Summary
Flanked by the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville is a vibrant city that embraces some of the country’s most popular national parks. However, Asheville’s charm extends beyond its natural surroundings; it emphasizes art, architecture, music, culture, and community. From the LEAF festival to Art in the Park, outdoor celebrations enliven Asheville during the summer months.
Pack Square Park
Anchoring downtown, Pack Square serves as the perfect starting point for your visit. Regardless of where you begin, a stop here is often inevitable due to its live music, public art, and the inviting green lawn perfect for relaxation. The Asheville Urban Trail, offering insights into the city’s history at 30 sculpture stations, starts beside the park. Most Saturday nights in summer, Pack Square hosts Shindig on the Green, a free festival celebrating Southern Appalachian culture. It features lively fiddle-and-banjo music accompanied by dancing. Additionally, kids can enjoy the enhanced Splasheville splash pad which was revamped in 2021. A visitor center is located in the park pavilion, open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Don’t miss the Oculus, a 15-foot window in the newly renovated Asheville Art Museum, which provides stunning high-elevation views of Pack Square. Nearby, the Friday night drum circle captivates crowds at Pritchard Park.
Carrier Park
If you wish to exercise amidst beautiful scenery without straying far from downtown, Carrier Park is your destination. This 32-acre park is situated along the north bank of the French Broad River in West Asheville, featuring interpretive trails that navigate wetlands. Additionally, it connects to the multi-use French Broad River Greenway—an 11-mile path adorned with public art and independent businesses, stretching eastward from Hominy Creek River Park to Carrier Park and French Broad River & Dog Park.
Cyclists can glide along the smooth surface of the velodrome, affectionately known as the “mellowdrome,” while families can let their kids romp in the expansive central playground, accessible via a wheelchair-friendly sky bridge. Carrier Park also provides volleyball and basketball courts for those keen on sports.
Richmond Hill Park
Featuring a newly established bike skills trail, Richmond Hill Park overlooks the picturesque French Broad River. This trail, completed in 2021, encompasses 15 obstacles catering to beginner and intermediate riders while promoting family-friendly activities. It was developed through a collaborative effort between the city and the Pisgah Area Southern Off-Road Biking Association (SORBA).
Beyond the skills trail, the 180-acre park proudly showcases five miles of biking paths, noted for their “tight and twisty” features by MTBikeWNC.com. Hikers are also welcome on these bike trails, and the park boasts a disc golf course for added recreational enjoyment. Richmond Hill Park lies four miles northwest of downtown.
Peace Gardens & Market
Established within Asheville’s oldest historically Black neighborhood, these urban gardens foster education, artistic expression, and community cohesion. Co-created by DeWayne Burton and Safi Martin in response to the War on Drugs and the conflict in Iraq, the gardens flourish with sculptures, portraits, and found-art installations, serving as a vibrant nexus of peace and creativity.
Visitors can explore meditation areas, a store, and a farm stand. Produce harvested from the gardens is shared with local elders and transformed into delicious jams, jellies, and salsas. Open from dawn until dusk, the volunteer-run gardens host workdays every Saturday from 10 AM to noon. For updates on farm stand hours and live music events, refer to the Peace Gardens & Market Facebook page.
French Broad River & Dog Park
Traveling with your furry friend? This riverside park in West Asheville is a must-visit. The fenced, off-leash dog park has designated areas for large and small dogs. Additionally, you’ll find a playground, picnic tables, scenic riverside overlooks, and ample shade from trees. The greenway continues west along the French Broad River, leading to Carrier Park.
Western North Carolina (WNC) Nature Center
Home to sixty animal species that inhabit the Southern Appalachians, the WNC Nature Center provides sanctuary to many animals, including species that are injured or endangered. Residents include black bears, American red wolves, river otters, and hellbender salamanders. Daily animal programs provide engaging educational experiences. The popular Wolf Howl evenings, which often sell out a month in advance, offer a unique chance to learn about these fascinating creatures. An admission fee applies (approximately $15 for adults and $10 for children).
North Carolina Arboretum
This acclaimed arboretum, located about 10 miles south of downtown Asheville, showcases themed gardens celebrating Southern Appalachian culture. Although not a city park, it resides within an experimental research forest originating from the greater Pisgah National Forest. Highlights include the Heritage Garden—which features plants significant to Appalachian crafts—and the Quilt Garden, adorned with vibrant blooming flowers in quilt-like patterns. The Bonsai Exhibition Garden reveals unexpected treasures while winding hiking and biking trails meander across the expansive 434-acre grounds.
The arboretum was conceived by renowned landscape architect Frederick Olmsted, who originally designed the grounds of the adjacent Biltmore Estate. Although he passed away before its completion, the North Carolina state legislature later realized his vision. Admission is free, though parking fees are approximately $16, and it can be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 393.6.
Foundation Skate Park
Situated just steps from the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, this hidden gem is cherished by local skaters and is open to the public free of charge. Set against a backdrop of graffiti-covered warehouses, this non-profit skate park occupies the remains of a demolished building on Foundy Street in the River Arts District. Watch skilled skaters or join the fun, then explore the nearby galleries, studios, and shops on Foundy Street. Noteworthy spots such as 12 Bones Smokehouse and Wedge Brewing are also conveniently located nearby.
This article was first published on Sep 22, 2021, and was updated on May 7, 2022.
