Brevard, NC a small mountain town near the Blue Ridge Parkway is big on activity and entertainment. Whatever your interests or age, you’ll find Brevard a fun place to vacation in all four seasons. From biking to hiking, bluegrass to opera, you’ll be entertained. Be as busy as you want to be or relax on the porch with a good book and enjoy the fresh mountain air. For more information about events and activities visit Explore Brevard. We’ve mentioned a few of our favorites.
Transylvania County is home to some of the best single track mountain biking trails in the country. Ask Daniel at the Oak Street Inn for trail recommendations. He’ll even come along for the ride if the housekeeping schedule allows.
Four great bike shops in town offer bike rentals and great information on the rides available – Earth Mountain, Squatch, Sycamore Cycles and The Hub. If you want to make the most of your biking vacation, consider calling an area guide services like Red Wolf Mountain Bike Tours.
The road riding in the area is exceptional with steep climbing, fast descents, and rolling valleys. The Assault on the Carolinas route starts on Main Street about half a mile from the Inn. For road riding information and services, contact Sycamore Cycles or The Hub or give Daniel a call for suggestions. Explore Brevard offers a few memorable ride suggestions as well.
Of course all these trails and more are accessible to hikers as well. Daniel and Tracie are knowledgeable about the trails and can offer recommendations in addition to the loan of trail maps and guidebooks or head downtown to Highland Books where you’ll find a comprehensive selection of local guidebooks and maps. Combine a hike with a dip in a secluded river swimming hole or mountain lake for a refreshing afternoon adventure.
Transylvania County is home to 260 waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible by car or short walks. We have books and guides available at the Oak Street Inn for guest use and we are always happy to give directions to waterfalls. Craig Miller of Miller’s Land of Waterfalls offers tours of unique waterfalls, many on private land. Pura Vida Adventures can also arrange a variety of tours.
There are a variety of opportunities for water sports in the area including flat water float trips, white water boating, touring kayaking or stand up paddle boarding on nearby lakes as well as world class fly fishing. Find out more about these opportunities from local outfitters. For fly fishing trips and equipment Davidson River Outfitters. For boating on the French Broad River contact Headwater Outfitters. Check with White Squirrel Paddle Boards to get out on the river or a quiet lake. Joe at Pura Vida Adventures can help you organize a river or canyoneering adventure.
Looking Glass Rock is well-known in climbing circles for its granite face offering two- to eight-stage climbs up to 600 ft. In the same vicinity is Cedar Rock, which also offers a variety of climbs. 
For guided trips, contact Fox Mountain Guides or Pura Vida Adventures. Brevard Rock Gym also offers indoor opportunities for beginners and experienced climbers to practice.
The wooded trails of Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest offer miles of horseback riding. Pisgah Stables offers one- and two-hour guided trail rides leave hourly throughout the day for riders ages 7 and up from April to October. For riding in Dupont State Forest, contact Olivia at Shoal Creek Farm. Services aren’t limited to trail rides, but you can also enjoy riding instruction or even day camp at this beautiful farm.
Several golf courses are just a few miles away from the Oak Street Inn. Connestee Falls, a semi-public courses with full service pro shops and club houses, is a great course. Etowah Valley is also a convenient course to Brevard.
For the kids, recreational and educational opportunities abound. Transylvania County is known for its summer camps. As well as traditional overnight camp, many day camps operate in the summer offering activities ranging from pottery to soccer to mountain climbing. The Cradle of Forestry is great indoor and outdoor opportunities for children of all ages to learn about our natural history and have fun. In town, the Brevard Rock Gym, the Co-Ed Cinema, OP Taylor’s toy store and gem mining are all rainy day opportunities for the whole family to play and shop.
During the summer the Brevard Music Center offers world class concerts in their open air auditorium that have kept people coming back to Brevard for decades. Just a walk through the campus listening to rehearsals and student recitals will give you a taste of the talent the center attracts. The Parker Concert Hall offers year-round opportunities for concerts on the music center campus. The Porter Center for Performing Arts on the Brevard College campus offers performances year-round ranging from classical to bluegrass to comedy. 185 King Street is a casual venue with serious musical performers. The famous Flat Rock Playhouse is about a thirty minute drive and closer to home is the Brevard Little Theatre. Both offer a variety of performances throughout the year.
Downtown Brevard has a range of opportunities for retail therapy- antique stores, gift shops, specialty food shops, outfitters and jewelers. Under one roof of the Hollingsworth Building one can shop, eat and relax. Main Street Ltd offers shopping for the whole family including CampPacs for kids. For a detailed list of businesses, visit Explore Brevard.
The art community in Transylvania County is thriving. Visitors can plan a whole trip around the numerous galleries and artist studios that are open to the public in and around Brevard. The Oak Street Inn features photographic artwork, pottery and paintings from local artists and Tracie will be happy to help you plan a tour of the local galleries. For events and information about artists in the area visit TC Arts or www.artsofbrevard.org featuring information about local artists and up-to-date events calendar including 4th Friday Gallery Walk.
A wide range of restaurants in Brevard, many of which are within walking distance from the Oak Street Inn, offer fantastic dining experiences. For restaurants with outdoor dining we like to recommend and Wild Morel or The Bohemian. Jordan Street Cafe and Falls Landing offer a more local experience with both a bar and restaurant atmosphere and a wide variety of good food. The Square Root offers good food in contemporary atmosphere. For an intimate dining experience, Vescovo is an excellent choice. An afternoon scone and cup of coffee from Bracken Mountain Bakery should not be missed, and Food Matters Market or Blue Ridge Bakery are great places to pick up snacks or lunch before heading out for a hike.
Brevard has always been know as a music town with the Brevard Music Centre offering world-class classical music for over 75 years. In recent years the music scene in Brevard has blossomed with a dedicated music venue operating year-round.
185 King St is situated in the LumberYard Arts District is about a 10 minute walk from the Inn. It’s a casual venue with serious musical performers, great spicy chicken sandwiches and Noblebrau beer brewed next door.
Brevard is now home to three craft breweries. Brevard Brewing Company is located an easy walk from the Inn on Main St and offers a selection of brewed on site German style beers. Oskar Blues Brewery is located about 1.5 miles out of town with easy access from the bike path or by car and they have a nice taproom located above the brewing floor and a great outdoor area that is often home to a food truck and some live music not to mention the good beer.
Ecusta Brewing is a great stop for an after ride meal and beverage. A bit further afield but worth a visit is Sierra Nevada in Mills River near the Asheville Airport.
If you find you just need to relax after all the fun, treat yourself to a spa experience. Elements and La Petite Spa are both full-service day spas near downtown Brevard.
For a car from area airports or to arrange a shuttle to or from a trailhead, call Harry (828)231-1053 at Asheville Airport Shuttle.
