20 Fun Things to Do in Black Mountain, NC

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From the scenic beauty of the mountains to a vibrant arts community, there are so many fun things to do in Black Mountain, NC no matter the season.

This small town in Western NC is located just 20 minutes from downtown Asheville along I-40 and a great alternative if you don’t want to stay right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.

We have a family cabin here and love visiting as often as we can to explore the area. I’m typically up here 4 – 5 times a year, if not more.

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Top Attractions in Black Mountain, NC

As one of the cutest mountain towns in North Carolina, you don’t want to miss strolling around Black Mountain and checking out everything it has to offer.

1. Explore Downtown Black Mountain

If you want to do some shopping in Black Mountain, then head downtown and hit the local stores.

Take a Hike Outfitters and WNC Collective are where you’ll want to go for the best outdoor gear and clothing. I love these two and it’s always hard not to buy something here!

Sassafras on Sutton will make any book lover swoon. They also have a coffee bar on the first level. Across the street, you’ll find Chifferobe Home & Garden which has cute home goods.

Sunset Farm Designs has cute clothes that are very reasonable plus jewelry and other goods. The Enchanted Oak sells handmade soaps, lotions, and perfume.

C.W. Moose Trading Company is where you should go to find a Black Mountain t-shirt and no visit to Black Mountain is complete without a stop at Town Hardware.

2. Have a Local Beer at One of These Black Mountain Breweries

This is one of our personal favorite things to do in Black Mountain! When we are in for the weekend, we always try to visit Black Mountain Brewing and Lookout Brewing. Both offer flights of their beer or you can get a pint.

Be sure to at least check out the mural of Roberta Flack (a famous North Carolinian) on the side of Black Mountain Brewing!

Pisgah Brewing is located just outside of downtown and they are the largest brewery in Black Mountain. You can’t get a flight here – only full pours or cans.

Note – if you’ve been to Pisgah in the past, they are now accepting credit cards!

3. Catch Some Live Music

You would be surprised at how many options there are here to see live music for such a small town. One of the most popular places is White Horse Black Mountain.

Ticket prices vary but typically a show will cost between $10 – $20 which honestly is SO cheap! They have different events throughout the week like Open Mic Night and an Irish Music Circle.

Like I mentioned above, you can also catch live music at Pisgah Brewing but that is weather-dependent since it’s outdoors.

During the summer you can also catch free concerts on Thursday night at Veterans Park called Park Rhythms. Make sure to check their website to see who is playing.

4. Walk at Lake Tomahawk Park

Taking a walk around Lake Tomahawk is one of the most peaceful things to do in Black Moutain. It’s a gorgeous park with views of the Seven Sisters mountains towering in the background.

The walking trail is an easy 0.5-mile loop around the lake but there are lots of other things you can do here.

There is a fishing pier but you’ll need a valid NC fishing license to take advantage of that. The Black Mountain pool is also a great place for kids to swim.

There are public restrooms here just in case you need a pit stop. You don’t have to worry about the alligators in North Carolina here – that’s just on the coast.

5. Visit the Swannanoa Valley Museum

The museum is located in a 1921 firehouse and it’s the perfect rainy day activity. Their specialty is the local history of Buncombe County.

Their days and hours of operation change seasonally so make sure to check on their website before visiting.

The first floor of the building houses a temporary exhibit typically that stays for a year and their second floor houses the permanent exhibit.

The permanent exhibit is called Our Pathways: People and Stories of the Swannanoa Valley which showcases stories of the people who developed the area.

The museum also hosts a few different hikes each month where you can learn more about the history of the area in a unique way.

6. Tour Round Mountain Creamery

Okay, so this is a super fun one! Did you know that you can tour a goat dairy farm in Black Mountain?

Tours are by appointment only so don’t just show up here and they do charge an admission fee. You get to see how they milk the goats and then how they produce their soft cheeses.

The tour ends at the farm store where you can sample their cheeses and buy some to take home with you!

They are part of the larger WNC Cheese Trail so if you love cheese then be sure to check them out!

7. Try These Black Mountain Restaurants

Now for one of my favorite things to do in town – eat! Asheville gets so much recognition for its culinary scene but these Black Mountain restaurants are just as impressive.

Louise’s Kitchen is a must for breakfast – no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Blue Ridge Biscuit Company is also delicious as is Open Oven Brunch & Bakery.

There are so many great restaurants in Black Mountain, NC that it’s difficult to choose just a few lunch and dinner recommendations.

Veranda is a great lunch spot for soups and sandwiches and for a good chicken sandwich try Black Mountain Kitchen & Ale House. Cousins Cuban Cafe is DELICIOUS.

Fresh Pizza & Pasta is my go-to for pizza. Black Mountain Bistro and Trailhead are both great dinner spots too.

The Dripolator is a good coffee spot but gets very crowded on weekends since it’s in the middle of downtown. Further down US 70 you’ll find Dynamite Roasting Co. where you can pick up a cup of their coffee as well.

In the mood for ice cream? Make sure to stop by The Hop. The original location is in Asheville and they make all their ice cream locally and have some unique seasonal flavors.

8. Have Some Cider at Black Mountain Cider & Mead

Located in an old furniture factory, Black Mountain Cider & Mead is a fun stop to try some unique beverages. They’re very close to Pisgah Brewing and Oak & Grist Distillery.

They use local apples and honey to produce cider and mead and you can try a flight or grab a glass of either. While they have traditional options, they also produce some really unique flavors.

9. Browse the Art Galleries

The arts are such a big part of the character of Black Mountain so visiting an art gallery really is a special thing when you’re here.

Starting with the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, where you’ll find a public gallery, theatre, plus they hold many classes from dance to music to visual art.

The Red House Studio is put together by the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League and is only a couple blocks from downtown Black Mountain. They have parking directly in front of the house too if you would rather not walk.

The artists staff the gallery and love answering any questions you may have. They also hold classes and workshops here on ocassion.

The Seven Sisters Gallery sells local art and locally-made crafts. You’ll find all kinds of things here from paintings and jewelry to pottery and furniture.

10. Grab a Drink at Oak & Grist

Whether you want to tour the distillery or just have a delicious cocktail, this is a fun spot to visit. Tours are offered Wednesday – Friday and you may want to reserve your spot.

They have a nice covered patio and a beautiful cocktail garden where you can enjoy your drinks and stay a while.

You can order flights of their spirits, traditional cocktails, or one of their seasonal cocktails. They also offer some local beer plus wine and non-alcoholic options.

11. Sit in a Decorated Rocking Chair

Black Mountain has been known as the “front porch of the Blue Ridge Mountains” and more recently been dubbed “The Little Town that Rocks.”

Because of this, you’ll find rocking chairs all over downtown where you can sit and take a rest. These chairs are all painted by local artists so pay attention to the beautiful work on each of them.

My recommendation is to grab an ice cream cone from The Hop then find a rocking chair to people watch.

12. Visit Wineries in Western NC

There are so many incredible wineries in North Carolina and you can definitely find a few of those in western NC!

This is another one of my favorite things to do near Black Mountain. My personal favorites are Linville Falls Winery and Burntshirt Vineyards.

The Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the US, though I’ll be honest, I can’t say that I loved it. The experience is definitely not the same as visiting a smaller winery nearby.

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, Stone Ashe Vineyards, and Sawyer Springs Vineyards are all great wineries near Hendersonville too.

Outdoor Activities Near Black Mountain, NC

13. Take a Hike

Hiking is what brings many people here and it’s one of the best free things to do in Black Mountain, NC.

There are many popular hikes near town like Catawba Falls (one of my favorite Asheville area waterfalls) and Lookout Mountain but if you’re willing to go a little farther out, then the sky is the limit.

Some other favorites in the area are DuPont State Forest, Craggy Pinnacle, Crabtree Falls, and Mt. Mitchell.

Catawba Falls is a moderate hike that’s about 2.7 miles round trip. It’s near Old Fort and very close to the exit on the highway so it’s a crowded trail.

If you want to go on the weekend make sure that you get there early – preferably right at sunrise so you’re done by 9am. This is a great trail for dogs!

Lookout Moutain is a much more difficult hike and if you’re like me, you’ll feel like you’re dying once you reach the top. The view is well-worth it though as you’re overlooking the town of Black Mountain nestled in a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s a short trail at ~1.5 miles round trip and at the end there’s a fun little rock scramble. It’s pretty steep for most of the way though. Dogs are allowed but I wouldn’t take mine on this one because of the rocks at the end.

DuPont State Forest has a loop hike that will take you to three different waterfalls. Craggy Pinnacle is an easy hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway that leads to gorgeous 360-degree views.

Crabtree Falls is a moderate/strenuous trail that leads to a 70’ waterfall. Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi with tons of hiking options in that state park and surrounding area.

If you love waterfalls then you need to visit Oconee County, SC. There are some amazing waterfalls near Walhalla.

14. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Parkway goes right through Asheville on the eastern side which is closest to Black Mountain and a popular day trip from Asheville.

You can head north toward Craggy Gardens, Glassmine Falls, and Mt. Mitchell or go south toward Fryingpan Mountain and Devil’s Courthouse.

Craggy Gardens, Devil’s Courthouse, and Fryingpan Mountain are two amazing spots for sunset or sunrise.

There are tons of hiking options on the Parkway but you can also just drive and check out some of the overlooks and different attractions like the Cradle of Forestry (check seasonal closings).

Bring a picnic and make it a romantic date!

15. Climb the Stairs at Chimney Rock State Park

This is another great place to hike nearby plus it’s close to Lake Lure! This is one of the only NC State Parks that charges an entrance fee so just be prepared for that.

We parked in the gravel lot and hiked up the Four Seasons Trail instead of taking the shuttle. This brings you into the Hickory Nut Falls Trail that will take you to the base of the falls if you go right.

Turn left and you’ll come to the base of the stairs where you can start your climb up to Chimney Rock.

Once you’re done at the state park, make sure you stop by Burntshirt Vineyard and Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery. Both have great drinks and food.

16. Paddle at Lake James State Park

There are a few different hiking trails in the park but this one is very popular for mountain biking and fishing.

There are two boat ramps that will accommodate power boats and sailboats. You can also rent kayaks and canoes in the park.

You’ll find many people here fishing for largemouth bass but you can also find walleye, white bass, and bluegill in the lake.

There are three different campgrounds here. One drive-in, a walk-in, and a paddle-in campground. I’ve camped at the Paddy’s Creek Campground which was very nice though the bathrooms were a little dirty.

17. Go Hiking at Mount Mitchell State Park

I’ve mentioned Mt. Mitchell a few times before but it really is a must-do! Again, it’s the highest point east of the Mississippi standing 6,684 ft tall.

There are plenty of hiking trails in the park and many are interconnected with larger trail systems in Pisgah National Forest.

You can either hike up to the top of the mountain from Park Headquarters or drive to the top parking lot and take a short, paved trail to the viewing platform. It may be short but it’s steep!

There is also a restaurant that’s open seasonally on the way to the top of the mountain.

18. Pick Apples at a Local Orchard

When August comes around I always start thinking about where to go apple picking! There are tons of places near Hendersonville for this, which is about 45 minutes from Black Mountain.

I’ve been to Justus Orchard and Grandad’s Apples and loved both experiences. Justus Orchard sold apple cider doughnuts and had a small store where you could purchase apples if you didn’t want to pick them yourself.

Grandad’s is a bit larger with more frills like a petting zoo, bakery, pumpkin patch, and corn maze. If you have young kids and want to make a day out of it then this might be the place for you.

If you are older and don’t have any kids, and you just want something fun to do for a date or with your girlfriends then I definitely recommend Justus.

19. Float the French Broad River

During the summer, a float on the French Broad is so much fun! You can go tubing with Zen Tubing or take a kayak, SUP, or canoe down the river.

There are guided tours or you can set up shuttle yourself and take your own equipment. We love going from Bent Creek River Park to Hominy Creek and set up our own shuttle.

You can even whitewater raft on the French Broad! This is one of the easier rivers for whitewater rafting in North Carolina with Class II – III rapids.

There is a bigger section of the river with Class IV rapids if you’re up for it!

20. Chase Some Waterfalls

The waterfalls of western NC are somewhat of a legend. I mean, Transylvania County is known as The Land of Waterfalls because there are over 250 of them near Brevard.

A few popular ones in this area are the ones in DuPont State Forest, Looking Glass Falls, and Moore Cove Falls. The ones in DuPont are some of the best waterfalls near Hendersonville.

Near Cherokee, you’ll find Mingo Falls and Soco Falls. I’ve already mentioned Catawba Falls and Crabtree Falls.

North of Black Mountain, Setrock Creek Falls is one of my favorite hikes. Toms Creek Falls and Roaring Fork Falls are also good, short hikes.

Annual Events in Black Mountain

{Re}HAPPENING Festival

This festival held in April is a fundraiser for local arts organizations and it helps amplify the work of local artists.

It’s a one day event held at the historic Black Mountain College Campus and requires admission.

LEAF Festival

This event is so popular, they host it in the spring AND fall! There are so many different components to this festival but the focus is to allow people to travel the world through music and arts.

There are multiple live performances, craft vendors, food vendors, and an adventure village. It takes place at the historic Black Mountain College campus and there are all kinds of fun activities here for the weekend.

Art in Bloom

With multiple events from the end of May through the end of June, there are a few fun ways to support this fundraiser for the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Over two days in mid-June the flowers will be displayed and you’ll have a chance to take some garden tours. Then towards the end of June through mid-July you can admire the works that were created from these flowers.

Rock the Classics

If you’re interested in classic cars then this festival is for you! Rock the Classics is held in late July as a fundraiser for the Swannanoa Valley Museum.

You can vote on different trophies for the cars in various categories and there are also multiple raffles going on throughout the day.

Sourwood Festival

This is one of the most popular events in Black Mountain and it’s held downtown. It’s a celebration of the beginning of the Sourwood Honey selling season and the local bees.

There are tons of vendors, live music, and kid-friendly activities.

Holly Jolly Christmas

This is made up of multiple events throughout the month of Christmas like the Christmas Parade, a Holly Jolly Market, Christmas Eve Celebrations, and more.

If you love festive, Hallmark Christmas towns, then Black Mountain is the perfect place to visit in December.

Wrap Up: Things to Do in Black Mountain, NC

Black Mountain is one of the cutest small towns near Asheville and well-worth a visit. Whether you love shopping in the boutiques of downtown, walking around Lake Tomahawk, or hiking the many trails, there’s something for you here.

The events throughout the year are also fun things to add into the mix and great reasons to plan a trip here! No matter what you’re visiting for, I know the small-town feel will charm you and the natural beauty will bring you back for more.