Asheville, North Carolina, is one of my favorite places to visit. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s a compact town with great creative energy and warmth. Plus, it has a little bit of everything: great food, shopping, music, gardens, hiking, driving … and a castle! That’s a lot to pack into two days, but here’s a great Asheville weekend itinerary to make it happen.

Day 1: From the Mountains to the Town

Blue Ridge Hikes & Drives

Before it gets too hot, start off your day with a hike on one of the many trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This national parkway — billed as “America’s Favorite Drive” — meanders through the hills just above Asheville, which makes the town a great spot for anyone looking for scenic drives or mountain hikes. There are dozens of hiking options of different lengths and skill levels, so it’s worth stopping at the Visitor Center to get a map and learn a little more about the area. One great option is the the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a section of which starts near Craven Gap.

The views are limited, but you’re likely to find great plants along the way.

After your hike, enjoy a drive along the parkway. This ambitious 469-mile roadway was started during the Great Depression by the combined effort of private contractors, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Emergency Relief Administration (ERA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Almost all of the rest of the Blue Ridge Parkway was completed in the 1950s, though you couldn’t drive the whole thing straight through until 1987.

Appalachian Craft

Driving the entire parkway would take at least two days — this may be more time than you have planned, but it’s worth getting at least as far as the Southern Highland Craft Guild (follow the “Folk Art Center” signs along the parkway).

Part museum, part gallery, and part giant craft shop, this beautiful space displays works in glass, metal, wood, fiber, clay, and other natural materials made by artists from the Carolinas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the northern parts of Mississippi and Alabama. There’s a small permanent collection …

… and two floors of items for sale, which run from the very affordable to thousands of dollars. No matter what you buy, it’s amazing to see what these artisans can do!

The Southern Highland Craft Guild also offers daily craft demonstrations in the front lobby, so you can see a few of the many crafts on display being made right before your eyes.

Asheville Snacks & Shops

At this point, you’re probably starving, so it’s time to head into town for lunch. Downtown Asheville is incredibly fun, so you’ll find lots of delicious options. I can recommend the crazy-good cheese and charcuterie board at Botanist & Barrel, a restaurant that specializes in natural wines and craft ciders.

Not sure what to get? They have a variety of flights to get you started. We fell in love with several ciders, a local goat cheese, and the decadent homemade stroopwafels.

Now it’s time to shop! If that’s your thing, you could spend a whole day walking the charming streets as you bounce from store to store. It’s worth targeting the cider section at Botanist & Barrel, the wonderful book selection at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, and the they-have-absolutely-everything delights at Mast General Store.

At this point, it’s time for a rest and then dinner. I’m a huge fan of Curate, a Spanish restaurant with out-of-this-world food. Their menu rotates, but I’ve always been able to find the must-have chorizo and chips, eggplant with honey, and gambas al allijo (shrimp). My favorite cocktail this time around was the arbusto; and I still keep dreaming about the “meringue de ‘gin & tonic’” dessert.

Day 2: The Biltmore House & Gardens

Gilded Age Grandeur

Today is Biltmore day — and trust me, it will take many hours.

The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned house in the US. Built in the early 1890s at the height of the Gilded Age for George Washington Vanderbilt, his “little mountain escape” takes up 178,926 square feet of floor space. Then there are the 125,000 acres that surround the castle. So there’s a lot to see.

Out in Olmsted’s Gardens

If it’s a warm day, you’ll want to start out in the formal gardens, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Just beyond them lies the wonderful conservatory.

If you’re a plant enthusiast, you can spend a long time here.

Olmsted also designed miles of roadways, rolling hills, and landscape features. You can wander around all day if you have the time.

You can sit down for lunch on the property at the serviceable but unremarkable Stable Cafe. The best things about this venue are the fact that you can eat in the actual Biltmore horse stables — and that it is air-conditioned (if you’re wiling to splurge, The Dining Room has better food with a view).

Vanderbilt-Era Interiors

To see the house, you have to take a tour. The audio tour appears to be the most popular option, and while I often wished that the audio component had more information, seeing the rooms is a treat.

The house is filled with art: oil paintings and prints, tapestries and frescoes, stone carvings and metalwork.

If you can, make time to sit in the comfy chairs on the balcony and take in the view.

Once you’re done with your visit, drive into charming Biltmore Village, which is where the workers who built the Biltmore once lived. The

Village is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene, but it’s open again, and you can see signs of renewal all around as you stroll its streets.

Street Art & Sweet Vermouth

After a rest, it’s time to head back into downtown Asheville. Make sure to take time to look at the many murals around town — they’re pretty fantastic.

For drinks and dinner, head up to La Bodega. More casual than their sister restaurant, Curate, La Bodega has tasty snacks, heartier fare, and fun sipping vermouths.

If you want a few alternative Asheville options, you can visit the North Carolina Arboretum, the Asheville Art Museum, or The Orange Peel (that last one is a music club). There are also many other tiny venues for food, music, and art — so many that two days won’t feel like enough!

Asheville amazes me every time. Imagine if a hipster, a hippie, a Burning Man artist, a nature conservationist, and a southern bride all got together to design a town — that’s Asheville. I’s an eclectic and irresistible combination. You may never want to leave.

A Few Quick Tips for Your Asheville Weekend

• Getting Around: You’ll need a car to reach the Biltmore and the mountains. All of downtown Asheville is walkable.
• Best Time to Visit: Asheville is one of those rare places you can visit year-round, but spring and fall are best for comfortable temps and natural beauty.
• Biltmore Booking Tips: Make sure to get your Biltmore tickets in advance. If you’re visiting on a warm day, your best bet is to book a house tour immediately after lunch — that’ll give you time to explore the gardens first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot.
• Dining Reservations: Restaurants like Curate can fill up weeks ahead — be sure to make reservations.
• Local Flavor: Asheville is known for craft beer, homemade cider, and local artisans. Don’t miss the breweries and the galleries (check out the River Arts District).
• Weather Planning: Bring layers and rain gear — mountain weather can change quickly.

Further Reading — Beyond Asheville

Love hiking in our nation’s great parks? Check out my posts on Crater Lake, Acadia, and Joshua Tree National Parks.

More interested in grand estates and architecture? Don’t miss my guide to the palaces of Sintra, Portugal.