While visiting Asheville for a work conference, I decided to take a day trip to Black Mountain, NC, and was amazed by the beautiful scenery, charming downtown, vibrant culture, and the delicious food options. Black Mountain’s downtown was a perfect mix of a quaint mountain town with a modern flair. With so many fun things to do in Black Mountain, NC, a day trip is a perfect option to check out the must-see attractions!
Being only 20 minutes from Asheville, Black Mountain is a perfect escape from the bigger city to get a more laid-back vibe. Follow my guide below on how to spend a day in Black Mountain, NC:
Common Questions About a Day Trip to Black Mountain, NC
Is Black Mountain ready for visitors?
Yes, the town of Black Mountain is open for tourists. If you are wanting to explore nearby mountain areas and go hiking, I would check prior to visiting.
Is Black Mountain NC Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Black Mountain is a beautiful town tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains. With breweries, restaurants, and local shops- you will not be short of things to do!
Is Black Mountain Walkable?
The downtown itself is very walkable, but to reach other destinations outside of town you will need a car.
Where to Stay in Black Mountain
I know this itinerary is only for the day, but having the option to stay in Black Mountain is never a bad idea! Below are a few accommodation options for your Black Mountain, NC visit.
- Monte Vista Hotel
- A boutique hotel accommodation that was initially built as a schoolhouse in 1919. The Monte Vista hotel also has a restaurant on site featuring Southern cuisine.
- Peri Social Social House
- The most unique hotel option, as it is known for being the smallest boutique hotel in North Carolina. Peri Social House has a bohemian-mountain vibe with other amenities including a coffee shop, bar (wine and beer), and an on-site wood-fired pizza food truck on the weekends (which looks delicious btw).
- Cabin or House Rental
- While in the mountains, it is always nice to rent a place of your own, especially if it is a cabin. I would check out Airbnb and Greybeard Rentals for a more flexible Black Mountain accommodation.
Getting To and Around Black Mountain
Best Time to Plan Your Day Trip to Black Mountain, NC
Which Season to Visit
Every season truly brings something special when visiting Black Mountain. Listed below are all the seasons and the main attractions during that time. This way, you can decide for yourself when to enjoy all of the fun things to do in Black Mountain, NC.
- Spring: Blooms, moderate temperatures, fewer crowds.
- Summer: Great for water activities, will be more crowded due to summer vacation.
- Fall: The most picturesque time of year, with the changing leaves and mild temperatures, expect more crowds.
- Winter: The Least amount of crowds centered around snow activities and Christmas events.
Festivals
Sourwood Festival
- One of the most notable festivals in Black Mountain that brings in around 30,000 attendees to celebrate the sourwood honey season every August. The Sourwood Festival not only celebrates the honey from the sourwood trees, but it also includes hundreds of vendors, delicious food, and other fun activities for the whole family.
LEAF Festival
- A weekend-long festival at Lake Eden where families and individuals can celebrate music and art. The LEAF Festival occurs biannually every May and October and is very unique as it is a family-friendly music festival that is a weekend-long event.
Black Mountain Blues Festival
- Calling all jazz lovers! Black Mountain Blues is the newest festival in Black Mountain, with its inaugural three-day-long festival in July 2024.
Fun Things To Do in Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain, NC Shops
There is some great shopping in Black Mountain with unique and local shops. Visit Black Mountain has a great resource to use as a shopping guide for your trip to Black Mountain. Because downtown Black Mountain is pretty small, you can easily walk along Cherry, W State, and Broadway streets to decide which shops pique your interest.
Museums and Galleries
Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center
- Black Mountain College offers historic and art exhibits that rotate with different themes and subjects. The is a great activity in Black Mountain to learn more about the history of Appalachia in North Carolina and dive into the culture of the locals, showcasing their artwork.
- Admission: Free with a suggested donation
Black Mountain Center for the Arts
- This is a great place to stop by to check out the gallery with featured exhibits rotating monthly. I would also check out the Black Mountain Center for the Arts events page to learn about their upcoming classes and events that could be a fun activity for your day trip to Black Mountain.
- Admission: Free
Red House Studio and Art Gallery
- Another great place to check out local artwork with exhibits rotating frequently.
Lake Tomahawk Park
Lake Tomahawk Park provides beautiful views of the Seven Sisters mountain range. There is a .55-mile lake loop where you can stretch your legs and admire the stunning mountain views from all perspectives around the lake. This is the closest lake near Black Mountain, NC, and is a perfect stop before going into town. While we were there in the spring, the cutest ducklings were waddling and swimming in and around the lake!
Town Square Park
A beautiful park in the middle of downtown, take a minute to look around and appreciate the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Town Square Park has a small garden, a splash pad, and a covered picnic area for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Where to Hike in Black Mountain, NC
When deciding what to do in Black Mountain, NC, I would say to get out in nature to admire the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is only about 10 minutes away, and listed below are a few short hikes listed below that are close by.
- Catawba Falls and Ridge Loop (3.6 loop trail)
- Two Sisters and a View (3.5-mile loop trail)
- Lookout Trail (1 mile out-and-back)
Where to Eat and Drink
Restaurants
- This farm-to-table South African restaurant was absolutely delicious! The vibes, the drinks, and, of course, the meal itself were so good, and I highly recommend.
- A tried and true dining option offering breakfast all day and fresh lunch options, all homemade, of course! Louise’s Kitchen is in a historic home that was built in 1904.
- Such a good go-to option with your typical bar food, but with a fresh and made-to-order offering.
Breweries, Coffee, and Other Drinks in Black Mountain
- Black Mountain Brewery
- We stopped here before our reservation at Bush Farmhouse. We sat on the upper deck and had pretty good views of downtown Black Mountain and the surrounding Blue Ridge.
- Oak and Grist Distilling
- Oak and Grist is a whisky and gin distillery where you can tour the facility or simply enjoy a cocktail with their house-made spirits.
- Dripolator
- The Black Mountain location is the original location of the Dripolator coffee shop. This coffee shop is a local favorite and is one of the oldest coffee shops in town. Come check out the tried in true coffee shop!
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