The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in Asheville
Most of the best things to do in Asheville are found in the great outdoors. If luxury is your thing live in the lap of luxury at Biltmore before hitting the open road on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Those looking to take in even more fresh air can hike sections of the Appalachian Trail or during the summer go for a dip in a swimming hole in Pisgah National Forest.
Asheville is also a popular jumping-off point for some of the best whitewater rafting tours in North Carolina.
For a bit more relaxation, tour one (or many) of the area’s breweries or pop into the boutiques and galleries in the River Arts District.
The area is filled with natural wonders and architectural treasures, you’ll soon come to understand the allure of Asheville. Discover for yourself all there is to see and do.
From iconic landmarks to local favorites, these are our sure bets for a memorable mountain escape. Explore our favorite spring and summer activities and start planning your visit with these places to stay.
The links in this post may be affiliate links. That means that if you click them and make a purchase, this site makes a commission. It will have no impact on the price you pay or the experience of your purchase.
Best Things to do in Asheville
1. Visit Biltmore Estate
Built-in 1895 by the Vanderbilt family, the Biltmore is the largest privately-owned estate in the United States and is situated on an 8,000-acre tract. Your admission lets you tour the estate and a few rooms in the house.
The estate embodies what Mark Twain had in mind when he dubbed the 1880-the 90s the Gilded Age: everything about its essence is an imitation of European royal residences with emphasis on appearance more than reality.
You can look but not touch priceless tapestries, rich wood tapestries, and other fine china from the bygone era of yesteryear.
Touring the mansion will take approximately two hours at a minimum but I suggest blocking off at least five hours to see everything. The estate also has an on-site winery and you can also walk the estate gardens.
There’s a lot to see and a lot of walking so make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
2. Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway
The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains cover most of western North Carolina, including Asheville. While they extend from Georgia to Pennsylvania, the highest peaks are found in Asheville, North Carolina.
Mt. Mitchell is the highest summit east of the Mississippi River. Much of the Blue Ridge Mountains are protected by Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests.
The Blue Ridge is noted for having a blue tint, especially when seen from a distance. Trees release isoprene into the atmosphere to create the blue haze. There are thousands of miles of hiking trails and many spectacular waterfalls.
Even though the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches into Virginia, you can hop on right in Asheville and enjoy the views. There are several scenic overlooks to park and take pictures or hike a trail.
Below are some of my favorite trails in the Blue Ridge Parkway:
- Craggy Gardens Trail
- Skinny Dip Falls Trail
- Linville Falls
- Mount Mitchell (the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi)
3. Outdoor Activities in Blue Ridge Parkway
There are plenty of activities to partake in after you take in the views of the Mountains. If you love adventure and outdoor activities try one of the following activities:
- Flyfishing
- Chase Waterfalls
- Bird Watching
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
4. Explore Downtown Asheville
Downtown Asheville is full of shopping, restaurants, and breweries. If you like to walk around old-time general stores and look at items from the past make sure you check out Mast General Store to pick up souvenirs, clothing, and even hiking gear.
One of my favorite things about Asheville was watching and listening to the street musicians playing jazz. On Friday evenings make sure you visit the Drum Circle where you can drum and dance from 5 to 8 PM in Pritchard Park.
5. Visit the River Arts District
The River Arts District is a one-mile stretch of old buildings that now serve as art studios. You can patronize local artists and purchase paintings, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and original art created by a local artist.
6. Take a Brewery Tour
Asheville currently holds the honor of having the most breweries per capita in the United States so if you are a beer lover Asheville is the place for you.
The Best Breweries in Asheville include:
You can visit each brewery individually or you take a multi-brewery tour.
6. Farmers Market
Black-owned Asheville
1. Hood Huggers
2. Tiger Bay Cafe, West Asheville
3. Black Mountain Cider & Mead
The Best Time to Visit Asheville
Asheville has something to offer everyone all year-round, while I visited in the summer the fall is one of the most visually striking times to visit Asheville.
The leaves start to change in early September. It’s also one of the busiest seasons, along with the December holidays, and hotels are extremely expensive during the fall months.
Waiting until late fall, even into early November, affords travelers the opportunity to see the last of the fall foliage without tons of tourists.
Spring break and the summer months can also be busy in Asheville, so if you’re seeking a more relaxed version of the city, go in late April or May.
Flying to Asheville
The best way to get to Asheville is to fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) on the following airlines:
Driving to Asheville
Asheville can also be easily reached by car as Interstates 26 and 40 meet. The two largest metropolitan areas nearby are Charlotte, NC (2 hours), Atlanta, GA (3.5 hours), and Nashville (4.5 hours).
If you are in search of a weekend getaway look no further than Asheville, NC and if you are flying renting a car is a necessity because the city is spread out.
Plus, you’ll want to take advantage of the surrounding mountains while visiting.
View this post on Instagram
2. The Inn on Biltmore Estate
View this post on Instagram
Book Now: From $170 per night, Trip Advisor
Also on the expansive Biltmore Estate is the more casual and more affordably priced Village Hotel. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a farmhouse-meets-cottage vibe; rooms feature a white-and-gray color palette, plus natural wood and metal accents.
Village guests also have access to the estate grounds, gardens, and winery, as well as an outdoor pool, fitness center, grab-and-go café, and the Village Social restaurant, where the focus is on sustainable seafood.
Menu items include she-crab bisque, shrimp and grits, and North Carolina market fish served with a lemon beurre blanc. Best of all, you can bring your dog—the Village Hotel is pet-friendly.
View this post on Instagram
4. Hilton Asheville, Biltmore Park Town Square
Book Now: From $118 per night, Trip Advisor
The LEED-certified Hilton Asheville is found in a LEED-ND registered development known as the Biltmore Park Town Square, 10 miles from downtown.
Here, guests find state-of-the-art air filtration, a solar hot-water system, and a building made from 21 percent recycled content. All in all, the Hilton Asheville consumes 30 percent less water and 25 percent less energy than a comparable hotel.
View this post on Instagram
5. Haywood Park Hotel & Atrium
Book Now: From $150 per night, Trip Advisor
When you book a stay at Haywood Park Hotel downtown, you’ll be spending the night in a former department store. The historic building was first a Bon Marche (Asheville’s first department store, operating from 1923 to 1937) and then Ivey’s (1937–1975).
It became a hotel in 1985, but the lobby still features throw-back touches like brass and Spanish marble, chicly dressed mannequins, a classic car, and display cases with artifacts from the department store period.
The 48 rooms and bathrooms are spacious with a mix of modern and antique furnishings, while a fitness center and French bistro restaurant complete the experience.
View this post on Instagram
6. Omni Grove Park Inn
Book Now: From $219 per night, Trip Advisor
A historic resort dating back to 1913, this grand dame of the Blue Ridge Mountains was originally designed to echo the iconic Old Faithful Inn and Canyon Hotel in Yellowstone National Park.
Built from granite stones mined from adjacent Sunset Mountain, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.
Guests of the Omni Grove Park can expect 513 luxurious rooms, plus 36-foot stone fireplaces, elevators hidden in chimneys, and one of the largest collections of arts and crafts furnishings in the world, including more than 400 oak chairs, corner servers, sideboards, writing tables, and lighting fixtures.
There are also eight bars and restaurants; a 43,000-square-foot subterranean, rock-wall spa with a grotto-like relaxation pool; a fitness complex complete with indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts; hiking trails; and an award-winning golf course to keep you busy, although it’s only a 10-minute drive to downtown Asheville.
View this post on Instagram
7. Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection
Book Now: From $210 per night, Trip Advisor
Inside Biltmore Village, the Eastern European– and Tudor-inspired Grand Bohemian Hotel features 104 spacious rooms and suites, complete with design details like antler-adorned light fixtures, jewel-toned tufted velvet headboards, and curvaceous soaking tubs in spacious marble bathrooms.
Guests can unwind in the lobby among stuffed and sculpted animals or in the Poseidon Spa. European comfort food is on hand at the moody Red Stag Grill, while works by local, regional, and international artists are on display in the Grand Bohemian Gallery.
View this post on Instagram
Where To Eat For Your Ultimate Weekend In Asheville
1. Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen
Asheville’s prettiest terrace is Edison — 2,000-plus square feet of it, overlooking the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen is located in the Omni Grove Park Inn.
The resort’s new executive chef Josh Thomsen recently updated the menu to include pork collar with salsa verde, red peas, and chicharron, a hot brown made with a braised turkey leg and green tomato, and an atypical tomato pie with grilled eggplant.
Asheville, NC 28804
2. Cúrate
Chef Katie Button’s acclaimed tapas restaurant has doubled in size thanks to a spring expansion that added a traditional jamón counter, a seated bar with tapped vermouth.
Pan de cristal con tomate on house-made toast points and a table de jamóneswill have you returning for a second visit the very next day.
I suggest calling and reserving reservations in the dining room and making sure you order the honey-drizzled fried eggplant, traditional tortilla española, or a whole Sunburst Farm mountain trout topped with parsley and hazelnut piccata.
Asheville, NC 28801
3. Little Jumbo
Asheville’s cocktail scene is as diverse as its culinary scene. Little Jumbo, a stand-alone cocktail bar just outside the Montford neighborhood.
The cocktail bar offers a list of 20 house cocktails which ensures drinks can be promptly replicated and will taste delicious each and every time.
A white port aperitif is absolutely delish and The Manhattan Service For Two should definitely be on your order list. The bar has a small 10-item menu with savory seasonal apps like house-made salt and pepper chips and avocado and almond salad.
Asheville, NC 28801
3. Lobster Trap
In 2005, the Lobster Trap restaurant opened its doors in historic downtown Asheville, N.C. Since then, it has become the seafood destination for locals and visitors whose passion for fresh Maine lobsters, domestic oysters, mussels, clams, crabs, and fish (including the award-winning Sunburst trout) is exceeded only by that of owner Amy Beard and General Manager/Executive Chef Mike McCarty.
The Lobster Trap is all about seafood. Don’t look for chicken here. This is where fresh seafood is thoughtfully prepared in ways that honor its delicate flavors and textures. This is where fun, food and hospitality abound and where the oysters are always fresh.
Asheville, NC 28801
Best Wineries in Asheville
If you’re looking for things to do in Asheville, then consider this of the best wineries in Asheville. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or perhaps well acquainted with the flair of this Southern Appalachia getaway, here are 14 wineries you must visit in Asheville.
1. Burntshirt Vineyards
Set against the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains vistas, Burntshirt Vineyards boasts breathtaking views and a truly relaxing atmosphere. Their vineyards are a true sight to behold, filled with seemingly endless acres of plump grapes.
Beside their rolling fields is their 10,000-square-foot Vic winery, where they press and process the grapes into award-winning wine.
At each visit, you can tour their winery, check out the barrel room, and then chill in the tasting room to sample all their offerings.
2. Pleb Urban Winery
At Pleb Urban Winery, you get to directly experience what is done with bushels upon bushels of local grapes plus tons of other luscious fruits.
Using their choice produce, they create every flavor of wine imaginable, including their house blends. People come from far and wide to sample their b-sides & rarities, vol. 1, an imaginative orange wine with hints of white peach.
However, the artsy ambiance inside their tasting room is reason enough to visit, especially when enjoyed with close friends.
3. Biltmore Estate Winery
With every visit to the Biltmore Estate Winery, you get a complimentary wine tasting to remember. Built as a part of the Vanderbilt legacy, this winery serves as the heart and soul of Antler Hill Village.
You can stop in at your leisure to try all their most popular wines, including Blanc de Blancs, Brut, and Cardinal’s Crest.
No matter which flavors you choose, make sure to order a charcuterie board and some chocolates to take your wine tasting experience to the next level.
4. Little Switzerland Orchard and Winery
Small batch wines made with love are the name of the game at the Little Switzerland Orchard and Winery. They see each bottle of wine through from planting the grape seeds to serving each glass in their lovely taproom.
Although they always follow tried and true practices, this winery never lets tradition get in the way of innovation.
This is evidenced by their creative apple cider wines flavored to taste like strawberry and watermelon, cinnamon and red chilies, and even pickle juice.
5. Addison Farms Vineyard
Addison Farms Vineyard began with the dream of becoming the leading producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, but they didn’t stop there.
They now grow six acres of grapevines in multiple varieties to produce all kinds of wine, such as their Smokehouse Red and Five Twenty-Nine.
Although you can shop their wines online, the real magic lies in taking their weekend wine tour and enjoying a few drinks in the tasting room.
6. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards features acres of vineyards that you can tour on Saturday mornings.
As they harvest the different varieties of grapes from their orchards, they create spirits, cider, and wine of all kinds.
You can sample their offerings at any of their three tasting rooms and attend various events, ranging from live musical performances to cooking classes.
7. Mountain Brook Vineyards
Mountain Brook Vineyards grows five distinct grape varieties, which they then use to create a fantastic array of wines. With so many to choose from, it just makes sense to zip into their tasting room for a flight, giving you a sample of their finest offerings.
From there, you can buy your favorites by the glass or take home a bottle or two for later. Just don’t forget to take the vineyard and winery tours for an inside look at how each flavor came to be.
8. Point Lookout Vineyards
At Point Lookout Vineyards, you get a 360 view of the magnificence of the mountainside and the acres upon acres of grapevines. As each vine ripens in the refreshing mountain air, they prepare to create all the best types of wine and mead, including dry Riesling and orange blossom mead.
You can sample each one in their quaint dining room or settle in at a table outside to enjoy the view. If you visit at the right time, you can even catch live musical performances and other fun events.
9. Parker-Binns Vineyard
With each visit to Parker-Binns Vineyard, you have the opportunity to take in the spectacular views and taste their dedication to perfection.
They have over 4,000 grapevines set across 12 full acres of land located in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills at this vineyard. Their picturesque setting is so riveting that they frequently serve as a choice wedding venue for locals and tourists alike.
If you want a chill wine tasting experience, you can zip on over to their Burger Barn for a bite to eat with your selected beverages.
10. Vidl Winery at Cultura
Vidl Winery at Cultura brings the taproom experience to you with their popup restaurant in the center of Asheville. Their eatery boasts a charming aesthetic complete with huge wine barrels and plenty of lush indoor plants.
They complete the experience by pouring generous glasses full of their feature wines, like the Sauvignon Blanc and Alicante/Tempranillo.
To take your selections to the next level, order up their fresh olives, French Broad chocolate truffles, and other small bite plates.
11. Stone Ashe Vineyards
With the beautiful mountain foothills all around, Stone Ashe Vineyards is the ideal spot to get away from it all. To bring everyone into the fun, they host many vineyard events year-round, like guided tours and early barrel tastings.
You can also come to hang out in their luxe tasting room or even bring a lawn chair to soak in the phenomenal views.
While there, you can get your fill of all their house wines, such as Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, and Bubbly Provencal Rose’.
12. Marked Tree Vineyard
Set between the Tryon Peak and Mt. Pisgah, Marked Tree Vineyard grows tons of flavorful grapes and transforms them into all your favorite wine varieties.
They have all the top varietals on their menu, including Chardonel, Videl Blanc, and Cab Franc. They also have many impressive blends available if you prefer something a little different.
To get a taste, you can either visit the vineyard directly or go to their Asheville satellite location instead.
13. Overmountain Vineyards
The Overmountain Vineyards cover over 70-acres in the beautiful Tryon foothills, with a quaint cottage tasting room in the center of it all.
They grow all their grapes and blueberries plus source their other ingredients from local suppliers. Using their fresh produce, they create French-style wines that are bursting with flavor sip after sip.
If you cannot get enough of their offerings in a single visit, rent out one of their villas and stay for the whole weekend or longer if you wish.
14. B&C Winery
At B&C Winery, they partner with vineyards worldwide to source grapes that will stand out in their wines. Then, they transform those hand-selected fruits into tantalizing wine creations using fresh mountain spring water and traditional techniques.
Since they often have so many to choose from, it’s best to go with the wine flight special to get a taste of the best options on the menu.
You can then walk away with a complimentary wine glass and a good idea on which bottles to take home for later.
Ready to plan your trip, grab my FREE Vacation Planner to help you plan your trip in the time it takes to watch your favorite TV show!
Additional Articles For Weekend Getaways
Have you been to Asheville? What’s your favorite city for a weekend getaway? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Are you also on Pinterest?
Why not save this post to your Pinterest board for later? I am also on Pinterest so feel free to follow Passports and Grub boards and get the latest pin directly.
My husband and I visited Asheville and Cherokee a few years ago and loved it!
So beautiful!
We keep saying we need to go back to Asheville but the 8 hr drive lol
It was only 4 hours for me but even if it was 8 I would still visit. The blue Ridge was absolutely breathtaking!
I stumbled upon Asheville accidentally and have loved it every since. Taking a tour through your writing was fun and made me eager to get back!
I think I am going to go back for Thanksgiving. I was blown away by Asheville
Y’all ate good!! Lol. I love the beautiful friendship developed through blogging!
I hired Kenya to rebrand my blog and we literally talk 4 times a day every day. She is my blogging boo and we have developed such an authentic and amazing friendship. We are a 2 person tribe and hold each other accountable and don’t get offended when the other person says nah that’s ugly or nah that’s not a good idea.
Man!! That looks like so much fun! I have made some really wonderful friends through blogging. This has inspired me to do more IRL meetups and trips.
yes, you should. We worked really hard, learned from each other, and just had a really good time.
My parents celebrated their one year anniversary of dating in Asheville years ago! Lol….. they’ve been married over 20 years! This place is beautiful and so glad you guys got to connect!
20 years is a long time.. tell your parents congrats and I hope I make it 20 years
Sounds like an amazing trip! The food pics are amazing and I love the idea of getting together with your tribe to work on goals and blogging in general!
we are going to do this twice a year so we can learn and set goals. It is a great way to stay on task.
WHOA! Asheville is so lush and green! Kinda reminds me of Canada! LOL!
It is stunning! The views of the mountains took my breath away. I can’t wait to go back
I love the fact you got to make a goal setting trip fun & informative. Im actually inspired to do the same, 2018 starts now. Thank you
we need our tribes because they hold us accountable and make sure we stay on task. I suffer from ADHD. I haven’t been diagnosed but kenya has self-diagnosed me she is constantly telling me to slow down and finish one task before moving on and it helps to have someone reign me back in to reality
I only see other bloggers when I go to events. I would love to do something like this though. You ladies look like you had a great time and you definitely ate well.
Do you have a tribe that you can count on and bounce ideas off of?
This sounds like an amazing getaway, and a great way to link up with your online friends. I’ll be linking up with a long time blogger boo at Blogalicious this year that I’ve never met in person. Sounds weird to most people but it’s totally normal to me at this point lol
Kenya and I speak every day and this was our first meeting face to face. It was so awesome to sit up late, drink wine and work.
I love meeting up with other bloggers, I did the same thing in Tennessee but we didn’t focus on blogging goals. I would love to find someone in Los Angeles to help keep me accountable. I would enjoy the seafood restaurant as I enjoy a good lobster roll and Thai food after visiting Thailand . The lodging looks like a great place to stay.
I think we all need someone to hold us accountable and keep us on task.
Ohhhh all of that food, though!! It looks SO good! 🙂 How cool that you were able to connect with a fellow blogger and then meet in person! I have had the opportunity to meet a few of my Instagram friends in person. They live in my area and now we are all friends. I would also love to meet a few of my blogger friends one day. It truly makes the blogging and social media influencing experience so much more enriching. You not only get support from your new friends, but you also gain a new friend! Win-win!!
you are so right because none of my nonblogging friends understand how hard I work or truly understand what i do. Some even try to minimize what I do until it benefits them so I really needed someone to bounce ideas off of and what’s so awesome about our relationship is neither one of gets offended. After you spend hours working on something and you get a second opinion and they tell you it sucks most people get upset but from day 1 we have said ok and corrected the issues with the exception of that wack Disqus that she loves.
I have heard great things about visiting Asheville. It is on our list because we can make a road trip out of it. I will definitely check back here for spots to visit. Nothing like meeting your blogger friends in real life. I have some great ones.
I love that you met up with someone you never met before. That is true blogger love and I bet when you met it was like you have known each other for years. Great weekend recap of your trip to Ashville!
Makes me want to get up and go to Asheville!
Are you back? I thought you were still out of the country
This sounds like a lovely, quiet place to vacation at! I’ve been to Tennessee before, but I’d love to go back. Sounds like a great place.
Asheville is a delightful place and your article shows it ! So much to do and see there. Thanks for showing more things for me to try on my next trip !!
The closest I’ve been to Tennessee was Mississippi which I loved. I haven’t been down south in a long time (I’m in Oregon) so Asheville sounds like it would be fun. Thanks for the detailed information. I would love to visit the Biltmore Estate and the Farmers Market some day.
I’ve been wanting to go to Asheville for the weekend for some time now! I’m glad you posted this. I need to plan my getaway now.
I am actually looking forward to visiting the Biltmore Estates. I am planning a trip to go hopefully for the Spring!
I used to live in NC and went to college in TN so on my way to school I drove through Asheville many times, but I never stopped. It’s a cute city though.
I have not visited much of the Carolina’s. I seem to only go when visiting family. Yet there is so much that I want to see. I am always here for the food list, and it looks solid. I love that you gals did this together. Such a great idea.
we are planning our next trip now and Asheville was amazing!
This looks absolutely beautiful! I have never been to the Carolinas before. My husband and I are planning a trip back East (we live in the Midwest) so this looks like a great place to visit. Thanks for this post.
so welcome and if you get the chance to visit Asheville it should definitely be on your list of places to visit.
I wish we would have thought to stop there when we drove to Florida a few years ago. Definitely adding it to my list for the future!
Asheville is beautiful especially the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved Asheville!
My husband and I were supposed to visit Asheville, but somehow got side tracked and didn’t make it. I love all of your photos. We’ll be sure to circle back to the Biltmore though, I want to see it just once!