All Asheville Tours & Excursions in 2026

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the United States' most scenic roadways and this small-group tour takes you on the most iconic stretch. Climb aboard your Jeep and cruise through Pisgah National Forest, listening to stories from your guide and making stops at several scenic viewpoints. Get a close look at the dense forest, observe flora and fauna, and enjoy views of the rolling mountains on this 3- to 4-hour tour.

Skip the stress of navigating Asheville's winding streets—and hunting for parking. This classic trolley tour lets you relax while guides reveal the city’s best gems across eight diverse districts, from Montford's historic mansions to South Slope's craft breweries. You can follow your urges, too: Hop on and off during this 90-minute journey to explore at your own pace, no maps or parking fees required. Note that the trolley is not wheelchair accessible.

Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway without having to keep your eyes on the road with this chauffeur-driven tour. Your naturalist driver will do the driving, pointing out special sights and teaching you about the natural history of the area along the way. You'll also have the chance to stop for a hike and some photos before returning to Asheville.

Asheville comes loaded with two things: great breweries and great nature. On this tour, you’ll get to revel in them both. Your guide will have your raft ready—complete with an ice-filled cooler—and you’ll float down the beautiful French Broad River, stopping at a few of the city’s best pubs and food trucks. This one’s all about relaxing, river views, and really good beer.

Mountain spa retreat near Asheville with sauna, steam, tubs, and a complete mountain relaxation experience. The one and only Asheville area spa offering a unique guided thermal circuit of sauna, steam, cold water & waterfall pure copper tub soak with mountain water.

A visit to Buffalo Creek Ranch offers a delightful day of activities for all ages. Engage with friendly animals, including llamas, mini horses, and pygmy goats, while enjoying the excitement of the daily bison feeding led by knowledgeable ranchers. Explore the fascinating Agapeland Model Train Layout, completing a scavenger hunt for a fun prize. Kids can also enjoy playing in the BC Depot Game Room or opt for a mini horse ride (kids must be under 65 lbs & is $10 extra) to enhance their visit. Make sure to reserve your day pass in advance to experience the charm of ranch life.

Unlike a typical bar crawl or sightseeing tour, Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours combines rooftop culture, mountain scenery, local history, and handcrafted cocktails into one unforgettable experience. Guests enjoy reserved seating and a complimentary cocktail or mocktail at each carefully selected rooftop venue, with plenty of time to relax and take in the atmosphere. Along the way, knowledgeable local guides share fascinating stories about Asheville's history, architecture, and transformation while guests enjoy panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain and downtown skyline views. Perfect for couples, friends, solo travelers, and anyone looking to discover a side of Asheville most visitors never see.

Embark on the US East National Park Self-Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tours Bundle! Explore Acadia, Asheville, and the Smoky Mountains. Visit Cades Cove, Shenandoah, and Cuyahoga Valley, then experience the Everglades and Hot Springs. Cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway (currently closed temporarily) and hike to Clingmans Dome. This bundle offers a diverse mix of nature, history, and adventure in some of the East's most iconic national parks. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

See many of Asheville’s top landmarks, neighborhoods, and buildings on this fun and funny bus tour of the city—and don’t worry about any logistics or navigation yourself. Local guides perform live commentary and skit that promises to be witty, insightful, and hilarious as you pass by places like Pack Square, the Montford Historic District, the River Arts District, Grove Arcade, and Church Street.

Get out of town for a half-day hike up to scenic waterfalls with this small-group hiking experience for up to four people. Your certified naturalist guide will lead you and your group on a challenging hike up to beautiful waterfalls, teaching you how to identify local plant life along the way.

Celebrate the most enchanting time of year with the Asheville Holiday Season City Tour—a sparkling, story-filled adventure that highlights the city’s festive charm, historic beauty, and mountain magic. Perfect for families, couples, groups, and holiday lovers of all ages, this fully guided experience brings Asheville’s holiday spirit to life.

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!

Your guide will share the science and stories behind the spectacle—explaining how the region’s rich biodiversity, elevation range, and climate create such vivid and lasting colors. For those looking to fully immerse themselves in Appalachian autumn, this tour—especially in late October—is the perfect way to experience fall at its finest.

Horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful way to explore the area’s natural attractions. Trot through fern groves, past rows of wild flame azaleas, and into a white pine forest on well-trained, gentle horses. This tour includes a safety training, too, making it a good choice for beginner horseback riders and children.

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

From Saluda, North Carolina, this small-group zipline canopy tour gives you a different view of the Green River Gorge. Travel across 11 ziplines spanning 1.25 miles, with three rappels and a sky bridge along the course. The 3.5-4hr tour moves through the canopy for a series of elevated views and varied sections. All safety equipment is provided, the guides do all the clipping, and the braking is automatic --- so you can focus on the experience, from ziplines to rappels and the sky bridge.

Engage in a hands-on blacksmithing experience at a historic Appalachian forge led by Jeremy, a seventh-generation blacksmith with Viking roots back to Viking Rollo. This unique opportunity invites you to forge your own knife, dagger, or axe as you learn the art of shaping red-hot steel. With over 1,600 five-star reviews, Jeremy’s confident and patient guidance ensures that every participant, regardless of skill level, leaves with a masterpiece in hand. Create not just a weapon, but unforgettable memories as you immerse yourself in the craftsmanship of blacksmithing.

See Asheville from the seat of an e-bike on a fun, energetic ride through one of the most colorful cities in the mountains! Led by an experienced guide and circus performer, this tour combines Asheville’s must-see landmarks, fascinating history, incredible views, hidden corners, and wonderfully weird character. After getting everyone comfortable on the bikes, we’ll cruise through downtown and surrounding highlights, stopping along the way for stories, photos, and a closer look at the people and places that shaped Asheville. You’ll hear about everything from the city’s grand architecture and history to its creative culture and circusy past and present. The e-bikes make covering more of Asheville easy and fun, while frequent stops keep it relaxed and engaging. Whether it’s your first visit or you already know Asheville, expect a side of the city you probably haven’t seen! Free backseat passenger bikes! Ages 6+. Contact/message to request and confirm availability - Limited #.

Take a spooky stroll through the streets of downtown Asheville on this ghost walking tour that helps you navigate at night safely. Your ghoulish guide will reveal some of the area’s hair-raising tales and dark history that you won't find in the guidebook, like the woman who haunts the Omni Grove Park Inn, the body entombed in the wall of the Basilica of St. Lawrence, and much more.

Fast Rivers opened in 1979. It's the second oldest company on the Nantahala River-- and our longevity is no accident. We're a small business and our goal is to give every single guest a personal, affordable, and downright fun experience on the river. Your trip will most likely be JUST your party, but if you want a guaranteed private trip, we'd be happy to accommodate that (an extra $15 per person.) We have a wide range of guides and we try our best to pair you with someone who will provide you with the type of trip you want. Do you want a chill float, a thrilling experience with rock spins, or something in between-- we'll take care of you! You won't get this kind of personalized experience at the bigger outposts on the river.

Buckle up and prepare for a thrilling off-road adventure in the Smoky Mountains backcountry, one of North America’s most biodiverse regions which boasts a plethora of flora and fauna. Put your driving skills to the test as you bounce along 15 miles of dirt/gravel trails, cross streams and ascend by 5,200 feet (1.6 kilometers), where spectacular views of the entire national park await.

Explore the history of the most charming city of Appalachia, including its rise, growth, and how it continues to impress to this day. Discover what gives Asheville its unique reputation as one of America's most exceptional cities, experience its stunning architecture, and gain a deeper understanding of the city like never before with the guidance of a historian.

Maximize time in Downtown Asheville with a sightseeing tour led by a local guide. Learn about Asheville's history and culture during a city stroll that includes breweries, distilleries, cafes, and historic sites. See popular landmarks like the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Grove Arcade, and the Leaf Global Arts Center. Taste local beer and spirits during brewery and distillery visits. In lieu of a tour ticket, tip your guide whatever amount you find fair.