How to Spend a Weekend in Asheville: A Guide for Nature Lovers

This weekend itinerary is perfect for exploring Asheville—no PTO required! Just head to Asheville right after work on Friday and enjoy a full weekend exploring the city. Below, I’ve included top recommendations for where to stay, eat, and hike to make the most of your getaway!

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Where to Stay

There are a few different options of where to stay when visiting the area. If you want to be within walking distance to restaurants/shops, then downtown Asheville is the place to stay! One thing to note is accommodation prices will be higher in downtown and a lot of places won’t have free parking.

Black Rock Town

We stayed at this Airbnb in Swannanoa, just 5 minutes from Black Rock Mountain and about 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. It’s the perfect spot—close enough to explore the city, yet far enough to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Henderson

Another option outside the city is to stay in Henderson, NC, about a 20 minute drive outside the city. During another visit to the area, we stayed at Skylaranna Resort & Spa, a beautiful resort featuring a fire pit, pool and hot tub. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a more relaxing, resort-style stay while still being close to all the action in Asheville.

Friday: Arrive in Asheville

If you’re coming in after work, you likely won’t be able to do very much on Friday other than grab dinner and check into your accommodation, If you have a little extra time, you can also explore downtown and checkout a few shops.

We made it in town in time to eat dinner at Soprana’s Rooftop Cucina (more on this below) and catch sunset from the roof top.

Saturday: Time to Explore

Wake up early and hit the trails to make the most of your time in Asheville! We made breakfast at our Airbnb but you can definitely grab a quick breakfast or pastry before starting your trail.

Crabtree Falls

Start your day at Crabtree falls, a stunning 60 foot waterfall located off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This waterfall is about 45 minutes from Asheville. The trail can be done as a 3 mile loop or, if you choose turn around at the waterfall, 1.8 miles. Checkout this article for everything you need to know about this trail!

Craggy Pinnacles

Next drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike the Craggy Pinnacle Trail! This trail is only 1.2 miles round trip and offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. If you visit on a cloudy/fog day (let us), it’s best to skip this trail as you won’t get any of the gorgeous mountain views!

Pictured: The fog rolling in fast!

Sauna House

Back in Asheville, enjoy a relaxing visit to Sauna House to recover from the hiking. There are two options here: the public bathhouse or a private sauna room,

If you choose the public bathhouse, you’ll have access to two saunas, a cold plunge pool, and a refreshing cool mist. For a more private experience, enjoy your own personal sauna and ice bath in a private room. Both are very relaxing so you can’t go wrong with either!

Sunday: Time to Say Goodbye to Asheville

Before leaving Asheville grab a pastry for the road then chase a few waterfalls on the Waterfall Byway.

Cullasaja Falls

This waterfall located just off Highway 64 with a small pullout that fits 3-4 cars. Right in front of the pullout, there’s a short trail that leads to an overlook of the falls. While you can take the trail down to the base, I wouldn’t recommend it—it’s quite steep and requires using ropes, making the descent more of a scramble.

Dry Falls

Just 11 minutes down the road is Dry Falls, an impressive waterfall that you can actually walk behind! There is a $5 parking fee that can be paid online or onsite at the Kiosk. Once you park, it’s just a short stroll down the paved path to the falls. The entire length of the trail is 0.25 miles round trip, making it an easy and enjoyable walk for all. For more info about Dry Falls, checkout this article.

Bridal Veil Falls

Continue on this same road and you’ll come to bridal veil falls, which I will admit was a little underwhelming compared to the other two waterfalls. Like Dry Falls, you can walk behind this waterfall, though it has a much smaller flow. Since it’s right off the road, you can easily admire it as you drive by or make a quick stop to snap a photo before heading on your way.

Where to Eat in Asheville

Asheville has an amazing food scene! Here are a few of my favorite spots I’ve tried while visiting the area.

Soprana Rooftop Cucina:

Located on the rooftop of Embassy Suites, Soprana’s offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas, a variety of Italian appetizers, and a selection of crafted cocktails!

Luella’s Bar-B-Que

A popular barbecue spot in Asheville, Luella’s is known for their smoked meats and house made sauces. The restaurant has a casual, laid back vibe with a large outdoor seating area. While the food was quite tasty, we experienced an extremely long wait. If you plan to visit, try going during off-peak hours for a quicker meal.

Ultra Coffeebar

For a quick and delicious breakfast, stop by Ultra Coffeebar. They offer a variety of specialty coffees made with house made syrups. They also serve a range of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. I recommend trying the Joey and Rad bagel—both were absolutely delicious!

Sunshine Sammies

If you are in the mood for some ice cream, head to Sunshine Sammies. They offer handmade ice cream sandwiches where you can mix and match your choice of cookie and ice cream flavors. They’re incredibly delicious, and I definitely recommend stopping by!

Owl Bakery

If you have the time, you’ve got to stop by one of the two Owl Bakery locations in Asheville. They serve European-inspired pastries made with locally sourced ingredients, ensuring you’re getting only the best! We tried different pastries, and each one was so delicious. It’s definitely a spot I’ll be visiting again next time I’m in Asheville.

Hole Doughnuts

A must-visit in Asheville! Hole’s is famous for its unique, homemade doughnuts. They offer just four flavors, but the selection changes seasonally. Since they’re super popular, especially on weekends, it’s best to arrive early or be prepared for a bit of a wait—it’s totally worth it though!

A Weekend in Asheville

Asheville is a nature lovers paradise, with so many amazing hikes and views within one hour of the city! After spending the day outside, retire to the city to relax and enjoy some tasty food. With its blend of outdoor beauty and vibrant city life, Asheville makes for the perfect weekend getaway.