Asheville, North Carolina: A Magical Holiday Getaway (Even After the Storm)
We just wrapped up an absolutely magical holiday trip to Asheville, North Carolina—and if I’m being honest, we were a little nervous heading in.
After Hurricane Helen hit hard in 2024, we weren’t sure what to expect. Would Asheville be ready for visitors? Would it feel appropriate to travel there? What we found instead was a city that is fully open, vibrant, welcoming, and incredibly grateful for every single visitor.
Locals told us again and again how much tourism matters right now. Every meal, tour, and stay helps support the community as they continue rebuilding. Asheville isn’t just ready for visitors—it truly needs them.
So today, I’m sharing our highlights from this unforgettable holiday trip, including Christmas magic at the Biltmore, iconic mountain views, amazing food and beer, and one surprise activity that ended up being our favorite.
Welcome to Asheville
Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the French Broad River, with dramatic elevation changes, rolling hills, and mountain views in nearly every direction. It’s artsy, outdoorsy, foodie-forward, and incredibly pet friendly.
Getting There
There are two main ways to get to Asheville:
Fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), about 20 minutes from downtown
Drive, which is what we did—especially convenient since we were traveling with our pup 🐾
Where We Stayed
We chose a pet-friendly Vrbo rental right in downtown Asheville, and it was perfect. We had stunning mountain views, a heated balcony (a winter dream!), and walkable access to restaurants, breweries, and shops.
Tip: Want to stay here? We can help you book it!
Things to Do in Asheville
Biltmore Estate at Christmas 🎄
The Biltmore Estate, Evening Tour
A visit to Asheville wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the Biltmore Estate, especially during the holiday season.
A few important things to know before you go:
The Biltmore is not walkable from downtown
You’ll drive about 20 minutes through the 8,000-acre estate just to reach the main house
Rideshares are allowed, but drop-off is at a designated area—not directly at the house
A complimentary shuttle takes you from the parking area to the house
Getting around to other areas of the estate via the Biltmore Connect shuttle costs about $15 per person
Ticket Costs & What’s Included
Tickets are pricey. We paid about $155 per adult for an evening house and grounds ticket. Prices fluctuate daily, so it’s worth checking for:
Midweek discounts
Online booking deals
Our tickets included:
Parking
Evening access to the house with an audio-guided tour
A wine tasting
Daytime access to the estate grounds (usable the same day or the next day)
We highly recommend splitting your visit over two days to avoid fatigue—there is so much to see.
Inside the Biltmore House
The house itself is jaw-dropping:
178,000 square feet
250 rooms
65 fireplaces
Built between 1889 and 1895, the Biltmore opened on Christmas Eve 1895, making it especially magical during the holidays.
For Christmas:
~36 hand-decorated trees inside the house
~75 more trees across the estate
Over 25,000 ornaments
Thousands of wreaths and poinsettias
Planning for Christmas at the Biltmore takes nearly a full year, with decorations starting to go up in mid-September.
Winter Visits: What to Expect
While the gardens aren’t blooming in winter, there’s a beautiful conservatory greenhouse to enjoy. All hiking trails are open and pet friendly, making it a fantastic place to explore with your dog across the massive estate.
Omni Grove Park Inn & Gingerbread Magic
Next up: the iconic Omni Grove Park Inn.
Built in 1913 in just one year, using massive local boulders from Sunset Mountain, this Arts & Crafts masterpiece is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Past guests include FDR, Eisenhower, and President Obama.
At Christmas, the Omni goes all out.
National Gingerbread House Competition
The star attraction is the National Gingerbread House Competition, which made a huge comeback in 2025:
Over 235 entries
Participants from 25 states
All creations are fully edible
Judged by professionals
Over $40,000 in prizes
The competition runs from November 18 through January 4, and we caught the tail end—it was absolutely incredible.
Even if you’re not staying at the Omni, the public can visit during certain days and times. Just be sure to check the Omni’s website for parking and event details.
Bonus stop: Right next door is Grovewood Village, home to a gallery and a car museum worth a quick visit.
Tip: Want to stay here? We can help you book it!
Where to Eat & Drink in Asheville
Asheville’s food scene did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorites:
Coffee & Breakfast
A quirky English double-decker bus
Located downtown
Cash only
Tip: Grab a coffee and browse local shops
Hole Doughnuts
Fresh, made-to-order donuts
Not downtown—requires a drive
Pro tip: arrive early (parking fills up fast)
Butter Punk (River Arts District)
Fantastic biscuits and coffee
The cinnamon roll completely stole the show
Great for breakfast or brunch
Lines can get long—arrive early
Heated outdoor patio
Standout New Year’s Day special with black-eyed peas, greens, pork belly, and cornbread (Southern good luck tradition!)
Dinner Highlights
We opted for the chef’s tasting menu—and wow
So much food, all incredible
Best peppermint espresso martini we’ve ever had
Unreal coconut cake dessert
Located downtown
Reservations required
The pork chop was absolutely outstanding
Asheville Breweries 🍺
If you love beer, Asheville is paradise.
Around 50–60 breweries in the metro area
One of the highest breweries-per-capita cities in the U.S.
Many located in the South Slope, which is walkable from downtown
Most are pet friendly with heated outdoor spaces
A few standouts:
Green Man Brewery – one of the oldest, dog-friendly inside
Wicked Weed Funkatorium – fantastic sours & a beautiful interior - worthy of hosting events!
The Unexpected Favorite: Lazoom Comedy Bus Tour 😂
Our surprise favorite activity was the Lazoom Comedy Bus Tour—specifically the Hey Asheville Comedy Tour.
90 minutes of nonstop laughs
Bright purple open-air bus
Professional comedians doing improv, slapstick, skits, and characters
All while cruising around downtown and learning fun city facts
It was hilarious, unique, and completely exceeded expectations.
Final Thoughts: Asheville Is Open, Magical, and Grateful
Asheville exceeded every expectation—from pet-friendly everything to over-the-top holiday magic. More importantly, visiting truly makes a difference right now.
The city is open, welcoming, and deeply thankful for visitors. If you’ve been considering a trip, now is the time.
