Really nice history museum in downtown Black Mountain. This museum has 2 floors and full of…read morehistory. Pictures of early Black Mountain and actual items from over 100 years ago. Everything is spotless and artifacts are in excellent condition. Free admission, but donations are accepted. They also sell shirts and hats.

The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center is located in downtown Black Mountain and is inside…read morethe 1921 Fire House. The museum is free to visit but donations are accepted. You either need to park on the street or in one of the city parking lots. When I first walked in, to your left is a Blue Ridge Mountain display so you can see where you have been driving on the parkway. The two story museum does have a lift to take those that need assistance to the second floor. Once you are at the top of the second floor, you will see the Seven Sisters from the window. The second floor focuses on the people of Swannanoa Valley region. It has a nice collection of exhibits and artifacts from the arts to business to medical to everyday life. There is a blanket from Beacon Blankets, a textile company that was the largest blanket maker in the world. I didn't expect to see a voting machine. It covers both the positive and negative history of the area. I am planning a return trip to explore this museum much more.

Really amazing farm with native plants and edibles. Bradley is terrific, and it's amazing to see an…read moreoperational farm so close to Asheville.

Small but wonderful museum with vintage radios and much more. The personal attention provided by…read morethe staff was much appreciated, as were the historically relevant exhibits. Recommended for any radio or 20th century history buff. Yes, they have a Zenith Stratosphere, the holy grail of 1930s radios. Also, check out the neat t-shirts available for sale (cash only). Open limited hours, only on Saturdays

This is a small museum, but it is packed to the gills with radios, phonographs, and tape recorders…read moreof all eras. The only things missing are the oversized sets like the Collins KWS-1 or the Hallicrafters BC-610. When you see the size of the room, you'll know why. Their crown jewel is a Zenith Stratosphere. This place is worth making a special trip or bending a schedule.

I know this is near the disc golf/ memorial park but I believe it should be it's own thing. It is…read morenot only a beautiful place for walking and running but it's a community space as well. Walking through this space you will often notice locals working on their garden plot and engaging in sweet neighborly chats. There are also tons of wildflowers and beautiful garden plots to look at. The paths are clear. Dogs are welcome. There are trash cans (two I think- one at the front and one at the back). There's even a (maybe functioning?) porta potty.

Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum is located in Grovewood Village near the Grove Park Inn. The…read moremuseum shares a (free) parking lot with the Antique Car Museum and Grovewood Gallery. Admission to the museum is free but donations are welcome. The museum is not air conditioned. The museum is just one room but it is full of history from an antique loom to letters; photographs; fabric samples; clothing samples; a cash register; and so much to read. I learned so much and did not know about this part of Asheville's history. This is a must visit on a trip to Asheville. Edith Vanderbilt was one of the founders of Biltmore Estate Industries. She wanted to give people the opportunity to learn a craft. Biltmore Estate Industries started as a space to teach woodworking and also hand woven textiles. It became one of the largest producers of hand woven wool. Biltmore Estate Industries moved from Biltmore Village after Mrs. Vanderbilt's husband died, to what is now Grovewood Village (in 1917) with the buildings for the woodcarvers and weavers. She sold Biltmore Industries to E.W. Grove's son-in-law and Estate was removed from the name. The business grew to have 40 looms and produced 950 yards of fabric a day. Each loom was operated by one individual because each loom had its own quirks. Thomas Edison; Henry Ford; Helen Keller; President Franklin D. Roosevelt; First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Grave Coolidge were some of the folks that bought the fine fabric. Production continued until 1981 but on a smaller scale as demand for tailored clothing diminished in the 1940s as synthetic fabrics started being used. Then in 1992, Grovewood Village was opened with Grovewood Gallery and working artist studios. I will return to the museum when tours are offered again as I have more to learn about Biltmore Industries.

AMAZING. Don't go to the Grove Park Inn just for the view, go for this place. A ton of artistians…read moreshowcased, this was the best gallery/store we visited on our 2 day trip here. From beautiful glass to pottery, tons of jewelry and metal works, I was wowed by the crafts on display. I didn't walk out with anything this trip, but the prices seemed very fair for the quality and craftsmanship. The help could have been more cheerful, but they opened cases when we asked and that was OK by me. The sculpture garden in front of this place is also worth the little walk around - beautiful, one of a kind pieces!

Located within the Burton Street Community, a historically Black neighborhood in West Asheville,…read morePeace Gardens & Market is a sacred space. Created by Mr. Dwayne and other community members, it's a space with meaning. Walk its paths and you'll find pieces from Black-owned buildings town down now remembered. There are murals honoring Black heroes and others. There are signs of community members who ran for local elections. There's a library, message area, a market, and more. You could easily spend an hour noticing every detail in this unique and important garden. If you go, don't forget to donate to help maintain a space that helps uplift the neighborhood.

With a name like "peace gardens" how can you not give five stars?…read moreWalked her with my Girl Scout troop the other day and was pleasantly surprised. It's centrally located but also hidden. Feels a bit like a secret garden of sorts. There was a group meeting here in the most gorgeous center space- seemed like a meeting room of sorts. You can tell this is an active community spot and as a former educator, I was shocked I had not heard of it. Loving that we have this in WAVL. I am wondering if that space is reserved? If sh, there is another stage spot you could probably grab. We utilized it for a letter writing activity. The art is powerful and intentional. Appropriate for late elementary + but some strong messages there (ex- gun violence). Love the different displays and how meaningful they are (except the baby heads and dolls. Why are all the places obsessed with discarded dolls these days? Pls stop). Wondering if they have workshops? Anyway- lovely mix of West Asheville nature and art and community. Reccommend a visit for sure

We had an adventure day searching out You Pick Farms. Since…read morethis was the furthest farm, we started here then worked our way back towards the 828. What a beautiful drive up winding mountain roads. We got to see a deer jump away from the van as we rounded a corner and saved a little box turtle from the road. The Berry Farm is so lovely - the owners house sits atop the hill with a small shack greeting you right next to the berry field. There is a port-o-potty that wasn't totally disgusting along with a picnic table and a few chairs under a large shade tree. A sweet little creek ran between the home and field and would be a perfect spot to let the boys play. I knew the field would be closed (check their Facebook for updates on when the berries are ripe enough to pick) so this was mainly a trip to see the field and have a day out. They grow blackberries AND black raspberries (which were all picked clean). Hopefully next year I can get there early enough to try a black raspberry - blackberries are a bit too tart for me. If you love blackberries and raspberries, bring a sunhat, picnic and towel. Playing in the creek, having a nice lunch and picking the ripest berries sounds like a perfect summer day.

The Smith-McDowell House is Asheville's oldest mansion. It is currently available for self guided…read moretours by appointment only through their website. Tickets are currently $10. The house is currently part of the WNC Historical Association. The first and second floors are on tour as well as the basement. A special exhibit called "When All God's Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African American People in Far Western North Carolina." The special exhibit is well done and thorough. As a transplant to NC, I've been trying to learn the history of the state. A lot of the past has been sugar coated so I appreciate when the uncomfortable parts are addressed. African Americans played a large role in the state's history. The exhibit gives first hand stories and photos of this from churches; military; schooling and athletics. Even though the tour is to be self guided, I was greeted and given a tour of the house. This provided additional details about the house I wouldn't have learned about otherwise. The basement is the winter kitchen as that kept the house warm in the cold weather. The museum addresses that 70 slaves worked at the house and did all the household work. The first floor has the dining room, parlor and sun room. The second floor has bedrooms, an upstairs parlor and the porch. If you are in Asheville, I recommend checking out this piece of history.

Not for people who want slick, electronic exhibits. Instead, a house with rooms from various time…read moreperiods and a human guide. Gives some perspective on local history. (Admission available free with the county library Zoom program)