11 Best Things to Do in Brevard, NC

By VI Staff on July 1, 2020 - Updated

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Nestled in the heart of Transylvania County, Brevard is a small, peaceful city with a rich history and plenty of things to keep visitors entertained. The quaint downtown streets offer the opportunity to browse antique stores, art galleries, and unique boutique shops, and there are several fascinating museums to visit as well, including the WNC Military History Museum and the Transylvania Heritage Museum. The town also serves as a gateway to the Pisgah National Forest, and if you like to spend time outdoors, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, camp, and visit beautiful waterfalls. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Art Loeb Trail

Stretching for just over 30 miles between Haywood County and the Davidson River Campground just outside Brevard, the Art Loeb Trail is widely regarded as one of the best hikes in North America. The trail is typically hiked from south to north, and it crosses through the Black Balsam region and over four 6,000-foot mountain peaks, including the Black Balsam Knob, Grassy Cove Top, and the iconic Pilot Mountain. Hikers that want to traverse the entire trail should allow themselves at least two or three days, and there are several peaceful backcountry camping spots along the way.

2.WNC Military History Museum

Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Brevard, the WNC Military History Museum tells the stories of veterans who have served in American military in the 20th and 21st centuries. Many of the items on display have been donated by veterans and their families, and each room of the museum is dedicated to a different war, including World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and the war on terror in Afghanistan. There's also a Special Exhibits room that features a rotating series of exhibits on various war-related topics. Admission is by donation, and the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday.

21 E Main St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-884-2141

3.Slick Rock Falls

Nestled in the Pisgah National Forest, Slick Rock Falls is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall named for the slippery rocks at its top and at its base. It's located down a gravel logging road, but once you get here, the falls themselves are only 50 feet back from the road. Visitors will enjoy the beautiful nature no matter what the time of year, but the waterfall is at its best during the spring and after a heavy rainfall. If you want to spend the night, there's a small camping area right across the road from the falls.

Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC

4.Silvermont Park

The former home of the wealthy Silversteen family, Silvermont Park is a gorgeous 8-acre park with an elegant Colonial Revival mansion sitting at its heart. A lovely wheelchair-accessible path leads through the park's well-maintained gardens, and visitors are also welcome to use the park's basketball courts, tennis courts, children's playground, and picnic areas. Guided tours of the mansion are available on Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons between May and October, and every October, the park hosts the Pumpkin Fest, which features local musicians, family-friendly games and activities, food trucks, and a stunning display of carved pumpkins.

364 E Main St, Brevard, NC 28712-3835, Phone: 828-884-3156

5.Whistlestop Market

Established in 2003, the Whistlestop Market is an excellent place to visit if you want to pick up some groceries or browse a wonderful selection of North Carolinian products. It originally started out as a farm-to-table produce stand, and although the local, seasonal produce sold here is still one of the biggest draws, there are plenty of other things available for purchase as well, with highlights including raw honey, high-quality meat and dairy products, and freshly baked bread made by one of the best bakeries in town. As a bonus, local wine and craft beer are usually sold here as well.

7825 Greenville Hwy, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-877-5081

6.Transylvania Heritage Museum

Housed inside a historic house built at the end of the 19th century, the Transylvania Heritage Museum is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn about the history of Transylvania County. The main exhibit is rotated on a regular basis, and a diverse range of topics are covered, including everything from the methods used to create traditional handicrafts to how transportation has changed over the years. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday between March and mid-December, and between April and October, it also offers guided walking tours of Brevard once a month.

189 W Main St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-884-2347

7.The Haen Gallery

Located in the artsy Lumberyard District, the Haen Gallery is a contemporary art gallery with a focus on large scale sculpture. The collection includes work by talented local, regional, and national artists, and visitors are always welcome regardless of whether or not they can afford to purchase a piece. The gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, but visitors can also make an appointment to visit outside of opening hours. If you'd like to take one of the many beautiful pieces of art home with you, the gallery also offers a sculpture installation service to make the process as easy as possible.

210 S Broad St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-883-3268

8.Artists@Work Studio and Gallery

Owned and operated by two local artists, Artists@Work Studio and Gallery is a working art studio that offers visitors the unique opportunity to see some of Brevard's talented local artists at work. The owners are a potter and a painter, but both like to experiment with other mediums as well, and they're also proud to display a variety of work by other local artists and silversmiths. The studio is open to visitors every day of the week except Tuesday, and the owners are typically happy to arrange appointments outside of their opening hours as well.

51 W Main St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-577-2719

9.Allison-Deaver House

Constructed in 1815, the Allison-Deaver House is the area's oldest standing frame house, and it offers a fascinating glimpse at the history of western North Carolina. The building was originally modeled after the row houses that were popular in England at the time, but it has undergone several changes over the years, most notably the double porches that were added in the 1850s. Visitors are welcome to stop by the house on weekend afternoons between early May and mid-October, and if you'd like to visit outside of this time, you might be able to arrange a special appointment.

2753 Asheville Hwy, Brevard, NC, Phone: 828-884-5137

10.Brevard Little Theatre

Operating out of the American Legion building, the Brevard Little Theatre has been providing the community with theatrical entertainment since the 1930s. A new production is put on every season, and shows are held Thursday through Sunday. As a non-profit organization, the theater is run entirely by volunteers, and newcomers are always welcome to participate in activities like building sets, distributing flyers, and working the box office. If you're interested in giving acting a try, you can join the theater's troupe of "BLT-To-Go" actors, who are given the opportunity to perform volunteer entertainment for local non-profit organizations.

55 E Jordan St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-884-2587

11.The Inn at Brevard

Originally the home of a wealthy widow who moved here from Virginia in 1885, The Inn at Brevard is an elegant antebellum mansion that has been welcoming out-of-town guests since 1940. Every room is decorated with period furnishings and authentic antiques, and art lovers will appreciate the many beautiful paintings that can be found all throughout the inn, most of which come from the owners' private art collection. Delicious homecooked breakfasts are available upon request in the mornings, and the inn also has some beautiful event spaces that can be booked for fully catered weddings, meetings, and other special events.

315 E Main St, Brevard, NC 28712, Phone: 828-884-2105