What to see in Asheville, USA for $20 or less?

The city of Asheville is made for travelers, lovers of art and history. In 48 hours in the city, you can visit many places. But you need to know where to go so as not to go broke.

While in this small town, many consider it their duty to visit the Biltmore Estate. The entrance fee for one person is $80. Many are unable to bear such expenses, and therefore they are looking for cheaper activities and excursions in the city. Listed below are 10 great ideas on how you can spend half a day and $10 in Asheville.

1. Go to the Chocolate Factory

Dan and Jail Ratigan met at school, fell in love, graduated from high school together and moved to Costa Rica. There they purchased a cocoa bean farm and began to learn how to grow beans for the global chocolate market. A few years later, they moved back to the US and settled in the city of Asheville. After that they decided to open their own French Broad Chocolate Factory. Their understanding of how to properly grow beans led to the extraordinary success of their business.

Chocolate Factory Asheville

Tours of the Chocolate Factory in time take from 15 minutes to an hour. You will be taken inside the factory and shown how everything looks from the inside. In addition, you will hear a story about how they make chocolate. The Ratigan family used their new methods to roast, grind and peel the beans. On the tour, visitors can try the products offered, enjoy free fresh chocolate, and also get a discount at the chocolate shop.

chocolate factory

For many of us, 18 tons of chocolate is a huge amount. But this was the amount of product produced in a year. It actually turned out to be too much. The new Chocolate Factory opened on November 17, 2018, and they also plan to open a cheese factory.

Cost: $3 for a 15-minute tour, $6 for a 30-minute tour, and $12 for an hour-long tour.

Address: Riverside Dr Suite 199, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

2. Take a mini trip

Everyone knows that "America's Best Road" is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unusually beautiful view and ideal road. This road leads from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. For drivers, such a trip will bring only joy. You don't have to drive all 469 miles on this road. You can drive a few miles, stop and enjoy the beautiful view that overlooks the mountains.

Danita Delimont

Follow the highway to Asheville East for about 40 miles and you will end up in Asheville East. There is not only a great view, but also an interesting museum worth visiting.

The Folk Art Center Museum (milepost 382) showcases local crafts. Guidebooks will tell you the story of the handicraft, but unfortunately photography is not allowed inside. This center opens every spring in March and welcomes visitors every day.

Then get back on the road and drive another 18 miles. You will see a small hill. From there you can walk about 1.4 miles. It's not easy going, of course, but it's worth it. Climbing to the top, you will see a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in the United States east of the Mississippi River.

Fortunately, this trip will cost you free, except for gasoline. Approximately you will spend 8 liters, making such a mini road trip.

Cost: 2 gallons of gasoline ($2.71 is one gallon of gasoline)

3. Explore The River Arts District

Recently, this area is known as the area of art. Previously, it was an industrial area, which was usually avoided by everyone in the city of Asheville, since there was nothing interesting there. Currently, there are 22 buildings painted by artists. They are happy to share their work.

The River Arts District

Special events are also held there to attract even more people. However, artists have their own schedule. Therefore, you can come there at any time and find them doing their next job. Naturally, they sell their work. Most of the artists offer to pack the purchase and send it home.

The River Arts District

Parking is free on site, but walking on sidewalks is prohibited. So be careful on the road.

Cost: free

Address: 3 River Arts Pl, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

4. Brewery

Asheville is the city that produces the largest amount of beer in America. In total, there are 50 breweries in the city. Almost all of the city's breweries offer guided tours, and this attracts visitors. However, if you're looking to save money, you'd be better off visiting Wicked Weed Brewing's BrewPub, as they offer a free tour.

Wicked Weed Brewing's BrewPub

You can look at their official website for information on when tours are held and how. There are mandatory requirements: you must be at least 21 years old, you must be in closed shoes, and you must also have time to apply for a certain time. Only 10 people per tour. Those who make it to this list can get a glass as a gift, as well as try 3 small glasses of beer for free.

Price: free

Address: 81 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

5. Glassmaker's workshop

In a city that produces so much beer, there must be some kind of glassblowing industry. And it is: Lexington Glassworks. This studio is located south of Asheville. You can watch the glass blowing process for free.

Lexington Glassworks

Chairs have been set up for those who want to watch this very process over a cold drink. Sometimes, while the masters are doing the work, musical performances take place in the background. So take advantage of this great chance to spend time watching the professionals.

Cost: free.

The address is: 81 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

6. Free city center tour

You can, of course, try looking for walking tours of the city of Asheville for reasonable prices. But most of them cost more than $10.

If you have a smartphone, visit ExploreAsheville.com. Download the free audio guide to guide you along the route. The route usually starts from the center of Asheville. As a result, you will pass 30 different points, where you will not only see street art, but also penetrate the soul of the city itself.

Cost: free

7. Team ECCO Aquarium & Sharp lab

This is the first aquarium in North Carolina. It is a branch of locations such as Key Largo, Key West and Biosphere2 in Arizona. The working staff is engaged in research, so the working hours of the oceanarium are constantly changing in this regard.

Team ECCO Aquarium & Sharplab

Public shows are usually held from Wednesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm. On Tuesday there are guided tours. At 3:30 the feeding of reptiles begins. You can also look at this process. The aquarium is located in Hendersonville. It's a 30 minute drive from downtown Asheville.

Cost: $5 per adult, $4 for children aged 2 to 4 and seniors over 75. For children under 2 years old, admission is free.

Address: 511 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA

8. Mars rover (Asheville Museum of Science)

Another unusual place that you can visit with the whole family is the Asheville Museum of Science. Visitors can see unusual stones, a whole hall of minerals and huge exhibitions dedicated to weather and climate. You and your family can ride the rover on the museum grounds, or you can experience such a device in virtual reality.

Asheville Museum of Science

Cost: $8 per adult, $7 seniors, students, children and military.

The address is:43 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801-3314, USA

9. Excursion to the Grove Park Inn

Address: 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804-3711, USA

As we said, Biltmore Manor is the most famous attraction in Asheville. The historic Grove Park Inn also attracts the attention of tourists. It is located on Macon Avenue. Visitors can take a free tour that lasts 45 minutes.

Grove Park Inn

Tours run from Wednesday to Saturday starting at 9 am. You will be told about the celebrities who settled in the hotel, the design of the rooms, furniture and how the hotel was built. Go on a tour where there are a lot of people, because it will be cheaper. For example, if there are 20 people in the stream, then 10$ will be taken from each.

Cost: $10

10. The village where the Biltmore estate is located

Visiting the Biltmore is of course very expensive and if you can't afford it then there is an alternative. You can walk around the village where the estate is located. This was originally the area where the servants and staff of the Biltmore estate lived.

Biltmore Village

Nowadays it is a village with three streets and historical buildings. Frederick Law Olmsted, a landscape architect best known for his work in New York's Central Park, also had a hand in the village. The best time to visit this place is before lunch. Afterwards, you can have a bite to eat in a restaurant, which is located very close to the village.

Cost: free

The address is: Biltmore Village, Asheville, NC 28803, USA

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