With so much to see and do in Asheville, NC, the best advice is to find someone knowledgeable to make the most interesting recommendations. The team at Inspired Getaway understands that not everyone is only interested in spending time in the outdoors among the Blue Ridge Mountains. They know that the most inviting and exciting experiences can happen inside.
So after you’ve gone shopping, toured the local breweries, and found the chef-owned restaurants, it’s time for a little fun. If you happen to learn something while having a good time, all the better. The top five must-see museums in Asheville provide fun and fascination, along with an educational experience.
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Family-friendly options abound in Asheville, providing a great line-up of interesting and one-of-a-kind museums. These are especially popular in the cooler months, so be prepared for crowds during the cooler months. The top five local spots that visitors consider must-see destinations include:
Asheville Pinball Museum.
Photo credit via Facebook: Asheville Pinball Museum
1 Battle Square, Asheville, 828-776-5671. On the edge of downtown, across the street from the historic Grove Arcade, the Pinball Museum is housed in a historical building with its own interesting history. Once you get inside, nostalgia hits you like a tsunami. In all, 35 classic pinball machines and 35 classic video games surround you. But they don’t take reservations, meaning you may get on a waiting list on busy days. Hint: go early.
Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum.
111 Grovewood Road, Asheville, 828-253-2698. This walk back in time takes you through a private collection of vintage cars. Local car dealer Harry Blomberg built this collection, which is free at Grovewood Village on the grounds of the Omni Grove Park Inn. Visit to see Asheville’s American LaFrance fire truck from 1922, as well as Harry’s rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. It’s closed from January to March.
Photo credit via Facebook: Grovewood Antique Car Museum
Asheville Art Museum.
2 South Pack Square, Asheville, 828-253-3227. Asheville’s well-known for its quirky artist community; the Art Museum celebrates that spirit. While actively collecting 20th and 21st-century artwork from Western North Carolina natives, the museum staff also highlights other interesting artists. It’s captured diversity in gender, race and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as new trends in digital art. This downtown museum is a hit with locals and visitors alike. Closed on Tuesdays, the museum offers late-night hours on Thursdays.
Photo credit via Facebook: Asheville Art Museum
Asheville Museum of Science.
43 Patton Avenue, Asheville, 828-254-7162. This is a fun stop for both kids and adults. Children perk up here with all the interactive exhibits aimed at the age-3-to-12 crowd. Adults enjoy the engaging exhibits, too, since its gems, astronomy and teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton inspire the imagination.
Photo credit via Facebook: Asheville Museum of Science
The Moogseum.
56 Broadway Street, Asheville, 828-258-1262. This mini-museum honors Bob Moog, the inventor of the groundbreaking Moog synthesizer. Music lovers, electronic music historians, sound engineers, and curious visitors enjoy walking through a timeline of Moog’s work. Included are exhibits of Leon Theremin, a major influence on Moog’s style. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the synthesizer at a hands-on exhibit and check out the first 1960s-era prototypes. Hours vary, depending on the time of year.
Photo credit via Facebook: Moogseum
Contact Inspired Getaway to connect you with someone who can get tickets, recommend the best times to visit or direct you to the most updated calendar of events in these five must-see museums. Inspired Getaway also offers tickets to the other indoor and outdoor venues that make Asheville, North Carolina a worthwhile place to visit.
Feature photo credit: Asheville Art Museum
