According to the Asheville Citizen Times, living in beautiful Western North Carolina means that families have a ton of free outdoor activities to chose from to fill those long summer days. Besides the abundance of hikes and waterfalls, we’ve collected 22 ways your family can get the most out of this summer break without breaking the bank.
1. Botanical Gardens of Asheville: Free admission to view the over 600 native species of plants, or a guide can be arranged for $3 per person for nonmembers. The gardens are at 151 W.T. Weaver Blvd. in North Asheville. Visit www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.
2. N.C. Arboretum: Free admission to the 434-acres of beautiful gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails in Bent Creek, with parking at $12 per vehicle. Guests who walk in can do so for free. Visit www.ncarboretum.org.
3. Friday Night Drum Circle: People of all ages bring something to drum on, or just dance and watch at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville on Friday nights throughout the summer starting around 6 p.m.
4. Shindig on the Green: For nearly 50 years, Shindig on the Green has taken place at Pack Square Park on most Saturdays through the summer. The first Shindig is June 27. A stage show and informal jam sessions take place with musicians of all ages and instruments gathering to perform during this outdoor concert. Visit www.folkheritage.org/shindigonthegreen.htm for more information and dates.
5. Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: The center just east of Asheville at Milepost 384 features interactive exhibits showcasing the parkway’s long history. Visit www.blueridgeparkway.org.
6. Estes-Winn Antique Automobile Museum: Vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages and a fire engine are all on display here, including a 1913 Ford Model T. At 111 Grovewood Road, North Asehville. www.grovewood.com/about-us/estes-winn-antique-car-museum/
7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, historic buildings, waterfalls and more at one of the few free national parks in America, thanks to a decree when ownership was granted to Tennessee in the 1930s. One-third of the park rests in North Carolina. Visit www.nps.gov/grsm.
8. Mount Mitchell State Park: Come see the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River for free and explore the nearly 2,000 acres that make up Mount Mitchell. www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/momi/main.php
9. Benjamin Long Frescoes: Go on an expedition to view the nine frescoes that dot six locations along the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and see some beautiful churches and views, too. www.blueridgeheritage.com/attractions-destinations/blue-ridge-frescoes
10. Mad Batter Food & Film Sylva: Located in downtown Sylva, the Mad Batter Food & Film is a dining theater that shows free movies most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.madbatterfoodandfilm.com/
11. Museum of North Carolina Minerals: Precious and semi-precious gems of practically every shape and color are housed here, and of course plenty of information about their formation and classification. It’s at Milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at the junction with N.C. 226 near Spruce Pine. Visit http://bit.ly/1LhbiFT
12. Judaculla Rock: Visit a boulder covered in ancient writings and images that is thought to be more than 2,000 years old. For more information and directions, visit www.judacullarock.com.
13. Western North Carolina Air Museum: This free museum showcases the history of aviation in North Carolina, known as the “First in Flight” state. Dozens of plans are on-site dating back to 1917. It’s at 1340 E. Gilbert St., Hendersonville. Visit www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com.
14. Andrews Geyser: This man-made fountain is part of a public park in Old Fort and the water shoots 80 feet in the air. Visit www.mcdowellnc.org/links/1/169
15. Antique Toy Museum: Find a collection of toys dating back to the 1880s including trains, dollhouses, and wind-up toys. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, it’s at 154 White St., Hendersonville. www.hendersonvilleantiquetoymuseum.com/index.html/
16. Model Railroad at the Historic Depot: This to scale railroad display contains over 2,000 feet of track alongside historic artifacts and a caboose you can tour. www.historichendersonville.org/train_depot.htm
17. Biltmore Estate: Check out the nation’s largest private home. Kids 16 and under are free with adult admission until Sept. 7. www.biltmore.com.
18. Cradle of Forestry: Free admission on Tuesdays for everyone for access to trails, exhibits about forestry, and more. It’s on U.S. 276 near Brevard, in Pisgah National Forest. For information, visit www.cradleofforestry.com.
19. Asheville Tourists: During Goodwill Nights throughout the season, admission is free if you bring three gently used clothing items. Some of these dates also correspond with Kids Eat Free nights. Find details at http://atmilb.com/1nLyS1T.
20. Montford Park Players: This nonprofit is responsible for the longest running Shakespeare Festival in North Carolina and performs free shows to the public at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater in Asheville on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June through September. www.montfordparkplayers.org/
21. Western North Carolina Farmers Market: Stroll the stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, flowers, crafts and more among the 36-acre location. www.ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/markets/asheville/
22. Buncombe County libraries: The public libraries in Buncombe have a full schedule of free events in the summer, many revolving around 2015’s theme of super heroes.