Black Mountain is a quaint village that "rocks" with 40+ shops, 30 restaurants and three breweries. Some of our favorite shopping stops are the Town Hardware & General Store, Take a Hike Outfitters, Dancing Dragonfly, Seven Sisters Gallery, Europa Gifts and the sprawling Tyson Furniture Company (covers a whole block). Take a break at Dripolator Coffeehouse. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is a community arts facility in the beautifully renovated Old City Hall and houses monthly exhibits in the gallery along with programs in music, visual and performing arts. Next door, the Swannanoa Museum is a must for history buffs.
Just a few blocks from downtown in their quaint city park is Lake Tomahawk (401 S. Laurel Circle Drive), with a half-mile loop trail around the lake with views of Graybeard Mountain and the Seven Sisters peaks. TripAdvisor readers voted Black Mountain the prettiest small town vacation in America!
Many folks come to know Black Mountain through the numerous conference centers located within a few miles of the town, including Ridgecrest, Blue Ridge Assembly, The Cove and Christmount. The small village of Montreat, best known as being the home of the Reverend Billy Graham, is next door with a small liberal arts college and the Montreat Conference Center that features a beautiful Ben Long fresco in the chapel.
Stop by for a fascinating history tour at the Swannanoa Valley Museum.
Sourwood Festival: Second Weekend in August
Black Mountain's annual Sourwood Festival is always a hit with locals and visitors alike! This weekend features music, dancing, arts and crafts, festival food and kid's rides. With about 200 vendors, discover lots of local and unique arts and crafts, and there will be something to please every palate. Add to that the honey and bee demos and the gourmet sourwood honey. Free admission. Read more.
LEAF
The popular LEAF Festival is held twice a year. See our LEAF Guide.
Greenway
If you love to road bike, check out the Point Lookout Trail Greenway.
White Horse Black Mountain
This unique performance and event center in the heart of downtown features a variety of events including music, storytelling, puppetry, poetry, theatre, films, community events, benefit events, workshops and much more.
If you continue east down the mountain via I-40, you will find the tiny village of Old Fort. And the village of Montreat is just a few miles north. See more of our Coolest NC Mountain Small Towns.
Directions from Asheville: I-40 east for about 15 miles. Downtown Black Mountain is just a few blocks from I-40.
Best of Black Mountain
Oak & Grist Distilling Company, Black Mountain
Located just 20 mins from Asheville in Black Mountain, Oak & Grist crafts are regionally inspired, 100% scratch-made whiskey and gin using traditional Scottish distilling techniques. Book a… read more
Located just 20 mins from Asheville in Black Mountain, Oak & Grist crafts are regionally inspired, 100% scratch-made whiskey and gin using traditional Scottish distilling techniques. Book a tour online or stop by their tasting room. Hours: Mon-Thurs from, 12-6 PM and Fri-Sat, 12-8 PM.
Point Lookout Trail
(7.2 miles round-trip, moderate) The best paved greenway near Asheville is a blast for biking or hiking. This paved path in Pisgah National Forest was formerly part of Old US Highway 70, winding… read more
(7.2 miles round-trip, moderate) The best paved greenway near Asheville is a blast for biking or hiking. This paved path in Pisgah National Forest was formerly part of Old US Highway 70, winding through the woods with views of the mountains, railroad and forest. While the trail is only 3.6 miles one way, it climbs 900 ft. in elevation from Old Fort to Ridgecrest.
Swannanoa Valley Museum
This local history museum is packed with interesting historical exhibits in downtown Black Mountain. Learn about the social, cultural and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley in Buncombe County… read more
This local history museum is packed with interesting historical exhibits in downtown Black Mountain. Learn about the social, cultural and natural history of the Swannanoa Valley in Buncombe County with a rotating series of interesting exhibits. Or, take one of their guided hikes.
Inn on Mill Creek, Black Mountain
Tucked away on seven private, wooded acres inside Pisgah National Forest, this casual B&B is located near the charming small town of Black Mountain and has spacious guest rooms decorated to… read more
Tucked away on seven private, wooded acres inside Pisgah National Forest, this casual B&B is located near the charming small town of Black Mountain and has spacious guest rooms decorated to reflect the natural beauty of the mountains. 6 rooms, WiFi, fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, gardens, pond, organic orchard, pet-friendly, North Carolina Birding Trail site.
Full breakfast is served in…
Round Mountain Creamery Farm
Meet the goats and learn all about the goat-to-cheese process at this dairy farm south of Black Mountain. Tours by appointment, any day of the week. Featured on the Food Network.
Meet the goats and learn all about the goat-to-cheese process at this dairy farm south of Black Mountain. Tours by appointment, any day of the week. Featured on the Food Network.
Black Mountain Blues Festival
If you're a music lover, plan now for a trip to Black Mountain for the inaugural, three-day Black Mountain Blues Festival. Soak up “A Mountain of Blues in the Little Town That Rocks” with stages… read more
If you're a music lover, plan now for a trip to Black Mountain for the inaugural, three-day Black Mountain Blues Festival. Soak up “A Mountain of Blues in the Little Town That Rocks” with stages set throughout Downtown Black Mountain.
