I visited Asheville wondering why my 90 year old grandfather was leaving his home in New York his whole life to North Carolina. I realized a vacation wasn’t enough and I decided to just move to Asheville and see all the nature in Asheville.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are so beautiful and there’s just so much to see off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I hadn’t been down south much, so having nearby states to do day hikes was also really great, Tennessee being one I most commonly visited. There’s over 250 waterfalls in North Carolina, hiked every week and I didn’t even get close to finishing them all. If you’re a waterfall lover like me I recommend the book, North Carolina Waterfalls by Kevin Adams, which has detailed maps of each falls.
My list of hikes got longer and longer the more I did. I would decide which hike to do depending on what view I wanted, a sunset a mountain-view or a waterfall. I had my spontaneous spots where I could post up in my hammock and just eat my dinner while watching the sunset, or even full day hikes and grabbing some of my favorite local food on my way home. Life in Asheville was very chill and free spirited, with many transplants just staying a few years to adventure like I did.
Hiking in asheville
The Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville have the most incredible views, they are a must see when visiting North Carolina. Life in Asheville is so easy with the Blue Ridge Parkway connecting you to hundreds of trails.
Asheville Waterfalls
North Carolina waterfalls are some of my favorite hikes of all time. Here’s some waterfalls near Asheville.
- Soco Falls
- Skinny Dip Falls
- Dry Falls
- Green River Narrows
- Moore Cove Falls
- Linville Falls
- Paradise Falls
- Crabtree Falls
- Hickory Nut Gorge
- Rainbow Falls
- English Falls
- Graveyard Falls
- Catawba Falls Trail (Closed)
- Mingo Falls
- Hooker Falls
- Triple Falls
- High Falls
- Looking Glass Falls
asheville sunsets
If you know me, you know I love sunsets. Sunsets in Asheville are some of the most beautifully colored sunsets, all year round! From longer hikes where you can camp out, to quick spontaneous hikes to catch a last minute sunset, Asheville has all the view points you need.
- Haw Creek Overlook
- Maxpatch Mountain
- Hawksbill Mountain
- Craggy Pinnacle
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Black Balsam Knob
- Sam’s Knob
- Frying Pan Tower
- Lookout Mountain
- Mt. Mitchell Summit
- Pretty Chapel – sunrise
Asheville Mountains
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These hikes are nearby Asheville, with features of a plane crash, mountain views, and instagrammable spots.
- Whiteside Mountain
- Chimney Rock State Park
- Water Rock Knob & Browning Knob
- Rough Ridge
- Lane Pinnacle
- Craggy Gardens
- Frying Pan Tower
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Sam’s Knob
- Hawksbill Mountain
- Hawksbill Rock
- Hanging Rock
things to do in asheville
Asheville is known for their artistry, breweries, and outdoors. Here’s a mix of some sunny and rainy day things to do in Asheville!
- Asheville Botanical Gardens Bridge
- Haunted Riverside Cemetery Ghost Tour
- Pinball Museum
- Stargaze on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Kayaking
- Art Galleries in Downtown Asheville
- White Water Rafting
- Brewery Hopping
food in asheville
These were my go-to’s while living in Asheville. Of course I had my favorite dishes at my favorite restaurants, Italian always being my favorite. The margarita pie from Manicombio’s, or the Chicken Parmesan at Vinnie’s, or some hookah and dinner or dessert at Crave.
- Old Europe Pastry Shop
- Crave Dessert Bar
- Plant
- Ichiban
- Hemingway’s Cuba
- Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian
- Holeman + Finch
- Strada Italiano
- Apollo Flame
- Manicombio’s Pizza
hiking
Waterfalls
- Soco Falls
- Skinny Dip Falls
- Dry Falls
- Green River Narrows
- Moore Cove Falls
- Linville Falls
- Paradise Falls
- Crabtree Falls
- Hickory Nut Gorge
- Rainbow Falls
- English Falls
- Graveyard Falls
- Catawba Falls Trail (Closed)
- Mingo Falls
- Hooker Falls
- Triple Falls
- High Falls
- Looking Glass Falls
Sunsets
- Haw Creek Overlook
- Maxpatch Mountain
- Hawksbill Mountain
- Craggy Pinnacle
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Black Balsam Knob
- Sam’s Knob
- Frying Pan Tower
- Lookout Mountain
- Mt. Mitchell Summit
- Pretty Chapel – sunrise
Mountains
- Whiteside Mountain
- Chimney Rock State Park
- Water Rock Knob & Browning Knob
- Rough Ridge
- Lane Pinnacle
- Craggy Gardens
- Frying Pan Tower
- Bearwallow Mountain
- Sam’s Knob
- Hawksbill Mountain
- Hawksbill Rock
- Hanging Rock
