Whether you're here to unwind for a week or to escape for a quick weekend with your closest friends or family in tow, you can design your perfect summer escape with insights from this locally crafted guide.
Summer in Asheville is an invitation to adventure in the sun—think cascading waterfalls, mouth-watering meals, live music you can feel in your chest, and rooftop bars with dangerously refreshing drinks. Grab your emotional support water bottle, 30 SPF, and Chacos, y’all – it’s time to dive headfirst into the season with our ultimate summer to-do list.
Things to Do this Summer in Asheville, NC
Summer Festivals & Events
A summer in Asheville isn’t truly complete until you’ve soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the area's top summer festivals and outdoor events. This June, clear your schedule for the Hola Asheville festival—a colorful, lively gathering celebrating Latin American culture. Experience the diversity and inspiration of art at Asheville's Art in the Park monthly series where nationally known and local artists showcase their talents in Pack Square Park. Other favorites include AVLFest, Shindig on the Green and the Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain. View the full calendar of events here >>
Urban Parks & Greenways
Beyond the vast outdoor playground of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors to Asheville can enjoy the fresh mountain air by taking a ride or stroll along one of Asheville's many greenways. The River Arts District (RAD) Wilma Dykeman Greenway is a two-mile stretch that runs adjacent to the French Broad River and features a separate two-lane path for cyclists. Pop in and out of more than 20 industrial buildings that have been transformed into artist studios, restaurants, shops, brewpubs and more.
Farther north, enjoy the newly opened Silver-Line Park in nearby Woodfin. This five-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including boat ramp access to the French Broad River, picnic shelters, a playground, a greenway and other walking trails, and a connection to the Craggy Mountain Rail Line. For those traveling with pets, take your four-legged travel companion to the new Buncombe County Sports Park in Candler. As Buncombe County's first dog park, this pet-friendly park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups.
Specialty Tours
Experience Asheville through a unique lens with a tour that speaks to your personal passions. AVL Lit Tours takes book lovers on a guided literary walk through Asheville’s storied past. Foodies can experience Asheville’s sizzling food scene bite-by-bite with Asheville Food Tours or Eating Asheville food tour. Grab your cup of joe and get your taste of Asheville's specialty coffee scene by signing up for an Asheville Coffee Tour. Or, hone in on your hops knowledge while sampling the goods in “Beer City, USA” with a BREW-ed Brewery Tour. And there’s no better time than summer to “sip and see” with Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours.
Biltmore
America’s largest home unsurprisingly has an immense, 8,000-acre yard with miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails. Fan favorite Biltmore Gardens Railway returns again this summer inside the conservatory, and kids will love the animals at Antler Hill Farm. Adults will love complimentary tastings at Biltmore Winery. INSIDER TIP: Pick an early time to tour the house to avoid the heat—and the crowds, too!
Where to Eat
Outdoor Dining
Asheville is packed with patios and tables dotting its downtown streets. Sip on a craft cocktail and share small plates in an intimate sidewalk setting at Sovereign Remedies, or head to Baby Bull in the River Arts District, which has umbrella’d picnic tables where you can try the famous double burger at Bull & Beggar's spin-off concept. Or, start your morning off fresh with an al fresco breakfast and specialty baked treats at Open Oven Brunch and Bakery in Black Mountain or Well-Bred in Biltmore Village.
Cool Treats
Asheville clearly screams for ice cream with several locally owned places to get your summer sugar fix. The Hop has become legendary for their homemade, locally inspired dairy and vegan delights, with five locations in North Asheville, West Asheville, Black Mountain and inside the S&W Market, Asheville’s first food hall located in downtown. Pop Bubble Tea and The Hop's North Asheville location have created a cool collaboration offering fresh bubble tea, a Taiwanese drink. Hit the refresh button with a smoothie or cold-pressed juice from Pulp + Sprout in North Asheville, or Mountain Juicery in South Asheville and Hendersonville. Grab a sweet treat from Buggy Pops, which offers handmade ice pops at some of Asheville's popular tailgate markets and specialty events.
Outdoor Summer Activities
Activities on the Water
Take the plunge down a 60-foot natural waterslide at Sliding Rock. With water temps hovering between 50 and 60 degrees, you’re guaranteed to beat the heat. Float down the French Broad—the world’s third oldest river! Take a tube (Zen Tubing), try paddle boarding with Wai Mauna Asheville SUP Tours, or hit up French Broad Outfitters—your one-stop shop for tubing, kayaking and SUP.
Ziplining and Sky-High Adventures
Enjoy Asheville's cool breeze as you zip through the trees at Navitat Canopy Adventures or the Adventure Center of Asheville. Take advantage of your proximity to world-class cycling with a guided mountain bike tour from Asheville Trails and Taps or an urban biking tour from Flying Bike Tours. Feel the breeze of the Blue Ridge Parkway as you take a guided ride with the new Asheville Jeep Tours.
Nurtured by Nature
There’s no better way to spend your summer than by becoming one with nature in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains. For berry-picking, check out the iconic Craggy Gardens or choose Graybeard Trail for a more challenging, less crowded hike. Head to Daniel Ridge Loop Trail for an off-the-beaten-path waterfall hike along the Davidson River. For the ultimate summer hike, Graveyard Fields has it all: wildflowers, waterfalls, blueberry bushes and a swimming hole. Use Asheville Hike Finder tool to find the perfect path for you and your crew based on difficulty, length, trail usage and handy options like dog-friendliness and views. Whichever path you choose, show your love for the land and leave no trace: pick up your trash, respect wildlife and stay on marked trails!
Concerts and Entertainment
Immerse yourself in Asheville’s eclectic music scene with live music at one of the area’s popular outdoor venues. Build an entire trip around a concert with your favorite national act at Salvage Station or Rabbit Rabbit (via The Orange Peel), which also offers weekly outdoor movies and stand-up comedy. The Meadow at Highland Brewing presents a wide range of events throughout the summer including concerts, yoga, and glow-in-the-dark volleyball. In Black Mountain, Pisgah Brewing offers free and ticketed concerts through the summers at its outdoor stage.
Asheville loves its free outdoor music! Bring a blanket (and banjo) for Shindig on the Green, a favorite local tradition in the heart of downtown Asheville with Southern Appalachian music, dancing, and storytelling. On the third Friday of each month, celebrate the weekend and live music at Downtown After 5. Or end the day in Black Mountain with Park Rhythms, a free summer outdoor concert series held Thursdays.
Take a Break From the Heat
We get it – not everyone is a fan of the dense, sticky humidity that shows up with the onset of summer. Never fear! There are plenty of frosty-cold respites to take the edge off of a hot day. If you’re looking to spend some quality time with an air-conditioner, you’ll find many indoor entertainment options such as shopping at the historic Grove Arcade, creating your own glass keepsakes at the North Carolina Glass Center, or channeling your inner child at the Asheville Pinball Museum, to name a few.
