Top Asheville Half-day Tours

Discover Asheville’s noteworthy landmarks and architectural gems while covering plenty of ground. This 2.5-hour tour by electric bike lets you safely navigate Asheville’s hilly terrain. Follow your guide through city streets, greenways, and picturesque neighborhoods. At carefully chosen viewpoints, you’ll stop to hear the stories behind historical sites. Numbers are limited to seven riders per tour to ensure personalized attention.

Asheville is known for its fantastic views of the Appalachian mountains. On this half-day tour, take a scenic bike ride along Blue Ridge Parkway with easy aboard an electric bike. First, bike through quaint Asheville communities before ascending Patton Mountain, with ease. Take in the views before descending and grabbing a drink at a historic hotel.

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

Cycle to five of Asheville’s most popular microbreweries, enjoying a drink (or two) at each location. You’ll be riding a state-of-the-art e-bike, so the hills won’t be a problem. In addition to soaking up the local vibe and great scenery, you’ll sample some of the best craft brews in town. If you like beer and bikes, you'll love this tour.

Asheville comes loaded with two things: great breweries and great nature. On this tour, you’ll get to revel in them both. Your guide will have your raft ready—complete with an ice-filled cooler—and you’ll float down the beautiful French Broad River, stopping at a few of the city’s best pubs and food trucks. This one’s all about relaxing, river views, and really good beer.

Maximize time in Downtown Asheville with a sightseeing tour led by a local guide. Learn about Asheville's history and culture during a city stroll that includes breweries, distilleries, cafes, and historic sites. See popular landmarks like the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Grove Arcade, and the Leaf Global Arts Center. Taste local beer and spirits during brewery and distillery visits. In lieu of a tour ticket, tip your guide whatever amount you find fair.

Horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful way to explore the area’s natural attractions. Trot through fern groves, past rows of wild flame azaleas, and into a white pine forest on well-trained, gentle horses. This tour includes a safety training, too, making it a good choice for beginner horseback riders and children.

Get out of town for a half-day hike up to scenic waterfalls with this small-group hiking experience for up to four people. Your certified naturalist guide will lead you and your group on a challenging hike up to beautiful waterfalls, teaching you how to identify local plant life along the way.

Explore the "Paris of the South"—Asheville, North Carolina—on a Segway during this 2-hour guided tour. Traveling via Segway allows you to cover much more ground than you would on foot, which makes this a great comprehensive tour for first-time visitors. You'll get lessons on how to maneuver the 2-wheeled, self-balancing electric scooter before you depart; even beginners will feel safe and comfortable.

Asheville’s reputation as one of the top cities for brews in the Southeast is well-deserved, but the huge number of breweries to choose from can be intimidating for visitors. Discover which breweries are worth the hype on this Asheville brewery tour, which takes you to craft breweries with behind-the-scene access and ample pours at each. Unlike other Asheville brewery tours, this one is led by a certified cicerone, a recognized expert when it comes to beer.

Asheville pops out of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most biodiverse spots on Earth. On this tour, simply meet up with your small group, take a short ride into Pisgah National Forest, and follow the way into the “Land of Waterfalls.” Your guide will provide hiking poles, rain gear, water, snacks, and plenty of knowledge to deepen your experience in this incredible slice of Mother Nature.

Follow your guide on a 45-minute horseback riding adventure at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Choose from a variety of departure times, and ride the beautiful Fern Forest Trail, traveling through a dense forest on relatively flat terrain at 4,000 feet. This gentle trail, situated in the Nantahala National Forest, is suitable for all skill levels. Guided safety training plus a ‘test drive’ and helmet (mandatory for those under 18) are provided.

Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway without having to keep your eyes on the road with this chauffeur-driven tour. Your naturalist driver will do the driving, pointing out special sights and teaching you about the natural history of the area along the way. You'll also have the chance to stop for a hike and some photos before returning to Asheville.

Sharpen your photography skills with a custom half-day photo tour from Asheville. Get picked up at your hotel and meet your guide for a private photography-focused tour. Personalize the itinerary according to your interests and set out for a trip into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn new techniques from a professional photographer and bring home stellar photographs.

This is a certified naturalist led kayak tour around Lake Lure, located in the North Carolina Mountains. A serene lake and blue sky...what could be better? Your guide will also point out local flora and fauna and talk to you about the history of the area. Feel free to jump in and swim!

Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Experience North Carolina’s most beautiful sights along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway! Cruise between the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Park on this scenic, one-of-a-kind highway bathed in blue mist. Snap photos from jaw-dropping overlooks, spot incredible wildlife and uncover the fascinating history and legends of the Cherokee as you drive. This self-guided driving tour reveals the parkway’s best sites and the hidden history behind it all! Within 30 min, we'll send you two things: a unique password and the app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to start the tour. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience. No expiration — The tour comes with lifetime validity! This isn't an entrance ticket. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.

Discover the scenic views, mountain trails, wildlife, and plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a local guide to lead the way. With so much to see in the region, nature lovers can get overwhelmed deciding where to go and what attractions to prioritize. By traveling with a guide you don’t have to worry about the logistics and can rest assured you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Discover the natural beauty that lies just outside of Asheville by booking a guided hike. This private experience can be tailored to your needs and preferences, whether you want a challenging adventure or an easy-going walk. Depending on where you go, your tour may include waterfalls, mountain views, or biodiverse forests.

Start your visit off right and hop on two wheels for some outdoor fun; with the only moped tour in Asheville: Shaka Street Tours. Get the wind in your hair, explore the city, and enjoy the nature that makes this place special. The Shaka Street Tours is one of a kind. We will be taking you all over Asheville. Our ability to scoot around with ease allows us to cover much more area than any other tour in town! Beginning your trip to Asheville by moped is a great way to familiarize youself with what the city has to offer. Shaka tours are personal; you will have a tour guide & a max group of 3. So we’ll be sharing tons of information about the best local spots to check out during and after the tour as well. Whether you have been to Asheville before or it’s your first time. We’re confident you will have an incredible experience while seeing the nature, art, and shops that make Asheville awesome!

Paddle 7 miles (11 km) with a private guide on the picturesque French Broad River. You’ll pass by Asheville’s massive Biltmore Estate and hear about its history. Learn stand-up paddleboarding tips and techniques from your SUP instructor and keep an eye out for native wildlife like turtles, herons, otters, and osprey. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise during a morning or afternoon.

Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains with your own private guide on this tour from Asheville. You'll visit the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, go on a quick hike in the Pisgah National Forest, and see Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. You'll also stop in the towns of Blowing Rock and Swannanoa before heading back to Asheville.

Join us for an evening hike featuring one of the most beautiful aspects of our area - our sunset! We will start hiking while it is still daylight, and hopefully catch a sunset at a western-facing peak close to town. Snacks are provided while we watch sunset. After sunset, we'll hike back down to the trailhead. The hike will likely finish in the dark, so we provide a headlamp for each participant to use during the trip. We have a couple of hike options to choose from - ranging from 1.5 to 5 miles and from easy to moderate in difficulty. You'll work with your guide to select the best hike location for you! Our most popular sunset location is a 3-mile out-and-back moderate hike, just a 15 minute drive from our office in downtown Asheville. Exact start time will fluctuate throughout the year, depending on sunset hike and your chosen hike location. Curious about the other hikes we offer? Check out our website.

Come join us on the trails for an easy-moderate hike and a relaxing, guided meditation in nature. Soothe your nervous system and ground into the healing powers of the earth with a guided sensory-meditation and sound-healing experience aimed at helping you connect with the earth and melting away stress. We will hike for about an hour at an agreeable pace for the group, then stop in a secluded spot for our meditation which will include a combination of sensory activation, chimes and/or drumming. There will be some time to explore the area before heading back to the trailhead refreshed and relaxed! Snacks and transportation are included; please specify dietary restrictions when booking. Tour requires a minimum of 2 hikers to operate. Blue Ridge Hiking Company has been in business for 13 years; we believe the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life. All guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and knowledgeable in local history, flora, and fauna.

Asheville is well known for its unique assortment of breweries, bars, and even sake breweries. During this 4 hour tour we will ride around in Ashevilles first ever party bus to at least 4 of our favorite breweries in town. We will begin with a short drive to Hi-Wire Brewing, where we will check out their unique south Asheville "big top" location. We will then make our way over to one of Ashevilles most exciting new breweries, New Origin. From here we will head downtown and make a stop at one of our favorite breweries on the South Slope, often called Ashevilles "brewery district." We will round out the trip at the Wedge Brewing in the River Arts District adjacent to our outpost. Our uniquely decorated bus is BYOB, so we can keep the party going in between stops too! I will serve not only as your party captain, but also your photographer since we will have a camera with us for the trip to capture the memories! This experience will surely be the best part of your Asheville trip.