While I absolutely adore highlighting small towns in North Carolina, there are a few of the larger cities that I just cannot help but swoon over. And one of those cities is Asheville. I mean, my goodness! It has it all! Art, hiking, shopping, dining, bars, and history. Asheville is approximately 4 hours from Raleigh along the Blue Ridge Mountains and is surrounded by some incredible spots, including the highest peak east of the Mississippi. That said, Asheville offers plenty of things to do and see all year round, so it is one of those cities where you can pick the perfect time to visit based on your interests. Today, I am sharing a guide on when to visit Asheville for the best experience! Spoiler: there is no bad time to visit Asheville, NC.
The Best Time To Go To Asheville North Carolina
Best Time to Visit Asheville in Spring
The first time that David and I visited Asheville together, we went over spring break and stayed at Engadine Inn. The weather was so warm during the day and chilly in the evenings, so we got to enjoy the fireplace in the cabin we were staying in. We took a stroll around the North Carolina Arboretum and it was a stunning time to visit.
I always wanted to go back in the spring to visit the Biltmore Estate Gardens, and I finally got to check that off of my experience list this year! I thoroughly enjoy Asheville in the spring because the days are gorgeous and there are so many outdoor spaces to enjoy the season, though the evenings are chilly and perfect for curling up with a glass of red wine and a book.
Best Time to Visit Asheville in Summer
While most people head to the NC coast in the summer months, Asheville offers a wonderful respite from the heat and humidity thanks to its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville’s location on the Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers means there are places to cool off, whether you opt to do a stand-up paddleboard or float in a tube. There are other outdoor activities to participate in as well, like taking advantage of the many hiking trails in the area. We lucked up to see beautiful rain showers roll in over the surrounding mountains while sitting on the porch at Grove Park Inn and it was quite lovely and cooled off the town for a couple of days.
Best Time to Visit Asheville in Fall
One of the best ways to experience the fall foilage is to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and do some hiking. I even find walking downtown offers some beautiful colors in addition to doing some shopping. This time of year is a popular time to visit any of the North Carolina mountain towns, but especially Asheville because of all the things that the city has to offer. If you are looking for peak leaf season, you would want to look in October. Early November gets too late to see the colors in their full glory. The pictures I added here are from a late September trip, so you can see the leaves had not started turning yet!
Best Time to Visit Asheville in Winter
The winter months are such a magical time to visit Asheville and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season! A few years ago, David and I spent Christmas in Asheville, NC, and spent some time at Biltmore Estate seeing the house in its holiday splendor.Here is a visiting guide for the Biltmore Estate during the holidays. I have rounded up things to do in Asheville, NC in the winter here. While neither David nor I are big skiers, there are some ski resorts nearby if you are interested in that.
Depending on what your personal preferences are for travel, Asheville is a great place to visit no matter the time of year. The temperate climate at a higher elevation makes the weather in Asheville ideal! The times to visit Asheville do not disappoint and I hope you make a trip to visit soon!
