Free things to do · Asheville · United States
8 free things to do in Asheville
Asheville without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: River Arts District, Asheville · Photo: Tunneluser, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Asheville without paying an entry fee: Blue Ridge Parkway, Folk Art Center, River Arts District and Grove Arcade are all free. The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center, downtown's Art Deco buildings, the Basilica and the Grove Park Inn terrace cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Free sights and experiences
Nature · Around Asheville
1.Blue Ridge Parkway
Sections of the parkway close for winter weather and storm repairs, and some were damaged by Hurricane Helene; check the National Park Service road status before you set off.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Gallery · Blue Ridge Parkway
2.Folk Art Center
Ask about the day's craft demonstrations, and combine your visit with a short drive along the parkway.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · River Arts District
3.River Arts District
Check which studios are open before you go, and buy directly from artists to support the district's recovery.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
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Architecture · Downtown Asheville
4.Grove Arcade
Look at the winged lions guarding the north entrance, then walk to Battery Park Book Exchange for a drink among the books.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Architecture · Downtown Asheville
5.Downtown Art Deco walk
Start at City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse on Pack Square, and follow the downtown Urban Trail markers set into the pavement.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Downtown Asheville
6.Basilica of St. Lawrence
Visit outside service times and look straight up at the dome's interlocking tiles.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Architecture · North Asheville and Grove Park
7.Omni Grove Park Inn
Non-guests can visit the lobby and terrace; go for a drink at sunset, and in November and December see the gingerbread houses.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
- Architecture
Experience · Downtown Asheville
8.Pritchard Park drum circle
Arrive around early evening on a Friday from spring to autumn, and bring a hand drum or shaker if you want to join.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Around Asheville | Blue Ridge Parkway | Half a day |
| Blue Ridge Parkway | Folk Art Center | 1 hour |
| River Arts District | River Arts District | 2–3 hours |
| Downtown Asheville | Grove Arcade, Downtown Art Deco walk, Basilica of St. Lawrence and Pritchard Park drum circle | 45 minutes + 1–1.5 hours + 30 minutes + 1 hour |
| North Asheville and Grove Park | Omni Grove Park Inn | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · Downtown Asheville
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Join a guided house tour, then visit Wolfe's grave in Riverside Cemetery in Montford.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Garden · Bent Creek
North Carolina Arboretum
The bonsai garden is the highlight; check trail status before you go, as some trails were damaged in 2024 and repairs continue.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Experience · South Slope
South Slope breweries
Walk between taprooms rather than driving, and ask about tasting flights to try several beers at each stop.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
Museum · Downtown Asheville
Asheville Museum of Science
It is compact, so pair it with lunch downtown; it works best for children aged about 4 to 12.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center, downtown's Art Deco buildings, the Basilica and the Grove Park Inn terrace cost nothing.
- Biltmore tickets are usually cheaper when bought online in advance and on weekdays.
- Avoid October weekends if your budget is tight; hotel prices are the year's highest.
- Hotels near Biltmore Village and the airport are often cheaper than downtown and include parking.
- Brewery happy hours and food trucks are an inexpensive dinner.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Asheville expensive to visit?
Asheville is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Asheville?
Blue Ridge Parkway: Sections of the parkway close for winter weather and storm repairs, and some were damaged by Hurricane Helene; check the National Park Service road status before you set off.