Lake Eden Arts Festival
Twice a year, each May & Oct this non-profit, family-oriented, multi-cultural music & arts festival brings the world to Western NC.
Shopping: Black Mountain Iron Works, Cherry Street Gallery, Chocolate Gems, Merry Wine Market... too many cool little shops to mention them all.
Hiking: Montreat has several well-marked trails note that many are fairly strenuous. Old US-70, barricaded for 3 miles just past Ridgecrest, is a hike or bike down a road closed for 50 years. It runs above the RR tracks, includes great views including some of the RR tunnels, and is just really interesting to see what Mother Nature has done to reclaim road, pavement, and concrete over half a century. Further in are trails in Pisgah National Forest.
Putt-putt at Phil's BBQ, just south of town on Route 9 good BBQ too.
Jog or fish at Lake Tomohawk