5 Best Things To Do In Fairview, North Carolina

1. Visit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Take a twenty-minute drive down the US 74 ALT W to Asheville and you’ll be able to visit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, a state historic site that’s worth stopping by. If you’re a fan of American literature, you’ve probably read Thomas Wolfe’s novel “Look Homeward, Angel,” written in 1929. At the memorial, you’ll be able to tour Wolfe’s home, a historic boardinghouse, mentioned in his novel. You’ll also recognize scenes from Asheville, as they were portrayed in Wolfe’s writing.

The Thomas Wolfe Memorial offers tours as well as educational programs for kids, so call ahead to see what might be offered when you’re planning your visit. The tour is 45 minutes long and before the tour, you’ll get to hear readings from Wolfe’s novels and other writing. It’s open from 9 AM to 5 PM, Tuesdays through Saturdays and closed on Sundays, Mondays and national holidays.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Address: 52 North Market Street, Asheville, NC 28801

Website: Thomas Wolfe Memorial

2. Meet rare animals at the Western North Carolina Nature Center

Located in Asheville, the Western North Carolina Nature Center houses a wide variety of wildlife. Meet wolves, bears, deer, coyote, otters, big cats, and more! The center features wildlife that are native to the North Carolina region and offers fun educational facts about each species. The center also features a nature hike through trails on the property. Although it’s a nature center, it’s just as impressive and educational as a zoo.

Adult tickets are 10.95 USD and kid’s tickets are 6.95 USD. From time to time, the nature center hosts events, including family fun days with music, clogging, free crafts, food, games, and live animal presentations. Other events include Halloween and Christmas themed parties that are geared towards the kids. A family favorite event is the “Wolf Howl”- at this event, you’ll learn how wolves live in the wild, take a short hike to the wolf compound, and howl until you hear the wolves howl back!

Before you leave, be sure to check out the station where you can sluice for gemstones! Kids love the opportunity to keep the gemstones they find.

Western North Carolina Nature Center

Address: 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville NC, 28805

Website: Western North Carolina Nature Center

3. Take a food tour through the surrounding cities

If you consider yourself a foodie, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to try a variety of delicious cuisine through Asheville Food Tours. Choose from three different tours–the Downtown Tour, the Food Fan Foot Tour, or the Brunch Tour, depending on your mood. Keep in mind that the Food Fan Foot Tour is only available for those age 21 and up and does feature several breweries. If you’d like to taste fine drink as well as food, it’s a great option, while the Downtown Tour is more family friendly. From Mexican food, burger joints, Italian cuisine, candy shops and more, you’ll visit about eight different locations.

Tours start at 50 USD per person and are a minimum of 3.5 hours long. Come hungry and ready to walk!

Asheville Food Tours

Address: Asheville NC

Website: Asheville Food Tours

4. Go on a forage-to-table adventure with Wild Food Adventures

Wild Food Adventures is a one-of-a-kind experience. Starting at 40 USD per adult and 15 USD per child, the adventure combines a foraging and hiking experience with a delicious meal. Take a three-hour long tour, through fields and forest, learning about different kinds of mushrooms, greens, berries, fruits, and seeds. What you find all depends on what’s in season, but usually tours find ten to twenty wild foods. It’s a great way to try new food that you haven’t encountered before!

Next, you’ll either learn to cook what you’ve gathered or sit back as a partner restaurant makes a delicious meal out of what you’ve foraged - it’s up to you.

If you’d like to go on a mini tour, Wild Food Adventures offers an hour and a half long tour that requires less walking. You can also book a private tour, starting at 450 USD for six adults.

Wild Food Adventures

Address: Asheville, NC

Website: Wild Food Adventures

5. Take a stroll through the North Carolina Arboretum

The stunning North Carolina Arboretum spans 434 acres (175.6 hectares), 65 (26.3 hectares) of which are made up of cultivated gardens. Through the park, there are 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) of hiking and biking trails and educational exhibits. You will have to pay for parking–14 USD per vehicle–but admission is free of charge. The Baker Exhibit Center offers the opportunity to learn about the plant species you’ll see on your explorations, and the exhibits rotate every few months. When you’re done exploring the gorgeous grounds, stop by the Savory Thyme Cafe, on the grounds, for a bite to eat.

The Arboretum is open from November through March from 8 AM to 7 PM and from April through October from 8 AM to 9 PM. If you’re visiting during the winter, the Arboretum plays host to the Winter Lights Festival, which decorates the gardens and features fire pits and smores. Don’t miss the beautiful bonsai trees and the stunning view of the North Carolina mountains.

North Carolina Arboretum

Address: Pisgah National Forest, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806

Website: North Carolina Arboretum

Fairview offers the opportunity to explore the outdoors

Tucked within North Carolina’s mountains, you won’t want to stay indoors while you’re in Fairview. The area offers the opportunity to get out, explore and enjoy North Carolina’s native plants, trees, and animals–even big cats and bears!