8 Fun Things to Do in Black Mountain, NC (Local’s Guide)
Black Mountain, NC is a hidden gem located just 15 minutes east of Asheville. Even though most would consider Black Mountain a small town, it is has a vibrant downtown with delicious food and breweries, unique boutiques, and beautiful scenery no matter which way you look!
Black Mountain, NC is definitely worth visiting if you’re in or near western North Carolina. It has everything you could want in a small town: genuinely nice people, fun breweries, flavorful farm to table food, and festivals for you to enjoy year-round.
If you are looking for the best things to do in Black Mountain, NC from incredible hikes, waterfalls, local art and the best restaurants in Black Mountain, NC; this guide is for you.
Best Time to Visit Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain’s 2,400 ft elevation results in milder temperatures making Black Mountain a popular summer escape for people in the hot and sticky southeast.
The best (and most popular) time to visit Black Mountain is when leaf-peeping in full effect by mid-October . The rolling hills of western North Carolina offer some of the greatest fall colors in the country.
How to spend a day in Black Mountain NC
The perfect way to spend a day in Black Mountain, NC is:
A morning hike the Lookout Trail
Grab Breakfast at Louise’s Kitchen
Walk around Lake Tomahawk (great for dogs too)
See the local art galleries and boutiques downtown
Grab a bite and beer at Black Mountain Brewery or Goldfinch Kitchen
Things to do in Black Mountain, NC
From waterfall hiking trails, quaint downtown shops, and top-rated breweries, Black Mountain NC has everything you could want in an adventure town!
One of our favorite aspects of Black Mountain is that they are also very dog friendly!
1) Visit Black Mountain Brewing
Western North Carolina is overflowing with microbreweries. We have visited quite a few during our time in Black Mountain, and Black Mountain Brewing is the best.
They have a diverse selection of beers on tap. My personal favorites were their oatmeal stout and the blueberry french toast sour (not for everyone, but if you like sours give it a try).
Black Mountain Brewing has a dog-friendly outdoor deck perfect for a nice fall day.
The food truck on site had the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. If you are really hungry, try their loaded curly fries.
2) Local Art Galleries
Downtown Black Mountain always seems to be bustling with activity, especially on the weekend. Hit the streets and enjoy everything that this cute mountain town has to offer.
Black Mountain has a few art studios in downtown with galleries displaying the work of local artists.
Red House Studios and Art Gallery has a nice mix of artistic styles. After getting inspired by the art, sign up for one of their weekend classes taught by local artists.
Black Mountain Center for the Arts is another great place to see some local art. In addition to their galleries, they host plays, dance performances, and other visual art shows in their small theater.
3) Hike Lookout Trail
Trailhead: 35.64302, -82.29095
Hiking distance: moderate 1.5-mile roundtrip
Dogs allowed: yes
Lookout Trail is a fun hike to get your blood pumping. The views at the top are well worth the climb, especially in the fall with all of the wonderful colors.
Make sure you wear shoes with good traction because there are some steep rocky sections near the top.
Lookout Trail is not one that I would recommend after rain as the rocky sections and the wooden stairs can get slick. As long as it is dry, the trail is very well maintained.
The trailhead for Lookout Trail is 3 miles north of downtown Black Mountain in the very cute town of Montreat.
Just driving through Montreat is beautiful, and the hike offers you great views of the town from above.
If you are feeling adventurous after you get to the top, continue another 1/2 mile to Rattlesnake Mountain for even more views.
The trail options in Montreat are endless, so you can hike much longer than the 1.5 mile official Lookout Trail if you want to.
4) Breakfast at Louise’s Kitchen
We love going out for breakfast after a nice hike like Lookout Trail, and Louise’s Kitchen did not disappoint.
It is a super cute local diner that has been serving Black Mountain residents and visitors since 1904.
People rave about their pancakes, but I could not resist the biscuits and gravy after 5 miles on the trail. The biscuits were perfectly cooked, and the sausage gravy had a nice little kick.
Louise’s gets pretty busy on the weekend, so be ready to wait in line if you show up for Sunday brunch.
5) Take a class at Black Mountain Yoga
Black Mountain Yoga is a great studio with a variety of classes that anyone can enjoy. All of the classes are beginner friendly.
We had a monthly pass while we lived in Black Mountain, and enjoyed taking the various style of classes from hot power yoga to kundalini.
Our favorite class is Monday at 4:00 pm with Amanda, which is also a $9 drop-in special class for people without memberships. Their schedule changes from week to week, so be sure to view their class schedule first.
6) Hike to Catawba Falls
Trailhead: 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762
Hiking distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
Dogs allowed: yes
Catawba Falls Trail is a fun quick hike to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area.
The 100-foot waterfall is made up of many small waterfalls cascading down the rocks.
The 1.2 mile trail winds along the Catawba River through the Pisgah National Forest with a slight incline for most of the hike.
The trail is well maintained and wide, making it accessible to hikers of all ages. Once you get close to the waterfall, you have the option to scramble across some boulders to get the best angles for photos.
The trailhead for Catawba Falls Trail is in Old Fort, 15 minutes east of Black Mountain.
There is a large gravel parking lot that can accommodate everyone, even during the peak times. Weekends do get busy, so try to come before 10:00 am or after 5:00 pm if you want to avoid the crowds.
7) Walk around Lake Tomahawk
Trailhead: 401 Laurel Cir Dr. Black Mountain, NC 28711
Hiking distance: easy, 0.5 mile loop
Dogs allowed: yes
Lake Tomahawk is a great walk for people looking to enjoy some fresh air without having to break a sweat. The 1/2 mile walking trail offers views of the surrounding mountains.
It is a great place to enjoy the colorful trees on a nice fall day.
During the warm summer months, Lake Tomahawk is a good place to bring your kayak or paddleboard. The lake is small, but the views make for a relaxing paddle.
Lake Tomahawk is stocked with trout and catfish. You can fish from your kayak or from shore with a valid license. Fishing licenses can be obtained through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
8) Evening at Goldfinch Kitchen and Cocktails
Goldfinch Kitchen and Cocktails is a great place for a date night.
They have a cute outdoor patio with heaters perfect for enjoying one of their specialty cocktails on a cool fall evening.
The food is fresh and tasty with a focus on vegetarian and vegan options. If you are a meat-eater, you can add meat to any dish.
I recommend that you try one of their specialty toasts. Just thinking about those flavor combinations make my mouth water.
Best Day Trips from Black Mountain, NC
If you are spending more than a few days in Black Mountain, I recommend that you take a few adventures to the surrounding areas.
Western North Carolina is one of the most beautiful parts of the country!
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited park in America with over 14 million visitors in 2020.
The Parkway connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park with 469 miles of beautiful winding roads.
One of the best stretches of the Parkway connects Asheville and Blowing Rock, NC. This 80 mile stretch will take you about 1.5 hours each way with light traffic.
Our favorite stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the easy and beautiful hike to see Linville Falls (50 minutes from Black Mountain).
As with anywhere along the Parkway, try to get there early to avoid crowds. The trailhead has plenty of parking, but the trails and viewing areas are much more peaceful without the swarms of people around noon.
Chase Waterfalls in Brevard
Brevard, NC is known as the Land of Waterfalls; and it lives up to the name.
We hiked a few trails in Brevard including a 3 mile loop where you can see Triple Falls, Hooker Falls, and High Falls.
On warm days, adventure seekers get their blood pumping by sliding down Sliding Rock, a 60 foot tall natural rock waterslide.
Brevard is a little slice of heaven for outdoor enthusiasts, making it well worth the 50 minute drive from Black Mountain. Discover the best things to do in Brevard, NC.
Explore Asheville
Asheville, one of the trendiest small cities in the US, is only 15 minutes west of Black Mountain.
If you are a history buff or love perfectly crafted gardens, take a tour of the historic Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore was constructed by the Vanderbilts in the late 1800s and includes a gorgeous mansion, winery, and museum as well as 8,000 acres of beautiful gardens.
If art is more your thing, head over to the River Arts District with galleries from over 240 artists using every medium imaginable.
Asheville is also home to many great music venues, so check out the local music calendar to see if any of your favorite bands will be in town.
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