Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Asheville?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 open-minded mountain town will let you discover the nearby hiking trails, enjoy the evening activities, enjoy the live music scene, and go shopping.
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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Asheville?
For many visitors, three days in Asheville would be just the right amount of time to take in the scenery of the town and surrounding mountains. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to three days in the open-minded mountain town to check out the amazing hiking and terrific nightlife. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here, especially for families, couples, backpackers, and students.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl ($39)
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:
- Mountaintop Yoga & Meditation Hike in Asheville ($75)
- Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls Hiking Tour from Asheville ($105)
- Half Day Hike - Water Falls ($85)
Live music is very popular in Asheville, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.
Shopping in Asheville is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 1-HR cooking class ($40)
Is 4 days enough time in Asheville?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Asheville, giving you the freedom to set your own pace while you explore the town and surrounding mountains. Enjoy the chance to discover the nearby hiking trails, enjoy the evening activities, enjoy the live music scene, and go shopping on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel, take on some extra hikes, or use Asheville as a hub for some nice day trips to nearby towns.
Asheville, North Carolina
How to spend 4 days in Asheville
Having 4 days in Asheville will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the mountain town.
Asheville offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The streets are lined with local shops and restaurants that have an eclectic vibe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville ($26)
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour ($69)
- Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour ($35)
Asheville is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville ($26)
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour ($69)
- Sunset E-Bike Ride ($69)
Is 5 days enough time in Asheville?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Asheville has to offer such as the scenic town and gorgeous mountains. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the hiking, the nightlife, the live music scene, and shopping at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, especially for families, couples, backpackers, and students. You can also take a day trip to nearby mountain towns if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Asheville, North Carolina
How to spend 5 days in Asheville
With 5 days in Asheville, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the mountain town has to offer.
After you've explored most of Asheville, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Asheville, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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