Nothing revitalizes quite like a solo vacation — and few locations appeal to solo travelers like Asheville. Home to the best breweries, art galleries, and outdoor adventures, Asheville has a lot to offer anyone who wants to get away from it all without feeling isolated.
When you visit Asheville, you’ll be impressed by how this unique city manages to be trendy and laid-back, all at once. It’s a haven for artistic types, beer enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Most importantly, however, it attracts people with an affinity for the best of the big city lifestyle but also, a desire for something smaller and more intimate.
If all this sounds appealing, it’s high time you book your solo trip to Asheville. As you plan your ultimate getaway, be sure to add the following to your itinerary:
Check Out Asheville’s Top Breweries
No matter how you feel about craft beer, you’ll want to set aside time for at least one brewery visit. During this excursion, you’ll quickly learn why Asheville is so often referred to as Beer City USA. Depending on where you go, you could take a tour, sample several brews from a flight, or make new friends as you take advantage of amenities such as corn hole and board games.
Photo: @rj_in_the_mitten
You could dedicate an entire vacation exclusively to Asheville’s breweries and still need to book a return trip to hit them all. Nearly any local brewery will put a smile on your face, but these favorites should top your list:
- Highland Brewing Company
- Asheville Brewing Company
- Sierra Nevada Brewery
- Wicked Weed Brewing
- Hi-Wire Brewing
Discover Asheville’s Wine Scene
If you’re not a fan of beer, you might prefer one of Asheville’s many wine-oriented destinations. After all, while it’s not known as Wine City USA, Asheville still has plenty to offer for visiting connoisseurs.
Several wine tours are available in the Asheville area, as are wine bars that serve both your favorite beverages and delicious charcuterie. Don’t forget to visit the Biltmore Winery, which offers one of the region’s most luxurious wine tasting experiences.
Stop By the Biltmore Estate
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA OCTOBER 11: The Biltmore House and Gardens, a popular tourist attraction, built by industrialist George Vanderbilt in 1895 is America’s largest home in Asheville on October 10, 2013.
The Biltmore is an essential destination for anybody in the Asheville area, and, while it’s often visited by couples and families, it’s arguably more enjoyable when experienced solo. When you visit by yourself, you set the pace — so you can choose exactly what you want to check out and when. This is important, given Biltmore’s vast size and range of available activities.
If you crave a luxury retreat, stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. There’s you’ll be thoroughly pampered as you take in the opulence of your surroundings. The Biltmore’s other accommodations are similarly upscale.
Don’t worry if you’re only able to spend a few hours at the Biltmore. This should be enough time to get a taste of all that makes this gem so special. Book a 90-minute tour to learn more about the mansion’s architecture and history. As mentioned previously, the Biltmore Winery encourages you to indulge as you take in the sophisticated environment in the tasting room and at the wine bar.
Take a Hike
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Asheville area as you take a quick hike on one of several local trails. Most of these are fairly easy to navigate, although challenging treks are also available. Solo hiking can be risky, so be sure to pack water and use quality footwear.
The region’s more popular trails may be your best bet from a safety standpoint, as you’ll find fewer obstacles to trip you up, but also plenty of friendly hikers should you need a helping hand.
Top hikes near Asheville include:
- Graveyard Fields Loop
- Crabtree Falls Trail
- Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park
- High Falls Trail at Lake Glenville
Many of these trails require you to drive an hour out of Asheville. You’ll quickly find that the jaunt is worth your while. Make a day trip out of it — you just might realize that you enjoy the solo drive as much as the hike itself.
Show Your Support for the Asheville Art Scene
Visual arts are a big deal in Asheville, where locals produce gorgeous paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more. Many of them maintain studios and galleries in the heart of the city. These give you a glimpse of the most inspiring pieces.
When you visit by yourself, you have the ability to ponder on the gorgeous works of art you encounter, without needing to worry about less enthusiastic companions interrupting your train of thought.
Not sure where to start? Feel free to explore these favorites:
The Asheville Art Museum is also worth a visit. There, you’ll find a vast collection of 20th and 21st century art, including a wealth of pieces that celebrate all that makes the Appalachian region special.
Relax With a Spa Day
Pamper yourself at one of the many excellent spas in and around Asheville. While most offer services for couples, they also cater to solo visitors in need of peace and quiet. The most memorable experience can be found at Shoji Spa, which incorporates the forest into its treatments while providing a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Asheville Salt Cave is also a spa lover’s dream come true, providing a healing environment in the midst of 20 tons of Himalayan salt.
If relaxing at the spa is a priority, you’ll be pleased to find multiple accommodations that provide massages and other treatments. The previously mentioned Inn on Biltmore Estate, for example, has an elegant spa designed to reflect the style of the historic mansion. The Grand Bohemian offers several soothing treatments within the Poseidon Spa, while the Omni Grove Park Inn’s spa stands out with its tranquil water features.
If your idea of vacation perfection involves setting off on your own, do yourself a favor and visit Asheville. Don’t miss your opportunity to make memories in one of the most charming cities imaginable.
