5 Things to Know About Asheville Before You Visit

Asheville, North Carolina is a very popular tourist destination, offering craft breweries, outdoor adventures in the nearby mountains, live music, a unique vibe, and a thriving art scene. We highly recommend a visit.

But while we conducted considerable research before our trips, we learned a few tips once we arrived that we’d like to share. Here are five things to know about Asheville before you visit.

1.      Give Yourself a Little Extra Local Travel Time

Getting around can be a bit hit and miss. Because Asheville has become such a popular place, there aren’t always enough rideshare or taxi drivers to handle the crowds. The first time we visited, the situation was so bad that there were warning signs at the airport, where we tried to get a ride with no luck. We ended up sharing a ride in a limo whose driver happened to be at the airport and had the time to quickly run us into town (and certainly didn’t mind making some extra cash). Getting from the Biltmore Estate also took a while, even though it’s only a few minutes outside of town.

While the shortage seems to have eased, even on our most recent visit my rideshare app twice warned me about the low availability of drivers.  

Driving itself wasn’t a problem downtown, but some roads in the area are still closed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Be prepared for reconstruction and detours.

2.      Call the Biltmore; Don’t Rely on the Website

The Biltmore Estate, a historic museum, is definitely worth visiting. We spent an entire day there and still didn’t see it all.

But when you’re planning your visit, you may get better results if you call. For instance, when I tried to order tickets online (you need to purchase them in advance), the earliest I could get for a tour of the house was 4:15pm, which was pretty close to closing time. So I called, and had no problem obtaining tickets for 11:15am.

Likewise, we tried to make an online reservation at the Biltmore’s Stable Café for lunch, but the website said no tables were available from 11:30am to 4:00pm. Hoping the restaurant could squeeze us in, I again called and learned that the restaurant simply didn’t take reservations anymore; the website was out of date. I was assured we’d have no problem getting a table, which turned out to be true. Had I relied only on the website we probably wouldn't even have tried to go to the restaurant.  

Even now I wouldn’t rely on the website. The Biltmore properties, including Biltmore Village, were decimated by Hurricane Helene.  A few attractions and businesses are still closed. They are reopening as soon as they can but the property is in a state of flux. The Stable Café’s website, which now looks like it takes reservations again, warns that its hours are subject to change. Call ahead to get the most up-to-date information.

The Biltmore’s telephone number is 800 411 3812.

3.      Pay Attention to the Architecture

When we first arrived, I was so busy looking at the people that I didn’t focus on the buildings. That was a mistake. Asheville’s architecture is an interesting mix of styles and has an unusual history. I wish I had known more before the visit.  Luckily, we received a good education on the city’s history, including its architecture, from our guide Trebbe on an Asheville by Foot Walking Tour.  

4.      Make Restaurant Reservations Before You Go

The food scene in Asheville is incredibly diverse. No wonder the city calls itself “Foodtopia.” But since the city is so popular, reservations at some of the more renowned places are hard to come by. A few of the excellent restaurants we recommend include The Black Bird for Carolina fare, Limones for eclectic Mexican/California cuisine, James Beard Foundation winner Cúrate for tapas, and Chestnut for the classics. 

Chicken and Waffles at Chestnut

5.      Check Out the Drum Circle

Try to schedule your visit on one of the Friday nights when the drum circle at Pritchard Park will be held. Drum circles aren’t unique to Asheville, but this city’s event was truly memorable. It’s mesmerizing in its own way.  We watched for a while on the way to dinner, and when we passed by on the way back it was still going strong. We've heard conflicting stories about how often it’s now held, especially in the cooler months, so check on the timing before you visit. 

We hope this information on five things to know about Asheville before you visit helps you plan your trip there.  If you have any tips to add, please let us know!  We’re at info@winewithourfamily.com. 

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