36 Hours in Asheville
Asheville is the perfect spot for a relaxed weekend getaway. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you can enjoy a morning hike before ending your day at one of the city’s many breweries. There are more than 40 breweries in Asheville today.
Asheville also boasts a vibrant art scene. Follow the city’s Urban Trail to see many different sculptures and learn about the city’s unique history. And keep an eye out, everywhere you go you will notice colorful pieces of street art.
This North Carolina town is also home to America’s largest residence- The Biltmore Estate. This mansion (or should I say palace) was built by George Vanderbilt II in the 1890s. Today, visitors can tour the massive 8,000-acre property.
So, if you are here for the brews or views, Asheville offers something for everyone. Ready to plan your trip? Check out my 36 Hours in Asheville guide below!
36 Hours in Asheville
Getting Here
The best way to reach Asheville is to drive. It is very accessible from some nearby cities:
- 2 hours from Knoxville, TN
- 2 hours from Charlotte, NC
- 1.5 hours from Greenville, SC
There are affordable parking garages around downtown Asheville where you can leave your car for the day. Walking, Lyft and Uber are the best ways to get around the city.
There is a regional airport in Asheville which services Allegiant, United, American and Delta airlines.
Where to Stay
My suggestion is to actually stay outside of Asheville.
I know this is a short weekend guide to Asheville. But trust me, you will still have plenty of time in Asheville even if you stay an hour away from the city. Since Asheville is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains and so close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you should really take advantage of this area.
Consider renting a cabin in the mountains. There are some nice and affordable options in Bryson City, NC and Whittier, NC. Both are a little over an hour outside Asheville. Check VRBO for some cabin deals.
Transportation
If you are staying outside of Asheville, you will need to drive into the city for the day. There is plenty to do in downtown Asheville, but many of the breweries are slightly outside the central area.
To fully enjoy your day (and take part
Although I’ve never used it, Asheville does have a city bus service. Check out this page for more information.
You can also consider using the Hop-on-Hop Off bus to get around. Adult tickets cost $29 and are valid for two consecutive days. You can start the tour at any of the stops, but if you choose to start at the Visitor’s Center, you can park your car there for free.
Good to Know
A lot of people combine a visit to Asheville with a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a scenic drive that I love! But, be aware- the parkway often closes in the winter. You can check this site for up to day closure info.
Day 1
Alright, ready to get started? Let’s start these 36 Hours in Asheville the best way possible- with some doughnuts!
Breakfast at Hole Doughnuts
Ready for some doughnuts to rock your world? Then check out Hole Doughnuts.
This local hand-made doughnut shop was voted the Best Dessert of 2016 by Bon Appetite Magazine. And it has been recognized by dozens of other publications and critics. (P.S. they are included on my Doughnut Bucket List!)
But even if you don’t care about the awards, stop by this shop for a unique treat. Their fried dough sort of taste like beignets but are shaped like traditional doughnuts.
You can look forward to flavors like Vanilla Glazed, Cocoa Rub and Toasted Almond Sesame Cinnamon. Seasonal flavors are also added occasionally.
Urban Walking Tour
Now that you’ve enjoyed some delicious doughnuts, its time to head into the heart of downtown Asheville.
And the best way to explore this area is on foot. So head downtown and park your car at one of the many garages. Now you can start exploring Asheville’s interesting history.
This tour could take over 2-hours to complete, so don’t feel like you need to do the entire tour. You can find a printable map here. Decided which parts you want to see and start wherever you want! A few highlights include:
- #4- Elizabeth Blackwell, MD: who knew that this monumental female physician got her start in Asheville?
- #7- Art Deco Masterpiece: a great example of 1920s architecture
- #9- Cat Walk: Mostly for the adorable cat sculptures
Shop in the Arcade
This historic shopping center dates back to 1929 when it first opened as a marketplace. After renovations in the early 2000s, it finally reopened to the public as an arcade filled with local restaurants and boutique shops.
Spend some time strolling through the arcade. On certain days, you might find a craft market on the streets surrounding the market.
This is also the perfect area to find a relaxing lunch.
Lunch in Downtown
There are some great options for lunch in downtown Asheville. This city is known for its vegan and organic fare, so you will find that on a lot of menus. But there are also some great places for a burger if that’s what you are craving.
Here are a few of my suggestions:
- Tupelo Honey Cafe– Although this is now a chain-restaurant, it first started in downtown Asheville. At this original location, you can enjoy some fresh and tasty Southern food like biscuits, fried okra, and catfish.
- FarmBurger- Another chain, but this grass-fed burger shop often has lines out the door, and for good reason. The burgers are incredibly juicy and can be topped with goodness like paprika mayo, pickled bok choy or smoked gouda. And don’t get me started on the parmesan garlic fries.
- Chestnut- If you want to experience the local foodie scene, this is a great place to start. At lunch, you can enjoy reasonable prices and a selection of elevated sandwiches and salads.
- Double D’s Coffee and Dessert- Ok, this isn’t a lunch spot. But I have to mention this adorable coffee shop. I mean, it’s located inside a red London Double Decker Bus. Stop by for an afternoon
pick-me – up .
Tour a Chocolate Factory
If you are anything like me, you are probably craving a sweet treat right about now. So why not stop by the French Broad Chocolate Factory?
In addition to some incredible chocolate, you can also tour the factory and learn more about this Bean to Bar company.
Sign up for reservations for their 30 or 60 min factory tours. Or, drop by to schedule the daily 15 min walkthrough tour.
I took the walkthrough tour, which ended up lasting almost 30 min. This tour gave a great overview of the company. During the tour, our guide explained the process of making chocolate and showed us the different machines involved in the process.
If you aren’t interested in visiting the factory, you can also stop by The French Broad Chocolate Lounge in downtown for some pastries or truffles.
Brewery #1
Alright, we’ve already fit a lot into our first day. But now its late afternoon and the perfect time to stop by a brewery.
As I mentioned earlier, Asheville is home to over 40 breweries. So where should you start?
Why not start at the beginning? With Asheville’s very first brewery, Highland.
You will probably need to take an Uber or Lyft out to the brewery. But, if you plan to buy any merch, show your Uber receipt for a discount.
Highland Brewing Company opened in Asheville in 1994. Today, they are still an independent, family-operated craft brewery.
You can enjoy your time in the tasting room or seasonal rooftop, but I recommended taking a tour of the facilities. Every day, Highland offers FREE 45-minute tours of their brewery.
On the tour, you will get to walk on the floor and see the machines involved in the brewing process. You will see the bottling facility and learn what ingredients make up a craft beer. And yes, the tour ends with free samples!
You can book a spot for the tour online here.
Brewery #2
Highland doesn’t serve food, but a food truck often parks outside so you could grab dinner at this brewery.
But with over 40 breweries in Asheville, why not go check out another one?
Here are a few of my suggestions:
- Wicked Weed– This is one of Asheville’s most popular breweries. Here you can try some hoppy beers and take another tour if you are interested. The menu includes burgers, small bites, salads and fish.
- Sierra Nevada– Originally from California, Sierra Nevada opened an Asheville brewery in 2012. This brewery is massive and, at times, overwhelming. Sign up for a tour or simply enjoy a relaxing meal in the taproom.
- New Belgium– Originally from Colorado, New Belgium recently opened a beautiful brewery and taproom in Asheville. Here, you can enjoy a drink or take a tour. Occasionally, food trucks are on-site.
- Urban Orchard Cider Co– If you need a break from beer, check out this cidery. The ciders are made with apples from Hendersonville, NC. At the West, Asheville location you can also enjoy a selection of local snacks and light dishes, like sandwiches and salads.
Day 2
Asheville is filled with things to do. So, you get to decide how you want to spend your time. And really, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to go back to Hole Doughnuts.
So, depending on your schedule, here are three great ways to spend the rest of your time in Asheville:
Option 1: Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is America’s largest home. Really, it is a palace. It was constructed in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt. The Estate sits on over 8,000 acres. There are 250 rooms, a bowling alley and an indoor pool in the estate.
You could spend an entire day touring the Biltmore. You can take a self-guided tour, explore the gardens, shop at Antler Hill Village and enjoy a wine-tasting at the Estate’s winery.
Tickets are not cheap. Depending on the day you visit, prices range from $55-$85.
But the Biltmore is fascinating and gorgeous. I’ve toured it and had a great time. It is really neat to see a house like this in America. It really feels like it belongs somewhere in Europe.
Option 2: Spa Day at the Grove Park Inn
If you feel like treating your self, spend the day at the Grove Park Inn’s spa.
The Grove Park Inn is a stunning hotel situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many celebrities and presidents have visited this hotel during their time in the area.
It’s no surprise that the spa packages are expensive. But if you feel like splurging, this could be a great way to do it!
Option 3: Breakfast + Hike
For a cheaper and less time-consuming option, consider a quick breakfast and hike.
For breakfast in Asheville, consider:
- Hole Doughnuts- Seriously, there is no shame in going back to this incredible place.
- Sunny Point Cafe– This local eatery serves a variety of breakfast dishes made with ingredients from their on-site garden. This is the perfect place for a substantial comfort-food meal.
- Biscuit Head– I haven’t checked this place out but it is high on my list. Biscuits are quintessentially Southern, and at Biscuit Head you can make your meal even more Southern by adding fried catfish or jalapeño pimento cheese to your biscuit.
After breakfast, enjoy a morning hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are trails for every skill level. But, if the hike involves a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, double-check that the road is open.
For a full list of trails near Asheville, check out this site. My suggestions are Black Balsam Knob and Bridal Veil Falls.
I hope you enjoyed my 36 Hours in Asheville Guide. Please let me know if you are planning a trip to this unique city!
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