Win a Breathtaking Bryson City Giveaway
Asheville is a dream destination for girlfriends getaways. The city's walkable downtown, incredible variety of experiences, and welcoming culture make it perfect for groups looking to reconnect and explore together. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a long weekend adventure, Asheville offers everything from outdoor thrills to spa pampering, arts and crafts to food and drink. Here's your guide to the best girlfriend-friendly experiences in Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Outdoors: Get outside in the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround Asheville. The region offers endless options for groups who want fresh air and adventure together. Hike to waterfalls, take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, go whitewater rafting, climb, or soar through the trees on zip lines. These shared experiences create the kind of stories you'll be laughing about for years. See our 75+ Outdoor Attractions and Experiences in Asheville & Western NC guide for the full range of options.
Art: Asheville is one of the top destinations for artists and makers in the country, and Western North Carolina has been a haven for arts and crafts since the late 19th century. Start in the River Arts District, where you can watch artists at work in their studios and find world-class art to take home. Take a class together at 310 Art, where you'll create something while sharing plenty of laughs. Browse our top Art Galleries and check out Art Events & Festivals happening during your visit.
Theater: Whether you spell it theater or theatre, Asheville has it. The theatrical scene offers something for every group's taste, from small professional productions to Broadway musicals. Downtown's NC Stage presents critically-acclaimed plays in a blackbox setting where you'll feel the energy of live performance up close. The Wortham Center hosts touring artists and local companies in a 500-seat theatre with exceptional acoustics. See our Performing Arts Guide for the full lineup of venues and shows.
Biltmore: Spend the day at Biltmore, taking your time to explore the lavish rooms, stroll the beautiful gardens, and sample wines at the winery. You can also hike, canoe, rent bikes, shop, and learn about history in Antler Village. Groups love the flexibility to split up and explore at their own pace, then reconnect over lunch at one of the estate's restaurants. The gardens and grounds offer endless photo opportunities for your group. Plan your visit with our Biltmore Guide.
Shop: You could easily spend a day exploring downtown Asheville's boutiques, galleries, and local stores—the kind of browsing that's infinitely better with friends to offer opinions and spot treasures. Throughout Western NC's small towns, you'll find hundreds of boutiques featuring local artisans and unique finds. If you have traditional tastes, head to Asheville Outlets for deals at 70+ national brand stores. For more shopping destinations, explore our 40 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Near Asheville and our Shopping Guide.
Spa: Ready for ultimate relaxation with your friends? Book treatments together at a destination spa or visit a day spa where you can enjoy side-by-side massages and catch up between services. Experience a healing session in the Salt Cave or explore other wellness options in our Holistic, Alternative Health & Wellness guide. Many spas offer group packages that make booking simple. See our Spa Directory for options throughout the area.
Gardens: The North Carolina Arboretum is a must for plant lovers and offers workshops that your group can attend together. The gardens provide peaceful walking paths perfect for conversations that go deeper than everyday life allows. Pay only a parking fee, unless you are attending a ticketed event. Seasonal offerings include traveling art installations (check out the Dambo Trolls in 2025-2026) and Winter Lights (November-early January). Another beautiful spot is the Botanical Gardens of Asheville. It offers a half-mile trail through native plants and alongside Reed Creek, and has picnic areas. Entry is free.
Guided Tours & Trips: Take a guided group adventure in town or out in the mountains where someone else handles the details. For guaranteed laughs, ride the LaZoom Bus—it's a comedy-tour-meets-city-exploration tour. Perfect for groups who don't take themselves too seriously. Ghost walks, food tours, and outdoor adventures all work beautifully for friends traveling together. See our Top Tours & Experiences guide for the full range.
B&Bs: Book several rooms at one of Asheville's many Bed and Breakfast inns, where common areas like front porches and cozy living rooms become your private gathering spots. Share coffee in the morning, wine in the evening, and late-night conversations that remind you why you're friends. Then wake up to a home-cooked breakfast before heading out to explore. These intimate settings foster the kind of quality time that hotels can't match. Get several rooms at one of the many Bed and Breakfast inns in Asheville. Their common areas often include a great front porch or living room for late-night girl talk. Then enjoy a homecooked breakfast.
Dining: From casual to sophisticated, Asheville has restaurants for every taste and mood your group might be in. Downtown alone offers more than 50 locally-owned restaurants with cuisine from around the world—perfect for groups who can never agree on just one type of food. Brunch spots, cozy cafés, and lively dinner destinations all welcome groups ready to linger over good food and conversation. See our Foodie Favorites for top picks. From casual to sophisticated, there are restaurants for all tastes. Discover more than 50 locally-owned restaurants downtown with cuisine from around the world. Also see our Foodie Favorites.
Live Music: Asheville pulses with live music most nights of the week. Downtown venues like the Orange Peel bring big-name acts to an intimate 1,100-capacity space with a springy dance floor. Asheville Music Hall, the Grey Eagle, Fitz and The Wolfe, and the Masonic Temple each offer cozy settings. Highland Brewing Company features live music inside and outside its tasting room. Check out our Live Music guide for current shows and venues throughout the area.
Wine Down: Sample wines and unwind after a busy day at one of Asheville's wine bars, where you can claim a corner table and stay awhile. Wine bars offer the relaxed atmosphere that encourages conversation. You'll find local wines from Western North Carolina's growing wine region alongside selections from around the world. See our Wine Bars guide for options throughout downtown and beyond.
Breweries & Cideries: Asheville's brewery scene is legendary, and it's built for groups. Most breweries and cideries offer spacious patios, long communal tables, and a casual vibe where you can sample flights together and discover new favorites. The South Slope neighborhood alone packs in more than a half dozen breweries within walking distance. Food trucks often park outside, and many breweries welcome you to bring in food from nearby restaurants. Check out our Breweries, Beer Tours, and Cideries guide for the full experience.
Cocktails & Distilleries: For craft cocktails and spirits, Asheville's bar scene delivers creativity and atmosphere. Skilled bartenders shake up inventive drinks while you and your friends settle into cozy booths or claim spots at the bar. Western North Carolina's craft distilleries offer tours and tastings where you can learn about small-batch spirits and sample unique flavors.
Beyond Asheville: Everything you love about Asheville—the arts, the food, the outdoor adventure, the welcoming small-town atmosphere—extends throughout Western North Carolina's mountain towns. Communities including Brevard, Black Mountain, Sylva, Bryson City, Saluda, and dozens more offer their own distinctive character and charm. You'll find waterfalls, hiking trails, craft breweries, art galleries, live music, farm-to-table restaurants, and cozy lodging throughout the region. Many make excellent day trips from Asheville or deserve a night or two of their own. Explore our 40 Best North Carolina Mountain Towns Near Asheville to discover where your group's next adventure might take you.
Ready to plan? Either start with our 101 Unique Things to Do in Asheville NC & Western NC guide, or by choosing where you want to stay.
