2 days in Asheville

Day by day

1. Day 1: Biltmore Estate and River Arts District

   Biltmore Estate and River Arts District, then South Slope breweries in the evening. Transit for Biltmore Estate to River Arts District (5.4 km, straight line).

   1. Breakfast

      Breakfast: Biscuits

   2. Morning

      Biltmore Estate

      The visit covers the banquet hall, library and servants' quarters, followed by Frederick Law Olmsted's gardens, conservatory, the winery and Antler Hill Village.

   3. Late morning

      River Arts District

      The district was badly flooded during Hurricane Helene in 2024, and recovery is ongoing; many artists have reopened studios here or nearby.

   4. Lunch

      Lunch: Mountain trout

      Farm-to-table restaurants across the city and smoked trout at local markets.

   5. Evening

      South Slope breweries

      Walk between taprooms rather than driving, and ask about tasting flights to try several beers at each stop.

2. Day 2: Blue Ridge Parkway and Folk Art Center

   Blue Ridge Parkway, Folk Art Center, Grove Arcade and Basilica of St. Lawrence, then Pritchard Park drum circle in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Blue Ridge Parkway

      The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 384 explains the route, and sections south of the city climb towards Mount Pisgah.

   2. Late morning

      Folk Art Center

      Its Allanstand Craft Shop, founded in 1895, sells work by guild members, and craft demonstrations are held regularly.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ramps

      Restaurant menus and farmers' markets in April and May.

   4. Afternoon

      Grove Arcade

      It now houses shops, restaurants and apartments.

   5. Café break

      Café break: Apples and hard cider

   6. Late afternoon

      Basilica of St. Lawrence

      Its self-supporting elliptical dome is one of the largest of its kind in North America, and Guastavino himself is buried in the crypt.

   7. Evening

      Pritchard Park drum circle

      Arrive around early evening on a Friday from spring to autumn, and bring a hand drum or shaker if you want to join.

Before you go

• Biltmore Estate: House entry is by timed ticket; buy online in advance, especially in October and during the Christmas season.

If it rains

• Swap in Asheville Art Museum (Downtown Asheville): Go up to the rooftop sculpture terrace for the view, and look for works by Black Mountain College artists in the permanent galleries.
• Swap in Thomas Wolfe Memorial (Downtown Asheville): Join a guided house tour, then visit Wolfe's grave in Riverside Cemetery in Montford.
• Swap in Asheville Museum of Science (Downtown Asheville): It is compact, so pair it with lunch downtown; it works best for children aged about 4 to 12.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–21 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in December to 14.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Car. A car is the easiest way to reach the Biltmore Estate, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the arboretum and the mountains.

More or fewer days

• One day in Asheville
• 3 days in Asheville

Questions travellers ask