Time to expand your horizons. WNC has some unique + wonderful area museums to enlighten you with some off-the-wall knowledge sure to impress your friends and family. Here are seven spots within an hour drive of Asheville.
American Museum of the House Cat | 5063 U.S. 441 South, Sylva
This Jackson County gem is one of only a few of its kind in the country and showcases thousands of pieces of cat art and memorabilia, including toys, pottery, sculptures, figurines + more. The best part of this feline museum? The proceeds go to help provide free and low-cost spaying and neutering services to area kitties.
Antique Car Museum | 111 Grovewood Rd., Asheville
Talk about a blast from the past. This museum, located in Grovewood Village behind The Omni Grove Park Inn, was created in 1966 by Harry Blomberg, founder of Asheville’s oldest family-owned auto dealership, Harry’s on the Hill. It’s home to some seriously swanky vintage rides, including a 1913 Ford Model T and a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham (of which there were only 400 made). Admission is free, but donations are encouraged + appreciated.
Asheville Pinball Museum | 1 Battle Sq., Asheville
Gamers, rejoice. With over 70 pinball machines + classic arcade-style video games, this museum celebrates the nostalgic entertainment beloved in the ’70s and ’80s — and even includes a sign for each one explaining the machine’s history. Coolest of all? You can play dozens of games with no coins or tokens needed after paying the $15 entrance fee.
Museum of Costume Jewelry | 60 Haywood St., Asheville
By the end of the summer, the museum will open its doors downtown to display a dazzling collection of costume jewelry from legendary names such as Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Christian Dior. The museum has been the longtime dream of local collector Sharon Ryback — we caught up with her to find out what to expect from the museum.
Craggy Mountain Line | 111 Woodfin Ave., Woodfin
Consider it a museum on wheels. Hop on the trolley car to ride a seven-mile round trip on the tracks that used to run to Asheville’s downtown via Charlotte St. The trains run every Thursday and Saturday at 4 p.m. — grab tickets for $15 per person.
Wheels Through Time Museum | 62 Vintage Ln., Maggie Valley
Since 1993, this 38,000-sq.-ft. spot in Maggie Valley has been showcasing more than 300 rare American motorcycles + automobiles — most of which are kept in running and operating condition — including its “Decade Collection” of cars from a span of almost 100 years. It also features more than 25,000 pieces of memorabilia, photos + art related to American transportation history.
Aluminum Tree & Ornament Museum | 189 W. Main St., Brevard
Note: This seasonal exhibit will return in November 2025. This delightfully kitschy exhibit, located at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, is dedicated to the retro aluminum trees that were popular in the ’50s and ’60s. With dozens of faux trees decked out in whimsical contemporary + vintage ornaments (including some that feature the likes of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe), a visit here is a quirky, firsthand look at Christmases of yore.
Is there a unique, must-visit museum we missed? Let us know.
