Not sure what to do in Asheville? We’ve got you covered. Asheville is one of the most exciting cities in the southern United States right now, and it is only continuing to grow. As a bonus, Asheville is a very friendly city in which to be sober. It is truly a vibrant, life-affirming city where you are free to feel your best. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Asheville:

Roam the halls of the Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Mansion is the tour de force Asheville attraction. Renowned as the largest home in the United States, the Biltmore is a sprawling estate boasting a 250-room chateau, 8,000-acre grounds and seemingly endless gardens. 

Go on a restaurant crawl through downtown

Vibrant downtown Asheville has options for everybody when it comes to breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. In addition to brick-and-mortar restaurants, food trucks have gained popularity and are a great way to walk around and sample the flavors of Asheville. 

Hike, backpack, or camp through the Great Smoky Mountains

Asheville serves as the perfect base camp for your trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which encompasses western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and the tip of Kentucky. If you would rather experience Asheville’s natural beauty from afar, you will be sure to see the sultry Great Smoky Mountains from an Asheville rooftop. 

Follow your nose down the WNC Cheese Trail

The WNC Cheese Trail is one of those things that makes Asheville so special. It is a collaborative effort between local cheesemakers to promote and share the beauty of their artisan cheeses, and the Trail currently includes more than 15 creameries, cheese shops and farms.

Chase waterfalls in the national parks

The Asheville metropolitan area is sprinkled with more than 200 waterfalls throughout parks and forests.

Take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway

The vast Blue Ridge Parkway spans from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers spectacular views of the smoky mountains, floral blooms, and wildlife. There are also ample opportunities to pull over for a viewpoint, a hiking trail or a local inn for a quick trip to a nearby small town. 

Transport back in time to Shakespeare in the Park

For most weekends out of the year, the Montford Park Players produce Shakespeare In the Park at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. You can also bring your own food and have a picnic before the show begins. 

Stop and smell the roses at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville

The Botanical Gardens at Asheville offer a small but representative sample of all the flora that Asheville has to offer. Many plants and flowers at the Botanical Gardens see their peak bloom between mid-April and mid-August, but each season has its advantages and the Gardens are certainly worth visiting during each of them. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville are adjacent to the University of North Carolina at Asheville, so you could make a day of it and walk around the university as well. 

Immerse yourself in the North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum offers fun for everyone, including hiking trails, cycling trails, lush gardens and art exhibits. 

Support small, local businesses and artists

There is no shortage of creative artists and entrepreneurs who offer goods that can only be found in Asheville. Check out the weekly farmers market, support a co-op farm and try to shop small for birthdays and holidays. 

With these tips as a starting point, you’ll never run out of ideas for what to do in Asheville. Once you have achieved sobriety, you will find that it is incredibly easy to live sober in Asheville. With access to nature, local restaurants and shops, a thriving arts scene and a warm and welcoming culture, sobriety is better in Asheville. 

Real Recovery offers comprehensive substance addiction treatment and education right here in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Get help today for yourself or your loved one by calling 855-363-7325.