Last Updated on April 8, 2021
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Brevard is nestled in the heart of Transylvania County and an amazing North Carolina mountain town. Just a short 45-minute drive from Asheville, Brevard is perfect for a day trip but also if you want to seek a romantic getaway for at least a weekend! It’s home to thriving art, outdoor, and adventure scenes!
With over 250 waterfalls, you’re bound to see some water. Walk, hike, bike, or even climb your way through Brevard and try to see if you can all that the area has to offer.
These fun things to do in Brevard are just a part of the area’s story, which we’ll outline in more detail in this guide. Here’s how we’ll organize things:
- Seasonal Events in Brevard
- Things to Do in Brevard ALL Year
This post is part of our series on all the awesome places to visit in Western North Carolina.
Seasonal Events in Brevard
There’s also a steady year-round Brevard event calendar that can keep any visitor busy throughout the year.
Spring and Summer
March: To kick off spring, Arts in March takes over Downtown Brevard with open studios and galleries, creator meet-ups, special menus at local restaurants, and more.
May: Memorial Day Weekend’s White Squirrel Festival is the best-known event in Brevard since it’s honoring some special and cute little creatures. During the weekend, there will be free concerts, a Memorial Day parade, a street festival, and much more.
Throughout the rest of the year, walk through Brevard College for a little peek at those cute squirrels, since they tend to hang out there.
June to August: Brevard’s Old Time Street Dances are a summer tradition, starting on the third Tuesday of June and running through the first week of August. Before a couple of hours of square dancing begins at 7:00 pm, a half-hour of live music and free instruction will get participants as ready as possible.
July: During the Fourth of July Celebration in Brevard, the fun kicks off early with a 5K and 10K run starting at 8:00 am. A street festival starts at 9:00 am and goes all day long until 5:00 pm.
More events during the day include the Community Arts Council-hosted Fine Arts & Crafts Fair, a reading of “The Declaration of Independence,” and of course, the Fireworks Extravaganza that night.
Fall and Winter
October: Didn’t you know that being in Transylvania County meant that Brevard’s Halloweenfest is the most fun fall celebration? Vampires, zombies, and ghosts disguised as runners will run around town during the Flight of the Vampire 5K and 10K. A costume contest and parade, pumpkin carving, and more round out this awesome event in downtown Brevard.
December: Christmas in Brevard begins with the town’s Christmas Parade, which is followed by the Twilight Tour and Pictures with Santa. The fun ends at 5:30 pm with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree.
Things to Do in Brevard NC ALL Year
Where to Stay (Cozy, Close, and Away from It All)
We think it’s best to soak up as much nature as possible and the best way to do that is by staying at a Bed and Breakfast, especially if the weather in Brevard isn’t cooperating.
Our jumping-off point for all these things to do in Brevard is The Pines Country Inn. That place is great and not just for its magnificent views from the main house.
They also offer an incredible breakfast. Honestly, the grits at The Pines are still the best we’ve ever had!
The Pines Country Inn ranked among our favorite hotels in North Carolina. We wrote more about it here!
Scope Out the Downtown
Highway 64 cuts right through Brevard, temporarily turning into Broad Street while doing so. Walking around this street and others downtown tops our list of things to do in Brevard for a few reasons.
It’s a cozy place for walking and there are plenty of fun shops to browse. You’ll find a lot of kitschy little spots that compliment the town’s art scene and businesses.
Explore Restaurants in Brevard
Brevard has a nice food scene and while walking around Downtown, you should stop by Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop for an old-fashioned milkshake, fountain cherry coke, and a hot dog!
If you find yourself outside of the town and are craving some of that traditional western North Carolina barbecue, Hawg Wild has some incredible ribs and pulled pork!
Breweries in Brevard
There are also some nice places to grab a drink or pint in town, including Brevard Brewing Company. Of course, you can’t leave Brevard without a brew from Oskar Blues Brewery!
Enjoy a pint of their famed Dale’s Pale Ale or the lesser-known Hotbox Coffee IPA. Sit under their large outdoor carport with a bucket of peanuts and make friends around you!
We also mentioned Oskar Blues in our guide to North Carolina breweries.
Waterfalls Galore!
Since it’s known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” chasing beautiful falls tops many folks’ list of things to do in Brevard!
Many are found within Pisgah National Forest, though you can find more at nearby Nantahala National Forest and Dupont State Forest.
Sliding Rock is a natural waterslide that attracts many tourists! Grab your swimsuit and $3 for admission and slide your heart away!
Moore Cove Falls. Key Falls.
While Sliding Rock is the most popular destination, there are plenty of hidden gems to get you out from all the crowds. Some waterfalls like Looking Glass Falls are accessible right off the road.
Others like Moore Cove (above, left) require a bit of a hike. Either way, it’s worth the journey to marvel at the gushing water!
Getting to Moore Cove Falls is one of the best ways to enjoy hiking in North Carolina, too! Also, all three of these roads are off the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
Even More Brevard Waterfalls
If you have some extra time and want to see the most epic waterfall around, head south to Jackson County. That’s where you’ll find Upper Whitewater Falls. It claims to be the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River (fun fact!), though there seems to be some controversy surrounding that.
Another great waterfall to catch on your way out of town to the Blue Ridge Parkway is the immaculate French Broad Falls (Mill Shoals) and Bird Rock Falls. The latter is also known as Cathedral Falls.
These falls are technically on private property, but the community of Living Waters Ministry allows people to access the falls. Park on the side of the road and just remember to be respectful of the environment as you marvel at the epic view!
We covered these must-see waterfalls in more detail here. And obviously, we included the Brevard area’s waterfalls in NC Bucket List.
Silvermont Mansion
If you want to get outside not specifically to see waterfalls, Silvermont Park surrounds the beautiful Silvermont Mansion and is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.
Cycling in Brevard
For cycling in Brevard, many folks come for the Parkway Loop, and there’s also the route that runs from Downtown to Pisgah Visitors Center.
More Things to Do in Brevard (Horseback Riding and Golfing)
There are also opportunities for horse riding if that’s something you enjoy! Golfers will look to Connestee Falls Golf Club first, as it’s a pretty highly regarded course to tee off.
Ready for These Lovely Things to Do in Brevard?
I hope you can visit this wonderful spot in western North Carolina. If you have, what did you think of it? If not, which of these lovely things to do in Brevard would you start with?
Regardless of whether you’ve been or planning to visit Brevard, we’d love to read your thoughts in the comments section below!
