Post w Asheville, North Carolina, United States

With a car I would check out black balsam (up the parkway) so beautiful! Not sure what area you'll be in without a car but walking around the arboretum (there's a fee if you drive in), the river trail at warren Wilson, or Montreat /black mountain has wonderful ones- lookout is quick and gorgeous. Good luck!

This site has all the info https://www.romanticasheville.com/summit-hikes

Black Balsam to Shining Rock! The drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway will only wet your pallet for the hike. The hike is a ridge line hike with unobstructed panoramic views.

Try AllTrails app

Looking Glass Rock (45 min) and Roan Mountain Appalachian trail (1.5 h) are my person favorites. Looking Glass Rock has killer views at the end (not so much during the hike). Roan Mountain has amazing 360 views throughout most of the hike, but is a little farther away from Asheville.

I agree with Sam Hollis, you can get good info about the best hikes in the area from https://www.romanticasheville.com/summit-hikes. Both of the two hikes above are on there as well.

It’s not a hike, but the Craggy Gardens overlook has great views. Especially for sunset.

Thanks everyone!!