Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers a charming blend of culture, a bustling music scene and a picturesque outdoor enthusiast’s playground. At less than a 3-hour drive, it’s perfect for anyone planning a quick “no fuss” refreshing trip to unwind and recharge.
Asheville’s melting pot of artisans makes it a prime destination for eclectic art. Watch and learn glass-blowing techniques at North Carolina Glass Center or discover one-of-a-kind finds to bring home at Asheville Emporium. Its food and beverage scene boasts more than 250 independent restaurants, 12 James Beard-nominated individuals and 50+ breweries. Each meal could be devoted to your group’s favorite cuisines, like Indian street food at Chai Mani, Southern fare at Rhubarb or Mexican entrees at Limones Restaurant. The possibilities are endless.
For those who like to learn and stroll, Asheville offers a 2-hour casual urban walking tour rich with history. A good place to begin is in Asheville’s Pack Square. Feel free to head “off trail” for a beer break at Top of the Monk or Foggy Mountain Brew Pub. Later, grab a coffee at Izzy’s or High Five and take a scenic drive through the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, pulling over periodically to admire the landscape, old historic buildings and farmsteads. Then soak in the colorful sunset at Soprana, Embassy Suites’ new rooftop restaurant, which serves locally sourced Italian cuisine and fresh herbs from its own garden, with IG-worthy city views. Later in the evening, opportunities to see live music abound at iconic venues like The Orange Peel, Grey Eagle or Salvage Station. The next day, spend the morning hiking Douglas Falls, Deep Creek or Rainbow Falls trails to spot one (or multiple) waterfalls. Relax and repeat!
Soak in architectural beauties from the Art Nouveau, Beaux-Art and Deco movements along one of 12 stops on Asheville’s Architecture Trail tour, starting at First Baptist Church. Whether you’re drawn to historic houses, geology and astronomy or fine arts, there is something for everyone, such as Smith-McDowell House Museum, Asheville Museum of Science and Asheville Art Museum, respectively. Admirers of the late author Thomas Wolfe can also spend a day learning more about his life, touring his childhood Victorian home.
Roughly 10 minutes from downtown, the 250-room historic Biltmore mansion is modeled after three French châteaux. It’s the largest private residence in the country. Work from globally-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly will be on display all summer.