Why Asheville is the Perfect Winter Destination

Are you stuck in the winter doldrums? When was the last time you felt your toes? Are you currently wearing 7 layers of clothing? Say goodbye to the winter blues and plan a trip to Asheville this season. You’ll find award-winning eateries, comfortable winter weather, off-season discounts, and fun festivals all through the upcoming months. Don’t wait until summer to get out and explore, Asheville has so much to offer this winter!

Magical Weather

While the rest of the country may be a frozen popsicle until April, Asheville maintains a surprisingly pleasant winter climate. You’ll find plenty of days with temperatures over 50 and if you wake up early to explore the mountains you’ll find some delicate hoar frost on the leaves and trees. On the occasion that it does snow in town, the entire place transforms into a winter wonderland for a day before heading back to a sunny blue sky paradise. Don’t take our word for it, our local weather station thinks to too:

“Asheville is a good winter destination because one can experience a variety of weather-from picturesque snow, ideal for winter sports lovers, to Carolina Blue skies, perfect for taking in the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mts.” -Jason Boyer of WLOS

Asheville Restaurant Week

Every year in January, the town is overrun with foodies looking to taste the newest creation from Asheville’s most popular culinary experts. Make a trip to Buxton Hall for a $45 dinner for two including an appetizer, two plates, and a mouth-watering dessert. Innkeeper Diane Rogers from Pinecrest B&B says the fried chicken sandwich will absolutely blow your mind. Stop at the original Tupelo Honey Cafe for a $30 prix fare menu or White Labs Kitchen for a $12 gourmet pizza. Acclaimed Curate may have the best deal of the week with a 4-course, 8 tapas culinary adventure for $35 a person.

Off-Season Rates

Come during the off-season and save money. Simple as that. Everything is still open but you’ll find incredible deals all across town. The iconic Biltmore Estate drops their entry prices drastically for the winter season. Instead of spending a lovely spring day inside the museum, you can take your time and stay cozy on one of the colder days of the season. Restaurants offer special chef’s selection menus and you can find amazing getaway deals at the local bed and breakfasts across town. What’s not to love?

Outdoor Adventure is Waiting For You

Are you waiting until summer to break out your hiking boots? Is your mountain bike packed away in the garage collecting dust? Don’t wait until May to get out and enjoy nature. In Asheville, the mountains are accessible year-round. Hit your favorite trails and be amazed with hilltop views, bike paths with no crowds, and wildlife sightings around every corner.

Funky Festivals

Don’t tell Asheville that summer is festival season, because they simply won’t listen. You can find festivals and events all over town practically any week of the year! While summer festivities focus on the outdoors with musical events, sports races, and food festivals, winter focuses on the arts. Innkeeper Rick Bell at Engadine Inn & Cabins is most excited for the Asheville Fringe Festival which is dedicated to producing innovative, boundary-pushing work at various venues around town and Movies & Meaning which use film as a starting point for discussions to build community.

Fewer Crowds & More Personal Experiences

Asheville is definitely the place to be in the spring & summer. Weddings and elopements take over the town, popular restaurants require reservations, and navigating the Biltmore Estate might seem a little overwhelming. But in the wintertime, the crowds are gone, but the incredible eateries, popular hiking trails, and unique attractions are still here. Take your time and plan your days on a whim.

Craft Cocktails That Will Warm You Up

Asheville is a craft cocktail heaven with innovative bartenders creating unique and sippable concoctions that will simply warm you from the inside out. Angela Harrell, innkeeper at Cumberland Falls B&B loves The Crow & Quill which has a selection of over 500 Whiskeys and seasonally changing cocktail list in an antique decorated venue, District 42 which serves up shareable plates with perfectly paired craft cocktails, and Sovereign Remedies which specializes in creating unique cocktails out of wild plants and herbs in an airy farm-to-table setting.

Cozy Mountain Getaways

What could be better than cozying up next to a fireplace and gazing out upon the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Maybe all of that with a glass of wine or a gourmet breakfast that has been delivered to your room. Stay INN the mountains with Asheville’s incredible B&Bs that are perfect for your winter vacation.

Wildberry Lodge: The Wildberry Lodge is a rustic mountain retreat straight out of a movie. This stunning log and stone lodge has panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a hike on their property, roast a marshmallow at one of their stone firepits, sit back and watch the sunset from their outdoor jacuzzi, or curl up next to the massive stone fireplace with a good book.

Engadine Inn & Cabins: Engadine offers a surreal country retreat with options to customize your dream getaway. The B&B inn offers elegance plus the charm and comfort of a traditional bed and breakfast with clawfoot tubs, light-filled rooms, and a gourmet daily breakfast. Their rustic mountain cabins offer private kitchens, warming fireplaces, and cozy amenities for the perfect intimate retreat. A Valentine’s Day getaway has never been more romantic.

Don’t let the winter blues get to you, plan a winter getaway to Asheville and you’ll find a community here that was never told that winter was supposed to be anything but exciting. Attend the local festivals, dine at the most popular restaurants, and hit the trails all without the crowds. What are you waiting for?

Plan a dreamy winter vacation to Asheville and let the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association help you pick out the perfect B&B, inn, or hotel for your getaway.