With a beautiful downtown, plentiful parking, terrific things to do, lower prices, and the friendliest locals I’ve met, plan a day trip to Hickory, NC from Asheville. Starting with the famous Hickory Furniture Mart and ending with delicious cafes, see how to spend one day in Hickory, from AVL locals.
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About 77 miles—one hour and 20 minutes from Asheville—Hickory is an easy Asheville day trip or romantic overnight. It even boasts a social district. Of course, my pilot husband wanted to spend a birthday here for the Hickory Aviation Museum, and as a literary traveler, I couldn’t resist the fantastic bookstores, budget-friendly cafes, and boutique shops.
Below, grab our quick Hickory day trip highlights to plan your visit. 📸 All photos are our own. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville
Top Highlights For One Day In Hickory, NC
If you enjoy Hickory as much as us, you might also like these equally charming mountain cities and towns near Asheville.
Best Things To Do & Attractions
- Hickory Aviation Museum
- Hickory Farmers Market (Wednesdays & Saturdays)
- Hickory Trail, including the Riverwalk
- Hickory Furniture Mart (it’s seriously an attraction!)
Where To Eat & Drink
Where To Shop & Stay
Plan Your Magical Adventure: Our Free Asheville Guide + Bucket List
Best Things To Do In Hickory, NC
If you only have one day in Hickory, these are the attractions worth a visit:
- ✈️ Hickory Aviation Museum – Reopened in a new location in May 2026, chat with enthusiastic, friendly volunteers as you sit in planes, walk through WWII exhibits, and spy model airplanes. They have a small gift shop and their own parking lot. The building is just WOW. I lost Tom every time I turned my head. Downtown Hickory is minutes away.
- 🥬 Hickory Farmers Market – On Wednesdays & Saturdays, head to this small but bustling local farmers market in the heart of Downtown Hickory under the sails. From meat and baked treats to artwork and mushrooms, there is something for everyone.
- 🚶🏻♀️ Hickory Trail – Best on a cooler day, find all of Hickory’s locals out, walking the dog, stretching their legs, and biking with the littles. Tom and I loved the Riverwalk portion, consisting of both paved and wooded trails. We parked at Rotary-Geitner Park.
- 🛋️ Hickory Furniture Mart – Who knew that furniture could be an attraction? Tom and I knew we were in trouble (well, at least our wallets) when they handed us a map with 4 stories and a cafe. I even got vertigo. I don’t think we’ll shop for furniture anywhere else, ever again. The Hickory Furniture Mart is truly an attraction—but not necessarily a cheap one.
Watch A Pilot Visit The Hickory Aviation Museum
In kindergarten, Tom wrote that he wanted to fly for the commercial airline known as “Air Force One…” 😂 By the age of 12, he was taking flying lessons, and today, you know he might be one of your captains/crew. 👨🏻✈️
The Hickory Aviation Museum is typically closed on Mondays and is family-friendly. Admission for ages 13-64 is $10.00+. All active-duty military, seniors 65+, and children 12 and under are free (but always double-check their website).
More To See & Do
Our Uncorked Travelers also highly recommend pottery painting at Bisque Boutique, and I want to return to make a craft project at Azalea Design & Craft Shop. Of course, you have the Hickory Motor Speedway and nearby Tri-County Speedway (Granite Falls).
Delicious Hickory Restaurants
With so many great restaurants in Hickory, our stomachs are just getting started. A few places we recommend that also have dairy-free and gluten-free options for our dietary needs include:
🍻 Olde Hickory Tap Room – If you don’t have a chance to visit Olde Hickory Brewery, grab a beer here with local American pub grub like sandwiches, pizza, fish and chips, and burgers. Coming from Asheville, the $10 to $15 prices feel like a steal in this cozy, friendly, and casual setting.
🥪 Hatch Sandwich Bar – OMG, talk about a sandwich. With great vegetarian and vegan options (and GF bread), head here early and during off-peak dining times for the best healthy bowls and sandwiches in town. If on the menu, order the seared salmon sandwich. They load it up!
🍣 Little Japan – This kitschy little sushi restaurant was not on our original radar. However, it’s surprisingly good and budget-friendly, serving your favorite sushi rolls, Hibachi, and bento boxes. We want to try Umi, but with only 4 tables, make reservations and plan much further in advance.
More Recommended Restaurants
Hardly scratching the surface of great restaurants in Hickory, a few on our bucket list, recommended by our Uncorked Travelers, include Fourk, Olde Hickory Station, Backstreets Bar & Grill, Las Isabelas, and Crescent Moon Cafe.
Bars, Breweries, & Coffee Shops in Hickory
Thirsty? There certainly is no shortage of coffee shops in Hickory, along with these watering holes:
🍷 Hickory Wine Shoppe – I can never resist a wine slushie, and this is a terrific spot to stock up on well-curated bottles. Try a unique wine flight or pair your glass with flatbreads, charcuterie, snacks, and cheeses. They have beer, cider, and mead. I love their rosé wine slushie.
☕️ Taste Full Beans – Tom and I fueled up with matcha and coffee, but their food looks delicious too. Think breakfast bowls and burritos or lunch sandwiches and salads. Located in a gorgeous 100+-year-old building, sip tea while shopping for handcrafted cards and mugs. It’s a bit magical inside.
🍵 Chapter Coffee Co. – Inside one of my favorite nearby bookstores, head downstairs to the children’s area for sweet beverages with a literary flair and my favorite sign, “All I Need Are Books and Coffee.” Keep reading to hear more about the bookshop…
More To Try
Our Uncorked Travelers also recommend Frothy Rooster, 3 Little Chicks Coffee & Bakery, and Happy Sips. Tom and I also want to try City Walk Brewing & Distilling and Olde Hickory Brewery.
Where To Shop
I’m not a huge window shopper, but if I see a bookstore or cute dress, I’m there. Along with the aforementioned Hickory Furniture Mart, it’s easy to find gifts, clothes, and necessities in Hickory. A few places we loved:
📚 The Book Exchange – One of the volunteers noted that The Book Exchange houses over 400,000 used books. You will not leave here empty-handed, especially with two floors and all-ages books.
📖 My Chapter House Bookshop – I think Belle would agree; this bookshop is absolutely beautiful and filled with goodies. Along with new books, I drink my morning coffee in a leafy mug purchased here. My Chapter House Bookshop is the perfect stop for cards, bookish gear, and uniquely spine-sprayed book editions.
👗 Aqua B Boutique – I loved this boutique clothing shop so much, I went multiple times in one overnight visit. They have the cutest skirts and dresses, and I bought many of my favorite jeans here—purple pants included. Aqua B Boutique will be a must on any Hickory day trip from Asheville to keep my closet filled.
Where To Stay
🏠 2nd Street Inn – Many of our Uncorked Travelers highly recommend this Airbnb with quaint suites under a 5-minute walk from Downtown Hickory.
🏨 Courtyard by Marriott Hickory – For a budget-friendly option—so you can spend more money on local downtown businesses, too—Tom and I like to rack up points at a Courtyard. They have the Bistro, with great breakfast and coffee options, if you want to eat in your room before heading out.
Are You Ready For Your Day Trip To Hickory, NC? Here’s How We’d Squeeze It All In:
It’s hard to leave Asheville with so many things to do. However, Hickory is worth a day trip or overnight, and Tom and I are always planning our next visit here.
If you are spending one day in Hickory from Asheville, go to the Hickory Aviation Museum, grab lunch downtown at Hatch, and shop at the sweet boutique stores, grabbing coffee, beer, or wine.
Staying overnight? Walk the Hickory Riverwalk after dinner, and hit the farmers market in the morning. Fill up your TBR stack with books from The Book Exchange. On your way out, get lost inside the Hickory Furniture Mart and plan your dream room.
If You Love Hickory, Here Are More Asheville Day Trip Ideas
🚗 Eat, Drink, & Shop in Black Mountain
⛰️ Explore Downtown Weaverville
🚗 Enjoy an Afternoon in Casual & Quirky Marshall
⛰️ See the alpacas & woolly worms in Banner Elk
We are always traveling and updating our guides. Let us know your Hickory, NC “musts” in the comments. 💙 Christine of Uncorked Asheville