Situated in Buncombe County, Asheville is the largest city in western North Carolina. Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of the French Broad River and the Swannanoa River.

This city has weather that closely resembles the weather of the rest of the southeastern United States, but featuring cooler temperatures due to the higher mountains’ altitude.

This condition makes Asheville attractive for outdoor activities, but even in winter, when temperatures may fall into the Fahrenheit teens, Asheville remains attractive because the city almost always receives snow to enjoy seasonal activities, despite the freezing rain occurring a few times every year .

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the first destination to keep in mind because, after all, it is considered America's Favorite Drive with 469 miles through mountain meadows. 71 years of service (1935-2006) makes The Blue Ridge Parkway Association your trusted partner once you arrive to any of the Parkway entrances.

The directional signs pointing to the north or south take you to different areas to enjoy an outdoors day. The north end of the Parkway road leads to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, while the south end of the Parkway, leads to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, both with breathtaking endless-like vistas.

Old farmsteads and historic structures are sprinkled through the different parks within the Parkway, where there are also campgrounds, picnic areas, and trails. In some areas, visitor centers offer several facilities and amenities, including restaurants, gas stations and lodges incorporated with recreation areas.

The Blue Ridge Parkway was authorized in the 1930s after the Depression era as a public work project that took more than a half-century in the making being the first in the nation, and the longest, rural parkway, with several camping areas exceeding 6,000 acres. Designed for leisurely motoring, the parkway has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour, and even a little less in a few points of the drive.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is another great opportunity to enjoy outdoors while visiting Asheville. This is a scenic train journey running year-round across fertile valleys, through romantic tunnels and across river gorges in the Great Smoky Mountains. Although departure is from Dillsboro and Bryson City, you can get there from Asheville, taking I-40 W toward Knoxville, Tennessee.

Take exit 27 onto US 74 W to Waynesville then drive on US 74 for 40 miles until you reach Bryson City exit 67. Bearing right at the end of the exit ramp onto Veterans Boulevard and you are there! There are three featured excursions to enjoy the awesome area.

The Gourmet Dinner Train, a 2 and a half-hour run, the Tuckasegee River Excursion a 3 and a half-hour round trip, and the Nantahala Gorge Excursion a round trip 4 and a half-hour lasting, but there are other excursion to choose from.

Lake Lure Marina is 25 miles southeast of Asheville, going onto Highway 74A East at Exit #9, from Interstate 240 East. Open daily from April through October, this lake is the ideal destination for those who would like to rent a boat and discover for themselves why National Geographic named this lake "one of the ten most beautiful man-made lakes in the world"

Lake Lure Marina offers also different activities for water sports lovers, including canoeing, kayaking, wakeboarding and waterskiing, as well as paddleboat, electric boat, canoe, pontoon, and speedboat rentals. There are also many luxurious covered tour boats if you simply want to enjoy the unsurpassed wildlife and natural beauty around this place.

At this location, the Chimney Rock Park nearby offers amenities and events, besides the 75-mile spectacular views to take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air and enjoy its hiking trails for all ages. Visiting the mists of Hickory Nut Falls is a once in a life opportunity to reconnect with nature, enjoying a 404-foot waterfall with your family and friends.

Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range, recognized as a nature preserve situated one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305 and 70 miles away from Asheville. The Grandfather Mountain has a total of 11 different trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across its rugged peaks, but walking down the road is not permitted due to safety reasons.

Visitor will find In-Park Nature Trails, and Backcountry Hiking Trails, accessible after paying the corresponding user fees. If you purchase a ticket to the attraction, you can also access the trails with no extra charge.

This mountain is home to 16 different natural ecosystems and 66 rare or endangered species, including 11 classified worldwide, part of the United Nation's international network of International Biosphere Reserves.

Another approach to Asheville outdoor activities is taking a break to enjoy rafting, kayaking or canoeing at the French Broad River. Take a scenic ride through Biltmore Estate property, a unique experience to relax, watching the abundant and peaceful wildlife, truly exciting for families with children, just keep in mind that pets are not allowed for safety.

Quiet water river trips and gear rentals are available to explore and seek out your own fascinating adventure, whether alone or with the guidance of professional instructors.

For novices, there is a 7-mile float trip through small waves and easy current, suitable also for children. However, it is always advisable to check the current water level of the French Broad before you book a trip.

Last but not least, the Linville Caverns located at the base of Humpback Mountain, a natural wonder located 4 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway that remained a mysterious secret for centuries, offering now convenient and safe public touring.

Visiting a natural limestone cavern, with constant 52º temperature and underground streams is a memorable experience, particularly after seeing its sleeping bats and spiders hibernating.

Wherever you go, Asheville has the answer to all your outdoor entertainment needs.