Steal This Itinerary for a Long Weekend in Asheville

We had a blast on our weekend in Asheville, North Carolina. Coming from San Diego, a city spoiled with choice in its craft beer scene, we were delighted by all of the brewery options, for starters.

We were even more impressed with the natural pursuits in and around the city. Asheville’s surroundings are gorgeous.

If you’re in the planning phase of a North Carolina getaway, use our Asheville itinerary to help you prioritize things to do in this fun, quirky destination.

How many days do you need for Asheville?

You need at least a few days in Asheville to experience the highlights.

A long weekend in Asheville will give you the chance to spend a day outside of the city experiencing some of the state’s best outdoor pursuits.

This Asheville itinerary makes good use of those three full days in the city. If you arrive on a Friday night with only two full days to work with, you can pick and choose based on your priorities.

How to Spend a Weekend in Asheville

You can spend a weekend in Asheville like this:

• Start with Asheville breakfasts at Biscuit Head or Early Girl Eatery.
• Tour the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
• Eat barbecue at top spots like 12 Bones Smokehouse.
• Visit Asheville breweries like Green Man Brewery and Wicked Weed Brewing.
• See how glass is blown at Lexington Glassworks.
• Plan a few hours at the Biltmore Estate.
• Dine at eateries like White Duck Taco Shop or Chai Pani.
• Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or plan a day trip to DuPont State Recreational Forest.

A Weekend in Asheville: Day 1

Asheville is most efficiently explored with a car, particularly if you plan on visiting the Biltmore or heading out of the city for some outdoor adventuring.

If you’re sticking to Asheville proper, you could get by using the sightseeing trolley tours that run to and from the main highlights or the city’s network of ART buses. Maps and scheduling information are available online.

Stop 1: Breakfast

We were staying at a hotel with breakfast, so we didn’t make plans to hit the town first thing.

We’re cheap, you guys.

Asheville is spoiled with choice when it comes to good breakfast spots, though. Try Early Girl Eatery for a farm-to-table experience and French toast in biscuit form. Biscuits can do no wrong.

Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville is another popular option for comfort food through the middle of the day.

Stop 2: Thomas Wolfe Memorial

I’m not a huge Thomas Wolfe fan, but I love historical sites, so I felt a pull toward Wolfe’s boyhood home when we were in Asheville.

The exhibit itself is pretty good, set up with a short film that gives you all kinds of juicy gossip on his upbringing and family. I suppose it isn’t gossip though if it’s actual historical information.

Anyway, bits of it felt pretty splashy if that intrigues you.

The small admission fee is more than fair to tour the boardinghouse.

Stop 3: Montford Area Historic District

See some of the most impressive homes in Asheville with a walk through the Montford Area Historic District.

We walked up Montford Avenue to the Riverside Cemetery to pay our respects to Thomas Wolfe and Co. now that we felt like we knew them.

There’s a map at the gate pointing out other historical graves, and I promise it’s way less morbid than it sounds.

Stop 4: Lunch

All that strolling will hopefully make you as hungry as we were. Buxton Hall Barbecue was our pick, but it has since closed. (Their buttermilk fried chicken was divine, so it’s a real loss!)

Nearby Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive for smoked meats or Chai Pani Asheville for Indian street snacks will keep you in the neighborhood. Both are on our list for a return trip!

Note: Chai Pani is a James Beard Award winner, so you know it’s got the goods. Expect crowds, but I’m told it’s worth the wait for those okra fries alone.

Stop 5: Brewery Stop

There was a drizzle happening as we finished, so we decided more beer was in order.

The expansive and lively Green Man Brewery is nearby. They have an excellent tap list. We both ordered a brew that offered proceeds toward the city’s LGBTQIA community at the time, which is all kinds of awesome. 

If you’re here for all that beer, Burial Beer Co. was another on our Asheville beer list that we just couldn’t get to. They have a few Asheville locations in addition to Charlotte and Raleigh.

Stop 6: Lexington Glassworks

Our visit to Lexington Glassworks was unexpectedly cool.

Yes, we were able to have more beer while we watched a glassblowing demonstration, but I’m fairly confident it would have been fascinating without the added brews, too.

They turned a bulb into a platter in a little over half an hour, and I was amazed.

The items for sale were fairly pricey, although I’m likely not the target audience for what they’re doing. We picked up an ornament for some friends for what seemed more reasonable after a few beers.

Stop 7: Asheville Pinball Museum

Don’t be all naive, assuming you can just roll up to the Asheville Pinball Museum without a plan.

We did that so you don’t have to.

When we arrived, we learned that there would be a three-hour wait. We put our names in regardless with little hope that we’d see the inside of the place that night. After some sad time spent back at our hotel, we got the call.

The dreary day may have led more than a few individuals to skip out on their pinball adventures.

Once inside, the place is larger than it initially appears. In addition to pinball and some pretty interesting pinball history, they have some old-school arcade, Nintendo, and Sega games to tool around on.

By the way, did anyone else beat their cousin in every round on Street Fighter 2 by playing Chun-Li and just hitting the “B” button over and over again to victory?

Just me?

We spent about an hour inside.

Note: A reasonable flat fee will get you in for unlimited plays, unless you’re wanting to take a turn on something rare. That’d require another coin or two.

Stop 8: Dinner

Those pinball games sure do work up an appetite, especially if you play as aggressively as I do.

Asheville is full of so many delicious eats.

The White Duck Taco Shop was our pick. Their River Arts District location is currently under construction, but there is another downtown location adjacent to Pack Square. The tacos here are excellent, especially the lamb gyro.

Here are a few more options for your first dinner out in Asheville:

• Jerusalem Garden Café: Asheville’s dining scene is so diverse. This one serves up a combo of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine with stained glass decor that’s almost as impressive as the food.
• Jettie Ray’s Oyster House: I don’t love oysters, but thankfully this spot serves up all kinds of yummy seafood that doesn’t resemble boogers. Their ceviche and crab rice are the stars. Reservations are strongly recommended.

A Weekend in Asheville: Day 2

If you’re unable to get away for a long weekend, consider fitting in a visit to the Biltmore Estate no matter how many days you’re working with. It’s truly a jewel of these parts, and worth the effort.

Stop 1: Breakfast

There are three Biscuit Head locations in Asheville, but if you’re headed to the Biltmore today, head to the one on Biltmore Avenue.

It’s about the biscuits here, in various states of preparation.

You already know that I have difficulty refusing pimento cheese, so I’m going to have to recommend you try the pimento cheese grits with your biscuits here.

If you want to be even more efficient, grab a quick breakfast in the Biltmore Village.

There’s a location of the Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe here. It’s a casual spot with a nice selection of pastries if you’re sweet and breakfast burritos if you’re savory.

Stop 2: The Biltmore Estate

Assuming you’ve booked a tour time for the morning online — do this, people — it’s time for your visit to the Biltmore Estate.

All tours come with free audio guides, something you’ll want so you’re not wandering and missing out on the fun interactions between characters in the narrative.

Fun fact: The audio tour uses language like “driving duster,” so you may want to brush up your old-timey conversational phrases to follow along more successfully.

No matter where you park, you’ll have access to the park’s shuttle if you don’t want to walk the eight minutes or so you would otherwise.

It was pouring during our visit, so we opted for the door-to-door service.

On sunny days, there are all kinds of little paths you can walk along and gardens to stroll through as part of the estate. Due to inclement weather, our explorations were limited to the inside of America’s largest home, but you could spend the better part of the day here.

Considering tickets are pretty pricey, take your time here. It is a spectacular place.

Stop 3: Biltmore Estate Winery

After our estate tour, we were shuttled back to the car for a complimentary wine tasting at the Biltmore Estate Winery.

I’m always going to be impressed by a place when I’m told I can try “around five tastes” and end up drinking 10. It happens without fail.

We ended up buying two bottles for the in-laws, so the sommelier probably knew what he was doing. In any case, I’d highly recommend you take advantage of all that your admission price to the Biltmore has to offer.

Stop 4: Lunch

I’m a big fan of Michelle Obama’s insistence that we eat more vegetables, but I’m also a big fan of food recommendations from Barack Obama. He appears to eat less of the green stuff.

If you believe our former president is a trustworthy source, you’ll want to try 12 Bones Smokehouse.

Brian gave this place an elusive “A” rating after sampling two kinds of ribs, the traditional brown sugar dry rub and another in a vinegar-based sauce.

Fun fact: Brian spent some of his childhood in Memphis, so he can be quite the snob when it comes to ribs and barbecue. An “A” rating is a big deal for us.

The sides were all great, too. Don’t miss the mashed sweet potatoes and smoked potato salad, ideally wearing stretchy pants at the time.

We tried the River location, but there’s a second location in Arden if you’re closer to that one. Check on hours before you go, as their hours are limited.

READ MORE: If I’ve sold you on a trip to Memphis while you’re here, I have an itinerary for that city, too.

Stop 5: Asheville’s Urban Trail

It’s time to waddle off some of that lunch with a walking tour of some more local Asheville sights. It’s one of the best free things to do in Asheville.

Pick and choose what you’d like to see on the city’s Urban Trail, a walk through history and some of Asheville’s best architecture across a compact mile-and-a-half.

Our favorites were the Basilica of St. Lawrence, the 1926 Flat Iron Building, and the Grove Arcade. Keep your eyes peeled for street art in Asheville, including bronze sculptures and murals.

Just east of the basilica is perhaps the most well-known mural, Chicken Alley. It’s hilarious but also historic, as the alley was once a gathering place for the most fowl.

By that I mean chickens.

Stop 6: Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar

Whoever came up with this concept took a sneak peek into my brain at some point because books and Champagne are two of my favorite things.

The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar also hosts live music while you’re sipping on those bubbles. It’ll also make you more amendable to buy some of the reads here. They have a great selection of North Carolina-based books.

Stop 7: Brewery Stop

If you’re not into all things sparkling, finish off a jam-packed day at the Funkatorium, Wicked Weed Brewing’s ode to all things sour.

Sample deliciously funky sours and ciders in a space that will likely be seeing quite a bit of action no matter when you go. We hung out long enough to snag a seat at the bar.

They have a full food menu, as well, if you don’t want to move for dinner.

Stop 8: Dinner

Mellow Mushroom is a chain, but when I asked my Southern pal where we should get some casual eats, the pizza place was immediately what came out of her mouth.

I’m from Chicago, you guys, so I can get a little weird about the best pizza. This place was fine and did the job after our adventure with those sour beers.

Any of the spots at the end of the first day were tastier, though, if you trust my pizza judgment. For something a little fancier, Rhubarb is high on my list for next time for its farm-to-table dining.

READ MORE: We don’t mess around with pizza. Check out our guide to the best slices in New Haven.

Stop 9: Dessert

I’ll go ahead and assume you’ve saved room for dessert this evening if only to check out the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. The sweets here aren’t just made in Asheville. They’re inspired by the city, too.

Start with their signature bonbons to get a taste of what they’re about. Expect the unexpected with flavors like cardamom, wildflower honey, and blackberry basil.

A Weekend in Asheville: Day 3

Spend a day outside of the quirky western North Carolina city exploring more of what makes this region so special. You have quite a few options, but I’ll share the ones we loved in no particular order.

Option 1: DuPont State Recreational Forest

In less than an hour’s drive, hit the trails of DuPont State Recreational Forest, a fun diversion for outdoor adventurers.

The most popular hikes in the park take you to beautiful waterfalls, something this girl had missed living in Southern California at the time. Use the maps from the Friends of DuPont Forest to help you plan.

In just under five miles, see three of the best in the park: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls. The cascades of Triple Falls may look familiar if you’re a nerd like me. It was a filming location for The Hunger Games.

Bring the jerky on this, as the return trip is where you’ll feel the elevation gain.

If you’re thirsty after your adventures, Oskar Blues Brewery is a short drive away. Load the address for your brewery into your phone before you get to the park, as there likely won’t be cell service in those beautiful woods.

The brewery had a food truck outside during our visit slinging burgers and hot dogs on top of yummy beers in their outside space.

Option 2: The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the country, is right on Asheville’s doorstep.

There’s enough to see along the drive that you could spend days waterfall-spotting and hiking.

Popular stops within a short drive of Asheville are Looking Glass Rock Overlook at Milepost 417 and the Devil’s Courthouse Trail for a steep but short climb to a great view. It’s especially good during nesting season for the falcons in the area.

If you don’t have a full day, Craggy Gardens along the parkway is just 20 miles away. The Craggy Pinnacle trail will take you along a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to panoramic views.

With more time, you can drive all the way up into Virginia and Shenandoah National Park, or explore more of Pisgah National Forest, or the Land of Waterfalls.

Looking Glass Falls, Catawba Falls, Cove Creek Falls, and the Sliding Rock are all worth your time.

Option 3: Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is worth as much time as you can give it, even if you only have a day trip from Asheville with which to explore this fantastic park.

Start at the Oconoluftee Visitor Center, a little over an hour from downtown Asheville, and the Mountain Farm Museum. You’ll be able to get a historical overview of the park here on a self-guided tour of farm buildings dating to the early 1900s.

Don’t miss the Mingus Mill just down the road, an old grist mill that offers some spectacular photo opportunities of the surrounding woods.

Clingmans Dome should be on your list next, a one-mile roundtrip following a very scenic drive up that requires some huffing and puffing if you’re in a similar fitness bracket. The road closes in inclement weather, so check for any road closures on the park site.

If you’d like to get a taste of the Appalachian Trail but don’t have the appetite for more than a few miles of it, head to the Newfound Gap Overlook.

Observe wild-looking folks putting crusty socks on to replace their old crusty socks, drooling over our Subway sandwiches while lauding the beauty of public bathrooms. This is the Appalachian Trail.

What is the best month to go to Asheville?

The best months to visit Asheville, North Carolina, are the autumn months of September and October. You’ll get nice temperatures and fall foliage.

Visiting in the spring can mean plentiful wildflowers in the Blue Ridge Mountains and nice temperatures, but a higher chance of rain. That’s when we visited Asheville and our trip to the Biltmore was pretty wet.

Where to Stay in Asheville

For the fancy folks out there, the Omni Grove Park Inn is known for its Southern charm in a very four-star way. It’s bucket list accommodations at its best, and perfect for a romantic weekend in Asheville.

The Clarion Inn Biltmore Village was our pick closer to the Biltmore. It was affordable, offered hot breakfasts, and had staff members who answered my silly questions about our visit.

The Four Points by Sheraton Asheville Downtown was our pick for central Asheville. I’m not sure why this one is rated below 8.0. We had a nice time and appreciated the free parking, a rarity in these parts.

Use the map below for more options if those don’t sound up your alley:

Plan a perfect weekend in Asheville.

Asheville is worth visiting as one of the best cities in the United States for food, beer, and outdoor pursuits. The city is super welcoming, too. We felt embraced by locals on our trip here, which I can’t say about every state in the South.

I’d love to return for a longer stay and explore its reputation as a hub for arts and culture. That’s on top of eating my way through more of the city’s restaurant scene, of course.

Traveling the South? Here are some more ideas:

• A Romantic Guide to Lovely Savannah
• A Guide to Beautiful Lake Oconee
• Plan a Parks Trip to Underrated Congaree
• Visit Nashville on This Weekend Itinerary
• Check Out These New Orleans Side Trips

More guides for the American South:

• One Perfect Day in Charleston, South Carolina
• A Guide to the Best of Charleston for Couples
• A Monster Guide to the Best of Augusta, GA
• A Hiking Guide to Natural Bridge State Park
• A Guide to Traveling Across Lake Pontchartrain

Want to see more?