Two Days in Asheville, North Carolina: Experience Arts, Brews, and Mountain Views

Asheville, North Carolina is beloved for its laid-back vibe, setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and long tradition of arts and culture. The small city is big on a funky personality that blends mountain luxury with quirky arts and a whole lot of beer. 

Much of the Asheville region has reopened after the devastation of Hurricane Helene in 2024. The community is welcoming visitors back, and many local businesses have stated that tourism dollars are essential to their rebound. As of this publication, every destination listed below is open. Explore Asheville has more information on returning to the city, including a detailed tool to check the status of local attractions.

Asheville is a popular destination for a long weekend due to its access to the outdoors, walkable downtown, and concentration of breweries and small businesses. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a day trip, I hope this two-day Asheville itinerary inspires you to head to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Day One: Trails and Brews

Breakfast at Biscuit Head

Start your first day in Asheville in the mountains. But first, breakfast. Head to the West Asheville location of Biscuit Head, a breakfast restaurant that specializes in big, fluffy biscuits. There may be a line, but the jam bar offering biscuit toppings like flavored jellies and butters is worth the wait. Opt for a classic sandwich (with egg, cheese, and a side) or a full breakfast if you really want a base for your hike.

Hike at Long Branch Environmental Education Center

To really appreciate the region, you need to get out of town and into the woods. Drive 18 miles northwest of Asheville to the Long Branch Environmental Education Center in Leicester. Since 1974 this educational institute has been an ecological sanctuary and land trust. Park for free and explore the grounds which include greenhouses and passive solar buildings or hike to Chestnut Gap or Big Sandy Mush Bald. Even though I hiked on a cloudy day, I loved slowing down and admiring the wildlife along the way.

If you prefer a guided tour, check out these popular waterfall hiking and horseback riding tours.

Chow Down at Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

After hiking up an appetite, stop by Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack on your way into Asheville. Rocky’s specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken with a spice level from plain to extra hot. I opted for medium and found it plenty spicy, but not uncomfortable. The juicy bird had a crispy, fried exterior. I rounded out the meal with sides of collard greens and mashed potatoes and gravy for a satisfying Southern meal.

Shop for Arts and Crafts at Kress Emporium

Back downtown, spend some time browsing Asheville’s local businesses. Kress Emporium, located in a historic building from 1928, gives you the opportunity to admire the work of more than 80 regional artists in one place. Whether you’re shopping for jewelry, fine art, ceramics, or photography, this is the place to score a distinctive souvenir while supporting local artists.

Go on a Brewery Crawl

Asheville is known for being a beer town with more than 50 breweries. I visited these downtown breweries in the South Slope District which are just a few minutes’ walk from each other. 

• Wicked Weed Brewing – With a restaurant upstairs, downstairs taproom, and dog-friendly patio, this brewery welcomes everyone. Wicked Weed has a well-rounded beer selection from Freak of Nature Double IPA to Fresh Pressed Wheat Ale.
• Catawba Brewing Co. – Brewing since 1999, Catawba’s name and beers reflect its mountain setting like Endless Trail Pilsner and Carolina Fog IPA. They have more than 25 beers on tap, including their barrel aged beers.
• Burial Beer Co. – Burial’s beer names are a mouthful, like The Unapproachable Dream And The Quest For The Unholy Blend of Mezcal and Tequila Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout with Orange Zest, Smoked Sea Salt, and Vanilla Bean. Savor a delicious mouthful in their taproom along with a restaurant featuring local ingredients.

Brewery crawls come in many flavors in Asheville including a walking tour, electric bike tour, and shuttle tour.

Join the Friday Night Drum Circle

Do you hear the rhythm calling? There’s a party every Friday night in Pritchard Park. Since 2001, locals have gathered around sunset to pound their drums, dance, and interact with their community. The drum circle is free to attend, and all are welcome to join in or just listen. The drum circle runs weather depending from April through November.

Day Two: Gilded Age History and Arcade Games

Start the Day at Green Sage Cafe

Hit up Green Sage Cafe for a healthy start to the day. Choose from organic coffee, raw cold pressed juices, smoothies, and all day breakfast including plant-based, vegan, and gluten-free options. Too much beer last night? You can’t go wrong with a black bean burger.

Step Back in Time at the Biltmore Estate

Walk in the privileged footsteps of the Gilded Age when you tour the Biltmore Estate. The historic mansion is America’s largest privately owned home and Asheville’s most popular attraction. George Vanderbilt created his dream home here in 1895. The Biltmore was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and influenced by French chateaux. Today, it’s a house museum that opens its doors to more than one million visitors each year.

Explore the opulent home during a self-guided tour and see how the other half lived. The home is still owned by the Vanderbilt family, and the Biltmore is adorned with original furnishings and artwork. Admire Flemish tapestries and paintings by Renoir and Sargent. You can almost imagine you were a house guest like Edith Wharton and Henry James once were.

There is a ticket option to visit the Biltmore grounds only, which are worth the trip alone. Renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed the grounds which include formal gardens, a forest, and a farm. Between the Italian Garden, Walled Garden, and Azalea Garden there’s enough beauty in the grounds to fill your day.

Unwind at the Omni Grove Park Inn

For another luxurious mountain setting, head to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn where F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harry Houdini once stayed. This article explores the inn’s history, a secret elevator that you ride, and other hidden gems on the property. Whether you recharge in the spa or hit the golf course, make sure you get a drink on the Sunset Terrace and soak in the mountain views.

Get Your Good Hot Fish

Chef Ashleigh Shanti opened this counter service fish fry restaurant as a tribute to Carolina’s fisherfolk and traditional Southern fish camps. The James Beard Award finalist and Top Chef contestant highlights Black Appalachian cuisine with Good Hot Fish dishes like trout bologna and cheese and her take on fish sticks.

Get Your Game on at the Pinball Museum

Finally, a museum where you’re encouraged to touch everything. The Asheville Pinball Museum encourages you to be a kid again by playing 40 pinball machines and 40 classic arcade games. From classics like Evel Knievel pinball to contemporary games like Game of Thrones pinball, pay to enter and play as long as you like! 

Where to Stay in Asheville

If you’re planning a trip to Asheville, there’s a wide range of hotel and rental options from resorts to working farms! You should weigh whether you prefer the convenience of staying in the walkable downtown area or the beauty of a nearby mountain setting. One of the benefits of a smaller city like Asheville is that even if you stay outside of the city in a more natural setting, you’re just a quick drive to the restaurants and businesses of downtown.

Black Thorn Farm & Kitchen

This is one of most delightful and unique places I’ve ever stayed. Black Thorn Farm & Kitchen is a working sheep farm in the mountains of Big Sandy Mush about 30 minutes outside of Asheville. There are two bright and cozy options, a six-person house and a four-person cabin. If the idea of sipping your morning coffee surrounded by the mountains and adorable sheep appeals to you, book at Black Thorn Farm & Kitchen.

The Foundry Hotel

If a boutique hotel located downtown is more your style, check in at the Foundry. The hip hotel highlights the building’s roots as a former steel factory. In addition to having dining onsite, you can catch a live jazz show in the Workshop Lounge on Friday and Saturday nights.

Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa

For a more restful stay with mountain views at every turn, look no further than the Omni Grove Park Inn. The historic hotel was built as a luxurious retreat, and it still lives up to this mission today. With a spa and several restaurants onsite and an art gallery and museums on the grounds there’s no reason to leave. I wrote an article about the Omni Grove Park Inn and its hidden gems here.

If you want to research hotels and vacation rentals for your two days in Asheville, North Carolina this map can help you compare the available options. It’s set to show hotels and rentals in downtown Asheville, but you can view any neighborhood where you’d like to stay.

I hope that you found my tips for spending a weekend in Asheville, North Carolina helpful. As Explore Asheville states on their website, “Plan a return trip with heart and be part of the comeback.”