A long weekend in downtown Asheville gives you enough time to experience the city’s food, art, breweries, music, and mountain scenery without packing too much into each day. Downtown is especially easy to explore on foot, with independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues concentrated within a walkable area.
Staying in one of our Asheville condo vacation rentals downtown also makes it easy to balance time in the city with trips to Asheville’s best-known attractions. Here is one way to plan a memorable Friday-to-Sunday getaway.
Friday
Check In and Walk Around Downtown
After checking into your condo, spend your first afternoon getting familiar with downtown. Walk through Pack Square, explore side streets lined with public art, or follow part of the Asheville Urban Trail.
Downtown is home to more than 20 galleries and museums in the Downtown Asheville Art District, so you can easily add art stops as you explore.
Have Dinner at a Local Asheville Restaurant
Asheville has earned plenty of attention for its food scene, and downtown puts many restaurants within a short walk. Consider dinner at Chestnut for American fare or Posana Downtown near Pack Square. After dinner, take another walk through downtown before returning to your Asheville vacation rental.
Saturday Morning
Head Downtown for Breakfast
Start Saturday with breakfast before a morning of exploring downtown Asheville. Early Girl Eatery is a popular option for Southern-inspired breakfast dishes, while Tupelo Honey offers another take on Southern favorites. For a classic diner experience, consider The Med, or stop by Old Europe Pastries for coffee and something sweet before heading out for the day.
Visit Local Shops and Galleries
The Grove Arcade is a good place to begin, with shops, galleries, and dining under one roof. From there, continue toward Lexington Avenue and the surrounding downtown blocks.
Shopping and gallery hopping are some of the easiest things to do in Asheville, NC, because you can explore at your own pace and make plenty of stops along the way.
Saturday Afternoon
Visit the River Arts District
Spend the afternoon in the River Arts District, just southwest of downtown. The district brings together working studios, galleries, murals, restaurants, and creative spaces in former industrial buildings. Visitors can see ceramics, painting, glass, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, and other art forms.
Stop at a Local Brewery
Asheville’s brewery scene deserves time on your itinerary. After exploring the River Arts District, stop for a local beer there or head back toward downtown and South Slope.
Burial Beer Co. South Slope Taproom, Green Man Brewery, and Wicked Weed Brewing’s Brewpub are options close to the heart of the city.
Saturday Evening
Catch Live Music or a Show
Live music is a major part of Asheville’s nightlife. Check event calendars before your trip to see what is happening at venues such as The Orange Peel or Asheville Music Hall.
Since schedules vary throughout the year, planning ahead can help you work a concert or performance into your Saturday night.
Sunday
Visit the Biltmore Estate
Biltmore is only minutes from downtown Asheville. The estate includes Biltmore House, gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery. Hours vary by day, and Biltmore recommends allowing at least a full day to experience the estate, so travelers with limited time may want to choose the areas they most want to see.
Take a Scenic Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
If mountain scenery is your priority, spend part of Sunday driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is designed for slower travel and provides access to overlooks, trails, and mountain landscapes.
Always check the National Park Service’s current road status before leaving. Construction, weather, and ongoing recovery projects can cause temporary closures or detours.
Why Stay Downtown for a Long Weekend in Asheville?
When you stay at one of our downtown Asheville vacation rentals, you reduce the amount of driving needed during your trip. Restaurants, galleries, breweries, shops, and music venues can all be close to your home base, leaving more time for exploring and less time spent moving the car.
Downtown also works well as a starting point for trips to Biltmore and the Blue Ridge Parkway, giving you a mix of city experiences and mountain scenery in one weekend.
Final Thoughts
Three days in Asheville can cover a surprising amount of ground. Spend Friday discovering downtown, dedicate Saturday to shopping, art, breweries, and music, then save Sunday for Biltmore or a scenic mountain drive.
The key is leaving some flexibility in your schedule. Asheville rewards travelers who have time to browse another gallery, stop for coffee, or stay a little longer when they find a place they enjoy.
Book Your Asheville Vacation Rental with Arras Vacation Rentals
At Arras Vacation Rentals, we put you in the center of downtown Asheville, so many of the experiences on this itinerary begin just outside your door. Our one-bedroom condos are located on the 10th floor of the Arras building and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping city and mountain views.
After a day of exploring, you can return to a comfortable space with a gourmet kitchen and room to unwind above the city. Select rentals are also pet-friendly, making it easier to bring your dog along for your Asheville getaway.
Ready to plan your long weekend? Browse our Arras Vacation Rentals and book your stay in the heart of downtown Asheville.
