Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina is known for its natural beauty, particularly in autumn when fall foliage is at its peak.  These 10 free family friendly things to do will help you have an affordable family vacation there.

Chances are you’ll like it so much during your family vacation that you’ll decide to stay. This community of around 75,000 was rated No. 1 in 2007 by Relocate-America.com’s Top 100 Places to Live survey, and is generally regarded as an artsy, environmentally-friendly city with uniquely happy residents. 

Asheville is also considered a vegetarian-friendly community.  Its weather resembles much of the rest of the southeastern United States, although temperatures are a bit cooler due to higher altitudes.  Winter temps often fall below freezing and summer highs hover in the middle 80s.

Free activities in Asheville alternate between the outdoorsy and the artistic, and are best enjoyed during the warmer months.

1) Great Smoky Mountains National Park – This year marks the 75th anniversary of this National Park, the most visited park in the national park system. The Smokies are a nearby natural wonder and always free to explore.

2) The Montford Park Players - Each summer, North Carolina's longest-running outdoor theatre troupe performs Shakespearean plays for free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

3) The River Arts District - An old industrial district transformed by a community of working artists into an enclave for creativity.  Watch the artists at work for free.

4) Biking -Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains are elements conducive to biking - a mild climate, a wide range of terrain and many scenic roads. Bring your own bike to ride for free or stop by one of Asheville’s many bike shops to rent suitable equipment.

5) Dance, Dance, Dance – Head to downtown’s Pritchard Park for the Asheville Drum Circle on Friday evenings in spring and summer.

6) Mountain Views – The Blue Ridge Mountain vistas are always free. Take a drive up Town Mountain near the historic Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa or cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway for excellent views.

7) Waterfalls – The hundreds of waterfalls in the mountains surrounding Asheville are ideal for hiking, strolling, or cooling off on a hot summer day.

8) The Tailgate Markets - Stop by one of Asheville’s many tailgate and farmers’ markets and receive free samples of local flavors and farm-fresh treats. 

9) The Ashville Urban Trail – Embark on a self-guided tour of the Asheville Urban Trail. City streets serve as an art and history museum without walls, where pieces of art tell the story of this town’s heritage.

10) Festivals - Asheville is synonymous with free festivals, ranging from music to arts to mountain sports.  These include Ashville’s Wheelchair Festival, the largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast  (July 24 – 26, 2009) and Shindig on the Green, where crowds with lawn chairs and blankets in tow gather on summer Saturday evenings to enjoy the region’s Appalachian mountain music and dance traditions. (Saturday evenings July–September.)