10 Things to do in Downtown Asheville

If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Asheville but have no idea what you’ll be doing when you get there, I have just the list for you. I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina, but I visit Asheville quite often, several times a year. I recently just returned from a day trip, and put together a list of 10 things to do when you visit Asheville.

How much time do you need in Asheville?

If you’ve never been to Asheville and would like to do all sorts of activities. From hiking to trying different restaurants and museums, you might need a couple of days. If you’re passing by, exploring the City is still possible. I always take day trips, and I manage to squeeze in a lot in just 6 hours. You can do it, too.

Restaurants in Downtown Asheville

There are a handful of restaurants in Asheville that would make you want to go back a second and third time.

Breakfast

Biscuit Head – There are a few locations all over Asheville; the closest one to Downtown is the location on Biltmore Avenue, only a 4-minute drive away. If you’re visiting Asheville for the first time, Biscuit Head should be your first introduction to this incredible city. Their breakfast is out of this world; the biscuits are soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and packed with flavor. They have biscuit French toast and biscuit donuts that you can’t miss! 

Bomba Cafe – This restaurant feels like it’s meant to be in Paris somewhere. It’s a quint spot with both indoor and outdoor seating. I highly recommend visiting during the summer and sitting outside; it’s beautiful. The food and drinks are delicious. 

Lunch

Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas – Affordable and Flavorful, Red Ginger has been voted the best Chinese Restaurant in Asheville for 8 years. It’s authentic, and the items are freshly prepared ingredients. It’s quite hidden, not a restaurant you would easily spot, but it makes it to the list because their food is good, authentic, filling, and affordable. 

The S&W Market Food Hall—This beautiful historic building in downtown Asheville has a food hall that serves different vendors and food options. It’s not the biggest food hall, but it offers quality. If you want great fried chicken sandwiches, hot dogs with inventive toppings, Peruvian empanadas, street Thai food, and handmade ice cream, then The S&W Market Food Hall is the place for you. 

Dinner

Ukaih Japanese Steakhouse—This Japanese Steakhouse could be a go-to for a special occasion. The food is not cheap, but it feels like a 5-star Michelin restaurant. If you love tasting menus that are a little bit unconventional, this is the spot for you. Overall, this is a great restaurant that offers unique items and flavors compared to many others.

Strada Italiano – Strada Italiano is a unique spot with some really tasty menu items, and it’s perfectly located right in downtown Asheville. If you love Italian food, this is not a restaurant you want to skip. Make sure to make a reservation as it gets packed regularly.

Fun Activities to do in Downtown Asheville

There’s always something fun to do in the beautiful city of Asheville. From finding magical book stores, spotting talented artists walking by the street, going on a bus tour, or finding the most scenic spot to go hiking. This is a city that offers a lot!

Battery Park Bookstore – I used to walk past this beautiful building before finally deciding to stop by. The Bookstore isn’t just a beautiful Historic building. It’s like a magical bookstore that has everything you need. From wine, charcutery boards, live music, and books. They have comfortable seating nestled between bookshelves, and enough sweet and savory plates to keep you full throughout your visit. If you’re looking for the perfect “Instagram worthy” picture, take one right in front of the building. It always looks good. 

Asheville bus tour—I highly recommend a bus tour if you want to see as much of Asheville as you can in a short time. You can learn about the History of the beautiful City while seeing some of the most beautiful places Asheville offers. Look into Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville for a great experience. 

Visit the museum—Asheville has several museums, including the Museum of Science, the Asheville Art Museum, the Asheville Pinball Museum, and many more. Visiting these Museums will help you learn more about the city and its History. 

Visit the Biltmore – If you love History, the Biltmore Estate is the place to visit. The Biltmore is the biggest house in America, owned by the Vanderbilt family. Construction started in 1889 and took 6 years to build. The estate is currently 8000 acres, but was around 125,000 acres during Vanderbilt’s lifetime. Take a tour and discover more about the beautiful history behind the Biltmore.

There’s so much to do in Downtown Asheville. Visit all the local stores if you can, get souvenirs, and take something home with you. Stop by Sweets and Seats, especially during the summer, for refreshing drinks. Asheville is a beautiful city, enjoy your trip!