While fall is my all-time favorite season, don’t underestimate spending a gorgeous winter in Asheville, NC. From beautiful hiking trails with frozen waterfalls to holiday events like Winter Lights, these are my favorite things to do as an Asheville resident, especially in November and December. Of course, beat the crowds in January through mid-March’s off-season with terrific restaurants, cheaper rates, and fun indoor activities.
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You might also enjoy my Christmas in AVL planning guide. If it is still early in the season, be sure to read my Asheville fall guide. All photos are my own. 💙 Christine
Add These 3 Holiday Events To Your Asheville Winter Itinerary
See nature-themed holiday light displays at Winter Lights
Seeing holiday lights is a must, no matter where Tom and I live. Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum is one of our favorite annual winter events. We go every year. Read our complete Winter Lights guide for details and photos across the years. A sneak peek, though, with our insider tips:
🍄 Why Go: What Makes Winter Lights Unique 🎄
Walk through holiday and nature-themed gardens at night while sipping on peppermint hot chocolate and local craft beer paired with a sugary cookie. Spy caterpillar and rainbow tunnels, passing by dancing lights, garden gnomes, narwhals, unicorns, flowers, deer, and birds.
Let’s not forget that gorgeously lit tree as the Quilt Garden backdrop. Shop for holiday ornaments and roast s’mores. Buy your tickets on their website here. ✨ Pay by the carload versus per person.
Get inspired with the most holiday decorations in Asheville: Christmas at Biltmore
It’s no secret that as passholders, Tom and I enjoy Biltmore Estate for its gorgeous trails, delicious dining, winery, and special events. Get in the holiday spirit with decorations that rival Martha Stewart’s: Christmas at Biltmore is stunning. We have an entire Biltmore Christmas guide filled with details and photos across the years.
🎄 Our Top Recommendations For Christmas At Biltmore Estate ✨
I love Candlelight Christmas Evenings for its blazing fireplaces, glowing lights, and live music, followed by a 3-course, special dinner at Stable Cafe. Stay overnight at the Village Hotel (we have!), and grab drinks at the Library Lounge. Don’t forget your holiday shopping and souvenirs at their unique stores next to Biltmore House and at Antler Hill Village.
If you visit for Daytime Celebrations, eat lunch at Cedric’s Tavern. ✨ Daytime Celebrations are budget-friendlier for passholders. Buy your tickets on their website here.
🏰 Read all of our Biltmore Estate Guides 🐶
🎟️ Make the most of your ticket price with our Biltmore list of things to do
🍽️ See where we love to eat at Biltmore Estate
🎟️ Enhance your trip with these cool Biltmore facts
🧸 Bringing the family? See if Biltmore really is kid-friendly
🎟️ Discover why annual passes are worth it for us
📝 Read more about additional tour add-ons
See the coolest gingerbread “houses” around at The Omni Grove Park Inn
Another reason I look forward to winter in Asheville: The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Annual Gingerbread House Competition. Like Winter Lights, Tom and I attend every year, and we have an entire gingerbread event guide to our favorite shops, restaurants, and displays across the years. Book a luxury overnight today.
🏠 How To Make The Most Of The National Gingerbread House Competition 🎅🏼
As Asheville residents, Tom and I head to the Grove Park Inn on a weekday during their public viewing times, making advanced lunch reservations at Edison for those stunning Blue Ridge Mountain views, seasonal craft cocktails, and delicious handhelds and charcuterie.
After viewing multiple areas of creative gingerbread displays, sit in front of the blazing fireplaces, grab hot chocolate at a pop-up stand, and shop at their terrific on-site boutiques. I have purchased winter apparel (one of my favorite winter coats), Christmas tree ornaments, and souvenirs. Learn more about The Omni Grove Park Inn and its events on their website.
Spend Your Winter In Asheville, Hitting The Trails
It’s no secret that Asheville is a tourist destination and an appealing home for outdoor enthusiasts, especially with its terrific hiking trails. We have a list of winter hikes around Asheville you’ll enjoy. Read more about WNC’s waterfalls, too. Add a few of these to any Asheville winter itinerary:
🥾 Our picks for the best winter trails near Asheville
- Daniel Ridge Falls/Loop – Hike the longer loop or out-and-back to a gorgeous waterfall. Hardcore mountain bikers also covet these trails.
- Grandfather Mountain – Purchase online tickets to access this nature reserve filled with trails, animals, and the mile-high “swinging” bridge.
- Moore Cove Falls – Located in the Pisgah National Forest, this is a short and moderately easy waterfall hike. Don’t miss nearby Looking Glass Falls, which freezes in the winter.
- Bent Creek Experimental Forest Trails – Bent Creek is a local spot connected to one part of The North Carolina Arboretum. There are a plethora of trails varying in length and difficulty. These trails are great for mountain bikers.
- Bearwallow Mountain – A scenic picnic spot in the spring and an easy-to-moderate Asheville winter hike, take one of two trails to the top with the cows. One trail leads you through the forest, while the other is a gravel road.
- Trombatore Trail to Blue Ridge Pastures – Across from Bearwallow, this is a longer, harder trail that ends with beautiful but limited views of the mountains.
- The NC Arboretum – Along with Winter Lights, The NC Arboretum is perfect for nature-spying, hiking, and biking trails. Pay for parking unless you have a membership.
- Lover’s Leap – When the ground is dry and safe, head to Hot Springs for this incredibly steep and terrifying incline. Those views are worth it! Lover’s Leap also connects to the Appalachian Trail. Plus, Hot Springs is a great mountain town near Asheville to visit. Grab food and visit the brewery with their Helene comeback.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – One of America’s most popular parks, if this is your first time here, start with the Oconaluftee River Trail and Visitor Center, which has an outdoor museum, welcome center, shop, trails, and facilities. Tom and I have so much to explore here.
🚘 Blue Ridge Parkway closures ⛰️
Much of the Blue Ridge Parkway and its hikes will become largely inaccessible throughout the winter. Check the NPS website for gate and park closures before heading out. Ice, snow, and fog affect openings.
More Indoor Winter Activities In Asheville
We have an entire guide featuring top indoor activities to enjoy across Asheville. Just a few places Tom and I recommend:
- Head to a museum like the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC), or the Asheville Art Museum.
- Warm up with a latte or hot chocolate at a great coffee shop like French Broad Chocolate, Old Europe Pastries, Retro Coffee, Dripolator, Pollen, and Allgood.
- Relax with a visit to Wake Foot Sanctuary or the Asheville Salt Cave.
Where To Eat In Asheville This Winter
It’s no secret that Tom and I are major foodies. Asheville has incredible restaurants. Just a few places we enjoy, especially in the winter:
- For steaming bowls of Pho and ramen, we love Wild Ginger, Mizu, and Pho Real.
- For romantic date night dining, head to Luminosa, Zambra, Leo’s House of Thirst, or Bone & Broth.
- In the winter, I love anything with a pub or tavern-like feel, including Tall John’s, Post 25 Kitchen & Lounge, Red Stag Grill (or drinks at the bar), Corner Kitchen (cottage-y), Edison at the Grove Park Inn, and Rye Knot.
Before You Go, Consider A Day Trip From Asheville, Too!
Tom and I love hunkering down in one main city and doing loads of short road trips. A few easy winter day trips from Asheville – with festive cheer – include Blowing Rock, Boone, Banner Elk, Hendersonville, Forest City, Black Mountain, Tryon, and Weaverville.
Headed to Asheville next weekend due to having to continue to postpone international travel. Honestly I was a little worried but this guide gave me lots of comfort. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Nina. I hope that you have a wonderful trip to Asheville. Besides the mostly closed Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking will be great if the weather holds out. Many of the restaurants are open for takeout, delivery, and some indoor and outdoor dining, too. Nothing beats catching a frozen waterfall, either. Chimney Rock is a fantastic area to visit in the winter without the crowds.
I feel like Asheville is great all seasons! A Christmas there sounds perfectly cozy. I’d love to do everything you’ve written about! We once did a snowy hike one Christmas in NH. It was fun! Wish I could transport myself back to that time.
Looking glass Falls sounds so cool. I’d love to go there and then can we go to a spot with a fireplace and some wine or seasonal cocktails? Or gluhwein!! Perfection!
You seriously make me love Asheville.
It really is! We had a gorgeous fall this year, too. I think my favorite Asheville winter activity is going to the Grove Park Inn for cocktails and sitting in front of their giant fireplaces.