Top Asheville Half-day Tours

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.

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.

Enjoy both the freedom of independent travel and the structure of a guided tour with a self-guided driving tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Download the app and get started from your own vehicle in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton. Admire the views and look out for wildlife en route between the Great Smokies National Park and Shenandoah. Start and stop whenever you like as you’re in control.

Get onto the clam waters of Bent Creek near the Biltmore property in Asheville on this self-guided kayak tour. Your kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are all provided for you, so all you need to do is show up ready to have an adventure. When you’re finished kayaking, wind down at the Outpost with a 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.

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.

Cycle to three of Asheville’s most popular microbreweries, enjoying a drink at the first 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.

Explore Asheville beyond city limits during this sunset e-bike ride. Meet your guide in North Asheville and get fitted for an e-bike, then set out for a scenic ride in the mountains surrounding Asheville. During this small-group tour, climb up to a scenic overlook (with the assistance of the powerful e-bike battery) and keep an eye out for wildlife, which is known for being active this time of day. Complete the experience with a visit to a local brewery.

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.

Live out your *Dirty Dancing* dreams with this kayak tour of the famed Lake Lure. Following your naturalist guide, you’ll explore these blue waters under a blue sky, getting to know the local flora, fauna, and more. When you’re ready, feel free to jump in for a swim—and have the time of your life.

The Signature Asheville Brew Tour is the perfect introduction to Asheville's impressive and world-renowned craft beverage scene. On this compact, three-and-a-half-hour adventure, you will go behind the scenes, drink with the locals, and taste a variety of up to 12 delicious beers at three of Asheville's best craft alcohol producers. All while enjoying a tasty snack to soak up all those delicious suds.

Authentic Experience Our walking tours provide an immersive and authentic experience of Asheville’s brewery scene. By exploring the city on foot, you’ll gain a deeper connection with the local brewing culture and appreciate the character of each brewery. This genuine and personal encounter enriches your understanding of Asheville’s craft beer community.

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.

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.

Recipe for a perfect day: Floating down an ancient river, cooling your toes in the water, laughing with good friends... all within reach of award-winning breweries serving up fresh craft beverages and tasty treats. We will paddle down one of the oldest rivers in the world and guide you to great breweries that are within 5 minutes of the river. Non-drinkers will have plenty of sight-seeing options nearby as well.

Gather your friends and family for an incredible GUIDED ECO, ELK, UTV / SxS wilderness adventure in The Great Smoky Mountains Wilderness. You start out at Scenic Tours and Rentals and head up the mountain to the ridgeline trails. At a mile high the air is cool and fresh. The views are awing as we gaze 20 miles across the lush deep valleys and soaring mountains deep into GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS. You may operate the unit or a driver will be provided if requested at the time of booking as you explore 30 miles of dirt and gravel trails, cross babbling brooks, and pristine rivers, and view roaring waterfalls.  ELK, BEAR, TURKEY, RAPTORS, and other WILDLIFE are commonly encountered along the way. Learn of the re-introduction of the ELK, their life cycles, struggles & bright future! here in the Smokies.   This adventure is both educational, historical, and cultural as your guide shares with you early Cherokee, Appalachian history legends, and lore.   

Love hiking and coffee? You've found the right place. We are all about sharing great coffee and conversation outdoors. We have 300+ waterfalls around Brevard, so it can be hard to choose which ones to see on your visit, so will make it easy - We’ll visit three of the most beautiful falls along a 3.5 mile loop. The terrain is mostly even, gravel trail with two steep sections (about 70 yards) that will get your heart pumping, but the views are worth the climbs. Here's our plan. 1. You will meet your guide at The Hooker Falls parking area in DuPont State Forest, and hike to Hooker Falls. Here we'll break to brew and share coffee together. You'll learn how to make coffee in the woods including how to filter water from the waterfall. 2. We'll head to Triple Falls. It's up a steep climb but we will take our time and the view is totally worth it. 3. After some pictures of Triple Falls, we'll keep hiking on to High Falls, a stunning end to our adventure.

Join our Flying Bike guides for an e-bike ride through the renowned River Arts District (RAD) of Asheville. You’ll meet local artists and get a front-row seat to watch them practice their craft. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and will take you off the beaten path, guiding you down bike lanes and bike greenways along the banks of the gently flowing French Broad River. Our first stop will be at The Marquee, an enormous art marketplace of curated vendors from around the region and beyond. Our second stop is at Small Batch Glass, where we will learn about all the steps involved in creating a handmade glass piece. Before returning to our shop, we will make one last stop at New Belgium Brewery where guests can purchase a thirst-quenching pint and a tasty meal from a food truck. *Please note that food and drinks are not included in the cost of the tour but can be purchased separately.

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.

Learn and experience what most people walk right by on the trail! The unique temperate rainforest ecosystem of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains is home to a stunning variety of biodiversity in the form of fascinating and beautiful plants and animals. Get to know the secrets of millipedes, salamanders, fish, insects, trees, and edible and medicinal plants with eye-level, hands-on introductions. This is a great way for kids and adults alike to bring science lessons alive in a very real and meaningful way.