One day in Asheville, NC, is enough time to dip your toes into the city and explore the unique and idyllic mountain town. While walking around, you can truly feel the different vibes from the various neighborhoods and the authenticity that the city thrives upon. Asheville is a must-see city in North Carolina with so many unique things to do.
I was lucky enough to spend a whole week in Asheville for a work conference and was able to do so much sightseeing! Because my days were tied up with work, I used the afternoons to visit the main attractions and sites that Asheville offers. Listed below is everything I did throughout the week, compacted into a one-day Asheville itinerary.
Note: It has been roughly 8 months post Hurricane Helene and there are still communities and areas in Asheville recovering from the storm. The best way to support Asheville is by visiting to keep tourism alive or take the opportunity to donate or volunteer. Listed below are a few options if you wish to give back to the community:
The Basics About Asheville, NC
Best time to go to Asheville?
Every season truly brings something special when visiting Asheville. Listed below are all the seasons and the main attractions during that time. This way, you can decide for yourself the best things to do in one day in Asheville when you are visiting.
- Spring: Blooms, moderate temperatures, fewer crowds.
- Summer: Great for water activities, will be more crowded due to summer vacation.
- Fall: The most picturesque time of year, with the changing leaves, mild temperatures, great Oktoberfest events because of all the breweries, expect more crowds.
- Winter: The Least amount of crowds, snow activities, Christmas events, and festivals. The Biltmore is stunning this time of year.
How many days do you need in Asheville?
Even though one day in Asheville will leave you wanting more, it truly is a perfect day trip to enjoy many of the unique things to do in Asheville. It is worth it to add more time, but Asheville makes for a perfect mini-vacation to the North Carolina Mountains.
Getting To and Around Asheville
How walkable is Asheville?
The downtown itself is very walkable, but there are several attractions and nature/outdoor options where you will need to get a car to get around the town. If you want to only stick with downtown, you can do without, but you will miss some of Asheville’s greatest activities!
Do you need a car in Asheville?
Like I mentioned, all of Asheville’s main attractions expand further out than just downtown. Therefore, yes, a car is needed to see all of the major sites!
What to Do in One Day in Asheville, NC
Start Your Morning with an Outdoor Activity
There is no better way to start your day in Asheville than by admiring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains or by smelling the fragrant blooms at the NC Arboretum. I think either hiking or the Arboretum is a great option that can cater to how you want to spend your time in Asheville.
NC Arboretum
We decided to go to the NC Arboretum because we were crunched for time to do a hike. The NC Arboretum is a great option if you are interested in a Biltmore grounds pass, but don’t want to pay the exorbitant price.
Admission
- $20 per car (admission to simply access the Biltmore grounds is $50 per person)
Post-Helene, a lot of the hiking trails are still closed due to so much brush and fallen trees from the storm. You are still able to walk through the beautiful exhibits and gardens, including the bonsai garden, quilt garden, and azalea garden.
Hiking in Asheville Post Helene
There are still several hikes in Asheville that are closed due to the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Make sure to do your research before visiting and check the status of the trails you are interested in hiking. Some great resources to check the status of hiking trails are Explore Asheville and AllTrails. I have also listed a few popular hiking options that are perfect for what to do in one day in Asheville, NC.
- Catawba Falls Trail is 30 minutes from Asheville
- 2.1 miles
- Mainly flat with a section of steep stairs
- Lookout Trail Hike in Montreat, 27 minutes from Asheville
- 1 mile out and back
- Short hike but includes a steep incline and some scrambling
- Mountain to Sea: Folk Art Center to Haw Creek Overlook
- 4.8 miles out and back
- Longer hike with an incline and incredible views of the Haw Creek Valley
West Asheville
West Asheville is a smaller neighborhood in Asheville, but it has several cute shops, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. Stroll along Haywood Road to find most of the shops and restaurants. A few of my favorites include:
From there, head over to the River Arts District
The River Arts District is less than 5 minutes driving from West Asheville, making it the next best stop on your Asheville itinerary. I feel like the River Arts District truly encompasses the vibe of Asheville and explains the eclectic appeal to visitors.
The River Arts District was one of the areas that was impacted the most by Hurricane Helene. There are still shops and galleries open, but there was just so much devastation. For a great reference on what is open, check this guide to the River Arts District.
Most open studios are located on Roberts Street and Artful Way.
Explore Downtown
Downtown is where you will find more shops (local and commercial), restaurants, bars, and breweries.
Stroll Around Downtown
A great way to discover downtown Asheville is by walking the 1.7-mile urban trail to visit the major sites, including the Hayward Street, Pritchard Park, Flat Iron Building and statue, Basilica of St Lawrence, and Grove Arcade.
Check Out Some Breweries
One of Asheville’s biggest claims to fame is the brewery scene. While checking out downtown Asheville, I recommend heading over to the South Slope District, where you will find several breweries to choose from.
Grove Arcade
Located in downtown Asheville, a cool building designed by (you guessed it) Grove, who also built the famous Grove Park Inn. Within the Grove Arcade are several shops and restaurants where you can stroll with the comfort of air conditioning.
A must-stop in the Grove Arcade is the Battery Park Book Exchange. You will feel like you are transported back in time with the vintage feel of the bookstore, the champagne bar, and the various levels of curated used books. As a bookworm who also loves vintage and antique items, this shop was a must-visit for me!
Interested in Asheville Day Trip Ideas
There are so many beautiful destinations along the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Listed below are a few day trip options from Asheville if you have extra time or are simply looking for some North Carolina travel inspiration!
- Black Mountain
- Boone
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Thank you for reading my post. I would appreciate your thoughts about a day trip to Asheville, NC, and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
