19 Fun & Free (or cheap) Things to do in Asheville
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
While having a surplus of disposable income does not hurt in a foodie/shopping destination like Asheville, freebies still abound in every direction. For those on a tight budget, no need to fret as the area is filled to the brim with gorgeous natural attractions, Additionally, a lively calendar of free events, plus a variety of free cultural and artsy attractions, will give you more than enough budget friendly activities to enjoy during your trip. After living in the region for several years, I have come up with my guide to the best free (and almost free) things to do and see while visiting Asheville.
1. Take a walk around the Botanical Gardens of Asheville
For a quick escape from the downtown tourist crowds, head over to the Botanical Gardens of Asheville for a refreshing nature stroll. It’s beautiful here no matter the season. Whether the trees are alive with the golden colors of fall, or dusted with a layer of fresh snow, it’s definitely the best place in town to refresh and rejuvenate. This tranquil oasis in the city remains delightfully absent of crowds despite the free admission. I love this place anytime of year, especially during leaf peeping season!
Location: 151 W T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28804. Hours: Sunrise-sunset
2. Check out the shops downtown
Downtown Asheville offers no shortage of interesting shops. Even if you do not feel like shelling out a ton of cash, there are tons of fun novelty shops to explore. Check out all the cool old time memorabilia items in the Mast General Shop. They also carry all sorts of souvenirs, outdoor gear, and wacky items. Treat yourself a few nostalgic goodies from the old time candy bar. Sometimes, I come in just to browse around at all the cute antique toys and southern decor.
Additionally, you will find plenty of souvenir/gift/specialty shops scattered up and down Main.
3. Explore the fantastic art scene
You will find numerous art galleries scattered about downtown. The best-of-the-best is the Benjamin Walls gallery. Feast your eyes on some truly incredible works by this award-winning artist whose works have been featured in 50 museums in 12 countries including the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National History Museum of London. I also love walking around Woolworth. The old department store has been converted into a gallery featuring the works of hundreds of local artists.
If you are a Bank of America member, you can get into the Asheville Art Museum for the first full weekend of every month as part of the Museums on Us program. I use this deal throughout the country and have explored some of the best museums for nothing!
The city’s strong arts scene has lent it the nickname of “San Francisco of the East.” On any given weekend, there is sure to be an art festival or walk to attend.
Location: 25 Haywood St (Woolworth), Benjamin Walls (38 Broadway St Suite 3)
4. Check out the yearly lineup of events
It seems every weekend the Asheville area is bustling with events. Fortunately, many of these are completely free to attend. For anyone attempting to plan a budget friendly vacation, it helps to have a few free events on the itinerary. From art walks, to holiday celebrations, to musical festivals, there is always something interesting on the lineup. 9 times out of 10, anytime I visit downtown or Biltmore Village, there is something going on.
Be on the lookout for free art festivals, particularly the wonderful Fine Art Show, taking place each October in Pack Square.
5. Explore nature via a hiking trail
One thing is for certain – you will never run out of gorgeous hiking options in the Western North Carolina region. Many of these trails are conveniently located within a short drive of the city. While some feature incredible waterfalls, others shine brilliantly during the autumn foliage season. Some shine during the winter with a dazzling frozen waterfall. One of the best-of-the-best offering a bit of everything is the Linville Falls trail, located at Milepost 316 along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This trail features an incredible waterfall, viewable via 4 overlooks. The setting with the Linville Gorge wilderness in the background is just incredible. This is one of the few hikes which is doable even on the hottest summer days due to the adequate shade coverage. And of course, you can expect tremendous fall foliage during leaf peeping season.
Location: Milepost 316 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 55 miles north of the city.
