Asheville
The undisputed ‘capital’ of the North Carolina mountains, Asheville is both a major tourist destination and one of the coolest small cities in the South. Cradled in a sweeping curve of the Blue Ridge Pkwy, it offers easy access to outdoor adventures of all kinds, while downtown's historic art-deco buildings hold stylish New Southern restaurants, decadent chocolate shops, and the homegrown microbreweries that explain the nickname 'Beer City.'
Shutterstock / Margaret.Wiktor
- Amy C. Balfour|Jul 17, 202417 of the best things to do in and around Asheville, North Carolina
- Laken Brooks|May 26, 2022The best times to visit Asheville: a year-round guide to what's happening in "Beer City"
- Amy C. Balfour|May 11, 2022The best Asheville mountain lakes to cool down in this summer
- Amy C. Balfour|May 7, 2022Asheville's best parks and gardens to enjoy this summer
Dreaming of Asheville? Protect your trip
Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.
We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys
Time to book that trip to The USA
Lonely Planet Journeys takes you there with fully customizable trips to top destinations – all crafted by our local experts.
Top places to visit in Asheville
Discover the best attractions in Asheville from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
Travel Guides
Asheville travel tips from Lonely Planet experts
Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.
Transportation
With a population just under 100,000, Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina. The city is tucked within the Blue Ridge Mountains and flanked by Pisgah National Forest, however, so its regional footprint is compact.
Read full article
Free Things to Do
The collegial spirit of Asheville is maintained in part by the many free activities offered across town, from public art and live concerts to trail-filled parks and brewery tours.
Read full article
Best Neighborhoods
Asheville is the epicenter of urban fun in Western North Carolina. Here are the five neighborhoods you can't miss.
Read full article
Day Trips
Wondering where to spend a day exploring from your home base Asheville? These are our 18 favorites.
Read full article
in partnership with getyourguide

