Downtown Art Deco
Grove Arcade, drum circle Fridays and buskers.
Asheville
An arty mountain city with Art Deco streets, excellent breweries, live street music and the Biltmore Estate next door.
Asheville sits between the Blue Ridge and the Smokies. Hurricane Helene hit hard in 2024, including the River Arts District, but downtown has recovered, and visitors are welcome and needed.
- Best Time
- May to October
- Time Needed
- 2–3 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round
- Getting There
- About 2 hours from Charlotte, with its own airport.
What to See
2 of 3 are freeRiver Arts District
Studios in old warehouses, rebuilding after Helene.
South Slope breweries
Dozens of breweries within a short walk.
Know Before You Go
- Check for any lingering storm closures in the area.
- October is the busiest time, so book early.
Where to Stay
Stay downtown.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Go Next
Must-SeeBiltmore Estate
North Carolina
America's largest private home, George Vanderbilt's 250-room French-style chateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville.
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Worth a DetourBlue Ridge Parkway
Virginia and North Carolina
America's favorite drive: 469 miles of mountain views along the crest of the Appalachians, without a stoplight or a billboard.
Full Guide
Must-SeeGreat Smoky Mountains
North Carolina and Tennessee
America's most visited national park: misty ridges and old-growth forest.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Southeast list.