Autumn in Asheville, NC–Three perfect days of food, art, fall color and fun.

Day 1

Morning Walks and Downtown Delights

Our adventure starts at the Grove Arcade, an early 20th-century marvel that houses a fascinating collection of shops and eateries. I always make a beeline for the Battery Park Book Exchange, where browsing through books with a coffee in hand feels just right. It’s a cozy place that feels more like a cozy library on an old estate—dark wood bookcases piled high with books, and sofas and seating areas scattered around to curl up in—than a typical bookstore.  Standard white walls and pressboard bookshelves are replaced with rich red walls, granite counters, and ambient lighting and did I mention the “you-may-never-want-to-leave” armchairs? Come later in the day and you can treat yourself to some champagne and light bites as you flip through the books.  There are over 10,000 books here available to purchase over 2 floors. 

For lunch, head to Farm Burger, where they take their locally sourced ingredients seriously. A juicy burger here feels just right—simple, delicious, and honest. They partner with local farms that are carefully vetted to ensure quality and fair labor practices, get ingredients delivered fresh, and they cook everything from scratch.

Spend the afternoon wandering the downtown area, dipping into galleries and boutiques. The Asheville Art Museum is a must for its engaging American art exhibits. I particularly love the thrill of the hunt in antique and thrift shops.  With cavernous buildings like the Antique Tobacco Barn, antiquing has never been easier nor more fun.

Dinner is at Cúrate. Cúrate means ‘cure yourself’ in Spanish, reflecting the belief held by chef Katie Button and her family that there are curative effects in sharing good food and wine with family and friends. This is a lively spot where the tapas—like the perfectly spicy patatas bravas—invite you to share and enjoy. For those who have visited Spain, the Cúrate menu will bring back memories of the country’s best jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture. In recognition of the restaurant’s all-Spanish wine list, Cúrate was listed as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  I’d recommend a reservation!.

Day 2

Biltmore Beauty and Antique Treasure Hunting

Today is for the Biltmore Estate. Walking through America’s largest home, you really feel the scale of the Vanderbilt ambition and the beauty of the details—both in the craftsmanship of the rooms and the seasonal drama of the gardens. Just as it seems things are dying off in the fall, the gardens here come to life with colorful flowers and trees planted in English Garden style. The Estate landscapers go all out with their autumn display, featuring hundreds of intricately carved pumpkins, beautiful chrysanthemums, and harvest-themed decorations. It’s a spectacular sight.

Before leaving the estate, plan a visit to the winery for a complimentary wine tasting, and take home some of their award-winning vintages. If you get to the Biltmore before January 2025, you’ll have the opportunity to see a special exhibit of master glass blower Chihuly’s artwork.  His works are placed around the grounds and within the intimate gallery setting of Amherst at Deerpark, about 3 miles from the Biltmore house.

In the afternoon, let’s go hunt for treasures at Lexington Park Antiques. This place is perfect for finding something unique to take home, like a piece of vintage jewelry or a handcrafted ceramic.

For dinner, Table is a cozy spot downtown where the menu changes with the seasons. Their local trout is always a good choice, fresh and cooked to perfection.  It’s a simple space with inspired recipes made from seasonal fresh ingredients by a husband-and-wife team.  Oh, and the bread…I could go on and on about their bread!

Day 3

Let’s go for a drive!

Start early with a drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views are simply breathtaking, and a morning hike is refreshing with the crisp air and the rustle of leaves underfoot.

Grab lunch at the White Duck Taco Shop. It’s casual and fun, with tacos that pack a punch, and are just a little…different.  Case in point: the lamb gyro taco, general Tso’s taco, or chicken tikka masala taco.  Don’t knock them til you’ve tried them! We’re talking seriously good here.  Looking for something a little more familiar?  They’ve got you covered with a bunch to choose from on that front too.  And the mole-roasted duck taco, with a touch of apple-cranberry salsa?  A winner.  

The afternoon is for strolling through the River Arts District (RAD), meeting artists, and watching them work. It’s a real insight into the creative heart of Asheville. For a PDF of the studio guide, click here.

Start with a bit of caffeine for the hours you’ll likely get lost in the River Arts District galleries and shops, with a stop at Grind. It’s also a co-working space, just in case you need to do a quick Zoom call (we’ve all been there!).  But please, pop in your earbuds so you don’t disturb the vibe of the folks who are just chilling with a pastry and enjoying the cool artwork on the walls.

As a lover of all things creative, Asheville’s River Arts District speaks to me. For over two decades now these once-empty warehouses, factories, mills, and tanneries have been revitalized into this colorful and creative haven for local and resident artists, and now visitors, who want to experience what can happen when a community puts art, people, and unique stories first. There are over 22 colorful buildings housing the works of over 200 artists working in every type of media imaginable.  The murals on the buildings are great fun on their own, but the treasures inside are definitely worth exploring.  What better souvenir can you bring home than a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece of art? There is something for every budget and taste. 

Among the galleries, you’ll also find some unique eateries. 

If you’re thirsty, you’ll find the Wedge Studio Brewing Company in an industrial railroad yard—now a brewery and beer garden—where you’ll be surrounded by supercool metalwork art while sipping your refreshing brew. 

Wrap up your RAD visit with dinner at 12 Bones Smokehouse. From the outside, you wouldn’t expect much, as it looks like an old, abandoned brick building covered in graffiti.  As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover! Inside, you’ll find equally graffiti-covered walls, which you’ll be encouraged to add to as the scent of the BBQ makes you delirious.  Everything here is made from scratch, with meats that are smoked and slow-cooked to perfection.  The pulled pork is fantastic.

If you happen to be in the RAD area on the second Saturday of the month, they offer a free hop-on/hop-off trolley through the mile-long district, and there are usually other festivities going on, like workshops, wine tasting, music performances, and more.