Location: Asheville
Top Things to do in Asheville
Countries
What to do and see in Asheville, North Carolina (NC): The Best Specialty Museums
If you’re into eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture, go to Asheville—and eat, eat, eat. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers’ markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal produce sold there. And don’t miss the area’s microbreweries.
Restaurants in Asheville
1. Downton Abbey: Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By CraftBeers - Plano, United States
Well how cool is this. You have to be a Downton Abbey fan (which I am) to enjoy it. If you don't know what that is or you are not a fan, don't go. There is a fee to see the exhibit. You can buy the tickets at the entrance. If you buy an entrance fee to tour the Biltmore, then entrance to this exhibit is free. Ask the shuttle drivers which shuttle you need to take to get to the exhibit. Don't throw away your house tickets. They need to see the ticket to let you in for free. Otherwise, you have to buy a new one to see the exhibit. If you bought an audio tour at the house, it DOES NOT apply here. You have to buy a separate audio tour here. I chose not to do it, my wife did buy the tour. I gave this five stars because I love Downton Abbey the show. It will take you about 1 1/2 hours to read all the exhibits. The first room is all billboards and displays to read. There is very little to see besides a token letter, necklace or prop. I do think there is a negative to the format they use. It makes it look and sound like it really happened. If you didn't know this was a TV show, you'd think you are walking through real history. One of the cooler parts of the tour include watching a video on persnickety, sharp-tongued, and funny Dowager Countess of Grantham. The prop rooms are awesome. You get to walk through the kitchen where Mrs. Patmore and Daisy rule. The iconic ringing bells you see in every opening seen are there. So is the family formal dining room. Great visit if you like the show.
2. The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,360 reviews
Traditional and contemporary Southern Appalachian crafts, including century-old pieces, are displayed in this Folk Art Center, which also houses the first craft shop of the U.S.
Reviewed By ruthf289 - Laurinburg, United States
There are many interesting hand crafted items on display upstairs at the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Arts Center. Many items are also on sale on the lower level. You find things that you will not see in the usual shops.
3. Asheville Pinball Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 872 reviews
Reviewed By 552kellyb - Plano, United States
What a great place! Pay entrance fee, play as much as you want. They only allow in 80 players for 80 games, so there's always something to play. 40 pinball, 40 arcade video games. TIPS: Arrive 20-30 mins. before opening if you want to be sure to get in right away. You can enter for free and not play (for instance if your child wants to play but you don't care about it). Once you have your wristband, you can come and go all day, and if you leave and come back, you go to the top of the waiting list.
4. Moogseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Welcome music, science and history lovers! The Moogseum is the museum that brings Bob Moog's pioneering legacy to life with multi-sensory, interactive exhibits, an immersive dome to experience how electricity becomes sound, historical exploration of synthesizers, and the opportunity for guests to play both Theremins and Moog synthesizers. Moogseum shop offers an array of items for sale to celebrate your visit as well as gifts for discerning friends.
Reviewed By travelingwteens - Roswell, United States
Music lovers will enjoy this quaint museum. Hands on experience with their interactive stations setup throughout. Reasonably priced. Expect to spend an hour.
5. Asheville Museum of Science
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 90 reviews
The Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) is Western North Carolina’s home for experiential science learning, discovery, and exploration. AMOS strives to spark the imagination and foster lifelong curiosity. We have plenty of science to come and explore including the Colburn Hall of Minerals, STEM lab, interactive panorama screen, Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton and fossil dig, Southern Appalachian Forest tree climb, Terrabox elevation simulator, Toddler Nest, fun temporary exhibits, and museum store.
Reviewed By maryhT7247LT
We took our 2nd grade class from the Key school to AMOS for their rocks and minerals sessions. It was fantastic! Dani, Claire, and Melodie were so good to us. These ladies are all about the kids and making sure they learn and have a good time. We liked that the museum is small. It allowed us to keep up with our kids more easily. The museum was fun, interesting, clean, comfortable. This museum is good for kids of all ages, even littles. Thanks AMOS for a great field trip!
6. Asheville Bookworks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
7. Pack Place Education Arts & Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
