Mountains Region

Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center - Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center is a unique cultural centerpiece in downtown Asheville housing five of Western North Carolina's premier attractions in one complex. The Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Gem & Mineral Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre, The Health Adventure, and Y.M.I. Cultural Center.

Mountain Heritage Center - The Mountain Heritage Center celebrates the natural and cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region. Through exhibitions, publications, educational programs, and demonstrations, the Center promotes the rich traditions of the mountains. You will see the Appalachian region from new perspectives and come away with an enhanced understanding of its land, culture, and people.

Linville Caverns - Located at the base of Humpback Mountain in the beautiful Linville Valley lies a natural wonder, Linville Caverns. After remaining a mysterious secret for centuries, the caverns have been opened for safe and convenient public touring. These natural limestone caverns feature guided tours showing spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Jim Bob Tinsley Museum - The museum primarily houses the western items Jim Bob Tinsley collected over his life time. In addition it houses his music awards and the many books he has written.

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy year-round scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, through tunnels and across river gorges in a spectacular region of eastern America called the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gold City Amusement Park - A day at Gold City is like stepping back in time. Visitors spend the day mining for such precious gems as Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst, Topaz, Citrine, Tourmaline and much more.

Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine - Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine shares the rich history and tradition of mining in Mitchell County. Visitors can experience the wonder and excitement of prospecting for gemstones in a very pleasant and comfortable atmosphere.

Beech Mountain - Beech Mountain is Eastern America's highest town at 5,506ft above sea level. Located in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, the resort offers an abundance of outdoor activities such as hiking, golf, tennis and mountain biking. Beech is also the home of Ski Beech, the South's highest ski resort, where you can ski, snowboard, tube and ice-skate.

Tweetsie Railroad - Since 1957, thousands of visitors to Tweetsie Railroad have enjoyed a ""blast from the past"" as they visit a western town, hop aboard an historic steam locomotive for a 3 mile trip around the mountain, pan for gold, enjoy toe-tapping music and dancing, visit the animals in the petting zoo and take in the beautiful mountain scenery.

Wheels Through Time Museum - A consummate collection of over 250 rare antique American Motorcycles and Automobiles.  Equally as astounding is the memorabilia collection that unites the 'art of the motorcycle' with the generation of Americans that enjoyed a lifestyle peculiar to the 'American Mainstream.'

Brevard Music Center - Nestled in the foothills of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, this premier summer music festival and comprehensive music training program has set the highest standards in performance and education for more than six decades.

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) - Foothills Equestrian Nature Center is a 320-acre nature education and recreation center nestled in the beautiful foothills of Tryon, North Carolina. The center offers 5 miles of hiking and riding trails, an equestrian center , a variety of family-oriented nature education programs, outdoor concerts and more.

Appalachian Cultural Museum - The Appalachian Cultural Museum was created to foster an understanding of the people of the Appalachian Mountains and to serve as a laboratory for new museum ideas. Through exhibits, publications, and special events, the Museum presents the rich traditions of the region. The Museum gives new meaning to life in western North Carolina in a manner that is authentic and non-stereotypical.

Historic Johnson Farm - The farm features an 1870's brick house, a 1920's boarding house, a barn-loft museum, 10 historic buildings, two nature trails, and 15 acres of fields, forests, and streams.

North Carolina Arboretum - The 426-acre site is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the United States. Mountain peaks bound the property's visual perimeters and 1.8 miles of the Bent Creek stream run through the center of the Arboretum.

Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center - The Museum is the only American extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in Pitlochry, Scotland. The Franklin Museum not only displays Scottish Tartans, but covers various aspects of the Scottish experience, culture, history, dress, and military.

Chimney Rock Park - Chimney Rock Park is a scenic attraction located 25 miles southeast of Asheville. The parks offers spectacular 75-mile views, numerous hiking trails, a 404-foot waterfall, Nature Center, picnicking and more.

Emerald Village - If you like gem mining...you'll LOVE Emerald Village! The indoor portion of the tour features uses of the minerals & gems found in these mines. A collection of mining lamps, dynamite plungers and other mining memorabilia are on display. The village also features the Mining Museum and offers underground mine tours.

Blowing Rock Stage Company - The Blowing Rock Stage Company is a non-profit organization producing professional theatre as a community service for the High Country since 1986.

Asheville Art Museum - As the single visual arts facility serving Western North Carolina, the Asheville Art Museum features special exhibitions and a unique and important permanent collection of 20th and 21st century American Art.

Cherokee Bear Zoo - Cherokee Bear Zoo offers a first hand observation of wild Black Bears. Feed them and watch them stand on their hind legs and beg you for more. The facility also features a petting zoo.

Asheville Community Theatre - Asheville's premier theater has offered professional-quality productions since 1946. The theatre features comedies, musicals and dramas.

Go Blue Ridge Attractions Pass - A multi-attraction pass that includes admission to over 25 attractions, tours and activities along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Attractions include the Biltmore Estate, Tweetsie Railroad, Grandfather Mountain, Asheville Trolley Tour, Smoky Mountain Jet Boats, Rafting, Gem Mining, Museums and more.