Museums are the cultural hubs of Asheville. Whether you’re looking to learn something new about the Land of the Sky or plotting a way to spend your Saturday afternoon, here are 15+ museums to visit in our city.

Note: Pricing is for adult admission.

History

Asheville Museum of History, 283 Victoria Rd. | $10 suggested donation
This museum is located inside the Smith-McDowell House, featuring many untold stories of WNC's land and inhabitants. On Sunday, Aug. 2, see the brand new exhibit, "Building in the Land of the Sky: Early 20th Century Architects in WNC."

Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge St. | $80+

Learn how America's largest home came to be and explore its Gilded Age history, architecture, and the Vanderbilt family's legacy.

Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, 111 Grovewood Rd. | $5 suggested donation
Admire rare cars made between 1914 and 1959 from Harry D. Blomberg's collection.

See Thomas Wolfe's childhood home. | Photo by AVLtoday

The People's Place, 58 Broadway St. | Free

This space was created by educators, community organizers, scholars, and activists who envisioned a place for the community to engage in meaningful conversations around activism and grassroots organizing. The walls are lined with info about people-powered movements and change, locally and beyond.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market St. | $5
Start by touring the museum and watching a short film about author Thomas Wolfe, then journey through the Queen Anne-style home that he grew up in.

West Asheville History Museum, 727 Haywood Rd. | Donation-based
There's plenty to learn from the artifacts, artwork, and vintage photos housed inside this small museum. But you can keep the education going by embarking on a walking tour with curator, Conda Painter.

YMI Cultural Center , 39 S. Market St. | Donation-based
Housed in a National Register landmark originally commissioned by George Vanderbilt in 1893, this center preserves the legacy of one of the nation's oldest Black cultural institutions. Explore rotating galleries and a permanent collection, which just welcomed new works from late NC artist James C. McMillan.

Arts

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Sq. | $0-$20
Spend the day browsing art significant to the Southeast through the museum's collections + exhibitions. Plus, if you get hungry, you can grab a snack at the rooftop Perspective Cafe. The new "Warp, Weft, and the Grid" exhibition explores how historic Appalachian coverlets inspired modern abstract art.

Fuel your passion for creativity with a visit to the Asheville Art Museum. | Photo by AVLtoday

Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, 111 Grovewood Rd.| Free
Learn how a former craft education program, created by Eleanor Park Vance and Charlotte Louise Yale, became an international powerhouse in wool production.

Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 120 College St. | Free

Discover the history and creative legacy of Black Mountain College through rotating art and archival exhibits.

Center for Craft, 67 Broadway St. | Free

Discover how artists are redefining craft through exhibitions highlighting creative processes, materials, and the impact of handmade work.

Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy. | Free
Make your way to the second floor to see traditional and contemporary exhibits from members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Museum of Costume Jewelry, 60 Haywood St. | $12

Explore a dazzling collection of vintage costume jewelry from iconic designers like Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Miriam Haskell, and Christian Dior, with pieces spanning decades of fashion history.

Science

Asheville Museum of Science, 43 Patton Ave. | $11.50
Scientists of all ages can make discoveries with hands-on exhibits, including the astronomy + climate virtual display, French Broad water table, landscape sand table, forestry tree climb, and more.

Unleash your inner explorer at one of AMOS' many interactive exhibits. | Photo via Asheville Museum of Science

Music

Moogseum, 56 Broadway St. | $11.75
Bob Moog's legacy is brought to life with an interactive timeline depicting the history of synthesizers. Plus, try your hand at composing on the theremins and Moog synths. Don't miss: The Immersive Dome exhibit visualizes how electricity becomes sound — and makes a great photo op.

Discover your musical talents on the theremin. | Photo via Moogseum

Asheville Radio Museum, 340 Victoria Rd., Room 306 of the Elm Building | Free
Located inside AB-Tech Community College, here you'll discover the impact that radio had on rural WNC communities in the 1920s. Plus, see 50+ transmitters and receivers on display, dating back to the 1900s.

Kids

Asheville Pinball Museum, 1 Battle Square Ste. 1b | $17
With 35 pinball machines and 35 classic video games, this spot is perfect for the kiddos (and kids at heart).