Asheville, North Carolina

City Guide

Mountain character, creative energy, and a downtown made for exploring.

Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville blends natural beauty with an independent, creative spirit. Downtown is filled with locally owned restaurants, breweries, galleries, music venues, and historic architecture, all within an easy-to-explore footprint.

Beyond the city, scenic drives, hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain views are never far away. Whether you’re planning a weekend built around food and live music, working remotely for a few days, or using Asheville as a base for exploring western North Carolina, the city offers a mix of energy and escape that feels distinctly its own.

From morning coffee and gallery stops to sunset views and late-night music, Asheville makes it easy to shape the trip around how you want to spend your time.

Stay in Asheville

The Highmark Asheville

Our Asheville condo sits right in the heart of downtown, steps from Pack Square, and it was designed with one guest in mind: someone who wants walkable, mountain-view, no-compromise access to everything Asheville does best — live music, breweries, art, Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway a short drive away. Free covered, garage parking, a fast home workspace, and the full set of Highmark Stations make this a property built equally for a weekend getaway or a working month.

Work from Asheville

Gigabit-class WiFi, tested at 428 Mbps — fast enough for video calls, large file transfers, and streaming without a hiccup. The Workaround station pairs it with a full-size desk and ergonomic chair, so remote workdays don't have to happen from a coffee shop or the edge of the bed.

Local co-working spaces, if you want a change of scenery:

Hatch Coworking Asheville

45 S French Broad Ave Ste 170 (about 0.15 miles)
(828) 278-9898
Day passes and hot desks, on-site parking

Focal Point Coworking

125 S Lexington Ave Ste 101 (about 0.25 miles)
(828) 407-0357
Quiet, professional, strong for calls and focused work

THRIVE Coworking

1 Page Ave (about 0.2 miles)
(828) 383-0526
Bright, quiet, pet-friendly, inside a downtown mall building.

Mojo Coworking

81 Broadway St Ste 201 (about 0.45 miles)
(828) 398-1840
Mountain views, free coffee/tea, day and monthly passes

Local Favorites

From breakfast spots and local music to mountain escapes, here are a few places we think are worth adding to your list. Guests receive our complete local guide with even more recommendations for their stay.

1. Biltmore Estate

Landmark

The Vanderbilt family's château, the largest privately owned home in America, with gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and an on-site winery. Plan at least half a day. Christmas at Biltmore runs November 6, 2026 – January 10, 2027.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway & Craggy Gardens

Outdoors

The section of the Parkway from Asheville to Craggy Gardens reopened in September 2025 after Hurricane Helene. Craggy Gardens has short trails, rhododendron tunnels and wide-open mountain views. It's an easy half-day drive from downtown.

3. River Arts District

Arts

Former warehouses and mills along the French Broad River, filled with working artists' studios and galleries where you can watch artists at work. Helene's flooding hit the district hard. Many studios have reopened, but recovery is still under way.

4. South Slope Brewery Walk

Food & Drink

Asheville's brewery district sits just south of downtown and is easy to walk. Highlights include Wicked Weed's Funkatorium, devoted to sour and wild ales, and Burial Beer Co.

5. Cúrate

Restaurant

Spanish tapas from Chef Katie Button in a lively downtown room. Classic small plates and Spanish wines make it a natural pick for a couples' night out. Reservations recommended.

6. Chai Pani

Restaurant

James Beard Award-winning Indian street food: chaat, thalis and snacks in a casual, colorful downtown setting. A local favorite and a great value.

7. French Broad Chocolate

Dessert

A downtown chocolate café known for truffles, cakes and sipping chocolate. The ideal after-dinner stop, and a good fit with the welcome-gift theme.

8. The Orange Peel

Live Music

Asheville's best-known music venue, hosting national touring acts in an intimate room downtown. It suits your vinyl curation, so guests can hear live what they've been playing on the turntable.

9. Grove Arcade

Shopping

A grand 1929 building in the heart of downtown, home to locally owned shops, cafés and restaurants. A good rainy-day wander.

10. Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

Shopping

A beloved independent bookstore and café downtown, with author events and staff picks. A perfect slow-morning stop for couples and remote workers.

11. The North Carolina Arboretum

Outdoors

Gardens, a bonsai collection and miles of walking and biking trails at the edge of Pisgah National Forest, a short drive from downtown. Seasonal evening events include live music.

12. Biscuit Head

Breakfast

Big Southern biscuits with gravy and a jam bar. A crowd-pleasing breakfast stop. Expect a line on weekends.

Our View on Asheville

Asheville in the News

News articles coming soon!

Secret Link