as well as educational exhibits.
11. Visit the Vance Monument: The Vance Monument is a historic obelisk located in the center of downtown Asheville. The monument was erected in 1897 to honor Zebulon Baird Vance, a former governor of North Carolina. The monument offers a great view of the city and is a popular spot for photos.
12. Check out the Asheville Art Museum: The Asheville Art Museum is a small but interesting museum that features contemporary art from the region. The museum has a variety of exhibits on different media, including painting, sculpture, and photography. Admission to the museum is free.
13. Visit the Grove Arcade: The Grove Arcade is a historic building located in downtown Asheville. The arcade has a variety of local shops, restaurants, and galleries to explore. You can find everything from clothing and accessories to home goods, books, and artisanal food products. Many of the businesses are independently owned and offer unique and often handmade items.
14. Take a walk through the Riverside Cemetery: The Riverside Cemetery is a beautiful and historic cemetery located in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. The cemetery has a variety of graves and memorials, as well as a number of mature trees and beautiful landscaping. The cemetery is a peaceful place to take a walk and learn about the history of the area.
15. Visit the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center: The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is a small museum dedicated to the history of Black Mountain College, an experimental school that was located in the region from 1933 to 1957. The museum has a variety of exhibits on the history of the college, as well as temporary exhibitions on contemporary art. Admission to the museum is inexpensive.
16. Go birdwatching: The Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding area are home to a variety of bird species, including warblers, thrushes, and vireos. You can go birdwatching in a number of local parks and nature preserves, such as the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary and the Craggy Gardens.
17. Check out the North Carolina Stage Company: The North Carolina Stage Company is a professional theater company located in Asheville. The company puts on a variety of productions throughout the year, including plays, musicals, and other performances. You can often find discounted tickets for performances or check for special deals and promotions.
18. Go for a swim: There are a number of public pools and aquatic centers in the Asheville area where you can go for a swim. These facilities often have a variety of amenities, such as water slides, diving boards, and play structures.
19. Visit the Center for Craft: The Center for Craft is a non-profit organization that promotes the craft movement in the region. The center has a variety of exhibits on contemporary crafts, as well as workshops and other educational programming. Admission to the center is free.
20. Go fishing: The Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding area are home to a number of streams, rivers, and lakes where you can go fishing. You can find a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, and panfish. You will need a valid fishing license, which can be obtained from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

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