Top Staycation Ideas in Asheville and Western NC

Staycations afford you the chance to be a tourist in your own town discovering things you may not have experienced in a while or not at all. Long coined as the “Gateway to the Blue Ridge,” Asheville offers a centrally located starting point for daycations or staycations in the mountains. In under an hour in any direction, you’ll find plenty of cool mountain towns, winding scenic drives, outdoor adventures, unique things to do, excellent local restaurants, and plenty of views along the way! Here are some staycation ideas in Asheville and Western NC for those itching to get out of the house and see your surroundings in a new light. (Feature photo: Whiteside Mountain near Cashiers, courtesy of Jackson County.)

Top Staycations Ideas in and Around Asheville
 

Urban Daycation in Asheville
Start your day with a fresh brew from any one of Asheville’s independent Coffee Shops to set the pace for a day exploring the city. Or let brunch be your first stop and choose from our Top Places for Brunch or Breakfast. Enjoy a self-guided tour on Asheville’s Urban Trail to experience the city’s highlights and get a sampling of stops you may want to make later in the day. Also, find many great Guided Tours & Experiences for downtown Asheville. A must stop is the Asheville Art Museum with so much to see and experience, including their rooftop cafe with views of the city! Find plenty of independent shops to browse and enjoy a sweet treat at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Pack Square. In the warmer months, you’ll find the drum circle on Friday evenings at Pritchard Park, a free rhythmic concert to watch or engage in. Close the day with a cocktail and small plates at one of our many Rooftop Bars overlooking the city with surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Hemingway's Cuba Rooftop Bar

A Day on the Lake
In the summer months in the mountains, a day on the lake is a great place for a cool dip and some fun. You can rent a pontoon boat, paddleboards, kayaks, wakeboarding, wake surfing, tubing, and guided fishing trips. The sandy beach at Lake Lure is a great spot for a hot summer day with a waterslide, snack bar, and real beachy vibe. They have changing areas and restrooms so you can transition to evening for a stroll through the Flowering Bridge or a lake cruise with wine. Speaking of wine, explore nearby Tryon Foothills Wine Country with 5 wineries in the area. See our Lake Lure guide for more info or check out other Great Lakes in Western NC. 

Smoky Mountain Getaway
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Asheville is the most visited national park in the US with over 520,000 acres to explore! Since the park is so large with so many places to explore, we’ve narrowed it down for a fun staycation in the Smokies. Our top picks include Clingman’s Dome (open April-November), Elk in Cataloochee Valley, Zip Line Tours, and nearby small town Bryson City with cool shops, restaurants, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad! See our Smoky Mountain Vacations guide for cabins, outdoor top picks, attractions, and more. 

Nantahala Outdoor Center
Stay and play at the NOC! Located in the Nantahala National Forest, this outdoor playground for all ages offers whitewater rafting, breathtaking canopy zips, and treetop adventure nets. Stay in one of their deluxe cabins, motel, bunkhouse, or platform tents. After a day of adventures, wind down and dine riverside at one of their two onsite restaurants. Read more on Nantahala Outdoor Center. 

Blue Ridge Parkway Staycation: Asheville to Grandfather Mountain
From Asheville (mileposts 382.6), head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway toward the high country of Grandfather Mountain (milepost 305) with unique stops along the way! See our Blue Ridge Parkway Mile-by-Mile Guide (Mileposts 382-305) for your itinerary. Must stops include Little Switzerland, Orchard at Altapass, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, and top small town Banner Elk.


Views from Little Switzerland Inn & Restaurant (Photo: Little Switzerland Inn)

Weekend Getaway in Jackson County
Home to the final stretch and highest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Jackson County is a scenic treasure! Jackson County small towns offer lots to explore like breweries, shops, local art, restaurants, and plenty of outdoor things to do. Visit the Farmer’s Market in Cashiers for local produce, jams, jellies, baked goods, and mouth-watering BBQ. (For a fun photo spot, see the Smallest Post Office in the USA nearby). Sylva is home to the most photographed courthouse in NC with charming Main Street, local shops, restaurants, breweries, and more. Dillsboro, a tourist stop since the 1800s, is a tiny artsy village with a mix of specialty shops and galleries showcasing local artists. In addition to small-town visits, explore the unspoiled Nantahala National Forest with hiking, fishing, rafting, and waterfall hunting in the North Carolina mountains. Our outdoor tops picks include Dry Falls and Silver Run Falls (for family swimming). For more, see our Top 30 Things to Do in Jackson County.  

Family Staycation at Biltmore
Though the 250-room Biltmore House is the highlight, there is so much to do and see on the 8,000-acre Biltmore estate including 75 acres of beautiful gardens, the nation's most-visited winery, shopping, dining, four-star accommodations, hiking trails, and more. If you're local and have seen the house, stay a weekday a The Village Hotel for special rates and enjoy access to the estate gardens, grounds, Antler Hill Village with restaurants, shops, outdoor activities, Farmyard, and Pisgah Playground. If you want two full days to explore Biltmore without the stay, purchase an admission ticket for the house, and on the day of your Biltmore visit, reserve a next-day outdoor activity or tour and save $25 without an additional admission price for the next day. Biltmore offers half-day bike rentals (including tandem bikes for little ones), guided rafting trips, kayak rentals, carriage rides, and more. See our guide for Biltmore Outdoors.