Curator’s statement
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is home to an art and culture found nowhere else in North Carolina. This city is full of personality and heart and has been a safe haven for people from all walks of life for decades. Come as you are, stay as long as you want and feel right at home!
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Insider knowledge
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Where to stay
The Kimpton Hotel Arras
Where Asheville's vibrant culture meets luxury and comfort in the heart of downtown.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
The Omni Grove Park Inn offers the tradition of southern hospitality amidst the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Fora Perks
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The Foundry Hotel Asheville
Polished hotel with modern rooms located just a short drive from Biltmore Estate.
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Day 1: Arrival, shopping and relaxing
You and your girls are likely to arrive in Asheville mid-afternoon, the perfect time to check into your hotel downtown and get a feel for your home for the next few days. Perfectly walkable, downtown Asheville is home to many shops and restaurants. Grab an afternoon pick-me-up from Trade and Lore coffee, and you’re ready to start exploring!
Shop downtown! Trade and Lore is right in the heart of downtown’s shopping, so you’ll have plenty of options to peruse with your java in hand. Go on a blind date with a book at Malaprop’s Bookstore, or support the independent artisans at Madam Clutterbucket’s Neurodiverse Universe.
After an afternoon of shopping, rest your feet outside at Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in the Grove Arcade. You can’t beat a champagne cocktail in the sunshine with your girlfriends, and this puts you close to my dinner recommendation of Asheville Proper. Asheville Proper is known for its live-fire cooking, and has small plates that are to die for. Make sure you make a reservation well in advance!
Day 2: Spa day!
After breakfast at your hotel, hop in the car and head out of downtown to spend the morning exploring West Asheville. Brunch at Biscuit Head is a MUST and from there you can walk to the shops and murals that West Asheville has to offer. True to Asheville’s roots, this neighborhood welcomes all people of all backgrounds with open arms and seeks to make you feel at home.
In the afternoon, you’ll head into the mountains to enjoy some relaxation at Shoji Spa & Retreat. Reserve a soaking tub and schedule a massage ahead of time, and let the peaceful mountain views help you and your girls unwind. With tea service to your soaking tub and exceptional staff, Shoji is worth every penny!
After your afternoon of relaxation, walk from your downtown hotel to some pre-dinner drinks with a gorgeous sunset view at The Observatory on top of the Restoration Hotel. With hanging greenery and market lights, this cocktail bar gets the ambience right, and you and your friends will see where the Blue Ridge Mountains got their name. For dinner, grab something light at one of the many local breweries on the South Slope of downtown, like Wicked Weed Brewpub for a sandwich or pretzel. Asheville has no shortage of local beer to enjoy!
Day 3: A hike before departure
Take a hike! Before you head home, you’ll want to explore more of what the Blue Ridge mountains have to offer. There are many options for hikes within an hour of Asheville, ranging different abilities and difficulties. If you’re looking for something easier with pretty views, check out Hard Times Loop Trail. For more of a challenge, try Lookout Trail Hike in Montreat.
Need to know
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Travel Advisor
Kaitlyn Heads
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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Asheville. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Inside the City Walls: Things To Do in York, UK.