48 hours in Asheville: Two days of Appalachian art, air, and adventure

By Olivia Hall

Asheville, North Carolina, is a wild-hearted mountain town where culture, cuisine, and connection run as free as the rivers nearby. It isn’t just a tourist stop. This destination is ancient land tucked deep in the Southern stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains and layered in stories. Its origin story starts with the Cherokee people and other indigenous cultures who called this region home long before it became a vacay stay. Today, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians still reside just west of town on the Qualla Boundary, carrying forward their traditions with honor.

Modern-day Asheville strikes a stunning balance of world-class restaurants and art galleries, waterfall trails and rugged ridgelines. Its small but mighty Communities of Color — like Western North Carolina Asian American Pacific Islanders — craft joyful spaces to celebrate heritage and hobbies, offering warmth and welcome in every gathering. So whether you’re here for the live music, the heirloom grits, or the mountain mist that settles over the Blue Ridge at dawn, Asheville delivers. And while we could recommend a month to experience it all, this 48-hour itinerary dishes up the perfect sample platter of what makes Asheville unforgettable and why you’ll be itching to come back.

Friday: Shop the community. Grab world-class eats.

4 p.m. Settle in for a forested stay. Foggy Bottom Cabins — owned and managed by husband-wife duo, Khaled and Megan Khiyar — promise a charming and nature-filled basecamp. The cabins are renovated from historic ones built in the 1950s and include modern lodging amenities like high-speed internet and cable television. Feel right at home with farm-to-table eggs and fresh mountain spring water. This stay also offers instant access to the outdoor South with on-site bouldering and 25 acres to explore. Plus, its midway location between Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest (famous filming site for “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans”) means you’re spoiled for choice of nature adventures. At a 30-minute drive from Asheville-proper, 20 minutes from the airport, and even less time to nearby Hendersonville and Brevard, the cabins strike the perfect balance between nature access and city amenities.

5 p.m. Stroll a historic neighborhood garden. Drive on over to West Asheville to visit Peace Gardens & Market. A bountiful spot and social enterprise that cultivates community, this micro-farm is located in West Asheville’s historically Black Burton Street Community (originally founded in the early 1900s by E.W. Pearson, who was deemed “The Black Major of West Asheville”). Created in 2003 by husband and wife collaborators DeWayne “B Love” Barton and Safi Martin, the gardens were dreamed up as a way to heal the community in the wake of the war on drugs. Stop by to go on a sweet afternoon stroll or purchase freshly harvested produce available at sliding-scale prices. Proceeds go toward supporting their Free CSA program for local Black elders and Hood Huggers Under Instruction, a skills and community engagement program for local youth.

6 p.m. Peruse an off-beat bookshop. Take a short drive or opt for a longer walk through town to Firestorm Books. This radical bookstore has an impressive selection of off-beat, underground and independently published materials. Meaning you’re able to snag books you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else but online. Firestorm also stocks zines and graphic novels, and hosts (often free-to-attend) events including game nights, book clubs, film screenings, and volunteer work parties. So if you want to swing by just to browse, get a recommendation from a staff member, or join an event, this eclectic bookstore never disappoints.

7 p.m. Chow down on some intimate Filipinix flavors. Just around the corner from Firestorm sits Neng Jr.’s. The restaurant has accrued a number of impressive accolades, including finalist spots in the James Beard Awards for the “Best New Restaurant” category in 2023 and “Best Chef Southeast” in 2025. It aims to “overlap with the history and hospitality of the American South with Filipinx vibrance” in food and ambiance alike. The intimate 18-seater offers a rotating menu grounded in Chef Silver Iocovozzi’s perspective as a second-generation immigrant, crafting a crossover of the American South and Manila, Philippines. Remember to place a reservation in advance to ensure your spot at this local gem.

Saturday: Stumble upon the coolest local goods.

8:30 a.m. Get an early farmers market start. The North Asheville Tailgate Market is a busy Saturday morning scene to behold. This market is people-first. Its mission: strengthen Western North Carolina’s local food and crafts movements by connecting producers directly with their community. From golden honey, flaky-baked goods, and farm-fresh veggies to stunning pottery, beautiful live music, and free acupuncture clinics, there’s plenty of options to enjoy while you’re at the market. Whether you’re looking to grab something to snack on throughout the day or to bring back home as a souvenir, you’re sure to find something that perfectly hits the spot.

Note: The local area was hard-hit by the devastation of Hurricane Helen last fall. Thanks to wonderful community support and mutual aid, some of our market faves have been able to make a return. Availability may vary week to week, so don’t just take our word. Double-check to make sure vendors are open for business before you make plans. Some of our must-visit recommendations:

J Chong Eats: Inspired by her grandmother’s home cooking, Chef J Chong’s food is based on traditional Cantonese flavors with her own special flair. You can scoop up some homemade dumplings or her famous chili oil. She’s also got plenty of other mouthwatering sauces sure to add some scrumptious kick to any meal. A fun tidbit: See Chef J Chong on HBO’s The Big Brunch reality cooking competition when you get a chance.

Buggy Pops: This woman-owned gourmet ice pop business was inspired by flavors of the owner’s childhood in Puerto Rico. Your perfect way to refresh on a hot North Carolina day (or even on a rainy overcast one, too). The coconut cinnamon pop is the flavor that launched it all, so of course we highly recommend it. Or there’s plenty of delicious fruit-infused flavors to choose from for those seeking other delectable options.

10 a.m. Chase inspiration at a famed arts district. For more than 30 years, Asheville’s famous River Arts District has been a lauded locale for connecting art lovers with art makers across all mediums. In addition to the district’s galleries, studios, and shops, Saturdays boast the RAD Art Market, where artists displaced by Hurricane Helene set up shop in tents, street festival-style. Some artists also offer demos or host classes, so there’s the possibility of watching master craftspeople in their element or creating a custom craft of your own. From bookbinding to basketry, pastels to pottery to printmaking (and everything in between), you’re sure to find beautiful items that fill your heart with joy and support local artisans to boot.

1 p.m. Savor celebrated Indian cuisine. Awarded “Outstanding Restaurant” in 2022 by James Beard, Chai Pani is Chef Meherwan Irani’s local take on Indian street food. The name literally translates to “tea and water,” and is slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” If your appetite is roaring, opt for Thali — the traditional multicourse meal served all at once on a steel platter (“thali”). If you’re more lightly peckish, grab Chhota Plate — Dhaba (truck-stop) style small plates. Or for those in the mood for cafe-style fare, swing by the Chef’s other restaurant, Botiwalla. Inspired by his “life long love of kababs and Irani Cafes,” this Indian street grill offers rice bowls, hearty salads, flatbread meals, and finger foods. Whatever you choose, you’re in store for some scrumptious cultural cuisine that’s guaranteed to hit the spot.

2:30 p.m. Shop a Black collective in a historic establishment. The Block is a historic Black business district and multicultural hub located one block away from Pack Square — the most centralized public space in Asheville. After being largely destroyed by urban renewal in the mid-20th century, the area has been revived by a community of entrepreneurs and artists. YMI Cultural Center, one of the oldest Black cultural centers in the nation, anchors The Block. Attend one of its occasional Saturday events, or visit Noir Collective AVL that lives in YMI’s retail spaces. The Collective is a Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore featuring items of Black entrepreneurs. Shop their creations, support the Collective, and sustain the community all in one go.

4 p.m. Tour Asheville’s Black heritage. Join Hood Huggers International on one of its Hood Tours. These tours share the past, present, and future of Black people in Asheville. With options for walking or driving tours, you can pick whichever meets your energy level. For a self-guided route, opt for the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. This Trail meanders three different areas of the city, celebrating historical landmarks that explain how “Black people in Asheville negotiated landscapes of unequal power to build resilient communities and foster social change.” Interested in local architecture? We’ve got you covered there, too. The James Vester Miller Historic Walking Trail uplifts nine buildings built by Miller, a Black master brick mason who constructed some of the city’s most notable historic buildings during its Golden Age of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

7 p.m. Dine and unwind with Hispanic street eats. After a packed day, decompress deliciously at Little Chango. Chef Iris Rodriguez centers the menu on Puerto Rican and Cuban street food dishes, and the casual Hispanic kitchen lives up to its tagline “Gregarious by nature – gluttonous by choice.” Take your pick of arepas, tasty sides like plantains or fries, and cap off the meal with a sweet treat of flan. Trust us: You’ll leave feeling full and fulfilled.

9 p.m. Marvel under spectacular starry skies. A former NASA facility, the Pisgah International Research Institute (PARI) is an officially designated International Dark Sky Place. The certification recognizes the incredible quality of the night sky over PARI, its dedication to continue preserving their night sky quality, and the commitment to educating the public about the importance of protected dark skies. PARI is one of only three places in the state with the recognition, so it’s a must-visit site for any astronomical obsessives. We suggest attending one of its periodic public events, but dedicated star seekers can book their own private tour. Otherwise, PARI offers recommendations of many scenic overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway (like Cherry Cove and Log Hollow) for great nighttime vista views. Or seek out a clear spot near Foggy Bottom Cabins and enjoy a backyard-style celestial show.

Sunday: Learn and grow in Cherokee knowledge.

10 a.m. Start strong with from-scratch brunch. Cecilia’s Kitchen promises (and delivers on) food from the heart grounded in Argentinian and French influences. Devour tamales, empanadas, and savory or sweet crêpes (with gluten-free options available), or more standard brunch fare like omelets and eggs benedict. The kitchen places a premium on using local organic meats and veggies to cook up concoctions that are equal parts mouthwatering and fresh. So you know you’re in for a good time no matter what you choose.

11 a.m. A picturesque drive on a nationally recognized parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is an expansive 469-mile route stretching from Virginia to North Carolina. The parkway is full to the brim with panoramic forest vistas, marvelous mountain meanderings, and pastoral Appalachian scenery. View beautiful scenes as you cruise without stopping. Or stretch your legs and take it in at scenic overlooks. For those looking to really get things moving, take a short detour to hike nearby trailheads. Make sure to double-check road closures before you head out to ensure a smooth and safe trip.

12 p.m. Immerse into Cherokee past and present. Established in 1948, the Museum of the Cherokee People is the tribal gallery of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and one of the longest-operating tribal museums in the country. They aren’t just a culture of the past. The EBCI is a self-governed, autonomous nation with more than 16,000 enrolled members living around the world today. Explore exhibits, collections, and programs that educate on the culture and stories — both past and present — of this resilient community. Pop next door to visit the Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Co-Op. Established in 1946 by Cherokee leaders and craftspeople to simultaneously “strengthen tribal values and provide livelihoods while offering unique beauty to the wider world,” this craft collective is the nation’s oldest and foremost Native American cooperative. Masterfully crafted pottery, jewelry, carvings and more adorn its interior. With every single item being handcrafted and one of a kind, keepsake souvenirs will help you to always remember your time there.

3 p.m. Grab a bite at a family-run fave. Cherokee-founded and run Granny’s Kitchen opened in 1984 and still serves up home-cooked Southern food today. Their buffet-style service means you can serve yourself up as little (or as much) as you’d like. You have the choice of dropping by for a quick bite or sitting and simmering longer. Either way, you’re sure to walk away satisfied. 

4 p.m. Cap off your trip with an outdoors choose-your-own adventure. If you’ve still got interest and energy (not judging if you don’t), Cherokee has plenty of outdoor options for adventurers of all stripes. Energized explorers can opt for mountain biking the 11-mile network of Fire Mountain Trails. Want to go for a ride but with less energy? Explore the area by horseback or tubing on the Oconaluftee or Tuckasegee rivers. On-foot adventurers can hike to waterfalls or bust out the binoculars for birding the 240 different local species. Whatever you choose to cap off your Western North Carolina jaunt, you simply can’t go wrong.