9 Best Things to Do Near Asheville, NC for Large Groups
Last updated: September 22, 2026
Big group, big plans? Asheville makes it surprisingly easy.
Planning a trip with a large group comes with one major challenge: finding activities everyone can actually enjoy together.
Fortunately, Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains offer plenty of options—from outdoor adventures and scenic drives to historic landmarks, arts, food, and group-friendly experiences.
Whether you're traveling for a family reunion, friends' getaway, celebration, retreat, or simply bringing the whole crew along, here are some of the best things to do near Asheville for large groups.
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Crisp mountain air, colorful trails, fresh-picked apples, and scenic drives
1. Spend the Day at Biltmore
For a classic Asheville experience, visit Biltmore, one of the area's most recognizable attractions.
A visit can easily fill several hours—or most of the day—with Biltmore House, historic gardens, Antler Hill Village, shopping, dining, and activities across the estate.
Biltmore also accommodates group visits, making it particularly useful when you're coordinating plans for a larger party.
Good for: Multi-generational families, reunions, adult groups, history lovers.
2. Hit the Trails Together
You don't have to travel far from Asheville to find incredible mountain scenery.
The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest offer hiking opportunities ranging from relaxed walks to more adventurous trails and waterfall hikes.
For large groups, consider splitting into smaller hiking groups based on everyone's comfort level, then meeting back up afterward.
Good for: Active groups, friends' trips, retreats, outdoor-loving families
Group Tip: Always check parking, trail conditions, weather, and any group-size restrictions before heading out.
3. Discover Local Wineries
Slow things down with an afternoon exploring the wineries and vineyards around Western North Carolina. It’s an easy group activity that combines mountain scenery, local flavors, and plenty of time to relax together.
For larger groups, check ahead for reservations, tasting options, and transportation—especially if you plan to visit more than one winery.
Good for: Adult groups, couples traveling together, celebrations, and relaxed afternoons.
4. Take a Blue Ridge Parkway Drive
Sometimes the activity is simply the drive.
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through some of Western North Carolina's most beautiful mountain scenery, with overlooks and access to hiking and recreation areas along the route.
Pack snacks, create a playlist, choose a few stops, and make an afternoon of it.
It's especially useful for groups with a mix of ages and physical abilities because everyone gets to experience the mountains without needing to tackle a difficult hike.
Good for: Everyone—especially multi-generational groups
Group Tip: Always check current road conditions before heading out. Weather, construction, and maintenance can result in temporary closures.
5. Plan an Adventure Day
If your group would rather do something together, Asheville has plenty of ways to turn a day into an adventure.
Depending on the season and your group, you could look into:
· Whitewater rafting
· Scenic rafting
· Kayaking or tubing
· Ziplining
· Mountain biking
· Guided outdoor adventures
Asheville Adventure Company offers rafting, kayaking, tubing, group adventures, and transportation options, while The Adventure Center of Asheville is another option for groups interested in outdoor activities.
Good for: Friend groups, adult family trips, retreats, adventurous travelers
For bigger parties, contact the outfitter ahead of time rather than trying to book everyone individually.
6. Wander Through Asheville's River Arts District
For a more laid-back afternoon, explore Asheville's River Arts District.
The district is home to hundreds of working artists, studios, galleries, demonstrations, workshops, murals, and other creative spaces.
Rather than trying to keep everyone together the entire time, give your group a meeting point and a couple of hours to explore independently.
Then regroup for food or drinks afterward.
Good for: Creative groups, friends, families, and relaxed afternoons
7. Turn Asheville Into a Group Game
If simply walking around town isn't enough, turn sightseeing into an activity.
Look for scavenger hunts, interactive tours, guided experiences, or customized group activities that allow everyone to explore Asheville while participating in something together.
This can be particularly fun when your group includes people who haven't visited Asheville before.
Good for: Reunions, birthdays, friend groups, retreats, team trips
8. Plan a Group Food Experience
Asheville has a strong food scene, so at least one group meal deserves to become part of the itinerary rather than something you figure out at the last minute.
For larger groups, look for:
· Private dining rooms
· Restaurant patios
· Family-style dining
· Food tours
· Private chefs or catered meals
· Group cooking experiences
If you're traveling with a particularly large party, make reservations well in advance.
Splitting into smaller groups for one evening can also give everyone a chance to explore different parts of Asheville.
Good for: Literally everyone.
9. Chase Waterfalls
Western North Carolina is filled with waterfalls, making a waterfall day an easy addition to an Asheville-area trip.
Depending on your group's mobility and appetite for adventure, you can choose accessible viewpoints, short walks, or longer waterfall hikes.
Turn it into a road trip: choose two or three stops, pack lunch, and spend the day exploring outside the city.
Good for: Families, photographers, outdoor groups, road-trip lovers
Group Tip: Don't try to squeeze ten waterfalls into one day. Pick a few and actually enjoy them.
Tips for Planning Asheville Activities for a Large Group
Book major activities early.
Tours, restaurants, guides, and attractions may have limited capacity for larger parties. Check Asheville’s current events calendar and book must-do experiences ahead of time, especially during peak travel seasons.
Plan accommodations early, too.
Large-group stays can be more limited, especially during Asheville’s busier seasons. Booking ahead gives you a better chance of finding a place that comfortably fits everyone under one roof. Look for group-friendly accommodations near Asheville with enough bedrooms, shared gathering spaces, amenities, and parking for your crew.
Don't schedule every hour.
Give people time to relax or explore independently. Leave a little flexibility for spontaneous stops.
Mix active and relaxed days.
Follow a hiking or rafting day with something slower like Biltmore, the local wineries, or the River Arts District.
Consider transportation.
A caravan of six cars isn't always the easiest way to explore. For particularly large groups, consider group transportation or choose activities where everyone can meet at one location.
Plan for different interests.
The goal doesn't have to be keeping 20 people together every minute. Sometimes the best itinerary offers two options during the day and brings everyone back together for dinner.
Make the Most of Your Asheville Group Getaway
The best large-group trips aren't necessarily the ones with the longest itinerary.
Choose a few memorable experiences, leave room to explore, and give everyone enough downtime to actually enjoy being together.
Whether your group spends the weekend hiking through the Blue Ridge Mountains, exploring Asheville's arts and food scene, rafting down the river, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, there's plenty here to build a getaway everyone can enjoy.
