Are you thinking about visiting Asheville, North Carolina? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Asheville worth visiting?
Asheville is worth visiting for two to three days so that you can explore everything that the mountain town has to offer. We first visited Asheville in early childhood and returned many times over the years. During our time here, we fell in love with its laidback mountain setting and quaint city atmosphere. Asheville is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Travel and Leisure's Best Places to Visit in 2023 - Nature. 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.
Asheville, North Carolina
Reasons to Visit Asheville
Nightlife
The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.
Music
The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.
Hiking
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.
Shopping
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.
Food
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.
Resorts
The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.
Authenticity
Asheville has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Asheville worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather in Asheville is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as 33°C (92°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The peak season for travel is summer in Asheville, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat popular with travelers, and in the high season it's busier than usual. Asheville offers a great break from the summer heat. Temperatures are milder in the mountains and the activities and summer festivals are in full force.
The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. This is a great time of year to get out into nature, enjoy the amenities of a resort, and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Asheville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| September | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
Is Asheville worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the high season for travel in Asheville, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is fairly touristy, and in the high season it's busier than usual.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 18°C (64°F).
You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, admire the quaint atmosphere, and take a hike. Also, you can experience the live music.
Autumn Weather in Asheville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| November | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| December | 8°C (47°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
Is Asheville worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Asheville. Even though Asheville is fairly busy with tourists, in the shoulder season there will be smaller crowds and better prices. If you enjoy the snow, then Asheville will be at its best during the winter months.
The weather in Asheville can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 7°C (44°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and plenty of live music.
Winter Weather in Asheville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 7°C (44°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| February | 8°C (47°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
Is Asheville worth visiting in the Spring?
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during spring, and temperatures hover around 18°C (64°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Asheville, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
This is a great time of year to browse the shops, appreciate the quaint setting, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can check out the live music scene and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Asheville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 18°C (64°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Asheville
Historical Sights: Asheville isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Asheville might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Asheville here or see if Asheville is expensive here.
Related
What is Asheville most famous for?
Asheville is most famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. The mountain town is very popular for its nightlife, music, hiking, and shopping. It's also known for food and resorts. It is often described as eclectic, outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded.
What is the most famous sight in Asheville?
The most popular sight in Asheville is The Biltmore Estate. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Asheville on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Biltmore Estate and other attractions here.
How touristy is Asheville? Is it a popular mountain town to visit?
Asheville is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Half-Day Tour With Instruction in Vistas & Waterfall Photography: $150
- Blue Ridge Mtns Hiking Tour with the areas top rated trail expert: $94
- Historic Music Scene Walking Tour in Asheville: $30
- Private Tarot Reading - For Groups or Solo Adventurers: $85
- Asheville Coffee Tours: $65
- Kayak Tour at Lake Lure: $125
- Private Walking Tour of a Real Working Cattle Ranch: $125
- (3 HR) Off-Road UTV Wilderness Adventure: $175
How long should I spend in Asheville?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Asheville is two to three days. Since Asheville has activities such as hiking, shopping, nightlife, and music, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Asheville? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Asheville?.
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