Asheville North Carolina | Things to Do, Places to Eat, and Stay

Asheville North Carolina

Nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina, Asheville is a city where Appalachian traditions meet a thriving arts and culinary scene. Long a magnet for writers, artists, and musicians, it continues to captivate visitors with its blend of mountain beauty, historic architecture, and a dining culture that rivals much larger cities. Asheville balances its Appalachian roots with a creative, forward-thinking spirit that comes alive in its food, music, and art. For travelers seeking depth and authenticity for those who want mountain scenery, thoughtful dining, and cultural richness - Asheville delivers!

Surrounded by the towering Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has earned nicknames like “The Paris of the South,” “The Land of the Sky,” and “The New Age Mecca.” It covers 45.6 square miles, has a population of about 93,590 (2020 census), and serves as the county seat of Buncombe County within the larger Asheville Metropolitan Area.

Architectural Heritage

Asheville is celebrated across the United States for its distinctive architecture. Downtown is filled with striking Art Deco landmarks such as the Pack Memorial Library, Buncombe County Courthouse, Asheville City Hall, Kress Building, Westall Building, Jackson Building, and Flatiron Building. Victorian-era homes are also common, especially in the Montford Area Historic District, where you’ll find the grand Biltmore Estate. Built by George Vanderbilt, the estate remains one of Asheville’s most iconic landmarks. Vanderbilt also founded the YMI Cultural Center in 1892, one of the oldest African-American cultural institutions in the country.

Natural Beauty & Arts Scene

Outdoor adventure begins on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds past Asheville’s outskirts. Overlooks like Craggy Gardens and Mount Pisgah offer sweeping mountain vistas within an hour’s drive. In town, the River Arts District has transformed former industrial warehouses along the French Broad River into more than 200 working studios where you can watch potters, glassblowers, and painters at work. For history and grandeur, the Biltmore Estate is Asheville’s crown jewel, a 250-room mansion with gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and a winery housed in its former stables.

 

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Things to Do in Asheville, North Carolina

River Arts District

In town, the River Arts District has transformed old industrial warehouses along the French Broad River into more than 200 working studios. The River Arts District is Asheville’s creative heart where visitors can walk between glassblowers, potters, and painters, often catching them mid-process.

Downtown

Downtown Asheville is compact, walkable, and buzzing with a creative energy that reflects the city’s mix of Appalachian heritage and progressive spirit. Historic architecture blends seamlessly with indie shops, art galleries, craft breweries, and award-winning restaurants, making it a place where you can easily spend a day wandering without a set agenda. The Art Deco architecture stands out, particularly in the S&W Market building and the stately Grove Arcade, a 1929 indoor market filled with boutiques, cafes, and galleries.

The North Carolina Arboretum

For those who prefer staying closer to the city, the North Carolina Arboretum offers a curated experience of native plants and walking paths through forested grounds. Showcasing meticulously designed gardens and trails that highlight native Appalachian plants. Autumn is particularly striking, when the mountains surrounding Asheville glow with fiery reds, oranges, and yellows.

The Biltmore Estate

For history and grandeur, the Biltmore Estate is Asheville’s crown jewel: George Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion is open for tours, with gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and a winery housed in the former stables.

The estate’s 8,000 acres of grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, unfold into formal gardens, wooded trails, and rolling meadows. Spring brings bursts of tulips and azaleas, summer is fragrant with roses, autumn blankets the property in fiery mountain foliage, and winter transforms the mansion into one of the most elaborate holiday displays in the South.

Pisgah National Forest

Just 30 minutes outside of Asheville, Pisgah National Forest stretches across more than half a million acres of rugged Appalachian terrain. Once part of George Vanderbilt’s vast Biltmore Estate, the land became one of the first designated national forests in the United States in 1916. Today, Pisgah is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from waterfall hikes and scenic drives to world-class mountain biking. Pisgah National Forest is laced with trails to waterfalls like Looking Glass Falls and the natural waterslide at Sliding Rock.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Stretching 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” and for good reason. Scenic overlooks such as Craggy Gardens and Mount Pisgah are within an hour’s drive, and both reward visitors with panoramic views of ridgelines that stretch for miles.

Around Asheville, the Parkway is lined with pull-offs that make it easy to stop and take in the view. Craggy Gardens (Milepost 364.4) is a favorite for its rhododendron blooms in June and expansive ridgeline vistas. Devil’s Courthouse (Milepost 422.4) delivers a short but steep half-mile hike to a rocky summit with panoramic views stretching across four states. On clear days, the long-range views feel endless.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

About an hour southwest of Asheville, DuPont State Recreational Forest is a 12,500-acre expanse of trails, lakes, and waterfalls that feels like a natural playground. Known for its cinematic scenery, DuPont has been featured in films like The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans, yet it remains an accessible and welcoming place for hikers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Features multiple cascades including Triple Falls and High Falls that are easily accessible and cinematic in scale.

Hiking Trails

One of Asheville’s biggest draws is the easy access to mountain trails. Within minutes of downtown you can be on a wooded path, and a short drive opens up hundreds of miles of hiking in Pisgah National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here are some of the most rewarding hikes that locals and visitors alike return to again and again:

Craggy Gardens Trail

About 20 miles from Asheville, Milepost 364, this 1.5-mile round-trip hike climbs through rhododendron tunnels to a grassy summit with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge. In June, the rhododendrons explode in pink and purple blooms, drawing photographers and wildflower lovers.

Looking Glass Rock

Located in Pisgah National Forest, about 45 minutes from downtown, this 6.5-mile round-trip trail is a local favorite. It’s a steady climb through hardwood forest to the bare granite dome of Looking Glass Rock, where hikers are treated to panoramic views across Pisgah’s ridgelines. The exposed summit makes it a great picnic spot, though be cautious near the cliff edges.

Graveyard Fields

Despite its eerie name, this area along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 418.8) is one of the most popular hiking spots near Asheville. A network of trails leads to two waterfalls, the Upper and Lower Falls, with options for short family-friendly strolls or longer loops across high-elevation meadows. In early fall, the blueberry bushes turn a brilliant red, making it one of the most photographed places on the Parkway.

Bent Creek Experimental Forest

Only 15 minutes from downtown Asheville, Bent Creek is a go-to spot for locals who want a quick hike, trail run, or bike ride. The network of trails varies from easy lake loops to longer ridge climbs, making it versatile for all skill levels. The Hard Times Loop (6 miles) is a good introduction, combining forest paths with quiet overlooks.

DuPont State Recreational Forest

About 50 minutes from Asheville, DuPont’s trails wind past multiple waterfalls featured in The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. The 4.5-mile Triple Falls–High Falls loop is the most popular, offering close-up views of two powerful cascades, with an option to extend to Bridal Veil Falls.

Rattlesnake Lodge Trail

This 3.5-mile out-and-back hike leads to the ruins of a summer estate from the early 1900s, hidden deep in the woods. Stone walls and foundations remain, making it a favorite for hikers who enjoy a bit of history along the trail.

Mount Pisgah Trail

Rising to 5,721 feet, Mount Pisgah is one of the region’s classic hikes. The 2.5-mile round-trip trail climbs steadily to a summit crowned by a transmission tower but also rewarded with expansive views of the French Broad River Valley and Cold Mountain in the distance. It’s a moderately challenging climb, best done in the morning before crowds arrive.

Arts and Culture

Music is deeply embedded in Asheville’s character. On summer nights, Shindig on the Green brings bluegrass musicians downtown for free outdoor performances, while the Orange Peel is a legendary venue that hosts touring acts in an intimate setting. Architecture lovers will appreciate the Art Deco details of Asheville’s historic downtown, especially the S&W Market building and the whimsical Grove Arcade, a 1929 marketplace filled with boutiques, cafes, and galleries.

Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum is a hub of creativity in the Blue Ridge area. Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, the Asheville Art Museum celebrates the rich artistic heritage and contemporary creativity of the southern Appalachian region and beyond. Housed in a striking modern building on Pack Square, it’s a cultural must-see for art lovers exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Places to Eat

Asheville’s food scene has exploded over the last two decades, with James Beard–recognized chefs, a booming farm-to-table movement, and a community that values creativity as much as tradition. Dining here ranges from polished tasting menus to casual counter service, but nearly everywhere you’ll find a strong emphasis on local ingredients and Appalachian character. Asheville’s dining scene is nationally recognized for its inventive use of local ingredients and it has become a culinary destination in its own right.

Cúrate

Cúrate, helmed by chef Katie Button, serves Spanish tapas that rival what you’d find in Barcelona, with an attention to detail that makes the restaurant one of the toughest reservations in town. Think paper-thin jamón ibérico and savory croquetas to perfectly blistered pan con tomate.

Tupelo Honey

For a more casual but equally memorable meal, Tupelo Honey puts a modern spin on Southern comfort food, sweet potato pancakes or fried chicken with biscuits.

Rhubarb

Rhubarb, led by chef John Fleer, focuses on Appalachian-inspired cuisine with dishes like Carolina trout or wood-fired meats paired with local produce.

Chai Pani

James Beard Award–winning chef Meherwan Irani has created one of the most dynamic restaurants in the city with Chai Pani. The menu draws from Indian street food such as bhel puri, okra fries, and butter chicken served in a casual, colorful space. It’s a perfect stop for lunch or a lively dinner.

The Market Place

A pioneer of farm-to-table dining since 1979, The Market Place continues to shine under chef William Dissen. The focus is on sustainable seafood and locally raised meats, prepared with a modern sensibility. It’s fine dining, but without pretension.

Sovereign Remedies

Part cocktail bar, part restaurant, Sovereign Remedies is known for its inventive small plates and one of the best drink programs in town. Expect dishes like roasted mushrooms with house-made ricotta, paired with a perfectly balanced craft cocktail.

Gan Shan Station

Housed in a former gas station, Gan Shan draws inspiration from across Asia. Ramen, dumplings, and spicy stir-fried dishes are all made with locally sourced ingredients. It’s casual, approachable, and a favorite among locals for a weeknight dinner.

12 Bones Smokehouse

Beloved by presidents and construction crews alike (Barack Obama famously stopped here twice), 12 Bones serves some of the best barbecue in the region. The blueberry chipotle ribs are legendary, and the sides—corn pudding, collard greens, jalapeño cheese grits—are worth the trip alone.

Early Girl Eatery

A downtown breakfast and lunch institution, Early Girl focuses on Southern comfort classics made with local produce. Their shrimp and grits and fried green tomato BLT are staples, and the atmosphere is casual, friendly, and always bustling.

Hole Doughnuts

For something sweet, Hole makes fresh, made-to-order doughnuts that come out hot and crisp. Flavors rotate daily, but the simple cinnamon sugar or toasted almond sesame cinnamon are hard to beat with a cup of locally roasted coffee.

Places to Drink

Beer is part of Asheville’s DNA. The city boasts more breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the U.S. Many breweries offer outdoor seating with mountain views, perfect for lingering on a sunny afternoon.

Highland Brewing Company

Asheville’s first craft brewery, remains a local favorite.

Wicked Weed Brewing

This brewery pushes boundaries with experimental ales.

Burial Beer Co.

They have built a cult following with their inventive releases and laid-back vibe.

Where to Stay

Accommodations range from storied hotels to intimate inns to unique vacation rentals. The Omni Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is known for its massive stone fireplaces, sweeping terrace views, and subterranean spa carved into the rock. Downtown, the Foundry Hotel blends luxury with industrial history, having been repurposed from the steel foundry that once forged parts for the Biltmore Estate.

For travelers seeking something more personal, Asheville’s bed-and-breakfast scene is vibrant, with historic homes like the Cedar Crest Inn and Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast offering warm hospitality paired with gourmet breakfasts. For travelers seeking something unique and perfect for families and pets, a vacation rental stay is the best choice.

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Map of Asheville North Carolina

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