Set in western North Carolina's mountains, this creative city has art deco buildings, 30+ craft breweries, the historic Biltmore Estate, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Asheville rises from western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, where you'll find the 250-room Biltmore Estate mansion, over 200 working artists' studios in converted warehouses, and streets lined with 1920s art deco buildings. Walk between 26 local breweries, eat at restaurants run by James Beard-nominated chefs, or catch local bands playing at small music venues like The Grey Eagle and The Orange Peel. In the morning, take on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail; by evening, you can be dining on locally-sourced Appalachian cuisine at Cúrate or Benne on Eagle.
Downtown Art Deco Architecture
Downtown Asheville has over 40 art deco buildings from the 1920s, including the eight-story City Hall with its pink granite and brick facade, and the 13-story Jackson Building with its neo-gothic spires overlooking Pack Square. Independent shops, cafes, and galleries occupy these historic structures, with peak foot traffic between 11 AM and 8 PM. The Grove Arcade, built in 1929, continues as a shopping destination with its ornate stone exterior and covered archways. Musicians and artists perform on downtown sidewalks from spring through fall, particularly along Patton Avenue and Battery Park.
Inside the Biltmore Estate
The 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate centers on America's largest private residence, completed in 1895. You can walk through 250 rooms containing 16th-century tapestries, a 10,000-volume library, and original Renoir paintings. The surrounding gardens, created by Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted, include a 15-acre azalea garden and a century-old conservatory. At Antler Hill Village, you can sample wines at the estate's winery, eat at five different restaurants, and see exhibits about the estate's construction. Tours include specialized options focusing on the building's architecture and elevated views from the rooftop.
Studios in the River Arts District
More than 200 artists work in former textile mills and industrial buildings along the French Broad River. You can step into studios to watch glassblowers shape molten glass, potters throw clay on wheels, and painters create on canvas. Many artists schedule demonstrations, and studios like Odyssey Clayworks and North Carolina Glass Center run hands-on workshops. The district has expanded to include restaurants like All Souls Pizza and 12 Bone Smokehouse, plus breweries such as New Belgium's east coast facility.
Local Food and Beer Culture
Chefs at restaurants like Cúrate and Chai Pani source ingredients from farms within 100 miles, changing menus based on what's growing each season. Local chefs prepare modern versions of traditional mountain dishes, earning five James Beard Award nominations in recent years. Asheville's 26 breweries make it the U.S. city with the most breweries per person. You'll find small operations like Burial Beer Co. and Wicked Weed brewing experimental batches, while larger facilities like Sierra Nevada run daily tours and tastings.
Transportation and Seasonal Guide
Downtown takes 20-25 minutes to walk from end to end, but you'll want a car to reach trailheads and the Biltmore Estate. Asheville Regional Airport connects to 25 U.S. cities with non-stop flights. Spring temperatures range from 50-70°F (April-June), and fall brings similar weather (September-November). October's red and gold leaves peak around mid-month. Summer temperatures typically stay below 85°F, while winter days often reach 45-50°F.
