All Asheville Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 7

Discover the backcountry like never before with a fly fishing trip for brook trout in Western North Carolina. Journey into the region’s rugged wilderness and cast your line in quiet, mountain-fed streams far from the crowds. These pristine, cool waters are home to some of the most brilliantly colored brook trout in the area. Join us for a guided experience in a true angler’s paradise—whether you’re after peaceful solitude or the excitement of landing a catch, the WNC backcountry delivers. Enhance your trip with our professional photography add-on and preserve every highlight of your adventure. From your first cast to your best catch, along with the stunning scenery around you, you’ll receive a collection of beautifully edited, high-quality images—perfect for sharing or keeping as lasting memories. Requirements: This experience involves a 1–2 mile hike, so participants should be physically prepared for moderate outdoor activity.

Rising above the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Mitchell offers a day trip that feels worlds away from the ordinary. With elevations reaching 6,684 feet, it delivers sweeping, mile-high views that stretch across layers of misty ridges-an iconic experience of Western North Carolina. The journey is just as memorable as the destination. Traveling along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll wind through lush forests, breathe in crisp mountain air, and pause at scenic overlooks. A stop at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center offers a chance to stretch your legs. At Mount Mitchell State Park, a short, paved 5-10 minute walk from the parking area leads you to the summit observation deck. Here, the breathtaking 360° views make every mile of the journey worthwhile. Enjoy a relaxed lunch at the Mount Mitchell Cafe or picnic on the scenic grounds surrounded by nature. This experience is perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape.

The Trek Fuel EX 8 is a premium full‑suspension trail bike designed for riders who want confidence, control, and versatility on demanding terrain. Built around Trek’s proven aluminum trail frame and modern geometry, it balances efficient climbing with stable, capable descending, making it an ideal choice for Western North Carolina’s technical singletrack and steep, root‑filled trails. This bike is purpose-built for riders looking to experience the best of Pisgah and surrounding trail systems, offering plush suspension, powerful braking, and trail-ready components that inspire confidence on long climbs and fast, rugged descents.

A delightful wagon ride winds through scenic farmland, offering breathtaking mountain views. At the small animal barn, engage with playful goats and adorable Valais Blacknose sheep, feeding them treats and enjoying a hands-on experience. Then, meet the charming Highland cattle, including Ferdinand the bull and Penny the cow, where you can offer them snacks and make new furry friends. Spend quality time with the calf Lulu, petting and feeding her before returning to the top of the farm. Conclude your visit by relaxing in nature while soaking in the stunning views.

The Trek Marlin 6 is a versatile hardtail mountain bike designed for comfort, stability, and easy handling across a wide range of terrain. It’s an excellent option for riders who want to explore forest roads, gravel paths, scenic rail trails, and mellow to intermediate mountain bike trails without feeling overwhelmed by a highly technical bike. With a lightweight aluminum frame, front suspension, and reliable components, the Marlin 6 delivers a smooth, confidence‑inspiring ride—perfect for casual adventurers, beginners, and anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors at their own pace.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville with Shaka Guide's immersive audio tour. Let our audio tour guide lead you through the Appalachian Mountains, sharing captivating stories of the region's history, culture, and natural wonders. With real-time GPS technology that plays audio narration as you drive, you'll never miss a scenic spot or trailhead. Explore at your own pace, enjoy picnics with mountain views, and create unforgettable memories. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, Shaka Guide's Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Tour promises an unforgettable adventure. Book now and experience the magic of this iconic route! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

This guided hike along the Shining Creek Trail from Big East Fork to Shining Rock Gap offers an immersive journey through one of the most lush and secluded areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Follow a stunning creek-side trail that winds through ancient hardwood forests, cascading waterfalls, and rugged terrain, all leading to the gleaming white quartz formations at Shining Rock Gap. Along the way, your experienced guide will share insider knowledge of the area's unique geology, diverse flora, and native wildlife, creating a rich and meaningful experience. Ideal for adventure seekers, hikers looking for solitude, and nature lovers, this hike offers a deeper connection to the land, far from the crowds, and filled with memorable sights and stories of this wild Appalachian landscape.

Sometimes, you just need time with horses! Let's be honest — everyone loves them, but almost nobody actually gets to just be around them. That's the whole idea here. This laid-back, supervised experience is exactly what it sounds like: you come hang out with your herd — no riding, no pressure to "do" anything. We'll start with a quick, fun rundown on horses — how smart and intuitive they really are, and how they pick up on people way more than you'd think. Then it's time with the herd — hang out among them, groom them if you want, snap photos — all under your care and direction, so it's safe, easy, and genuinely enjoyable. It's a great way to spend time with, and understand, the wisdom and power of these animals, and get re-acquainted with just how awesome horses really are. A favorite for families, groups, and bachelorette parties, and one of the most feel-good experiences in the Asheville area. Come JustBE. The horses are already looking forward to it.

Just east of Asheville is the spectacular Catawba Falls, situated at the headwaters of the Catawba River. This hike starts on a wide, well-graded trail along the Catawba River to Lower Catawba Falls. You'll climb the observation tower (580 stairs in total!) to see a spectacular east-facing view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Then continue to Upper Catawba Falls, which was off limits to hikers until 2024. This hike is about 3.5 miles round trip, overall moderate (but not technical). It's a great way to see both sweeping mountain views and waterfalls... it's a beautiful hike year round! Our small group hike (limited to 6 participants) meets at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Asheville. You will meet your hiking guide and receive a rundown of the itinerary. Snacks and transportation are included. Hikers should arrive prepared for all weather conditions and pack a rain jacket, an extra warm layer, and water. Your guide can provide trekking poles, a daypack, and/or bottled water (upon request).

The Trek Fuel EX 8 is a premium full‑suspension trail bike designed for riders who want confidence, control, and versatility on demanding terrain. Built around Trek’s proven aluminum trail frame and modern geometry, it balances efficient climbing with stable, capable descending, making it an ideal choice for Western North Carolina’s technical singletrack and steep, root‑filled trails. This bike is purpose-built for riders looking to experience the best of Pisgah and surrounding trail systems, offering plush suspension, powerful braking, and trail-ready components that inspire confidence on long climbs and fast, rugged descents.

Such a fun way to create an apparel item unique to you! Get your creative mojo flowing by designing a one-of-kind appliqué for your top or jacket. Learn the useful life skill of knowing how to use a needle and thread. (Ps I will finish the sewing on my machine)

Enjoy a serene evening on Nantahala Lake with a private Sunset Boat Rental. This self-guided experience lets you set your own pace as you soak in stunning golden hour views surrounded by mountains. Perfect for groups of friends or family, you can relax on a premium pontoon boat while creating unforgettable memories. - 1 to 1.5-hour self-guided rental on a fully-equipped pontoon boat - Accommodates up to 10 people; ideal for family or friend gatherings - All essentials included: fuel, life jackets, Bluetooth speakers, and cooler with ice - Flexible start times based on the season for the best sunset experience

Explore a real working North Carolina cattle ranch on this guided tour. Perfect for anyone curious about rural life and animal husbandry, you’ll learn about the importance of rotational grazing—watch the herd!—water conservation practices, land stewardship, and more, beyond taking in the sights and learning about the cattle themselves. Afterward, relax in the picnic area, enjoying the ranch’s slow pace.

Escape the ordinary with a curated day trip to Grandfather Mountain—where winding scenic drives open up to mile-high views and unforgettable moments at every turn. From the iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge to sweeping overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this experience blends light adventure with the peaceful beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Your day begins with a morning departure from Asheville Visitor Center at 8:00 AM, where you’ll settle in for a scenic drive into the mountains. At Grandfather Mountain State Park you'll walk across the iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge, and take in panoramic views that stretch for miles. You’ll also have time to explore the park’s nature center and wildlife habitats, offering an up-close look at the region’s native species. Midday, enjoy a relaxed lunch at Mildred’s Grill before departing the mountain no later than 2:30 PM.

Fast Rivers opened in 1979. It's the second oldest company on the Nantahala River-- and longevity is no accident. We're a small business and goal is to give every single guest a personal, affordable, and downright fun experience on the river. Your trip will Private, so only the folks in your party will be in your boat. We have a wide range of guides that will give you detailed instruction and make sure you feel confident in taking a boat down the river yourself. Do you want a chill float, a thrilling experience with rock spins, or something in between-- the Nantahala River is a great place to customize your experience! You won't get this kind of personalized attention at the bigger outposts on the river.

This murder mystery experience is a true whodunit with suspects, alibis and a twist ending. Every clue hides in something real: a plaque, a statue, a facade in downtown Asheville. You will collect the evidence, piece together the case and accuse a suspect at the finale. We offer 24/7 customer support and built-in hints to guarantee that you never stay stuck. Also, the app will provide real historical facts and local legends about the landmarks you're visiting, making a learning experience as much as it's a fun one. The game can be played anytime, at any hour, and will take you ~90-120 minutes with optional cafe breaks. You can pause and resume whenever you want (even on another day). Total walking distance involved is about 1.5 miles and the game will end close to the same area where it started, making it easy to fit into your day. It has intermediate difficulty and it's perfect for solo adventurers, couples, friends, families with older kids, or team-building events.

The lead guide and operations manager, Paddy has been leading tours for 12 years and has a close rapport with the restaurant owners and chefs. These relationships allow us to offer the best food tastings in town. Stu Helm, an Asheville star and food writer has been with AFT for 10 years. He had a choice where to lead tours and he chose Asheville Food Tours because he loves how we operate in his city. Sarah Ray has been with AFT for 3 years. She is an Asheville native as well as a trained baker and lover of all things culinary. We have low to no turnover and our guides love what they do. No other food tour in Asheville can boast that. You can choose to eat in Asheville but we suggest you do it with Asheville Food Tours! On vacation here? Coming on a tour with us can also help you choose where to eat for the rest of your trip! The guides know everyone!