9 Actually Fun Sober Activities to Do in Asheville

When someone first begins venturing out and experiencing life through a sober lens, they often experience one of two things (sometimes, both). One, they might find it difficult to have fun without a substance, and it takes a bit of time to learn how to activate natural, sober happiness.  Or two, they might discover that sobriety makes life seem so much more vibrant, and now they’re able to truly experience the fullness of life. Both are normal.

Either way, one of the most frustrating aspects of sober life can be listening to the perpetuation of the myth that you can’t have fun without the assistance of a substance. 

While this might be true for some people, it isn’t going to be for you. You’re ready to have the time of your new sober life — and it’s going to be the best adventure you’ve had to date.

We know it can be a bit overwhelming — maybe even feel a bit depressing — when you start looking for new weekend ventures and all that pops up is a variety of triggering activities, like bar-hopping through all the historic bars in the city. That’s why we’ve compiled a list for you.

Here are nine (actually) fun sober activities to do in Asheville, North Carolina, in no specific order.

1. Walk around Downtown Asheville

Downtown Asheville has a little bit of everything for everyone, from spa-level salt stone caves to gourmet food tours to art museums and shopping malls. If you’re looking for a vibrant part of Asheville that has a great variety of sober activities to choose from, this is it.

2. Go food truck hopping

Going to bars is so last year. Food truck hopping is the rush of dopamine you’ve been missing from your life this whole time; savory or sweet, comfort food or unique fusions, cheesy or vegan, we’ve got them all.

3. Unleash your inner wild self at Skinny Dip Falls

Full disclaimer, you do have to wear clothes at this cluster of swimming holes, but their enchanting location in the middle of a forest will make up for that. Bonus, you get to kiss a mystical dragon-shaped tree on your way there. 

4. Become a doughnut critic

This may not actually be a paid position (how cool would that be though), but it does give you a  guilt-free license to try every single doughnut shop in Asheville. There’s more than just a few, for reasons you’ll soon understand. Spoiler: they melt in your mouth like cotton candy.

5. Journey to a Hunger Games location

The DuPont Forest — a state park right outside of Asheville — is a great option for outdoorsmen and women. The park has a wide variety of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, as well as lakes for swimming, fishing and kayaking. Not only that, but one of the key scenes of the first movie in the The Hunger Games trilogy was filmed at the Triple Falls waterfall. Can you figure out which scene?

6. Immerse yourself in urban art

If you’re a fan of artwork and (mostly) legal graffiti, then you’re probably going to want to tour the Asheville River Art District. Walk into this artist’s dreamscape and experience a variety of styles, creative materials, and, potentially, deep emotions.

7. Go shopping at the Grove Arcade

Take a day to explore this military hub-turned-aesthetic masterpiece that’s full of unique little shops and boutiques. If you aren’t in the mood to go shopping, you can always grab a pastry from the Well-Bred Bakery and walk around this gorgeous piece of architectural eye candy.

8. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a near-500-mile stretch that offers quite the adventure for nature lovers and road trippers. The drive itself is beautiful, riddled with biking and hiking trails so you have ample opportunity to stretch your legs and take pictures, not to mention all of the small charming towns to visit along the way.

9. Relax at the Omni Grove Park Inn Spa

Maybe you aren’t looking to experience some high-energy sober activity; maybe all you really want right now is to be pampered into a near-comatose state. There’s nothing wrong with that; recovering from substance abuse is exhausting, and sobriety can be just as challenging. If all you want or need right now is to simply relax — give yourself permission to take care of yourself on that deeper level. 

You deserve it.

Reach out for additional support

Readjusting to life while you’re in recovery can be challenging, even disheartening at times; you’re essentially creating a new life, and letting go of your previous one. No matter how toxic your old lifestyle may have been or how unhappy you were, it can be difficult to leave it behind.

Our compassionate team here at October Road is here to support you on your journey, whether that means helping you find a counselor or therapist to confide in, or providing you with more information on how you can make the best of your new sober life.

We’re here for you at every point of your recovery journey, and we’re only a phone call away.

Message us directly or give us a call today at 888-201-5086.