Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Asheville?

Q: Is one day enough time in Asheville?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the hiking, the cuisine, the nightlife, and the live music scene. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Asheville?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Asheville, North Carolina? Most people spend two to three days in Asheville during their visit. After all, the outdoorsy mountain town will let you discover the nearby hiking trails, taste delicious cuisine, enjoy the evening activities, and enjoy the live music scene.

Asheville is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The mountain town has an eclectic and artsy vibe with a great food and music scene. Visitors enjoy hiking, dining, and shopping in the area. Also in Asheville are the famed Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both are at their best during the Christmas season.

Do you have one or two days to visit Asheville? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Asheville?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the hiking, the cuisine, the nightlife, and the live music scene. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Asheville

Don't miss the Biltmore Estate during your trip to Asheville, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this mountain town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Asheville?

Asheville is a fun mountain town that is somewhat popular with tourists because of its great list of sights and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to experience the ambiance of the town as well as the surrounding vistas and hiking trails. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the outdoorsy mountain town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the activities in the area. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Asheville, North Carolina

How to spend 2 days in Asheville

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Asheville will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the mountain town.

Known for it's hiking, Asheville sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

A few tour suggestions include:

Waterfall Hike and Jeep Excursion - Waterfall Hiking Tour ($119)
Mountaintop Yoga & Meditation Hike in Asheville ($75)
Half Day Hike - Water Falls ($85)

This mountain town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.