If you are anything like me, you like to have fun but you like to watch your wallet even more. Luckily I live in an area that provides lots of activities that appeal to a wide range of interests that don’t cost a thing. Sometimes the best things in life really are free. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look!

• The Montford Park Players are an outdoor theater troupe that act out Shakespearean plays at the Hazel Robinson amphitheater. They perform every Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) starting in June and ending in September. It’s a must see!
• The River Arts District is an outstanding place to stroll through to fill that artsy nook in your heart. I enjoy getting a drink and walking around watching the potters throw the wheel and the glass blowers inflate molten glass into beautifully intricate designs.
• The Asheville Urban Trail is a 1.7 mile long trail that weaves its way through the city showcasing some of the amazing architecture as well as events and people that are unique to the area. There are 30 stations and each is marked with a piece of art and a bronze plaque that tell the story of the cultural point of interest.
• Isis Restaurant and Music Hall is located in West Asheville and is probably the best music venue in Asheville right now. On Tuesdays they offer free concerts and host bluegrass musicians!
• Throughout the summer we host a variety of festivals that don’t cost a penny to attend such as Shindig on the Green and Downtown After 5.
• For the longest time I thought you had to pay to take tours of all our local breweries. I was very happy to be proven wrong! Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Highland Brewery all offer brew tours of the facilities free of charge. You also get to sip and sample as you go. Win-win!
• The Botanical Gardens of Asheville is place that makes you feel completely tucked away from the city and hugged by flowers. You can enjoy the creek that runs through the gardens as well as some peaceful picnicking and napping areas. Definitely a place to unwind and relax. The gift shop is a great place to get some souvenirs too.
• Of course, hiking! There are countless of incredible hikes that appeal to all preferences. Whether you want waterfalls or swimming holes, you can find it here. Easy hikes, difficult hikes, scary hikes, meadow hikes, pasture hikes, flora hikes, fauna hikes, high elevation or lower elevation hikes. Hikes, hikes, HIKES! (Tapping into my inner Dr. Seuss)
• Art galleries! We have hundreds of them! The highest concentration of galleries is located downtown with over 30 of them to browse. Most of the galleries are open during daytime hours but a lot of them will close on Sundays.
• I can’t possibly talk about free things to do in Asheville without mentioning the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s the piece de resistance of our area! You can joy ride for hours upon hours and the views never get old. Some of my favourite memories of living here is stopping at the various drive ins and just taking in the majestic views of the mountains and trying to burn the images into my mind