If the post-holiday return to reality has your wallet feeling a little thin, it may be time to rethink your plans. To help you stretch the fun and stretch your budget, we’ve rounded up 20+ free activities around Asheville.
Visit a museum
Learn something new at the Folk Art Center, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, Center for Craft, or Asheville Radio Museum, which all offer free admission.
Bonus: Check the calendar for Community Days at the Asheville Art Museum, where you can enjoy exhibits and themed activities free of charge.
Take a tour
Lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement to learn more about our city’s history. The Asheville Urban Trail, Asheville Architecture Trail, and Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail are all self-guided tours.
If you want a guide to lead the way, embark on an excursion with Asheville Free Walking Tours (just be kind and make sure to leave a tip).
Show the library some love
Your library card is the ticket to lots of free resources, like board games and seed packets. It also gets you access to plenty of free online perks, like movies to stream through Kanopy or language lessons through Transparent Language Online.
We’d also recommend utilizing ZOOM passes, where you can use your library card to reserve free admission to all kinds of local attractions, including The NC Arboretum (the trolls exhibit is up through Feb. 17), Well Played Board Game Cafe, and the WNC Nature Center.
Join a club
From book clubs to astronomy clubs, there are plenty of groups you can join to hone in on a hobby and connect with new friends. Pro tip: Check out the local groups on Meetup for even more ways to get connected.
Explore the great outdoors
As you can imagine, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities here in the Land of the Sky. Pack a picnic and set off to a scenic spot, hit a local hiking trail, or play a round of disc golf at a nearby park. For something a bit more out-of-the-box, you can go foraging for berries, nuts, and fruits using the Asheville Edibles Map. If you’re looking to break a sweat, go the extra mile by joining a local running club.
Put niche knowledge to work
Whether your specialty is pop culture or sports stats, there’s a trivia night nearly every night of the week where you can gather your friends and compete for prizes.
Geocaching
Join the world’s largest treasure hunt, and see Asheville in a whole new way. Participants use GPS coordinates to locate caches — think: hidden containers filled with small, tradeable knick-knacks that can be found in outdoor public spaces. Learn how to get started.
Volunteer with a local organization
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast, there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. It’s free to get involved, and the giving spirit is in year-round.
Immerse yourself in the arts
Get in tune with the local music scene, where artists are always lighting up the stage — check out resources like Live Music Asheville or Asheville Concerts for a comprehensive list of shows, many of which are free.
On any given day in the River Arts District, you can find artists at work in their studios. You can also head downtown to explore the Downtown Asheville Art District, which features 20+ galleries and museums with changing exhibits — see the map.
If theater arts are more your scene, admission is free for the Montford Park Players’ summer season.
Tap into Parks and Rec programming
Asheville Parks and Recreation hosts a plethora of events at community centers and sites across the city. From family movie nights and craft classes to open mics and dance lessons. Search the program guide for happenings this winter through spring.
Pro tip: There are always plenty of unique, fun, and (best of all) free, events posted on our events calendar.
