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Nicknamed “Portland of the South,” Asheville, North Carolina is slowly creeping its way to one of the top small cities for foodies, artists and beer lovers around the globe.
Although it’s best to have time to explore this eclectic city, if you only have time for a quick trip, you can still see a lot of Asheville! The city has something of interest for almost anyone, so just pick and choose what you want to prioritize.
I thoroughly enjoyed my limited time in Asheville with southern comfort food, craft beer, and stunning mountain views. Trust me when I say, this little city tucked in the mountains of northwest North Carolina is worth even the shortest of visits!
Here’s what to do if you have only 36 hours in Asheville, North Carolina:
Table of Contents
DAY 1 IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
DAY 1 MORNING-
Breakfast at Biscuit Heads
Biscuit Heads may be one of the top brunch’s I’ve had in my life. Known for their southern flare with biscuits, fried chicken and grits, every item on their menu will make your mouth water. I ordered a maple bacon latte with fried chicken, biscuits and eggs. From the crunch of the chicken, to the crumble of the biscuit, everything was so savory and lived up to the hype. Biscuit Heads gave me a new found love for southern biscuits!
If you’re looking for something sweet, I recommend trying their Biscuit French toast. My friend got it and said it was one of the best things he has ever eaten! I tried it, and it was an incredible combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar on a chewy biscuit.
Whatever you choose at Biscuit Heads will not disappoint!
Explore the shops and architecture downtown
The downtown area of Asheville is small, but packed with art galleries, funky cafes and local farm to table restaurants. The city is super walkable, which is great when you’re on a time crunch!
Wandering around downtown, be sure to look up! Many of Asheville’s buildings were built in the 1900’s in an Art Deco style. The only reason some of them still exist today is because the city couldn’t afford to modernize or update them after The Great Depression. Who would have thought something so charming could be the result of this horrendous time period?
If you’re really into history or architecture, take this Asheville History and Architecture Tour! A local expert will take you to certain historical areas of the city while teaching you everything they know about these important landmarks.
In the mood for something more spooky? This Walking Asheville Ghost Tour will take you to the most active paranormal spots throughout the city.
DAY 1 AFTERNOON-
Coffee at Double D’s
Double D’s is one of the most unique coffee shops I’ve ever seen. Converted from a bright red double decker bus from London, Double D’s is the best photo opt AND coffee shop. They have a variety of iced or hot teas and coffees with some outdoor seating. If you’re lucky, you can even snag a seat in the top deck of the bus while sipping on your latte!
Be sure to bring cash if you are going here- they do not accept cards.
Lunch and beer at Wicked Weed Brewing
Although Asheville has an insane amount of breweries, my choice for lunch and afternoon drinks is Wicked Weed. Between their restaurant, downstairs beer bar and bottle shop, there’s something for everyone!
If it’s a nice day outside, I highly recommend grabbing a seat on their outdoor patio. The vibe is fantastic, and everyone seems to be happy and smiling as they sample their beers! Wicked Weed has a variety of different beer styles to try, from IPA’s, to sours and saisons. Although their menu is mostly burgers, they also have lots of light fares and small apps if you’re still full from breakfast. Those limited on time can always order beer or wine takeout right on their website!
Note: Asheville is known for having an incredible craft beer scene. However, if you only have 36 hours in Asheville, North Carolina, Wicked Weed is a good place to start. They have a great variety of different styles and are in a central location to the city center.
Visit the River Art’s District
The River Art’s District of Asheville lines the French Broad River and is a vibrant part of the city of Asheville. The old factories in the area have been restored to house 22 artist studios, restaurants, breweries, and wineries. Over 100 local artists rent these studios and sell their paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and many other crafts. Walking around this area you’ll be drawn to live music, colorful murals and an eclectic artsy vibe. Plus, it’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs since you’re also supporting local artists in the Asheville community!
While you are near the French Broad River, if you want some adventure, you can book a Guided Kayak Tour and get a peak of the Blitmore Estate from the river!
DAY 1 NIGHT-
Grab Dinner & a Nightcap at one of the best restaurants in Asheville
Now that you’ve had a day full of fun, food, art, and walking, it’s time to slow it down a bit with some dinner and drinks. Here are some great dining options in Asheville. Make sure to check ahead of time if you need a reservation!
Top restaurants in Asheville:
- Buxton Hall BBQ– When in the south, you have to try some authentic North Carolina barbecue! Buxton Hall BBQ is known for having fantastic pulled pork.
- Curante– If you want something a little more luxurious, hit up this hip and trendy Spanish tapas bar. Just keep in mind, it’s so good you’ll need reservations. If you want to try Curante at home, they have shipping options for full tapas experiences, smoked meats and cheese.
- Black Bird– Incredible wine list and seafood menu. Everything is sourced locally from the Carolinas, so all ingredients are super fresh!
- Grove Park Inn– Although the food menu is top notch, I highly suggest going for the views alone! Their sunset terrace may be the best place is all of Asheville to grab a night cap while watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Posana– Their menu focuses on contemporary American cuisine with signature cocktails and high end wines. They source premium ingredients from over 65 local farmers.
DAY 2 IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
DAY 2 MORNING-
Get Donuts from Hole Donuts
There’s nothing better than ending your time in Asheville than on a high note. And that is… Hole Donuts!
I’m going to be real with you, these are some of the best donuts I’ve ever had in my life. The soft yet flaky dough melts in your mouth the second it hits your tongue. These handmade donuts are so light and fluffy, I’ll warn you… it’s hard to have just one! Don’t let their uneven circular shape fool you. Once you take one bite out of these circles sent from heaven, you’ll realize their less than perfect shape only adds to their charm!
Hole Donuts have perfected their recipes so well, they keep their menu simple. Their four flavors include, vanilla glazed, toasted almond sesame cinnamon, cinnamon sugar, and a season flavor. Let’s be real… you should probably just grab a variety box. You won’t regret a stop here.
DAY 2 AFTERNOON-
Drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway
Known for being one of the most scenic drives in all of America, driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must. You’ll have views of the mountains that go on forever. It’s known for being most spectacular with the foliage in the autumn!
If you want a perfect sunset location near the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out Haw Creek Valley Overlook. This has one of the best vantage points to watch the sunset over 360 degree views of the North Carolina mountains.
If you love to hike, you may want to prioritize some hiking during your short time in Asheville! If you don’t feel like hiking on your own, Blue Ridge Hiking Company offers guided half, full and multi day hikes for all hikers of all skill level.
Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore is the largest home in all of America. Built by George and Edith Vanderbilt, it truly is Asheville’s take on the Newport Mansions.
Entry tickets range from $54-$70, which includes a self-guided tour, admission to the walking trails and grounds of the estate, and a free wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery.
You could easily spend hours exploring The Biltmore, so decide if it’s high up there on your Asheville bucket list. If you have only 36 hours in Asheville, you may want to skip it. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the Biltmore Estate on my visit, but I’ve heard so many people rave about it’s, I couldn’t leave it off this itinerary! The way I see it, I have a good excuse to go back!
WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
- Budget: Extended Stay American Suites Asheville Tunnel Road– If you’re looking for a place to just lay your head at night, this is perfect. It’s close to downtown Asheville, although you may need to drive to get there.
- Mid-Range: Renaissance Asheville Hotel– In a central location in downtown Asheville, this comfortable hotel has gorgeous views of the city.
- Luxury: Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate– If you want to treat yourself, might as well do it like the Vanderbilts! Stay right near the historic Biltmore Estate with all the luxury amenities you could want!
- The Omni Grove Park Inn– This is also a great place to luxury place to stay. After seeing pictures from their sunset terrace, this place is on my bucket list! With some of the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, incredible dining options and fluffy beds, it seems like the perfect weekend getaway!
There are many other great accommodation options throughout the city. My favorite place to book these are on Booking.com or Hotels.com. If you are thinking about renting a whole house or apartment, check out VRBO!
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Now you know how to spend a short 36 hours in Asheville, North Carolina! I hope you take in the incredible mountain views, stuff your face with unreal southern food and taste test all the local brews to your hearts desire! I’ve never met someone who didn’t like Asheville, so I’m excited for you to check out this beautiful place.
BEST ASHEVILLE TRAVEL RESOURCES
1. BOOK FLIGHTS WITH SKYSCANNER
2. BOOK ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING.COM or HOTELS.COM
3. BOOK ACTIVITIES AND TOURS WITH GET YOUR GUIDE
4. BOOK TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH WORLD NOMADS.
Need help planning your trip to ASHEVILLE? Go to my travel resources page for my favorite travel companies to save you money, time, and headaches!
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Awesome post! There’s so much to see and do in this little area! Those are always the best hidden gems, would love to visit this area in the future!
Thank you JoJo! There is so so much to do, but you can still see a lot in a short amount of time which is GREAT! Glad you feel similarly about hidden gems.