Unique things to do in Western North Carolina

Reawaken your wander-seeking spirit on our Appalachian farm. Our trail rides offer open-field exploration, a winding uphill climb (hand-hewn by your host!) shaded by old growth forest, and four seasons of breathtaking Blue Ridge views. For two hours, give yourself permission to unplug and indulge in the hidden moments that make this experience unforgettable. From stunning flora to new horizons, come find your joy in nature. Our cozy farm is home to nine horses that love to ride and roam. All are gentle, playful and eager for an ear scratch. Worried about your first time on horseback? Your host, Joy, has trained many riders and will be by your side for the entire trip. Before hopping in the saddle, you’ll learn horsemanship techniques to help you understand your horse while building trust and confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or first-timer, a kid or retiree, it doesn’t matter; you are capable and welcomed! Free your senses with the fresh air, rustling trees, and rolling acres — all in the quiet calm of our farmstead just 30 minutes from Asheville, NC. Whether you seek the anticipation of adventure or soulful solitude, our intimate trail rides create wellbeing for all who wander.

Your blacksmithing adventure will include three hours of hands on instruction as you create your very own masterpiece. Your experience will start with a brief orientation to The Forge at Quiver Full Farm. During this orientation time we will make sure each participant is dressed and prepared with all necessary equipment to have a SAFE forging experience. We will be working with equipment that reach temperatures greater than 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This experience requires participants to be attentive and be able to physically exert themselves. We will have all participants sign a safety liability waiver before starting. If you are under 18 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. Jeremy will introduce you to all of the equipment that you will be using while creating your forged piece. He will give detailed and guided instruction on how to use these tools. From there you will choose one of several projects to create. Jeremy will be there to guide you, assist you, and maintain a safe working environment while you create your masterpiece. Other things to note This experience is for adults and children over the age of 14. If you have sensitivities to smoke and heat this may not be the experience for you.

We will be exploring a couple of the best breweries of Asheville by SUP and kayak on the French Broad! 21&up. We’ll meet you at White Duck Taco where you’ll leave your car and we will shuttle bus you to the starting point. This river is flat and wide, an easy beginner run, winding through the river arts district. Our guides will help you learn to kayak or SUP if you are new to it. It is a scenic and fun way to get to the breweries. Great for groups, solo travelers or couples, because you make friends with your crew throughout the afternoon. We have dry bags for personal items, dress to get wet and still be able to walk a block or two. Our takeouts are riverside banks, not docks, so ability to get out of your boat and walk up a trail is required. A sample or two can be provided at the breweries, but bring your wallet to purchase beer and food.

Love hiking and coffee? You've found the right place. We have over 300 waterfalls around Brevard and searching different trail websites gets confusing to try and pick which one to visit, so I will make it easy, we’ll visit three of my personal favorites 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. To me there's nothing better than slowing down to appreciate the moment in nature with a great cup of coffee (and new friends!). On this hike you will try my locally roasted coffee medium roast, called "Trail Magic". I recently hired the best hiking guides in WNC and we can't wait to lead you on a coffee hike! Here's our plan. 1. We will meet 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. Need a different date or time from what's listed? We have multiple guides, so please send date and time requests and we will do our best to accommodate!

We start off with an introduction to the tools and a discussion about safety. Then students select a piece of wood to make a bowl from. I will show you how to get started and the process for making sure the bowl turns out well. And I will be carving right alongside you so you have a visual guide for every step. You will shape the outside and carve the inside of the bowl. After the carving we move on to sanding down to a silky smooth surface and then finishing with natural food safe finishes. Then students get to take their bowl home and enjoy it for a lifetime. I source local hardwoods and typically have a variety to pick from. Some examples are box elder, red oak, white oak, black walnut, maple, and poplar. So your final piece will be a permanent piece of the mountains to take home with you. We will be working in the yard at my home. Seating is available if you need to take a rest. I can also tell you about some of the other fun things to do in the area. Other things to note Just be prepared to have a lot of fun with power tools. You will definitely get dusty but that is part if the fun.

Reawaken your wander-seeking spirit on our Appalachian farm. Our trail rides offer open-field exploration, a winding uphill climb (hand-hewn by your host!) shaded by old growth forest, and four seasons of breathtaking Blue Ridge views. For two hours, give yourself permission to unplug and indulge in the hidden moments that make this experience unforgettable. From stunning flora to new horizons, come find your joy in nature. Our cozy farm is home to nine horses that love to ride and roam. All are gentle, playful and eager for an ear scratch. Worried about your first time on horseback? Your host, Joy, has trained many riders and will be by your side for the entire trip. Before hopping in the saddle, you’ll learn horsemanship techniques to help you understand your horse while building trust and confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or first-timer, a kid or retiree, it doesn’t matter; you are capable and welcomed! Free your senses with the fresh air, rustling trees, and rolling acres — all in the quiet calm of our farmstead just 30 minutes from Asheville, NC. Whether you seek the anticipation of adventure or soulful solitude, our intimate trail rides create wellbeing for all who wander.

Your blacksmithing adventure will include three hours of hands on instruction as you create your very own masterpiece. Your experience will start with a brief orientation to The Forge at Quiver Full Farm. During this orientation time we will make sure each participant is dressed and prepared with all necessary equipment to have a SAFE forging experience. We will be working with equipment that reach temperatures greater than 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This experience requires participants to be attentive and be able to physically exert themselves. We will have all participants sign a safety liability waiver before starting. If you are under 18 years of age you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. Jeremy will introduce you to all of the equipment that you will be using while creating your forged piece. He will give detailed and guided instruction on how to use these tools. From there you will choose one of several projects to create. Jeremy will be there to guide you, assist you, and maintain a safe working environment while you create your masterpiece. Other things to note This experience is for adults and children over the age of 14. If you have sensitivities to smoke and heat this may not be the experience for you.

Between myself and my team (including tour guides June, Melissa, Helena, Alison, Bailey and Laura) we have over 35 years of goat experience. Guests will get a walking tour the goat farm, home to 60 goats. We will begin the tour by giving loads of information about goat care and dairy farming. Guests will have the option to play and interact with goats. You’ll definitely want to wear shoes that can stand getting dirty for this part. We will finish the tour with an elaborate tasting of the 9 fresh cheese varieties we make weekly on the farm.

We will be exploring a couple of the best breweries of Asheville by SUP and kayak on the French Broad! 21&up. We’ll meet you at White Duck Taco where you’ll leave your car and we will shuttle bus you to the starting point. This river is flat and wide, an easy beginner run, winding through the river arts district. Our guides will help you learn to kayak or SUP if you are new to it. It is a scenic and fun way to get to the breweries. Great for groups, solo travelers or couples, because you make friends with your crew throughout the afternoon. We have dry bags for personal items, dress to get wet and still be able to walk a block or two. Our takeouts are riverside banks, not docks, so ability to get out of your boat and walk up a trail is required. A sample or two can be provided at the breweries, but bring your wallet to purchase beer and food.

We will meet at the front porch to of the historic farm house. We will then start our nature walk throughout the property. We will start at the top of the field and start out walking around our old pecan trees, then heading into the forest and around the pastures exploring the forest with our highland cows in the pastures along the way. We will share with you about the breed of cows we have and what they are known for. We will explore how they interact with each of us their mannerisms and irresistible cuteness. While circling the pastures we have other animals you may interact with that include 5 Scottish highland cows and their 2 calves who were born in spring 2019, 2022 our goats and our sweet rescue horse Eli &livestock guardian dogs. We will end our visit at the west pasture sharing treats with the animals sharing our time in the forests with them. Other things to note Wear good closed toe shoes for hike and you may not mind getting dirty, clothes you can interact with animals. Hiking stick, jacket if cold, bottle of water. For families with children 6 or younger message us privately to book we have a tour made specifically for little ones. No dogs please as not all dogs like cows. One more thing if the weather is bad don’t worry we will see cows.. but will replace hike with the historic farmhouse tour listed under our experiences..

Welcome to the Blue Heart Sanctuary! A place of refuge that exemplifies Love in Action, Peace and Compassion. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly greeted by the "welcome crew" of several rescued dogs who have been graced to call the Sanctuary their forever home. The dogs will most likely lead the way as we take a stroll through the lower field where the goats live. We'll make our way along the mountain stream up to the woodland forest where the land is covered in sparkling mica and abundant with large mossy boulders. The goats will undoubtedly come say "Hi" and if it resonates, you'll be invited to feed them some yummy snacks. After enjoying their shenanigans, we'll walk from there into the paddock and pasture land that the sheep call their home. The girls will likely keep their distance but, the boys, Cupid and Atlas may come over to feel the Love. After taking some time to visit these adorable creatures, the tour of the Sanctuary will wrap up by the natural spring fed koi ponds. Here we'll gather to share some organic tea made in part from herbs that have been gathered from this sacred Cherokee land. 100% of all revenue generated from this Airbnb Experience goes directly to the care and feeding of the animals who have been Graced to call the Blue Heart Sanctuary their home.

Must be at least 10 years old and no more than 200 pounds. No riding experience necessary! * NEW LOCATION * The terrain is primarily old growth timber forest with creeks. We will dismount the horses at a small waterfall (great photo opportunity) then ride through the woods to a serene lake. Depending on the time of year, we may see the beautiful changing colors of Autumn, or an ensemble of Spring blooms and tons of greenery! Upon arrival, we will ask you to complete a Release From Liability form, collect the balance of your payment if owed, give you a brief riding demonstration, help you to mount your horses, adjust your stirrups, and make sure your saddles are tight before the start of each ride. However, there's no need to arrive in advance of your scheduled ride time. Riders under 18 years old will be required to wear a helmet!

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or desiring to relax, be supported, & experience meditative sounds? Arrive at the Sound Nest located in a private residence, in Alexander, in the rolling hills just outside Asheville, leaving the outside world behind beginning with a cup of soothing tea. Slip off your shoes & enter a nurturing room filled with special instruments to soothe your cares & nervous system. Dawn walks participants through what to expect in a tranquil & reassuring way. The bespoke sound healing journey can be tailored to support your life. Grounding gongs, soaring singing bowls, refreshing chimes, a relaxing ocean drum, amongst other instruments help us to re-imagine life & bring fresh air to the intensity that life naturally brings. Why sound healing? These instruments and the way Dawn plays them allows the mind to relax so your body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system & rest, digest, and heal itself. Dawn welcomes groups up to 8 with space to lay down, more are welcome if seated upright. Private group or individual sessions are happily arranged in addition to the times shown here, please contact Dawn. We can also host sessions instructing how to play the instruments if booked specifically for that goal. PS If the private session booking option shows a crazy high price, that's because that time is not available; just contact for times.

Available to ALL ages and experiences levels! *260lbs weight limit Prior to your arrival, Nicole will message you and determine what level of experience you have with riding horses. Once you arrive on our property, Nicole and/or Jeff will greet you and already have your horses ready and matched to your level of experience. You will then be led to our riding ring where you will have the opportunity to learn about general horse care and safety. In the riding ring, you will have the opportunity to mount your horse and learn how to steer and control your horse and become comfortable before embarking on the trail ride. Once you are comfortable, you will be guided on a private tour of our 52 acre estate where you will go through woods, open fields, across ridge lines and enjoy being on a horse with breathtaking mountain views. On the ride we will also snap a few complimentary pictures for you to share with friends and family or add to your social media. At the end of your ride, we will help you dismount and you will have the opportunity to love on your horse and snap a few extra last minute selfies.

Guests will be invited into my open air forge and learn some of the basics of blacksmithing. We will start with a tour of the shop, explanation of the uses and functions of the tools, and some history and education about smithing. After a discussion on safety and demonstrations of tool usage they will take up a hammer and use it to create a unique keepsake of steel. Students will forge a railroad spike knife. We will cover the entire process beginning to end and I will be right there to assist them in creating the perfect piece for them. Once they have finished, we will clean and polish their new treasure and seal it against rust.

Love hiking and coffee? You've found the right place. We have over 300 waterfalls around Brevard and searching different trail websites gets confusing to try and pick which one to visit, so I will make it easy, we’ll visit three of my personal favorites 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. To me there's nothing better than slowing down to appreciate the moment in nature with a great cup of coffee (and new friends!). On this hike you will try my locally roasted coffee medium roast, called "Trail Magic". I recently hired the best hiking guides in WNC and we can't wait to lead you on a coffee hike! Here's our plan. 1. We will meet 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. Need a different date or time from what's listed? We have multiple guides, so please send date and time requests and we will do our best to accommodate!

Experience the sunrise from up in the mountains! This is Asheville’s only sunrise tour and you will get a front-row seat in our custom Jeep to one of the greatest experiences in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We will drive you up the famous Blue Ridge Parkway to our favorite sunrise spot (located at 5,000 ft. above sea level!) After a short, 5-10 minute walk, we will arrive at our spot and your guide will brew some fresh local coffee. We will enjoy the coffee as well as the sights, sounds, and smells of awaking mountains as we watch the sun come up over the mountains! Your guide will also provide alternative drinks if you aren’t a coffee drinker. We will bring a variety of teas. We will take care of the details like cups, creamers, and sugar. Private Tour: Have a large group? Want a longer hike? Want to customize the trip? Book a private tour, or reach out to discuss your options! IMPORTANT: Mountain weather is extremely unpredictable. Fog and clouds can come through in minutes. As a result, clear viewing of the sunrise is not guaranteed, but we will try our best to get you to see the sunrise. If there is rain in the forecast for your tour, your guide will reach out before the trip to discuss alternative options such as moving to a different date. If the weather becomes dangerous and we must cancel the trip, you will receive a full refund.

Gather your friends and family for an incredible UTV adventure in the wilderness of The GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS. We 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 30 miles across the wilderness. We travel 30-plus miles of dirt and gravel trails. Along the way, we ford streams & view pristine rivers. We take a short hike to view a 100 ft waterfall. We share information with you about The Trail of Tears, Sequoyah who developed The Cherokee Syllabary and the talking leaves as well as the Cherokee Creation Story. Then we are off to view North Carolina's only wild ELK herd. Then we head back up the mountain over a mile high to an ancient Fraser Fir tree forest. Come build family ties and lifetime memories. The mountains are calling, come get wild in the Smoky's y'all. PRIVATE MEANS: OWN UNIT NOT SHARED UNLESS ITS THE GUIDE. NO STRANGERS. DOES NOT MEAN SOLO TOUR. DRIVING OPTION GROUP MEANS YOU MAY BE IN A SHARED UNIT WITH A GUIDE AS THE DRIVER. NO DRIVING OPTION All Guests MUST show up 15 minutes prior to adventure time for paperwork. Your adventure may include other units and leaving promptly is very important so as not to take away from everyone's experience. There will be no refunds for late arrivals, we will do our best to reschedule during your stay.

We start off with an introduction to the tools and a discussion about safety. Then students select a piece of wood to make a bowl from. I will show you how to get started and the process for making sure the bowl turns out well. And I will be carving right alongside you so you have a visual guide for every step. You will shape the outside and carve the inside of the bowl. After the carving we move on to sanding down to a silky smooth surface and then finishing with natural food safe finishes. Then students get to take their bowl home and enjoy it for a lifetime. I source local hardwoods and typically have a variety to pick from. Some examples are box elder, red oak, white oak, black walnut, maple, and poplar. So your final piece will be a permanent piece of the mountains to take home with you. We will be working in the yard at my home. Seating is available if you need to take a rest. I can also tell you about some of the other fun things to do in the area. Other things to note Just be prepared to have a lot of fun with power tools. You will definitely get dusty but that is part if the fun.

Your private experience here at Elite Frontier Adventures includes the following: You will learn to groom, saddle, bridle, sit correctly in the saddle, rein, balance, shift your weight as necessary etc.. on "your" horse for the day. After an orientation ride in our private lower pastures, you will ride with your guide on our private mountain trails. You will cross streams, wind your way up and down several switchbacks, see authentic moonshine sites and pass places such as "Inspiration Point," "Black Bear Saddle," "Gray Fox Gully," and take your horse through "The Bathtub" before emerging back into "Paradise Holler" to end your ride. Unsaddle and give your horse a "thank you" grooming before releasing him back into the pasture until next time. Shoes with a heel or boots are highly recommended. Helmets are provided. Approximately 2-3 hours, depending on group size. Other things to note No experience required. By the end of the ride, you will feel like a pro.