Asheville is experiencing a renaissance. One year ago, Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction across the region, shuttering world-renowned attractions and downtown businesses. Now that nearly everything is open and the roads have been repaired, Asheville invites visitors to experience its signature hospitality, farm-fresh cuisine, and spectacular scenery. It’s Asheville’s time to shine.
This story is part of our Blue Ridge Mountain Getaways cover story. We’ve created itineraries for the best places to eat, shop, stay, and play at each stop along the 450-mile-plus expanse of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Drive Time: Approximately 7 hours
Flight Time: Approximately 90 minutes nonstop on American Airlines and Allegiant Air
What to Do
American millionaire George Vanderbilt selected Asheville to build his iconic Biltmore Estate more than 100 years ago. He and his wife, Edith, cherished the mountain scenery and revered the town’s Appalachian heritage. They employed forestry experts, landscape designers, and artisans to make The Biltmore into what is now a prominent tourist destination. The Vanderbilt descendants remain committed to the legacy of land conservation and craftmaking to this day.
Asheville is a convergence of architecture, scenery, and crafts that appeals to both locals and visitors. Art enthusiasts celebrate the rebuilding of the River Arts District, and members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild fill the shelves of The Grove Arcade and Folk Art Center.
Asheville has the most breweries east of the Mississippi. Take the factory tour at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company or visit downtown breweries like Wicked Weed Brewing and Burial Beer Co. to learn why Asheville is called “Beer City USA.”
Now that the roads are cleared, the elevator to Sky Lounge at Chimney Rock State Park is back open, and ziplines at Navitat Canopy Adventures can soar above the treetops. Stay grounded on an Asheville Wellness Tours guided nature walk or full moon forest bathing.
Where to Stay
Asheville has no shortage of distinctive accommodations, but The Omni Grove Park Inn is a standout. The luxury hotel, constructed in 1913, supplies guests with panoramic views and soothing sounds from a restorative waterfall and subterranean spa. The Restoration Hotel is an all-suite, Craftsman style hotel that opened in 2023. Located in downtown Asheville, the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast and wine receptions for overnight guests.
Where to Dine
Head to Early Girl Eatery for scratch biscuits with sweet and savory toppings. At Luminosa, Appalachian cuisine meets Old-World Italian, and pizza lovers should pull up a picnic table at All Souls Pizza to try the smoky artisan pies. Chef Meherwan Irani’s acclaimed Chai Pani recently expanded into a large new space in South Slope with an expanded menu of Indian street food. Potential New Boyfriend serves sultry ice cream sundaes in a “listening room.” Asheville Food Tours offers a fun way to sample multiple restaurants in one afternoon.
Day Trips from Asheville
The Biltmore
Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of The Biltmore, the largest privately owned house in America. The 178,000-square-foot French Renaissance Revival–style château is cradled by spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and feels like the closest thing America has to a castle. In 1888, George Vanderbilt purchased 125,000 acres to construct his country estate, and this year marks the 130th anniversary of its opening. Shuttle buses carry visitors through hilly meadows and manicured gardens to embark on a self-guided tour of the mansion. The audio tour explains the history of the home and how Vanderbilt installed modern amenities like central heating and a gymnasium. The Biltmore Estate has gift shops, hiking, horseback riding, carriage rides, restaurants, museums, clay shooting, three hotels, and Biltmore Winery. Plan to spend the day for the full experience, and don’t miss Frederick Law Olmsted’s Conservatory with plantings for every season. Tickets are $80 to $130.
The North Carolina Arboretum
Located at mile marker 393 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The North Carolina Arboretum is a wonderland of beauty. Encompassing 434 acres of manicured gardens and forested trails, the design was inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision (Olmsted designed the landscapes at The Biltmore and Central Park) of cultivating the diverse flora from the southern Appalachian Mountains. Locals call it their sanctuary, but the arboretum also serves as an education center and event venue. Programming includes craft classes, summer camps, forest bathing, bird watching, guided walks with a horticulturalist, and musical evenings in The Arbor. Dine at the Bent Creek Bistro while enjoying views of the pine forest and mountains. Entrance is free, but there is a $20 parking fee.
Pigsah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is a nature lover’s paradise, spanning 500,000 acres of hardwood forests, majestic mountain peaks, roaring whitewater rivers, cascading waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The entrance to Pisgah National Forest (pronounced PIZ-guh) is just 10 minutes from downtown Asheville and leads to numerous nature trails and recreational areas. Hiking is the top draw, and one popular summit is the Art Loeb Trail to Black Balsam Knob with a jaw-dropping, 360-degree view of the Black Mountains. Less challenging is the historic Cradle of Forestry Trail with exhibits explaining how Asheville became the birthplace of the U.S. Forest Service. Other ways to enjoy the woods include a scenic drive with Asheville Jeep Tours or low-key rafting trip through French Broad Gorge with French Broad Adventures. In warmer weather, don’t miss taking a spin down the 60-foot-long Sliding Rock.
Feature image courtesy Explore Asheville
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
