If you’re looking for a small-town feel with amazing food, beautiful views and natural wonders all around, then you must visit Asheville!
We obviously can’t get enough of this town. From the cute downtown, award-winning food, outdoor adventures and the prospect of a bear sight, there are just so many exciting things to do in Asheville.
Read on to see our top 9 reasons why you will love this mountain town! And then, when you’re done, come visit Asheville! We have a ton of resources for planning your Asheville vacation.
1. THE VIEWS!!!
You’ll find beautiful mountain views almost anywhere you look. Asheville is nestled in a valley in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing peaks in every direction. And the soft blue haze that gives the blue ridge and smoky mountains their names is so picturesque.
We like to say that our favorite thing about living here is walking out of a grocery store to see long-range mountain views.
2. THE FOOD!!!
It doesn’t matter where you are in the city, you’ll be near good food. Did you know Asheville was rated as Yelp’s best food city in America in 2020? The food alone is worth visiting Asheville for.
We have a great list of amazing Asheville restaurants, as well as guides to Asheville donut shops, coffee shops by neighborhood, our favorite placed to get a sandwich and more.
The city has such a wide range of cuisines and creative chefs that make for magical dining experiences. You can see all of our posts about Asheville’s food scene here.
3. Downtown is *chef’s kiss* perfection
From the weekly drum circle to the award-winning restaurants, downtown Asheville has something for everyone.
You’ll find quirky and eclectic shops, awesome galleries, funky bookstores, groovy music venues and exquisite bites. Small businesses and specialty shops are mixed amongst the top restaurants downtown, all set in the heart of the mountains. Check out our downtown Asheville guide for some of our favorite spots!
4. That weather and those leaves, though
Asheville’s weather and distinct four seasons are hard to beat.
The city is located in a sweet spot– in the winter there’s just enough cold to see some snowflakes and it’s not nearly as hot in summer as some other southern cities. Perhaps the best time to visit are late spring and early fall when you can enjoy crisp mountain weather in the mornings. Read more about the best time to visit Asheville and what each season is like in our guide to Asheville’s weather throughout the year.
5. Outdoor adventures abound
countless adventures that take you to breathtaking views, magical waterfalls, and best of all, clean fresh air.
Whether you’re into technical sports like whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or mountain biking, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature, Asheville is the perfect hub.
One of our favorite areas is Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. The entrance is about 40 minutes from downtown Asheville. We have a daytrip itinerary to Brevard and Pisgah National Forest here. Word to the wise: keep an eye out for black bears, though! No, really!!
6. Two words: Beer City
Enjoying good beer is a part of Asheville’s relaxed culture, so if you’re a beer lover, you’ll be in good company here.
Asheville is home to over 50 breweries ranging in size from craft microbreweries like Brahmari and Burial Beer Company to larger, more well-known ones like Sierra Nevada and New Belgium. Expect great things when a city’s nickname is Beer City!
7. Easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway (aka America’s Favorite Drive!) is a can’t-miss when visiting Asheville, especially during leaf season.
The Parkway cuts right through Asheville, so you can either take it south through Pisgah National Forest or north toward Blowing Rock. We have a great itinerary for a day trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Pisgah Inn.
Little Switzerland is another fun destination that’s about an hour north of downtown Asheville. There you’ll find Swiss-inspired architecture with a café, general store and book + coffee shop.
Make sure to plan ahead for the Blue Ridge Parkway, though! Some parts of the Parkway close during the winter due to ice. My husband learned the hard way when his proposal plans went awry…
8. Tons of opportunities for day trips
Feel like you’ve seen all of Asheville? Luckily it’s near tons of cute mountain towns that make for great day trips.
Waynesville, Sylva, Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Hendersonville and Brevard are all about an hour or less from downtown.
Bryson City is another fun destination from Asheville, clocking in right at 1 hour and 10 minutes from city center. There you’ll find a cute downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad!
9. The potential for black bear sightings
I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned this earlier! I love a good black bear sighting, especially in the downtown area. And depending on the season, it’s not entirely uncommon to see one strolling around. I mean, where else does this happen??
****Just make sure to respect any bears you may come across.**** Keep your distance and let them be! And just in case, brush up on bear safety tips before your Asheville trip!
Even if you don’t spot one, you should definitely pick up a black bear souvenir before heading home from your Asheville vacation.
So, are you ready to visit Asheville?
Great! Let’s Start planning your amazing Asheville trip.
If you have never been here before, make sure to check out our guide to what to see and do in Asheville on your first trip.
