While visiting Asheville, NC, for a work conference, I fell in love with the city’s eclectic culture and beautiful mountain landscape. Even though I was in town for work, I still made it a priority to explore the city and find all of the unique things to do in Asheville, NC, for adults. If you are short on time but still want to experience Asheville’s major attractions, check out my guide on what to do in one day in Asheville.
Listed below is a full list of what I suggest doing while in Asheville!
Common Questions About Asheville
What do people usually go to Asheville for?
People visit Asheville for various reasons, but some popular activities include: a getaway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, a relaxing spa vacation, the world-class beer scene, and the eclectic and funky vibe of the city.
What makes Asheville so unique?
Asheville is so unique because it has a very distinct culture that is unlike any other city or mountain town in North Carolina. Asheville has truly embraced its “weirdness” and combined it with the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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 when to enjoy all of the unique things to do in Asheville for adults.
- 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 in 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!
Unique Things To Do in Asheville, NC For Adults
Downtown Asheville
Downtown is where you will find more shops (local and commercial), restaurants, bars, and breweries. Lexington Ave. Things to do in Downtown Asheville
Downtown Shopping
Several local shops in downtown Asheville are truly one of a kind. While wandering around the city, do some window shopping to find what shops pique your interest.
Self-Guided Urban Walking Trail
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.
South Slope Breweries
One of Asheville’s biggest claims to fame is the brewery scene. While checking out downtown Asheville, I recommend heading to the South Slope District, where you will find several breweries.
Drum Circle
During the warmer months, I recommend checking out the drum circle in downtown Asheville on xx from around 6 pm to 10 pm. This is a unique thing to do in Asheville, as it is a tradition that has lasted over 20 years in the heart of the city.
Coffee Shops
One of my favorite activities is to grab a coffee and simply wander around the city. This is a great way to discover areas and attractions you wouldn’t have necessarily done so before. Some coffee shops in downtown Asheville I recommend checking out include:
Grove Arcade
Located in downtown Asheville, a cool building designed by (you guessed it) Edwin 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. The bookstore’s vintage feel, champagne bar, and various levels of curated used books transport you back in time. As a bookworm who also loves vintage and antique items, this shop was a must-visit for me!
Explore the various neighborhoods and districts
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:
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.
Get Outside
Hiking
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, 15 minutes from Asheville (4.8 miles out-and-back)
- Longer hike with an incline and incredible views of the Haw Creek Valley
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 comparable 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.
Watch the Sunset
There truly is no better way to end your day than by watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. We opted for the sunset terrace at the Grove Park Inn because I wanted to check out the famous hotel. Other places to watch the sunset in Asheville include:
- Craggy Gardens
- Black Basalm Bald Knob
- “The Cut” on Tunnel Road
Have a Spa or Wellness Day
Asheville is known for being a destination for relaxation, wellness, and recovery. The best way to reap the healing benefits is to visit one of the amazing spas! There are so many to choose from all with their own specialties. See my recommendations below with my recommendations:
- Grove Park Inn Spa
- You will feel like you are swimming in a grotto while visiting the Grove Park Inn Spa. The hotel itself is a must-see on your things to do in Asheville list due to the resort’s stunning architecture.
- Shoji Spa and Retreat
- Shoji is the only Japanese-style spa on the East Coast that offers hydrotherapy tubs and massage packages.
- Sauna House
- This is a great option if you want to add a wellness activity to your Asheville itinerary, but don’t want it to fill your whole day. Sauna House offers a sauna and cold plunge in both a private and public setting.
- Horseshoe Farm
- This resort is a perfect combination of mountain ruggedness and the spiritual hippie culture of the city. Horseshoe Farm offers spa services and day pass options where you can enjoy the pool, restaurant, cold plunge, and several activities within the 85 acres of land.
Spend the day at the Biltmore
The Biltmore is such an infamous landmark that I had to add it to my list of cool and unusual things to do in Asheville, NC. The landmark is so stunning, but it is also SO expensive. I think everyone should tour the Biltmore House once in their life, but there are so many other beautiful landmarks and hidden gems in Asheville that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Take a Day Trip
There are some super cute little downtowns nestled into the mountains of North Carolina. If you have some extra time, I would check out Black Mountain or Boone.
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Thank You
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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.
