A curated itinerary for an adventure day that starts in Asheville and includes time on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We share ideas for where to eat, trails to take and the best way to end your day!
Planning a day out can be daunting– we’ve got you covered. Our Asheville itinerary series takes the guesswork out with personally tested itineraries built around the area’s best adventures..
About This Asheville Itinerary
Your day starts with brunch at Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village, followed by a stop at Finch Grocery to stock up on picnic supplies.
From there, hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and head north toward Mount Mitchell. Your first stop is Craggy Gardens, where a short hike leads to a mountaintop meadow.
Next, continue on to Mount Mitchell State Park to summit the highest peak on the East Coast. Don’t worry, it’ just an easy loop trail through an enchanted evergreen forest.
Finally, head back into Asheville for dinner at All Souls Pizza in the River Arts District. Don’t skip the soft serve!
Drive time: A little over 2 hours– the majority of it is spent with breathtaking views on the Parkway
Timing: This is an all-day itinerary (breakfast to dinner), so plan for a big day out. Of course, you can choose what to do and how to long to spend, so your timing may look different than ours. We spent 2 hours in Biltmore Village, 1.5 hours at Craggy Gardens, a little over 2 hours at Mount Mitchell and 1.5 hours at dinner.
Who is this for: This is a great itinerary for all ages! We did the full itinerary with our kids and dog– the recommended trails are all pretty short and easy, so you don’t need to be an avid hiker. You can also opt to just enjoy the views at each stop if you aren’t planning to hike. There’s an accessible path from the Mount Mitchell visitor’s area to the observation deck.
Brunch in Biltmore Village
Brunch in charming Biltmore Village
Start your day at Corner Kitchen for a casual brunch. Whether you sit in the dining room or out on the patio, it’s a relaxing way to ease into the day.
What to order: The huevos rancheros tostada and corned beef hash can’t be beat. In the mood for something sweet? Try the French toast or chicken and waffles. They have kids’ menus and crayons + dog-friendly outdoor seating.
After brunch, stroll and shop the charming streets of Biltmore Village. This area was hit hard by the hurricane floodwaters and is still rebounding (and needs your visit!!)
Grab Picnic Supplices From Finch Grocery
The cutest cafe with a huge grab and go selection
Finch Grocery is a must stop shop and cafe to grab all your picnic needs for the day. They have a great selection of grab and go items. We love their salads, sandwiches and chicken salad!
They also have fun drinks in the cooler and snacks and treats for your adventure day out.
Make sure to get an espresso drink to-go for the drive!
Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Where the drive is part of the destination
From Biltmore Village head to the Blue Ridge Parkway and take it north toward Mount Mitchell.
Driving on the Parkway is one of the best ways to soak in Asheville’s scenery, with countless overlooks to stop at and take in the breathtaking views.
A Look Ahead
This big destination for this itinerary is Mount Mitchell State Park– it’s about 27 miles north on the Parkway.
You can stop anywhere along the way or choose to turn around before you get there. Everything is just a suggestion! Just keep in mind that there are a lot of hikes and overlooks along the way– feel free to customize your day!
Explore Craggy Gardens
Next up: a short hike to a mountaintop meadow
Craggy Gardens (milepost 354) is a great place to stop along the way. Here you’ll find a short and easy trail to a mountaintop meadow.
You’ll see a visitor’s center when you arrive– you can park on either side of it. Take in the views from this area and then walk toward the south end of the parking area to the trailhead.
You’ll wind through a dense, moss-covered forest on a rocky path. After about a quarter mile, you’ll reach a covered shelter. Head to the left just past the shelter to explore the mountaintop meadow for another quarter mile.
You can spread out a picnic blanket if you’re ready for lunch, or just soak in the views before heading back to the parking lot and continuing on to Mount Mitchell.
Want another idea? The Craggy Pinnacle trail is another nearby trail with long-range views. It’s short but steep!
SUmmit the Highest Peak on the East Coast
Mount Mitchell Picnic Area
Amazing Views at Mount Mitchell State Park
About 9 miles up the parkway, you’ll reach Mount Mitchell State Park (mile marker 355.) Drive up to the parking area near the observation deck.
You’ll see a visitor’s center with a gift shop, canteen and restrooms. There’s a picnic area, nature trail and an accessible path to the top of Mount Mitchell.
Do You Need A Picnic Spot?
If you didn’t picnic at Craggy Gardens, there’s a great picnic area at the north end of the lot. You’ll see signs and steps down. There’s a shelter with a few tables and other tables scattered around. Explore a bit to find the best one!
One Last Trail For The Day
The Balsam Nature Trail is one of our favorite trails around. It’s located just off the parking area.
It’s a 1-mile loop through an enchanted evergreen forest– and it smells like Christmas trees! The trail eventually winds around to the accessible path that leads to the Mount Mitchell observation deck.
You could instead opt to walk directly from the visitor center area to the observation deck on a path. It’s the same path you’ll take down once you’re ready to head back (unless you choose to do the Balsam Nature Trail again!)
The good news is that you get to take the Blue Ridge Parkway back to Asheville, so you are in for more spectacular views. We love this stretch!
Dinner At All Souls Pizza
Casual spot with elevated pizza in River Arts District
After the day on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll be ready to head back to Asheville for dinner.
Our recommendation is All Soul’s Pizza— it’s a casual order-at-the-counter spot with wood-fired pizza and outdoor seating.
They have a large assortment of specialty pizzas made with sourdough crust, local beers on tap and soft serve ice cream. Don’t miss the fun toppings like chocolate shell, rainbow sprinkles, and even olive oil + salt.
