A beautiful vacation destination nestled in the Southeast – Asheville is the city you never knew you had to visit. Honestly, we were completely smitten, and shocked, that we’d never visited Asheville before. This small city was right up our alley, and soon you’ll understand why.

Be prepared for a little (or a lot) of drinking, dining and quite a bit of hiking. This southern gem brings a little bit of everything to the table and will surely keep you entertained. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Asheville, North Carolina!

Where to Stay

We’re always hesitant to say, “stay in downtown.” Mostly because in many cities, downtown tends to be a financial district and not the right place to truly get a feel of a new place. But Asheville is quite small, so downtown it is!

Here are the best and most central places to stay (and yes Asheville is quite pricey): The Renaissance Hotel or the Haywood Park Hotel.

If you prefer more affordable lodging, stay a few miles out of the downtown area. We recommend: The Residences at Biltmore, Brookstone Lodge, or the Crowne Plaza Resort. Now, you are in the mountains after all,  so if you want to unplug and enjoy a unique stay – we suggest checking out this treehouse!

What to Do in Asheville

First, we’d like to do a quick run through of the city of Asheville and where things are situated. The downtown area as you can imagine is home to many historical buildings, endless culinary options, and boutiques. Not even a mile outside of downtown is the South Slope District – notable for having the most breweries per capita in the United States. You’ll quickly notice remnants of a former industrial town turned into a hip city. Many of the establishments, and especially breweries, were old warehouses or factories that have been restored.

Just a short drive away from downtown, is the historic Biltmore Village and prominent Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt in the 1800s, it was designed to be a mixed-used community making it easy for locals to work, live and access necessities all in one place. We’ll talk more about this area later, but you should take a quick glimpse of the area’s history before visiting.

Downtown Asheville

The downtown area is bustling with all kinds of history, shopping, restaurants and art. A few great places to check out are the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and the community garden just across from it. It’s a small and cozy little place, perfect for an afternoon rest. Up for some shopping? Besides the plethora of shops and boutiques that line the downtown Asheville streets, there’s the lavish Grove Arcade mall.

You can sample Asheville’s unique cuisine pretty much anywhere in town. But first, grab coffee at none other than Double D’s Coffee and Desserts. This double-decker bus-turned café embodies Asheville’s cool flare. For great lunch and dinner spots, check out Laughing Seed Café, Rhubarb or Cúrate. For excellent Cuban dishes and patio seating, reserve a spot at Hemingway’s Cuba Restaurant & Bar.

If you’ve got a car handy check out some of the great food stops in West Asheville. By far our favorite and authentic fried chicken in the south, is at Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. Nearby you can also grab a customizable fluffy biscuit at Biscuit Head.

The North Carolina sun wore us out before we could explore Asheville’s nightlife scene. But everyone we talked to recommended visiting Top of the Monk and the Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar.

South Slope District

Explore this strip of booze and brews. The top contenders being, Bhramari Brewery, Wicked Weed Brewing Pub, and Funkatorium. They’re all incredibly relaxed and pet-friendly, which we of course loved. Some establishments even provide live entertainment from local bands and artists, just to add to the ambience.

In the heart of South Slope is the famous Lazoom tours. Take a leap of faith and join this historical and hysterical comedy bus tour around Asheville!

River Arts District

Take a stroll through the River Arts District and stop at the New Belgium Brewing Company.  This artsy neighborhood is adjacent to the French Broad River. Through the New Belgium brewery, you can access a fun little trail by the river. If you’re hungry, which we always are, grab a bite at White Duck Taco Shop for the best tacos in Asheville.

Luxury Visits

The two most notable luxury stops in Asheville are the Omni Grove Park Inn and the Biltmore Estate.

The Omni Grove Inn is a spectacular property. We enjoyed the self-guided walking tour inside the main building and around the estate. The Grove Inn was actually built from granite boulders cut directly from Sunset Mountain, where the resort is perched. Be sure to visit during the golden hour to get the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the backdrop. You can grab a drink or bite at the Sunset Terrace, or just wander the hotel since it’s open for the public. The Grove Inn also has one of the top-rated spas in the country, so if you’re looking for a relaxing treat just book ahead of time!

The Biltmore Estate is yet another phenomenal place to spend the day. It’s the largest private estate in the country and certainly the most popular thing to do in Asheville. There are a ton of gardens to explore, a lake to lounge near and of course you can’t skip the winery! We recommend doing one of the rooftop and balcony tours to truly grasp the enormity of the estate and it’s excellent location. You can actually stay on the property itself either at the Village Hotel or the Inn on Biltmore.

Outdoor Activities

You’re quite literally in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As you can imagine, the outdoor activities are endless. One little adventure took the win though: Chimney Rock. Although it’s about a 40-minute drive from Asheville, it’s absolutely worth the miles… and the sweat.

Chimney Rock State Park offers the most dramatic mountain scenery we’ve seen. The hikes available vary, but the most rewarding is the strenuous Exclamation Point Trail.  Trek through a labyrinth of zigzagging paths and many staircases to reach the top of Chimney Rock Mountain. Thankfully there were many lookout points that also served as resting points along the way.

Refuel at the picturesque Village of Chimney Rock. You can keep the exploratory momentum going by enjoying the Rocky Broad Riverwalk. It’s a short natural path, located directly behind the village’s establishments. You’ll find quite a bit of people soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the shallow, rocky river.

The village has an old-town feel to it, with plenty of souvenir shops, mom and pop restaurants and a gemstone mine! We recommend browsing a bit before heading back to Asheville. On your way back to town, you must, absolutely must check out Whistle Hop Brewing. An old railroad caboose that was transformed into a brewery and a fun six-hole disc-golf course.

Would you rather stay a little closer to town? We recommend a mellow ride down the river with Zen Tubing. Tubing is really such a great way to unwind, relax and take in all the picturesque views this mountain-town has to offer.

Depending on how much time you’ve got on your hands, consider taking a day trip to Lake Lure. Probably the closest views you can get to the Canadian Rockies in the south. And if you’re keen, book a stay at the Lodge on Lake Lure. For more US travel guides, check out these favorite state-side destinations here.

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