Annual Tours and Events

Saturday, February 4, 8:00am-5:00pm: Seven Sisters Peaks Hike (SOLD OUT)

We will be hosting a strenuous hike across the expansive range of the Seven Sisters Peaks where hikers will learn more about the history, ecology, and geography of the range while enjoying panoramic views. READ MORE AND LEARN HOW TO REGISTER HERE.

Sign up for the Waitlist here

*RESCHEDULED* Saturday, March 4th, 7:45am-5:00pm: Linville Gorge Hike

Join us on this difficult, all-day, hike to explore the Linville Gorge and witness some of the most rugged and and spectacular scenery in the eastern United States. READ FULL DETAILS AND LEARN HOW TO REGISTER HERE

Saturday, March 25th, 9:00am-2:30pm: Historic North Fork Valley Tour of the Asheville Watershed- East

Join us on this exclusive historic driving tour of the east side of the Burnett Reservoir to explore part of the once thriving North Fork Valley community. READ FULL DETAILS AND LEARN HOW TO REGISTER HERE

Saturday, April 29, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Wildflower Hike

This spring, head outside and learn to identify both common and rare Appalachian wildflowers. Led by Joe and Mary Standaert, local historians and members of the Western Carolina Botanical Club, this hike will take a short, leisurely walk in our diverse woodlands. READ FULL DETAILS AND REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, May 6, 9:00am-2:00pm: Old Wagon Road Hike and Fireside Stories from the Valley

Join us for this moderate 4.3 mile round trip hike on a section of one of the oldest wagon roads into the Valley from Old Fort.  The hike starts at Arthur Joe and Mary Hemphill’s pavilion at Fortune Fields and follows the Old Wagon road to Hungry Gap.  Arthur Joe’s ancestor, Capt. Thomas Hemphill (1746-1826) was an original Revolutionary War patriot who owned part of this popular stage road up from Old Fort. READ MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

June thru December: Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Black Mountain

Learn the history of Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley on this walking tour! Museum staff will lead attendees through historic State Street, Cherry Street and Black Mountain Avenue, relaying the history of several buildings and discussing topics including the building of the Swannanoa Tunnel and the disastrous downtown fire of 1912. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Friday, June 2, 8:00pm – 9:00pm: Film Screening: Artus Moser of Buckeye Cove

Join us for a screening of the Appalshop film, Artus Moser of Buckeye Cove, to learn more about the Swannanoa Valley’s own “Renaissance man of the mountains” and his lifelong legacy collecting ballads, making music, and preserving southern Appalachian traditions. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, June 3, 7:45am – 5:00pm: Cold Mountain Hike

Join us on this difficult, all-day hike to explore Cold Mountain in the Shining Rock Wilderness area. Hikers will encounter some of the most renowned and rugged terrain in the Art Loeb Trail. READ FULL DETAILS AND REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, June 10, 9:00am-1:30pm: Late Spring Nature Ramble

Whether you are new to this area or have lived here all your life, you may want to know more about the fauna and flora of our beautiful Swannanoa Valley and surrounding mountain lands. This unique outing is more of a “ramble” through nature with an experienced guide and naturalist Luke Cannon – founder, director and teacher at Astounding Earth. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Tuesday, July 4, 7:00pm-11:00pm: Independence Day Sunset Fireworks Hike

This year, celebrate Independence Day with your family, friends, guests, and the Swannanoa Valley Museum on a 1.5-mile, moderate hike to the peak of Sunset Mountain. Here, Museum guests will enjoy an old-fashioned watermelon cutting, and then stay to watch the sun set and the fireworks explode over the town of Black Mountain. Over dinner, hike leaders will share the history and vintage photographs of this most historic place. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Friday, July 14, 7:00pm – 8:30pm: Film Screening: Fully Awake: Black Mountain College

Join us for a screening of the documentary film, Fully Awake: Black Mountain College, to learn more about the influential experiment in education that inspired and shaped twentieth century American art. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, September 9, 1:00pm-3:00pm (workshop); 4:00-5:30pm (concert): Intro to Bluegrass Banjo Workshop and Concert with Wayne Erbsen

Join us in this beginners workshop taught by Wayne Erbsen to learn just how fun and easy it is to play the banjo. Even if you have zero experience, this workshop is for you! Banjos can be rented for the duration of the workshop. Afterwards, Wayne and any willing students from the workshop will perform a concert. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, November 4, 9:00am-2:30pm: Historic North Fork Valley Tour of the Asheville Watershed- West

Join us on this exclusive historic driving tour of the west side of the Burnett Reservoir to explore part of the once thriving North Fork Valley community. The caravan will stop for participants to view the impressive chimney that was once part of a large boarding house where travelers on their way to Mt. Mitchell would stay before they began the ascent to the highest peak in eastern North America. READ FULL DETAILS AND LEARN HOW TO REGISTER HERE.

Saturday, December 9, 9:00am-2:30pm: Historic Swannanoa Creek Hike

The museum will host a difficult/strenuous winter hike down this historic path, which was used by wagons and stagecoaches bringing travelers up the mountain before the railroad was built. READ MORE AND REGISTER HERE.