15 Amazing Daytrips within an hour of Asheville, NC

11. Black Mountain

• Distance from Asheville: 20 min
• Highlights: Small town mountain vibe, easy access to natural wonders, thriving art scene, local shops and restaurants, multiple breweries
• Things to do: Walk around Lake Tomahawk, Explore the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Visit Black Mountain Cider nearby: Tom’s Creek waterfall, Roaring Fork trail
• Where to eat: Dripolator (great coffee in a cozy setting), Veranda Cafe delicious homemade soups)

Black Mountain is a small charming mountain community located just 15 miles from Asheville. Recently, it was named one of the best small towns by Southern Living magazine. Most tourists head to the downtown which is lined with unique shops and restaurants. Stop by the Dripolator for a cup of delicious coffee in a unique setting. Then, check out a few of the local shops. The Town Hardware and General Store is a fun blast to the past. Also, there are a number of souvenir shops, galleries, and a wonderful little gem called Europa which specializes in authentic European gifts. For lunch, definitely stop by the Veranda Cafe for a bowl of potato soup and a pimento cheese sandwich.

In terms of outdoor recreation, there’s no shortage of interesting places to visit. Do take a walk around beautiful Lake Tamahawk Lake. The half mile path follows the lake and features beautiful mountain views. If you are up for a bigger adventure, consider checking out one of the region’s gorgeous hikes or waterfalls. There are 2 great trails in close proximity: Roaring Fork and Tom’s Creek. Both hikes are relatively easy in terms of intensity, secluded, and feature gorgeous waterfalls in rustic settings.

12. Brevard

• Distance from Asheville: 30 min
• Highlights: Charming downtown with locals shops, coffeehouses, and galleries, quick access to the wonderful Pisgah National Forest, close proximity to beautiful waterfalls
• Things to do: Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls hike, Crystal Mountain Gem mine, Transylvania Farmer’s Market (Sat year-round), Brevard Brewing
• Where to eat: Quotations Coffee Cafe (great coffee, historic vibe), Sully’s Steamers (unique steamed bagels)

Brevard is the gateway to the “Land of Waterfalls.” Transylvania County is home to over 200 waterfalls. Thus, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had. First off, you will want to stop by charming downtown Brevard to fuel up prior to your hike. Stop by Sully’s for a unique steamed bagel sandwich. The Green Vegas is the winner here. If you need a caffeine boost, stop by Quotations for an amazing cup of coffee from NC based roaster Counter Culture. Their drinks are fantastic, the shop is spacious and nicely decorated, and they also have a wonderful patio. Check out the various shops lining the old fashioned downtown. Stop by Mayberry’s for a bowl of soup or fresh sandwich.

The beautiful Pisgah National Forest is home to endless hiking trails. Must-do hikes include the Moore Cove Falls trail (a small 50 foot waterfall that you can walk beneath), Courthouse (a rustic secluded trails which leads to an amazing waterfall), and the Pink Beds trail (5 mile loop through dense greenery). If you are not up for a hiking adventure, plan a stop at Looking Glass Falls, a powerful 60 foot tall roadside wonder.

13. Smoky Mountains National Park/Cherokee

• Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 10 min (Cherokee entrance), 2 hours (Gatlinburg entrance)
• Highlights: America’s most visited national park, huge black bear population, quick access to restaurants and attractions, beautiful waterfalls, abundance of easy hiking trails
• Things to do: Laurel Falls trail, Clingman’s Dome overlook, Roaring Fork scenic drive, Walk across Skybridge, Ober Gatlinburg tram ride
• Where to eat: Pancake Pantry (best breakfast in town), Taste of Italy (authentic Italian), The Old Mill Restaurant (rustic charm, big servings)

The beautiful Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited national park with over 12 million tourists in 2024 alone. While the park sees heavy traffic year-round and can get overcrowded, it’s a fun vacation destination as there is plenty to do around the region. If you love wildlife, this park is one of your best bets for seeing a black bear (The Smokie’s is home to one of the largest black bear populations). The closest park entrance to Asheville is the Oconaluftee entrance near Cherokee. While in the vicinity, you can also enjoy amenities in Cherokee including a beautiful roadside waterfall (Soco Falls), a short hike to one of the state’s tallest waterfalls (Mingo Falls), Harrah’s Casino, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Gatlinburg

If you are willing to drive a bit further, the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is home to numerous touristy attractions, live shows, museums, wineries, and endless gift shops. The Sugarland’s Visitor Center is in this region and it’s a wonderful place to begin your Smokie’s journey. Ten minutes away lies one of the most gorgeous trails in the area – a 1.3 mile paved trek to 80 foot Laurel Falls. Another must-do is the 5 mile long Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail scenic drive, home to historic attractions and hikes including the very popular Grotto Falls waterfall.

For more fun things to do in Gatlinburg and surrounding cities, check out my guide to Smokies fun.

14. Boone/Blowing Rock

• Distance from Asheville: 1.5-2 hours
• Highlights: Rustic ambiance, peaceful, access to beautiful hikes, charming downtown
• Things to do: Gem mining, Hike the Flat Top Mountain trail, Explore downtown Boone, Hike to Linville Falls, Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, Check out The Blowing Rock, Hike the Glen Burney trail
• Where to eat: Coyote Kitchen (great local Mexican), Mellow Mushroom (fun ambiance & apps)

Boone & Blowing Rock are both small charming mountain towns located in close proximity to numerous natural wonders and hiking trails. Despite being home to a mere 1000 people, Blowing Rock offers a number of enticing attractions. The Blowing Rock, an ancient 4000 foot cliff, is the oldest tourist attraction in the state. From here, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Blue Ridge mountains. Other popular attractions include the Tweetsie Railroad and Julian Price Park. If your visit falls during the winter months, you will want to check out Appalachia Ski Mountain – one of the South’s biggest ski resorts. Also on-site is a nice ice rink.

Boone is another quaint town with a number of its’ own amenities. First off, the downtown is quite charming and home to a number of local restaurants and shops. In addition to several breweries (try Appalachian Mountain), there’s a gem mine (Foggy Mountain), a mini golf course, and various hiking trails.

It’s best to combine a trip to Boone and/or Blowing Rock with area attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway or Grandfather Mountain for a full day out.

15. Grandfather Mountain

• Distance from Asheville: 1 hour, 40 min
• Highlight: Mile high swinging bridge, fabulous views of the mountains, 12+ miles of beautiful hiking trails
• Things to do: Walk the country’s highest suspension bridge, Explore the Nature Museum and wildlife habitats, Hike the Nuwati and Black Rock trails
• Where to eat: Pack a picnic

One of WNC’s most beloved attractions is Grandfather Mountain located just minutes away from the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. For anyone who desires more of a commercialized outdoors/mountain experience rather than a rough and tough hike, Grandfather is a perfect option. There are numerous attractions here including hikes ranging from easy to advanced, wildlife habitats, a nature museum, a scenic drive, and picnicking facilities. Getting out there on the trails is a must to immerse yourself in the beautiful natural surroundings. The mountain provides habitat for over 200 bird species – take a walk on the Black Rock trail to see species native to the high elevation ecosystem.

Another highlight here (and the most popular tourist draw) is the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The 228 foot long bridge is located a mile (5280ft) above sea level, making it the highest suspension foot bridge in America. The panoramic views of the mountains from this high up really cannot be beat. Wintertime guarantees less traffic and better photo opportunities. At 5946 feet, Grandfather comes in as the tallest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge. Hiking the Grandfather Trail to Calloway Peak is quite the adventure, although suited only for the most experienced of hikers.