Planning a trip to Asheville and not sure how to spend your time? You’re in the right place.
Asheville is a small mountain city with a huge food scene and an amazing, creative spirit, not to mention some of the best hiking and outdoor adventures in North Carolina right on its doorstep. But with so much variety on offer, how do you pack it all into just a few days?
Well, that’s where we come in! This 3-day itinerary will give you a great introduction to Asheville, from its vibrant downtown and River Arts District, to exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. And of course, there’s plenty of great food, local beer, and live music along the way.
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Asheville was this guided e-bike tour! Cruising through downtown, along scenic greenways, and past some of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods was such a fun way to explore. Plus, the electric bikes made tackling Asheville’s famous hills effortless!
Itinerary Overview
Asheville is a small city, but there’s a lot going on here. It’s tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, so you’ve got hiking, waterfalls, scenic drives, and whitewater rafting all within easy reach of downtown.
But it’s not just an outdoorsy place, either! The food scene is amazing, and there are tons of local breweries to check out, which is right up our alley. The city has a really creative feel, too, especially around the River Arts District (RAD) and West Asheville.
This itinerary is designed to give you a well-rounded overview of Asheville, so expect lots of variety! As for getting around, Asheville’s downtown is pretty compact and walkable, so exploring without a car is easy. We mostly got around on foot, with the occasional rideshare, and there’s also the free ArtsAVL Connect Trolley that runs between downtown and the River Arts District.
Day 1: Start your Asheville trip with a fun introduction to the city on this guided e-bike tour, then spend the afternoon exploring the River Arts District before heading downtown for dinner and this nighttime ghost tour.
Day 2: Head into the Blue Ridge Mountains on this waterfall and hiking tour, then refuel downtown with burgers before spending the afternoon exploring Asheville’s quirky downtown area. End the day with Southern comfort food at Daddy Mac’s and an evening stroll!
Day 3: Spend your final morning exploring West Asheville, then choose between tasting your way through the city’s craft beer scene on this brewery tour or getting adventurous on this French Broad Gorge whitewater rafting trip, before wrapping up your trip with classy rooftop drinks.
Day 1
Breakfast – Ultra Coffeebar
Start your first morning in Asheville at Ultra Coffeebar, a local favorite in the heart of the River Arts District. It’s a welcoming spot right on Clingman Ave, and it works perfectly before your e-bike tour since the meeting point is only about a 7-minute walk away.
This is a great place to grab a coffee and a quick breakfast without spending too much. They have a specialty espresso bar, nitro cold brew on tap, and all of their flavor syrups are made in-house, which we love! Food-wise, you’ll find bagels, wraps, panini, daily baked goods, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. We both had the Brekkie Wrap and it was super filling, although the fig and brie bagels looked really good, too!
Morning – See Asheville from the saddle on a guided e-bike tour
Asheville is a hilly city in the mountains, and taking this guided e-bike tour is such a smart way to see the best of it! You still get all the fun of biking through the city, but the electric assist takes the edge off the hills, so you can focus on the scenery instead of working up a sweat.
The tour starts at 9:30 am and lasts for 3 hours, so you’ll finish up around 12:30 pm, ready for lunch. During that time, you’ll cruise across downtown and past some of the city’s prettiest streets and greenways. Along the way, your guide will stop at several different viewpoints and landmarks, sharing stories about Asheville’s history, architecture, and culture. Honestly, this ended up being one of our absolute favorite things to do here!
This was the perfect introduction to downtown Asheville for us as first-timers, and we got to cover so much more ground than we would have on foot. It’s ideal for a short visit to the city and it really helped us to get our bearings here.
Your bike, helmet, and guide are all included, and the pace is relaxed and designed for sightseeing rather than speed, so you definitely don’t need to be an experienced cyclist. Just make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes for riding.
Lunch – Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden
After your e-bike tour, head straight to Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden for lunch. It’s right next to where the tour ends, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite (and a pint!) today.
Hi-Wire’s River Arts District location is a huge indoor/outdoor beer garden built from mural-covered shipping containers, which feels very Asheville. It’s casual and colorful, not to mention both dog- and kid-friendly.
Best of all, there are over 20 Hi-Wire beers on draft, as well as housemade cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options if you’re not in the mood for beer. Food-wise, there are bar snacks like pretzels, nachos, and hot dogs, plus rotating local food trucks on site daily, so you can grab whatever looks good when you arrive.
It’s also worth noting that this location reopened in May 2025 after being damaged by Hurricane Helene, so stopping here is a nice way to support the district as it continues to recover.
Afternoon – Explore the River Arts District
After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the River Arts District, also known as the RAD. This creative neighborhood stretches for over a mile along the French Broad River, and it’s packed with studios, galleries, murals, and independent businesses. It was even voted the #1 arts district in the US by USA Today readers in 2026, so it’s definitely worth setting aside some time to explore!
The RAD was heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and many studios were flooded. But recovery is well and truly underway, as hundreds of artists are back in the district and major spots like Hi-Wire, The Foundy, and Marquee have opened again. Things are still changing as the area rebuilds, so we’d recommend checking the River Arts District website before you visit for the latest studio openings.
This is a self-guided and free activity, so you can just wander at your own pace. Marquee at The Foundy is a great place to start, with 300+ artists exhibiting paintings, jewelry, sculpture, and crafts inside a huge 50,000-square-foot space.
Murals and street art are also a huge part of the RAD’s appeal. Even while some studios are still rebuilding, the exterior murals give the whole area so much color and personality, so it’s worth wandering slowly and keeping your camera ready.
We’d also recommend taking some time to walk along the French Broad River. This is one of the nicest parts of the district, with riverside paths, old industrial buildings, public art, and plenty of space to stretch your legs between galleries.
You’ll probably need about 1.5-2 hours to explore the RAD properly. Once you’re done, grab a taxi back downtown and aim to arrive by around 6 pm, so that you have time for dinner before tonight’s ghost tour.
Dinner – Pack’s Tavern
For dinner, head back downtown to Pack’s Tavern. It’s a locally owned restaurant and taproom right by Pack Square Park, and it’s housed in a beautifully restored 1907 building that was once used as a moonshine distribution center. So yes, it has plenty of character!
This is a great pre-ghost tour dinner spot because it’s lively, casual, and close to where you need to be later. The menu is modern American comfort food with a Southern twist, so expect generous portions, wood-fired pizzas, and plenty of hearty dishes. The brisket mac and cheese is a house signature, but the prohibition pot roast, bison meatloaf, fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, and wild mushroom pizza all sound pretty amazing too.
Pack’s Tavern also has 35+ rotating local and regional beers on draft, so it’s a fun place to try something local before your evening tour. We’d recommend making a reservation, just so you’re not stressing about timing before the ghost tour.
Evening – Step into Asheville’s haunted past
After dinner, it’s time to see a spookier side of Asheville on this walking ghost tour. It starts at 8 pm and lasts for around 2 hours, so you should finish up at about 10 pm. The meeting point is only a 7-minute walk from Pack’s Tavern, or a 2-minute drive, so it’s really easy to get there after dinner.
Asheville has a fun, artsy feel during the day, but after dark, the city takes on a totally different atmosphere. This tour begins at the Asheville Masonic Temple on Broadway Street, which already sets the mood nicely, and then your guide will lead you through downtown sharing eerie stories, strange sightings, and unsettling pieces of local history.
You’ll hear about haunted spots around the city, including Pack Square and other downtown landmarks, so it’s a fun way to learn more about Asheville without doing a standard sightseeing tour. We also think it works really well for your first evening, because it helps you get your bearings downtown while adding a bit of spooky fun to the night.
The route is entirely on foot, so comfortable shoes are a must. And with thousands of positive reviews, we’d definitely recommend booking ahead if you have a specific night in mind.
Day 2
Morning/Afternoon – Head into the Blue Ridge Mountains
Today starts early, so we’d recommend grabbing breakfast at your hotel or somewhere nearby to avoid rushing. This Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall tour starts at 8 am and lasts around 5 hours and 30 minutes, so you should be back in Asheville by about 1:30 pm.
You can’t come to Asheville without experiencing its epic mountain scenery, so this tour is a must in our opinion! The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the region, and this guided experience makes it super easy to enjoy the best of it without having to rent a car and plan your own route. Instead, you can just show up and enjoy the scenery and guided hikes.
Over the course of the tour, you’ll explore beautiful forest scenery and visit three different waterfall areas near Asheville. The group is capped at just seven hikers, so it feels much more personal than a big coach tour, and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions along the way.
We love hiking, but choosing the right routes and figuring out parking, logistics, and trail conditions can be tricky when you’re in a new area – especially if you only have a few days! This tour makes it easy for you and allows you to experience some of the Blue Ride Parkway’s most scenic trails and viewpoints in just one morning.
The tour also includes hotel pickup within downtown Asheville, which makes the early start so much easier. It’s a truly unforgettable way to spend a morning – and don’t just take our word for it, because you can read 600+ 5-star reviews here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
Lunch – Farm Burger Asheville
After your morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, head back downtown for lunch at Farm Burger Asheville. It’s a casual counter-service spot on Patton Ave, so it’s exactly what you want after hiking: easy, quick, and very satisfying!
Farm Burger focuses on better-quality ingredients, with 100% grassfed and grass-finished beef, antibiotic-free chicken, and produce sourced from regional farms. You can build your own burger or choose one of their signature options, but the No. 1 Farmburger is the classic choice, with aged white cheddar, caramelized onions, and their house FB sauce.
The hand-cut fries and sweet potato fries are great sides, and if you’re really hungry, the hand-spun milkshakes are calling your name. There are also plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, including a housemade vegan burger with quinoa, black-eyed peas, kale, mushrooms, and sweet potato. No reservations are needed, and you can expect to spend around $15–20 USD per person, so it’s budget-friendly too!
Afternoon – Get your shopping fix downtown or recharge at Sauna House
After lunch, it will probably be around 2:30 or 3 pm, so you’ve got a few hours to play with before dinner. You can either head downtown for some shopping, book a slot at Sauna House, or do a bit of both if you’re feeling ambitious.
Downtown Asheville is brilliant for independent shops, boutiques, galleries, and specialty stores, and it’s all very walkable. A good place to start is Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville’s beloved indie bookshop that’s been around since 1982. It has a great mix of fiction, nonfiction, local authors, staff picks, and even a “blind date with a book” section, which is such a fun way to find your new favorite novel!
From there, wander over to Lexington Avenue, where you’ll find vintage shops, record stores, art galleries, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Tops for Shoes is also on Lexington Avenue, and it’s a bit of an Asheville institution, with a huge multi-building setup that’s very easy to lose half an hour in. And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, stop by the French Broad Chocolate Lounge for bean-to-bar chocolate made in-house – it would be rude not to, really!
Or, if your legs are feeling it after the morning hike, head to Sauna House instead. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Pack Square and offers a 2-hour thermal cycle with saunas, cold plunges, showers, and heated lounge furniture. Walk-ins are sometimes available, but we’d recommend booking ahead if you know you want to go.
Dinner – Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive
For dinner, head to Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive in the South Slope District. It’s only about a 7-minute walk from Sauna House, so it’s a super easy next stop if you choose the relaxing afternoon option.
This locally owned Southern comfort food spot is lively, casual, and very Asheville. It opened in 2021 and the menu is built around recipes from owner Dave McFarland’s four grandparents, which is a very sweet detail. The space has indoor and outdoor seating, string lights, a stage for live music, and a fun, unpretentious feel.
Everything on the menu is made from scratch, and apparently the smoky BBQ smell hits before you even step inside, which sounds like an excellent sign to us. The Bar-B-Cue-Terie Board is the big showpiece, with smoked meats, baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, potato salad, and housemade pickles. We’d also be very tempted by Mama’s Got Mac, especially with burnt ends on top.
There are craft beers available too, plus playful Southern-style cocktails like the Carolina Mule, which is made with Cheerwine syrup.
Evening – Wander back through downtown Asheville
After dinner, take your time wandering back through downtown Asheville rather than heading straight to your hotel. Daddy Mac’s is on Biltmore Ave, so if you’re staying downtown, you can walk north through the heart of the city and enjoy Asheville when it’s all lit up for the evening.
Asheville is the type of city that’s perfect for an after-dark stroll, especially around Pack Square Park, Lexington Avenue, and Haywood Street. You’ll pass lit-up storefronts and bars, and at least a few buskers and musicians along the way! There’s a lively atmosphere, and it feels very safe and friendly, so take your time and feel free to stop off once or twice along the way if you fancy another drink or some live music.
Day 3
Breakfast – Sunny Point Café
Start your final day in Asheville with breakfast at Sunny Point Café, a West Asheville institution that’s been around since 2003. It’s family-owned, farm-to-table, and even recommended in the Michelin Guide, so it’s popular for a reason!
Sunny Point sits right on Haywood Road, in the heart of West Asheville’s independent strip, so it’s the perfect place to fuel up before exploring the neighborhood. The menu is all about made-from-scratch comfort food with Southern and Appalachian roots, and there’s an on-site production garden that supplies fresh herbs and produce to the kitchen.
The roasted tomato and cheddar omelet with maple-black pepper bacon sounds amazing, but you also can’t go wrong with the chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, or stuffed French toast.
Sunny Point opens daily at 8:30 am. We’d aim to get there around 9 or 9:30 am, and if there’s a wait, you can grab coffee or a pastry from Rabbit Hole, the sister bakery across the street.
Morning – Wander through West Asheville
After breakfast, spend the rest of the morning wandering along Haywood Road in West Asheville. This is one of Asheville’s most distinctive neighborhoods, and it has a very different feel from downtown. It’s laid-back and creative, and with record stores and vintage shops dotted around, and vibrant murals everywhere you look.
Spend an hour or two exploring the area. You don’t need an exact plan, but music lovers should definitely stop at Harvest Records, as it’s one of the best independent record stores in the South. They have a huge selection of new and used vinyl, plus listening stations so you can try before you buy.
As you walk, keep an eye out for the murals along Haywood Road too. West Asheville has lots of large-scale street art, and it really adds to the neighborhood’s personality. There are also plenty of independent boutiques and gift shops to pop into, with a strong local-first feel and barely a chain store in sight!
Lunch – W.A.L.K.
For lunch, stay in West Asheville and head to W.A.L.K., a popular neighborhood pub right on Haywood Road. It’s casual and unpretentious, so it’s the perfect place to round out your time in West Asheville with a bite to eat before heading back toward downtown for the afternoon.
The space is all about high ceilings and exposed brick, with garage doors that open onto the street. There are pool tables here, too, in case you fancy a game!
The menu is upscale pub grub done well, with wings, burgers, tacos, quesadillas, salads, and daily specials. The house burger is a reliable go-to, but the tacos are also a solid pick. There are local craft beers on tap too, plus a full bar. This place is walk-ins only, and you can expect to spend around $15-$20 USD per person for a meal and a drink.
Afternoon – Option 1: Taste your way through Asheville’s craft beer scene
Asheville has a huge craft beer reputation, and this guided brewery walking tour is a really fun way to experience it without having to choose breweries on your own. It’s ideal if you want a fun and relaxed final afternoon in Asheville rather than a high-adrenaline adventure.
It starts at 2 pm and finishes up around 5:15 pm, giving you just over 3 hours to enjoy some of the city’s best beer. Asheville is widely regarded as one of the best beer cities in the US, so that’s really saying something!
To get to the meeting point, you can either take the bus from downtown, which will get you there in around 10 minutes. Or for extra ease, you can just hop in an Uber, Lyft, or AVL taxi from W.A.L.K., which will only take 5 minutes.
The tour focuses on the South Slope area, which is one of the best parts of the city for brewery hopping. Over the course of about three hours, you’ll visit three breweries and sample 10 different local beers with the guidance of a certified cicerone (beer expert). You’ll hear all about different brewing styles and what makes Asheville’s beer so special.
We also really love the fact that this is a walking tour, so you can enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving. And since tastings are included, this tour also offers good value when compared to paying separately at multiple breweries.
Afternoon – Option 2: Ride the rapids of the French Broad Gorge
If you’re keen for an adrenaline-fuelled outdoor adventure in Asheville, this French Broad Gorge rafting trip is for you! It starts at 2 pm and lasts for 4 hours, so you’ll finish up at around 6 pm. The starting point is a 5-minute drive from today’s lunch spot, so it’s best to get a taxi here. You’ll need to arrive 30 minutes before the tour’s official start time, so arrive at 1:30 pm.
On this tour, you’ll race through 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of class II and III rapids, with plenty of opportunities to stop for river swims along the way. From the gorge, you get a completely different perspective on the mountain scenery, so it’s super scenic as well as exciting.
We think that this is such an exhilarating way to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s action-packed and with gear, transport, and expert guidance all taken care of, the whole experience is super easy from start to finish.
Just be sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and bring a change of clothes for afterward so that you don’t get chilly. And don’t worry, you’ll be dropped off back downtown again so that you can easily pop back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner!
Dinner – Strada Italiano
For your final dinner in Asheville, head to Strada Italiano, a local favorite right in the heart of downtown. This family-owned Italian spot has been serving up scratch-made dishes since 2012, and the warm atmosphere makes it a great place to slow down and enjoy one last evening in the city.
The menu pulls inspiration from all over Italy, so there’s plenty to choose from. The short rib bolognese is the signature dish for a reason, but the grilled Florentine ravioli, spaghetti burrata, and chicken parmigiana are all fantastic picks too. Even better, Strada is one of the most allergy-friendly restaurants in Asheville, with lots of gluten-free and dairy-free options available.
Expect to spend around $40–65 USD per person with drinks, and it’s worth making a reservation ahead of time. Plus, with The Social Lounge located right next door, you won’t have to go far to continue the evening with a cocktail and a rooftop view. Just keep in mind that Strada Italiano is closed on Wednesdays, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Evening – The Social Lounge
After dinner at Strada Italiano, you don’t need to go far for one final drink. The Social Lounge is right next door, so you can just step outside and head upstairs to Asheville’s original rooftop cocktail bar.
There’s a stylish indoor lounge on the ground floor, but the real draw is the covered rooftop terrace above Broadway Street. It has a louvered roof and garage door windows, so it works in pretty much any weather, and it’s a lovely spot to sit back and watch the evening activity below.
The cocktail list rotates regularly, with original drinks made using local ingredients, and there are also regional craft beers on draft and a good selection of wines. In warmer months, the rooftop sangria is always a crowd-pleaser! And if you skipped dessert at Strada, you can still order from the full Strada menu here, so the tiramisu is definitely worth considering.
There’s live music here on select nights, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go. Just note that rooftop and lounge tables need to be reserved separately from Strada, so don’t forget to book as this is a popular spot.
Where to Stay in Asheville
To make the most of this itinerary, we suggest staying downtown or nearby. You’ll be close to many of the restaurants, breweries, and attractions featured below, while still being within easy driving distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains, scenic overlooks, and some of the area’s best hiking trails.
To make planning a little easier, we’ve rounded up three great hotel options for every budget.
Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa – $$$
If you’re looking to treat yourself on your trip, we cannot recommend the Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa enough! This historic resort first opened in 1913, and although it feels wonderfully tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s still only about a 10 to 15-minute drive from downtown Asheville (super convenient!).
The property itself is absolutely stunning, with its huge stone fireplaces, onsite pool and golf course, and a famous subterranean spa that’s an attraction in itself. This resort is definitely on the more luxury side, but it’s a fabulous choice for romantic getaways, spa weekends, and special occasions.
Price-wise, you can expect rooms to fall between $350 and $700 USD per night, although rates can climb higher on weekends and during peak seasons. Check availability and book this unforgettable stay here!
Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville – $$
For a mid-range pick in Asheville, you can’t go wrong with Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville.
We always recommend this hotel because it has a stunning rooftop terrace with both mountain and city views, which is hard to beat after a full day out in Asheville. We also love its location on Page Avenue near the Grove Arcade, so most of the city’s best restaurants, shops, galleries, breweries, and music venues are within easy walking distance.
In terms of pricing, you can expect rooms to fall between $150 and $300 USD per night, which is excellent value for such a central location. Secure this modern mid-range stay in Asheville here!
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown – $
And last but not least, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown is a fantastic budget-friendly option.
In our opinion, this hotel tends to work best for travelers who plan on being out and about for most of the day. It’s just a 10-minute drive away from downtown, so you’ll still be close to the action without having to pay downtown boutique hotel prices. Each room also comes with handy extras like a microwave and mini-fridge, which are always useful for snacks and leftovers.
In terms of pricing, you can expect rooms to fall between $100 and $220 USD per night, making this one of the best-value stays close to downtown Asheville. Check out your options and book your stay here!
Renting a Car in the USA
The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic national parks. While public transportation exists in major cities, renting a car is often the best way to explore the country’s wide-open spaces and hidden gems.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find the right vehicle for your needs, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the USA
What You Need to Rent a Car in the USA
Ready to hit the road and discover the freedom of exploring the USA on your own terms?
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After three days in Asheville, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with this mountain city. From waterfall hikes and scenic drives to creative neighborhoods and fantastic local restaurants, Asheville manages to pack an incredible amount of variety into a relatively small place. We arrived expecting great scenery and left wishing we had a few more days to explore.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other USA travel guides for more travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and favorite experiences. And if you’re looking for inspiration for your next adventure, we’ve got more destinations below to help fill your bucket list!
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