Asheville summer fun for $0? Here are 20 free/low-cost events and activities for locals

Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen Times
·5 min read

ASHEVILLE – There are a lot of pricey activities to hit up around Buncombe County during the summer, but locals have an edge over tourists with a recently compiled a list of things county residents can do for absolutely free, very cheaply or for the cost of a library card — which is $0 and takes about 10 minutes to obtain.

Buncombe County kicked off the summer season with a list of free activities for locals, many accessible with a Buncombe County Public Library card.

Created by the government’s Communications and Public Engagement team, the list provides residents with something to do every day of the week and also offers affordable, ways residents can have fun, purchase food, stay healthy and remain informed.

Buncombe's library system is often at the center of these opportunities.

Libraries partner with businesses and attractions to turn library cards into passes for local events. Those who want to reserve tickets can visit buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library and follow the link labeled “ZOOM!” to view and sign up for upcoming events and activities that are free with a card.

The county said those interested in using their library card as a ticket should sign up ahead of time.

Here are 20 Buncombe activities that are free or very cheap and available especially to county residents:

Asheville Museum of Science

  • Free via Zoom pass with a library card. Spots should be reserved ahead of time. Usual admission is $10 per person age 3 and older.

Outdoor county pools

  • Open 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays. Pools are free with a Library Zoom pass or $3 per person, $12 for family of four. More information on pool locations is available at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parks/facilities/pools.

Alexander grant, 5, sprays his cousin with a water gun as he plays in the Owen Pool on May 27, 2019.
Alexander grant, 5, sprays his cousin with a water gun as he plays in the Owen Pool on May 27, 2019.

Community engagement market 

Lake Julian

  • As with all other county parks, tables and grills are free. Exclusive to lake Julian is paddle boating, which is $12 per hour.

Fishermen on Lake Julian.
Fishermen on Lake Julian.

The Lego builders club

  • Every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville.

Groovin’ on Grovemont concert series

  • Happens on summer Tuesdays including July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at Grovemont Park, 101 W. Charleston Ave., Swannanoa. Concerts are free and food there is available for purchase. Proceeds from food sales go to the Friends of the Swannanoa Library and the Swannanoa Community Council.

Western North Carolina Nature Center 

  • Free with a library card Zoom pass for those who reserve ahead of time. Usual admission is $9.95 to $13.95 based on age, or $7.95 to $9.95 for Asheville city residents for the zoo in East Asheville.

More: What to know about WNC Nature Center: New exhibits? Still for locals? Higher ticket costs?

The entrance to the WNC Nature Center in East Asheville June 2, 2022.
The entrance to the WNC Nature Center in East Asheville June 2, 2022.

Buncombe County Special Collections

  • At Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. in downtown Asheville, it's a free-to-see archive of the area’s social, cultural and natural history.

Buncombe’s new dog park 

  • Free at Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle, though it's closed on Mondays.

Gardening during the Sand Hill Community Garden workdays

  • From 6-7 p.m. is free. A workday calendar is available at buncombecounty.org at the Sports Park page. Residents could also start their own using Buncombe County’s seed library.

Disc golf

  • Free at the Buncombe County Sports Park, Lake Julian Richmond Hill Park and Carrier Park. Disc golf sets you can be checked out for three weeks at a time from Pack Library.

Ryan Pickens throws a practice putt before the start of a disc golf tournament in 2016.
Ryan Pickens throws a practice putt before the start of a disc golf tournament in 2016.

Fairview Summer Movie Series

  • Events are on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Fairview Library Community Room.

The drum circle at Lake Julian

  • Meets the last Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It’s a free event but those who want to participate must bring their own drums.

Ashevillans mingled with visitors as they danced and joined the drum circle for a crowd of spectators at Pritchard Park August 2, 2019.
Ashevillans mingled with visitors as they danced and joined the drum circle for a crowd of spectators at Pritchard Park August 2, 2019.

More: Willow Pond at the N.C. Arboretum is open for business, but still waiting for frog kiosk

More: 5 summer hikes: Beat the Asheville heat in the cool WNC mountains

The North Carolina Arboretum 

  • Free with a library card Zoom Pass for those who reserve a spot ahead of time. There is no admission fee to the sprawling public gardens in the Bent Creek area of South Asheville, but parking fees start at $16 per car.

  • The Arboretum has miles of hiking trails and gardens and offers special events and classes for a fee. On the first Tuesday of every month, the Arboretum offers a 50% discount on personal vehicle parking.

Scheduled guided birding walk and boat rides 

  • Free and happen near the end of each month. Registration is required and library card holders can check out binoculars at the North Asheville Library. The library sits near the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, which is owned and managed by the Blue Ridge Audubon Society, but is open to the public for free.

Seven river parks in Buncombe 

  • Alexander River Park, Bent Creek River Park, Corgoran Paige River Park, Glen Bridge River Park, Ledges Whitewater River Park, Walnut Island River Park and Hominy Creek River Park are all free.

Teen Dungeons & Dragons

  • Happens every Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at Pack Memorial Library. It’s free, but registration is required.

The Asheville Historic Map of African American Landmarks

  • Available for those who want to do a self-guided tour. They can be picked up Monday-Friday at the Register of Deeds office, 205 College St., Asheville.

Buncombe County farms

  • Open to free visits. Local tourists can learn more at visitncfarmstoday.com where an app to help create itineraries is available.

More: River Arts District relocation: Farmers market on the move, finds new home

Fishing at Owen Park

  • Free at the park's two lakes that benefit from Swannanoa River’s fish hatchery. Fishing licenses are required.

Know of more free or discounted actives for Buncombe residents? Email or text Andrew Jones at arjones@citizentimes.com.  

Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter, 828-226-6203 or arjones@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Free summer activities in Buncombe: parks, disc golf, nature center