The North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum had ten feet of flooding at the main entrance and lost over 10,000 trees. I went for the Winter Lights Festival so I did not see a lot of this damage as it was dark. The trails are still closed but those aren't part of the night event anyway.I do think they are still open by donation during the day rather than charging for each car but check first if you are not a member.When I attended the Winter Lights last year it was a slower night but they had this organized very well for the larger crowd. Tickets are limited so it isn't overly crowded and you have plenty of space but there were more people there on my Saturday visit than mid-week visit. The displays were done to the same perfection as last year with some new additions. I was able to linger longer this year and take in a cookie and hot cocoa. The prices were a little steep but they need the money to try and bring the Arboretum to what it was before Helene so I was ok with it.I really enjoy the lights set to music. I love the wishing trees too. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and after the traumatic experience they all lived through and are dealing with from Helene this brought them some joy. I'm hoping to get back for the 2025 Winter Lights but I will still do my regular visits before then.

Family outing to the holiday lights Each car needs a ticket so you have to plan ahead and book online. Nice and easy Our time was at 7 pm. Long line of cars but went quickly Easy parking This is a walking tour. Very friendly greeters with maps and information Very creative use of lightsNice outing for the whole family. Kids liked making s'mores Plan on an hour of hanging out ,walking,mulled cider

ProsNice grounds, nice trails, nice bonsai exhibit. Clean restrooms, food for lunch, picnic area.Walking, hiking biking and you may bring your dog on a 6 ft LeashConsNot as many flowers as I would have imagined, one of the water features wasn't working, the map doesn't really give you good walking information nor are they marked for ability. I saw quite a few seniors unsure of where to go walking and how difficult the walks are.

I decided to visit on my last day in Asheville. What a pleasant surprise! Me and my pup walked the gardens, ventured into the meadows, and hiked a few short trails. If I lived in Asheville I would love to have a pass and go on more well-kept trails. On the trails, we saw a deer which was great, and lots of flowers and trees. The trails where fairly easy. It's just what I needed. Fresh air and sunshine. The gardens had so many flower species. The bonsai gardens were so beautiful. I couldn't go in due to my dog, but I looked in from the door. Felt peaceful. If you are in Asheville or you are a local stop by for some beautiful plant species and trails.

I cannot recommend this place enough. While the dining experience isn't as optimal as one would hope for, the trials and outdoor experience is top-notch. Parking is very easy and not expensive at all. There are trails and experiences for all levels of adventurers. We took our kids on a few occasions and we had a blast. They clearly take pride in the grounds and keep it well maintained. We saw several summer camps happening there with kids who were learning a lot about nature and the outdoors. What a great resource and program!! Their Christmas shop was amazing to see and the kids wanted to touch and see everything. There are several bathroom areas along the way and plenty of benches to sit if you find yourself needing a repite. The artwork and sculpture onsite are amazing to see. It feels like a grand place to be and almost like a theme park but without the commercialized vibe. If you have a chance to visit this special place, you will not be disappointed.

We loved our four hour visit here. We thought we'd be here for an hour or two, but before we knew it, the time flew by. There is so much to see and do! We started with the walk around the gardens. Then we explored the gardens behind the education center. We didn't want to leave for lunch, so we ate at the Cafe on site. Then we looked at the Bonsai. Impressive and inspirational. When we walked out of the Bonsai area, we heard a man singing. We stepped around a wall, and saw the older man strumming his guitar and singing. He had a beautiful voice. We moved on and saw rows and rows of flowers. In front of us. To the right and left we're more flowers and trees. We were appreciative of the identification stakes with most of the vegetation. I can identify more plants, flowers, and trees as a result of these signs on this visit. As we got ready to leave, we visited the plant sale area and the adjoining gift shop. We skipped the fragrance exhibit. We were tired! This was a fantastic experience and we hope to return.

What an absolutely gorgeous arboretum! I visited here with my husband and son a few weeks ago, and we had such a great time. The Arboretum is gorgeous, the staff is friendly, and the trees and plants are stunning. It was so relaxing walking around. We learned so much about bonsai trees and saw at least 30 different bonsai trees, including everything from the local hemlock to the Japanese maple! If we lived nearby we would definitely have an annual membership!Rating from F to A +++, I give it an A+++.

Such a peaceful place to explore! I just love walking through the trails. The streams are so calming. I talked to man that was bird watching and said he had just seen a bird he had on his wish list to see!The rocking chairs are so comfortable by the cafeteria. I highly recommend!

In a city filled with natural treasures, the arboretum may not make your list. But it should! Don't let the $20 entry fee stop you. The hiking is great here! It was slightly more strenuous than I had expected. I opted for the 4-mile route, which connected multiple trails of varying inclines and terrains. The views were lovely and very secluded. The gardens are probably the highlight for me. I absolutely loved the bonsai exhibit! Not only were the plants beautiful, but the information about them was so well-designed. I felt so refreshed!The visitor center is quite well run, and the staff are extremely smiley and kind. This was a lovely morning and a great farewell to Asheville!

Nice arboretum and they decorated for the holidays. Went last fall. Sadly a lot of their plants were dried up or already experiencing the effects of the fall weather. The bonsai selection is nice but the flowers were gone because they're stored outside or the weather had gotten to them.