Brevard, NC is a small and easy-to-love mountain town just 45 minutes from Asheville.
Expect a charming downtown, loads of adventure and a local feel.
About Brevard, NC
Brevard is a charming mountain destination with a small-town feel and big outdoor adventures. It’s just under an hour from downtown Asheville and is known for local shops, nearby hiking trails and waterfalls, mountain biking and road cycling.
There are 250 waterfalls and over 100,000 acres of public land to explore.
A Quick Glimpse
What It’s Like
Charming · Adventure-Filled · Local Feel
Known For
Downtown · Waterfalls · Pisgah National Forest
Location
35 Southwest Of Asheville
Brevard sits in Transylvania County and is close to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. It’s also home to Brevard College, a four-year liberal arts institution, as well as Brevard Music Center, which offers classical music summer training programs and festivals.
You’ll often find Brevard on ‘best places to retire’ lists, and we get it. It’s beautiful with a mild climate, beauty in every direction, and ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Speaking of the climate, Brevard is located in a temperate rainforest. Needless to say, it rains a lot. Though it can sometimes get in the way of adventures, it’s hard not to appreciate it when admiring the green forest.
Things To Do In Brevard, NC
Adventure truly awaits in Brevard. And it’s really up to you what that means!
You can spend a day wandering downtown, browsing local shops and sitting back at a coffee shop or charming restaurant.
You can hop on the bike path and visit several of Brevard’s breweries.
Or you can lace up your hiking boots and adventure to Pisgah National Forest for the day.
And if you want to do it all, go for it! You can plan to spend half of the day downtown and the other half on an outdoor adventure.
Here are a few ideas to get you inspired, and make sure to check out our guide to things to do in Brevard for additional ideas.
- For an easy and enjoyable hike to a waterfall, head to Moore Cove Falls.
- Sliding Rock is a 60-foot waterslide and an excellent destination for a memorable outdoor adventure.
- Sycamore Flats is an excellent spot for a picnic. The Davidson River runs alongside it and you can splash, tube or even fly fish here.
- Looking Glass Falls is an easily accessible waterfall in Brevard. You can view from the top (just off the road) or walk down the stairs to feel the mist.
- Cradle Of Forestry is an outdoor museum commemorating the founding of the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in the United States. It’s a fun place for the whole family to explore.
Shopping In Brevard, NC
Downtown Brevard is a great destination if you enjoy strolling along a charming downtown and checking out local shops.
We’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below. Part of the fun of a new town is the discovery, though, so we won’t spoil it all for you!
- O.P. Taylor’s sprawling 6,000-square-foot toy store overflows with everything from trendy toys to nostalgic classics. Explore themed rooms dedicated to Legos, arts & crafts, board games, puzzles, cuddly friends and more. It’s one of the best things to do with kids in Brevard (well, besides all of the outdoor adventures!)
- D.D. Bullwinkel’s Outdoors is a must-stop for outdoor clothing and equipment. They carry apparel, footwear and gear from brands like Teva, Keen, Eno hammocks, Sorel and Patagonia. If you need to kick back for a bit, head to their in-shop tap room!
- Brevard’s white squirrel obsession peaks at White Squirrel Shoppe. This store boasts the town’s largest collection of white squirrel souvenirs, plus a giant photo-op squirrel outside!
- Brevard Marketplace is a7,000-square-foot antique shop with several vendors, so you’ll find a little bit of everything.
Antique Stores In Brevard
Brevard Eats & Drinks
Like all of the shops in Brevard, the restaurants are local too! Most are downtown, though there are a few great ones in the nearby Lumber District. See below for a few of our top picks.
- Morning Social is a great option if you are looking for brunch in Brevard. It’s close to downtown and has a daily brunch including breakfast cocktails.
- Cup & Saucer is our favorite Brevard coffee shop. They have breakfast and lunch, as well as a small market shop behind the main coffee shop.
- Bracken Mountain Bakery is a quick stop for a delicious pastry. Try a danish!
- Looking for an upscale restaurant in Brevard? We love Square Root downtown and Vescovo Neighborhood Eatery in the Lumber Arts District.
- If you want a dose of nostalgia, head to the Cardinal Drive-In for a cheeseburger and milkshake.
For a full roundup of where to eat, head over to our guide to the best restaurants in Brevard. It includes everything from bakeries to an authentic Mexican restaurant.
Where To Stay In Brevard
Honestly, if you are looking to experience the area, stay in a cabin! There are several available through Airbnb and VRBO. Look for one with a hot tub!
There are a few houses you can rent near downtown. This is a fun option if you want to see what life’s like for locals. Check out the Campbell House if you want the experience of staying in the downtown area.
If you prefer a hotel, check out our guide to hotels in Brevard. It includes several options along with details on location within the city.
There are several located just at the entrance of Pisgah National Forest, which is only a 10-minute drive to downtown Brevard. Check out the Hampton Inn
Disclaimer: Hours, pricing, menus, etc. may have changed since we last updated this post, so make sure to confirm all of this directly prior to visiting any business or attraction listed on our site.
This website containsaffiliatelinks, meaning that we may receive a commission at no cost to you if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.