Attractions Nearby Asheville, Day Trips and Excursions

(Asheville, North Carolina - NC, USA)

There are many wonderful North Carolina attractions surrounding Asheville, being made all the easier to reach if you have your own set of wheels and are prepared for an early start to the day. Asheville tourists should consider trips to the very nearby attractions of Brevard, the Chimney Rock Park, the Cradle of Forestry, Flat Rock, Gorges State Park, the Hot Springs Resort and Spa, and Waynesville.

Somewhat further away from Asheville, you may well be tempted by the endless outdoor attractions on offer at the Cherokee National Forest, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and at the Nantahala National Forest. If you prefer bright lights and city life to hiking and kayaking, then consider an excursion to Charlotte, or to the Tennessee cities of Gatlinburg and Knoxville.

Charlotte

At approximately 130 miles / 209 km to the southeast of Asheville, day trips to Charlotte are just about possible. Charlotte lies within the Piedmont region and near to the South Carolina border, where it is a modern city of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. When it comes to tourist attractions, Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium stands out, being a huge venue for concerts and sporting events. The Lowe's Motor Speedway is another notable place of interest, along with the Paramount's Carowinds theme park and its fun roller coasters. For a little in the way of culture, the Charlotte Museum of History and the acclaimed Mint Museum of Art are to hand.

Cherokee / Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee is a small and historical town, and sits some 114 miles / 183 km to the southwest of Asheville. Tourism in Cherokee has become big business in recent years and the town has lost much of its original charm and heritage. However, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian is an understandable highlight. The Oconaluftee Indian Village is worth looking out for as well, since it is an authentic reconstruction of an 18th-century village in the Cherokee National Forest, featuring regular shows dramatizing the first contact with Europeans and the stories based around the 'Trail of Tears' - when Native Indians were relocated against their will.

Gatlinburg

Address: Tennessee TN
Gatlinburg stands close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to the south of Pigeon Forge, and around 82 miles / 132 km to the west of Asheville. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg on their way to the Ober Gatlinburg theme park, where seasonal skiing is a major draw card. The Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies is another prominent attraction in the Gatlinburg area, along with the Gem Mine, the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum and the Guinness World of Records Museum - all of which are extremely family friendly.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee TN, 37738, USA
Tel: +1 865 436 1200
Within easy reach of Asheville, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park stands on the border line of both North Carolina and Tennessee, and is just brimming with wonderful natural attractions and recreational activities. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has never been more popular and now attracts annual visitor numbers in excess of ten million people. Within the park are almost 1,000 miles / 1,600 km of hiking trails and unpaved roads, with the scenic Appalachian Trail being especially popular. Also of note within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fly fishing, cycling, horseback riding, backpacking and camping.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours, some facilities close during the winter
Admission: free, charge for activities

Knoxville

Address: Tennessee TN
Located on the easterly side of Tennessee, in the Great Valley of Knox County, the city of Knoxville is home to many noteworthy sights and buildings, with the University of Tennessee being of particular importance. Knoxville is to be found just over 115 miles / 185 km to the northwest of Asheville and contains attractions for all ages. Those with children will be drawn to the Knoxville Zoological Gardens and the Sunsphere Tower at the World's Fair Park, where an observation deck boasts some simply awesome city panoramas. The Discovery Center science museum is also popular with families and contains a huge array of interactive exhibits and displays.

Nantahala / Nantahala National Forest

Established almost 100 years ago and sited roughly 100 miles / 161 km to the southwest of Asheville, the simply vast Nantahala National Forest is the biggest of all the national forests within North Carolina and can be divided into several distinct areas, such as the Highlands, the Cheoah Ranger District, the Nantahala Ranger District and the Tusquitee Ranger District. There are also some peaceful wilderness areas lying within the Nantahala National Forest, such as those at Ellicott Rock, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock and Southern Nantahala.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free