Brook here. 👋 I was lucky enough to spend a few blissed-out hours at the Riveter recently, and the experience left me saying “wow” more times than I could count. From scaling walls like Spiderman to catching air on a bike like Mat Hoffman, it’s a surefire way to inject some serious fun into your day.

If you think the outside is impressive, wait until you step inside I Photo by the AVLtoday team

What we tried (with pricing):

I utilized a Day Pass ($25) — one of Riveter’s membership options — and started out by exploring the Climbing Gym and its 16,000+ sqft. of climbing terrain.

Psst, parents: the space is suitable for kids, and there are even member childcare options | Photo by the AVLtoday team

Riveter offers 4 kinds of rock climbing: lead-only climbing, top rope climbing, auto belay climbing, and bouldering (read: climbing without a harness or rope). I opted to try an auto belay climb. For my practice effort (which you can see on our Instagram) I climbed ~20 feet in the air before letting the harness lower me down safely. It was thrilling.

What not to miss:

The bike park. You could sit for hours just marveling as folks rip, whip, flip + twirl their bikes through the air.

Look closely and you can see an adventurous biker in the air | Photo by the AVLtoday team

Feeling the urge to jump on a bike yet? | Photo by the AVLtoday team

Also super cool? Both the outdoor and the covered canopy sections have their own areas for the tiniest riders so that they can get in on the action too, albeit on a smaller scale. The smiles, pride, and excitement I saw on kids’ faces brought me so much joy.

The covered bike park can be enjoyed or shine I Photo by the AVLtoday team

What we’re still talking about:

How accessible it is. There’s truly something for everyone at the Riveter. From climbing to biking, there are options for all ages and skill levels. The climbing walls are all numbered and color-coded so folks can tell how challenging a climb will be, and the bike park’s outdoor terrain is differentiated by 4 colored lines so riders can assess a line’s difficulty.

The Libation Station features a variety of local sips, both alcoholic and non I Photo by the AVLtoday team

When you’re done climbing and/or biking, there’s a Libation Station with local suds + sips to enjoy. And if the urge to snack hits, there are treats available for purchase to keep you fueled.

We remain obsessed with this cozy little nook | Photo by the AVLtoday team

The snack selection is on point | Photo by the AVLtoday team

How you can experience this:

You can walk in and buy a Day Pass and chat with a team member to see what’s right for you. Membership comes with amenities like 2 free guest passes per month, fitness studio access, showers + locker rooms, discounts on retail + clinics, affordable childcare on site, member appreciation events, and more.

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Climbing and biking at the Riveter
Price: $40 for a Climb + Ride Rivet Pass; prices vary for daily rates and memberships
Website: https://www.riveternc.com/
Address: 701 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River, NC 28732
Hours: Mon.-Fri, 12-10p.m. (closed Wednesdays); Sat. and Sun., 12-8 p.m.
Social: Facebook | Instagram Ⓟ