Hendo Hideaway
Outdoor activities
Free, 15 min drive – State park with wide variety of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, waterfalls, lakes
624 locals recommend
Dupont State Forest
Staton RoadFree, 15 min drive – State park with wide variety of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, waterfalls, lakes
Free, 20 min drive – Short, easy trail to large natural swimming hole in DuPont Forest. Longer hikes start from this point to Triple and High Falls.
27 locals recommend
Hooker Falls Access Area
Free, 20 min drive – Short, easy trail to large natural swimming hole in DuPont Forest. Longer hikes start from this point to Triple and High Falls.
$17 adult, $8 kids 5-15, 40 min drive – Towering 315ft rock formation with panoramic views. Multiple trails with local historical info.
333 locals recommend
Chimney Rock State Park
431 Main St$17 adult, $8 kids 5-15, 40 min drive – Towering 315ft rock formation with panoramic views. Multiple trails with local historical info.
Free, entrances vary ~45 min drive – Nationally famous parkway winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains with vista points, trailheads, and visitor centers.
250 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge ParkwayFree, entrances vary ~45 min drive – Nationally famous parkway winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains with vista points, trailheads, and visitor centers.
Day passes, rentals costs vary, 5 min drive – Recreation center boasting 12 downhill mountain bike trails for a variety of experience levels.
20 locals recommend
Ride Kanuga
1249 Kanuga Lake RdDay passes, rentals costs vary, 5 min drive – Recreation center boasting 12 downhill mountain bike trails for a variety of experience levels.
$30 per person, 30 min drive – Family owned snow tubing park. Pass good for two hours, children must be over 35lb.
7 locals recommend
Black Bear Snow Tubing
373 Kerr Rd$30 per person, 30 min drive – Family owned snow tubing park. Pass good for two hours, children must be over 35lb.
Arts and Culture
Free entry, fees for tours/events, 10 min drive – National Historic Site celebrating the American poet with tours and programming.
174 locals recommend
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
1800 Little River RdFree entry, fees for tours/events, 10 min drive – National Historic Site celebrating the American poet with tours and programming.
Ticket prices vary, 10 min drive – The State Theatre of North Carolina, offering muscials, drama, and education in the performing arts.
178 locals recommend
Flat Rock Playhouse
2661 Greenville HwyTicket prices vary, 10 min drive – The State Theatre of North Carolina, offering muscials, drama, and education in the performing arts.
$16 per vehicle, 30 min drive – Acres of cultivated gardens, family-friendly nature activities, rotating exhibits, hiking/biking trails.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way$16 per vehicle, 30 min drive – Acres of cultivated gardens, family-friendly nature activities, rotating exhibits, hiking/biking trails.
Starting $76 per person (varies by season, discounts for children), 45 min drive – The largest family owned home in America with meticulous gardens and grounds. Entry permits touring the house and grounds as well as complimentary wine tasting (with reservation).
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge StStarting $76 per person (varies by season, discounts for children), 45 min drive – The largest family owned home in America with meticulous gardens and grounds. Entry permits touring the house and grounds as well as complimentary wine tasting (with reservation).
Great for Kids
$8 per person, 5 min drive – Interactive exhibits designed just for kids, focusing on science, art, and nature.
49 locals recommend
Hands On! Children's Museum
318 N Main St$8 per person, 5 min drive – Interactive exhibits designed just for kids, focusing on science, art, and nature.
Free, 10 min drive – “Outdoor classroom” with workshops, ranger-led classes, and exhibits as well as self-guided activities.
25 locals recommend
Holmes Educational State Forest
1299 Crab Creek RdFree, 10 min drive – “Outdoor classroom” with workshops, ranger-led classes, and exhibits as well as self-guided activities.
$14 adult/13+, $10 ages 3-12, 45 min drive – Zoo focusing on wildlife and plants of the Appalachian Mountains. Daily programming available.
295 locals recommend
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Rd$14 adult/13+, $10 ages 3-12, 45 min drive – Zoo focusing on wildlife and plants of the Appalachian Mountains. Daily programming available.