Free Museums in Mount Mitchell

"You won’t want to miss your chance to explore the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS). This awesome spot features more than a dozen zones to discover, with a Hall of Minerals, a GeoDome Panorama, a Fossil Dig, and a Climbing Experience. Be sure to take the kids to the Southern Appalachian Forest and discover temporary exhibits such as the Hurricane Simulator or the French Broad River Water Table."

"Spend the afternoon learning about the area’s precious gems and other metals and explore the rich treasures of Colburn Earth Science Museum. Hailed as a “mini Smithsonian of gems” by the Washington Post, the Colburn Earth Science Museum is an interesting place to spend a few hours. Most visitors allow one to three hours per visit and the center is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm."

"For popular children’s museums in Asheville, head to the Asheville Museum of Science. A small warning, though: This downtown Asheville museum isn’t as fun for childless adult travelers — we toured the facility in under 30 minutes. The Asheville Museum of Science is an exploratory children’s museum showcasing an enormously cool Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton, Teratophoneus Curriei."

"The Folk Art Center in east Asheville showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. Guests may browse the Eastern National bookstore, Blue Ridge Parkway information desk, three art galleries, a library, and a craft shop. Don’t miss the fascinating live craft demonstrations offered daily in the lobby!"

"The Black Mountain College was once a central artists’ hub in Asheville, where thinkers and creatives – many of them famous – would go to learn, experiment, and make. It was created thanks to John Andrew Rice, who had been dismissed from his Florida teaching spot in an allegedly unjust manner. This drove him to want to create his own school."

"This unique art museum celebrates the legacy of Black Mountain College, an experimental 20th-century art university in Western North Carolina. The center features revolving contemporary exhibitions that focus on art from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In addition, the museum hosts events such as concerts, film screenings, and artist talks."

"The famed Black Mountain College (1933–57), located 16 miles east of Asheville, was important in the development of several groundbreaking…"

"The Asheville Art Museum focuses on artwork from the 1900s and 2000s, with a particular focus on artwork from Southern Appalachia. In total, the museum’s collection includes more than 600 paintings, 800 drawings, more than 2,000 photographs, and more than 200 sculptures. Beyond the permanent collection, the museum’s rotating exhibitions are pretty cool too."

"The new, modernized Asheville Art Museum serves as an anchor for creativity in this corner of our state, poised to bring far-reaching attention to western North Carolina’s past, present, and future artistic achievements. It’s a boon for the city that would not have been possible without enormous community support and visionary direction."

"Sitting atop downtown with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains is famed Grove Park Inn, a luxury mountain resort built soon after the completion of the Biltmore Estate. Behind the resort, the Vanderbilts founded an arts and crafts hub that now features an antique car museum, working artists studios, and restaurant. Grovewood Village, 111 Grovewood Road, Adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 253 7651"

"This historic site is home to the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and the nationally-recognized Grovewood Gallery. Grovewood Village has something for everyone. Your visit could include a leisurely stroll through the sculpture gardens, a lesson on vintage automobiles, or a meal at the contemporary Golden Fleece restaurant."

"Another downtown gallery to consider is Blue Spiral 1, who prides itself on filling the 15,000-square-foot space with a diverse collection. The gallery also has a section dedicated to the works of modernist Will Henry Stevens, with pieces rotated in from his estate regularly. Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 251 0202"

"In West Asheville, you’ll love this small cafe with HUGE flavors. Sunflower Diner is a dedicated vegan restaurant with gluten-free options, including dessert. Picture nachos, breakfast burritos, and tempeh sandwiches."

"Located right across from the two most popular busking corners in Asheville, this is one of our favorite spots to enjoy live street music while dining. Isa’s recently changed their concept to French cuisine, a point especially driven home when dining al fresco under their awning."

"Isa’s Bistro – serving popular American dishes with a Mediterranean influence, this downtown icon prints daily menus to highlight the best available local produce. We found the food to be creative, beautiful and tasty."

"Isa’s Bistro entices diners with its bright, modern space and pet-friendly patio. But it’s the regularly changing lineup of French bistro-inspired cuisine that keeps them coming ba..."

"Another architectural jewel, the unique Grove Arcade combines Art Deco, Italian Renaissance, and Gothic elements. Instead of leveling the foundation, Grove Arcade’s designers decided to follow the natural topography instead, a very noticeable feature when walking the shopping center’s sloping marble hallways. Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 252 7799"

"Also known as the Arcade Building, the place is a wonderful pit stop for shopping and refreshments. The Grove Arcade was built between 1926 and 1929 and has a very Tudor’ish Gothic architectural style. It was renovated and reopened in 2002 and offers an array of stuffs like book shops, handmade crafts, Jewellery, antiques and so much more."

"📍1 Page Ave. | 📅1926-29 | 🖌Edwin Wiley Grove + Charles N. Parker. This Tudoresque building was one of the country’s leading public markets until WWII. The Federal Government took over the building which eventually became the headquarters for the National Climatic Data Center."

"In Asheville, look for local indigenous plants like Yaupon holly, burdock, black walnuts (an acquired taste; good for baking), peaches, strawberries, wildflowers, and native Appalachian apples. Also be sure to try some local honey, grits, or Carolina rice– three other culinary staples of the region. Many Asheville farmers markets also have artisan craft items, from wood carvings and hand-dyed merino yarn to all-natural soap and textiles."

"In operation since 1977, the WNC Farmers Market is one of the biggest in the area and is what all the other tailgate markets are centered around. Open year-round, seven days a week, visitors can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to mountain crafts and a garden center. There are even retail and wholesale buildings for all your shopping needs."

"Right off I-40 in North Asheville sits this massive year-round farmers market. This market is owned and managed by the state, which operates three others as well, and has been serving the Western North Carolina area for over 40 years. It promises high-quality fruits and vegetables, plus other homemade goods like baked goods, bread and breakfast spreads."

"HOURS: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 5pm to 9pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-10pm; Closed Tuesday. Located at the Grove Arcade, Asheville Proper is a newer downtown Asheville restaurant. It was opened in August 2020 by Executive Chef Owen McGlynn and his wife Mindi; Owen had previously been Executive Chef at Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro."

"One of the new downtown Asheville restaurants that opened in 2020, Asheville Proper is your proper steakhouse. Located in the historic Grove Arcade, they invited us out for a pre-opening dinner. Um, speakeasy cocktails and delicious steaks with fresh sides?!"