Asheville: Best Things to Do

Image by Frank Chiusano from Google Maps

Asheville is the beautiful city situated in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Having a reputation as the “Paris of the South”, this city is a place for the various vibrant art scenes, culture, and architecture

But different from many other urban cities, Ashville is blessed with scenic natural landmarks due to its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains

The city’s most favorite tourist attractions include the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore village, Chimney Rock State Park where you will be delighted to see the many more picturesque spots to clean your mind and soul

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SIGHTSEEING

It definitely won’t be a trip to the city of Ashville without visiting the iconic Biltmore village. This complex of company towns was built for being the residence to Biltmore Estate workers and their families. Designed with the lavish European architecture, this place is an extraordinary landmark to sightsee historic and lush ambiance of the old Renaissance château. Housing more or less 250 rooms including the large gardens surrounding the area, you will be guided to tour around this complex of exquisite beauty.

Biltmore village

George W

Vanderbilt’s iconic French Renaissance château features 250 rooms, lavish gardens & tours

Address : 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, United States

DOWNTOWN

There is so much to explore when it comes to enjoying the downtown charm of Asheville. The city is graced with a vibrant, artsy, and funky atmosphere that you can easily spot in almost every corner of the downtown area. Street performers including the mimes and musicians are ready to give you the warmest welcome when you roam about along the downtown street. Asheville Community Theatre is where you can see the most famous plays and musicals within the black box space of this theater complex. Alternatively, you can also stroll around the Urban Trail where you can discover a series of thirty stations displaying information and sculptures of many important sites.

Asheville Community Theatre

Community theater performing well-known plays & musicals, plus a black box space, classes & more

Address : 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

Urban Trail

A hiking place featuring a series of thirty stations displaying information and sculptures of many important sites

Address : 11 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

SHOPPING

You should treat yourself some souvenirs to take home by shopping at the largest mall in the city that is Asheville Mall. In this one-story mall housing 132 stores, there is various stuff that you can shop in various department stores, boutiques, and other personal services available in here.

Asheville Mall

Shopping & casual dining destination with department stores, boutiques & personal services

Address : 3 S Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805, United States

FOOD & DRINK

Named as the melting pot that embraces various cultures, it is no wonder that Asheville’s cuisine also has many different tastes to offer. No matter what your stomach is looking for, Asheville has it all for you to serve. From the high-end and lavish restaurants to the local and more traditional recipes, Asheville will accommodate your tongue’s necessities.

CULTURE

Known as the city that embraces many vibrant artistic communities, the city of Asheville is blessed with the thriving cultural places to explore. Smith-McDowell House Museum is where you can start your exploration. This place is the oldest surviving mansion that is now functioned to house collections of historical furniture from the 19th century to many decorative arts. For contemporary art, the Asheville Art Museum is definitely a place to visit. Around this museum, you are welcomed to learn about the development of art-related programs and also collections of 20th and 21st-century American artworks.

Smith-McDowell House Museum

This restored brick antebellum mansion, the city's oldest surviving house, offers tours & exhibits

Address : 283 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

Asheville Art Museum

Collection of American art from the 20th & 21st centuries, plus art-related programs for all ages

Address : 2 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most recommended time to visit Asheville is either during the blossoming spring from March to May or during the foliage of fall from September to early October.

HOTEL

You would definitely want to stay in a hotel in Ashville overlooking at a scenic panorama of Blue Ridge Mountains. The Omni Grove Park Inn is right where you should book a room at. Built in 1913, this hotel will serve you with all first-class facilities to ensure maximum pleasure during your stay in Asheville. Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville is the next top recommendation for you. Dating from the year of 1929, this Turdo-style and stylish hotel has all the historical ambiance to accompany your relaxing time.

The Omni Grove Park

Built in 1913, this stately golf resort has views of the Blue Ridge Mountains

It's 2

2 miles from the Asheville Art Museum and 2

6 miles from the University of North Carolina Asheville

Address : 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804, United States

Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville

This stately Tudor-style hotel with an annex across the street is 2 miles from shopping at Grove Arcade, a historic 1929 commercial building, and 10 miles from North Carolina Arboretum

Address : 11 Boston Way, Asheville, NC 28803, United States

RESTAURANT

Exploring the many sides of Asheville’s food scene definitely won’t be a boring thing. You can start by having a meal on the homely and cozy place offering classic American menu selections in Corner Kitchen. With the beautiful Victorian cottage style, this place is a must-visit restaurant in the city of Asheville. If your stomach happens to crave for some delicious Italian taste in the land of Asheville, Cucina24 is the best place to offer. With the refined decoration of the place, this place will give you a nice contemporary ambiance to accompany your meal.

Corner Kitchen

Set in a Victorian cottage with a patio, this upscale venue serves New American fare & craft drinks

Address : 3 Boston Way, Asheville, NC 28803, United States

Cucina24

Refined Italian fare & wine list, plus specialty cocktails, in a polished, contemporary setting

Address : 24 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

CAFE

For a delightful and casual meal, come to Over Easy Cafe. Just like the name of the place, in this cafe serving the classic menu for breakfast and lunch, you will the absolutely have a relaxing time in Asheville. Many creative menus from eggs are also available for your service. For you, pastry and bakery lovers, West End Bakery & Café would be a heavenly place to hang out. With a variety of house-baked bread and pastry in the menu selections, you are guaranteed to eat to your heart’s content. All the foods served here are taken from the local ingredients.

Over Easy Cafe.

Casual cafe serving creative takes on eggs & other classic breakfast/lunch fare in vintage-hip digs

Address : 32 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

West End Bakery & Café

Relaxed bakery & cafe serving house-baked bread, pastries & brunch fare made with local ingredients

Address : 757 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806, United States

BAR AND NIGHTLIFE

The Montford Rooftop Bar is the ultimate place to let you indulge yourself in a calming atmosphere during your night in Asheville. With the direct panorama to the mountain views plus the rustic-chic decoration, your night in Ashville is going to be well-spent. For the excellent variety of craft cocktails, you should drop by at Sovereign Remedies. This place is best known among its customers with first-class services and vintage ambiance.

The Montford Rooftop Bar

Sleek hangout featuring craft cocktails, nibbles & mountain views in a rustic–chic interior

Address : 199 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

Sovereign Remedies

Hip, multilevel bar with a vintage vibe serving craft cocktails & locally sourced New American fare

Address : 29 N Market St #105, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

INTERESTING PLACE

If you are a big fan of the world of the plantation, The North Carolina Arboretum is the place you should head to. Alongside the mountain views, you can discover a diverse range of plants exhibited at this green space. In this 434-acre natural spot, many fun outdoor activities such as hiking, trail walking, and geocaching are among the few that you can enjoy. For the iconic panoramic landscape of the city, you can spend your time at Chimney Rock State Park. Located twenty-five miles in the southeast part of Asheville, you can take a stroll in many amazing sightseeing spots. For you who bring children or your whole family, several kid-friendly activities like educational Great Woodland Adventure Trail and climbing towers are available in this area.

The North Carolina Arboretum

The North Carolina Arboretum is one of the city's top attractions and it is an arboretum in a forest.

It offers mountain views, gorgeous gardens, a bonsai exhibit, and hiking and biking paths.

It is popularly known for its beauty and colorful plants.

And the best of all, it charges you nothing and freely enjoyable.

Address : 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, USA

Chimney Rock State Park

This iconic rock offers wide-reaching panoramic views over the surrounding parkland

Address : 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, United States

INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT

You are not going to Asheville if you don’t take a breathtaking picture in Blue Ridge Parkway. Lies within 469 miles long through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, this place is the ultimate scenic landmark to be featured on your feeds. The hiking trails surrounding this area also enables you to look around at the countryside’s panorama. Botanical Gardens at Asheville is the alternative picturesque green space featuring up to 60 species of Appalachian plants. You can also find some of the most bizarre plants preserved in this area when you walk around the natural scenic trails.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The hiking area with breathaking natural panorama

Address : 3884 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28803, United States

Botanical Gardens at Asheville

Located in the University of North Carolina Asheville, this beautiful botanical garden offers a half-mile trail meanders through stunning gardens that features more than 600 species of Appalachian plants.

It opens every day with no fee admission needed.

Address : 151 W T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville, NC 28804, USA