48-Hour Asheville Winter Must-Do List
Snow-capped mountains, cool breezes, and replenishing fresh air — there’s nothing quite like Asheville in the wintertime. Whether admiring the intricate way the snow falls across downtown or exploring the beauty of nature presented in icy fractals, there’s something for everyone during this uniquely beautiful time of year. Here’s our 48-hour must-do itinerary for the serenity of wintry Asheville.
Day 1
First, begin day one right by attending to the most important meal of the day at Early Girl Eatery. Farm-to-table breakfast bowls, potato cakes, and french toast are sure to delight any rumbling tummy. After that, plan for a full day at the Grove Arcade Downtown, where you can shop, relax, eat, and enjoy. Grove Arcade hosts a plethora of lifestyle attractions for your commonplace errands, fundamental shopping items, and even indulgent luxuries such as the Wake Foot Sanctuary.
Stroll through Restaurant Row for a scrumptious lunch option. With countless different styles of cuisine, you can experience firsthand Asheville’s notorious blend and meshing of local cultures. From a cafe for fudge and ice cream at Nutz About Fudge, to on-the-go style Mediterranean dishes at Baba Nahm, there’s a choice for all members of the family. The bibliophile or champagne connoisseur in your group will especially enjoy the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, where customers can browse an extensive used book selection while sipping a favorite beverage.
To fully complete a fun day of shopping and dining, visit another one of Asheville’s prime attractions: Biltmore Park Town Square. If lodging at Biltmore Farms Hotels’ Hilton property, this location will be familiar and convenient for the evening’s activities! Shop for select herbs, spices, and teas at Spice and Tea Merchants. If you’re still looking for that perfect souvenir for your time in Asheville, visit one of Biltmore Park’s many stores, such as REI, which offers outdoor classes and tours, O.P. Taylor’s, one of the top ten toy stores in the world, and more.
However you choose to spend the evening, be sure not to end the day on an empty stomach. Biltmore Park offers many tasty dining options that reflect the diversity of Asheville. Savor fresh flavors of the Caribbean at locally owned Nine Mile, or indulge in Southern food with a gourmet twist accompanied by a specialty cocktail at our restaurant, Fork Lore: Storied Food & Spirits.
Day 2
A trip to Asheville isn’t complete without an outdoor adventure. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, begin day two with a beautiful morning excursion! Hiking is one great way to explore Asheville’s wintry wonders, and there are plenty of places to do just that! Some moderate hikes include the popular Looking Glass Falls, Linville Falls, Craggy Pinnacle, or steady Catawba Falls. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, try the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians” at Linville Gorge, Graveyard Fields, Bearwallow Mountain, or the local favorite, Rattlesnake Lodge Trail.
If you’re an eager outdoor enthusiast willing to travel a bit farther, venture forty miles north of Asheville to Hot Springs, NC, for activities from natural soaks at Hot Springs Resort and Spa to hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking. Rest assured, there’s plenty of fun to be had during your visit to Asheville!
If you opted for a quick morning hike and want to experience more of the city, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat. Visit Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville for a delicious selection of comfort food items, from brunch favorites to Southern sandwich specials. After that, we suggest booking a trip with Asheville Rooftop Tours. These special outings offer a guided bird-eye’s view of Asheville, celebrating local history, unique beverages, and much more. The tours even come with special tour-guest-only perks, such as discounted signature cocktails and reduced partnering restaurant prices. All 21-and-older members of your party are welcome to enjoy this experience year-round, rain or shine!
Don’t leave for home without visiting one of the city’s most popular destinations: a brewery or cidery. View a full list here.
We hope that your time in Asheville has been fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding! Thank you for choosing Biltmore Farms Hotels and for undertaking this 48-hour journey with us.
