FAQs

Weather?

Asheville’s higher elevation (2,000-2,500 feet above sea level, with nearby mountain peaks topping 6,500 feet) affects our daily temperatures, resulting in cooler days and nights than in eastern parts of North Carolina and adjacent states. Our hottest month is typically July (though September 2019 broke multiple heat records), and the coldest is January. December-February are our snowiest months.

Best Time Of Year To Visit?

Based on hotel occupancy, that would be from MarchNovember, with the peak in October for the fall color season, which, thanks to our biodiversity and elevation range, is one of the most colorful and longest in the country. Fall comes earlier at higher elevations. The first hints typically arrive in September, with the peak color explosion the last two weeks of October and fading out in early November. Hotel rates rise with the color. If you’re looking for a less pricey and less crowded getaway, JanuaryMarch offer the best bets. Also consider the spring bloom season in April, which packs its own color punch. Check out our guide’s Festivals section, because events take place year-round.

Where Can I Park?

Downtown, where demand for parking is greatest, has thousands of parking spaces, consisting of on-street parking (mostly metered, some free), surface lots and garages (or decks). Parking can also be challenging in West Asheville and Biltmore Village.

• For a map of downtown deck locations, pricing info and links to a mobile-phone app that lets you know where the vacancies are, visit Buncombe County government’s webpage at avl.mx/6si.

• Street meters must be fed via coin or credit card (using PassportParking Mobile Pay) between 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. ($1.50/hour). Metered parking is free after 6 p.m., as well as on Sundays and holidays.

• Public and private surface-lot rates vary ($3 or more per session).

• Deck parking is typically free the first hour, $2.50 for the second hour and $1.25 for each subsequent hour.

Where Can I Find A Public Bathroom?

When you’ve got to go, you can find relief at several downtown public facilities: the Grove Arcade (1 Page Ave.); Police Substation hallway (29 Haywood St.); the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus station (49 Coxe Ave.); Arts & Culture Center (14 Riverside Drive); and Asheville Visitor Centers (36 Montford Ave. and Pack Square Park Visitor Center).

Where And When Can I But Beer Cider, Wine And Liquor?

Packaged liquor is sold only in state-run ABC stores, MondaySaturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Some stores have different hours.) Beer, cider and wine are sold in grocery, convenience, bottle and big-box stores. Closing time at bars is 2 a.m. New laws passed in 2019 allow restaurant, bar and brewery customers to buy two beers, ciders or glasses of wine at one time, but only one mixed drink, and allow distilleries to sell mixed drinks and bottles of liquor on premises, but only their own products.

What Are N.C.'s Laws Regarding Tobacco, Vaping, And Marijuana?

State law prohibits smoking inside bars and restaurants. The city of Asheville has banned smoking and e-cigarettes on city buses; in city-owned parks and greenways; and in buildings owned, leased, occupied, managed and/or controlled by the city, including the Asheville Regional Airport — except in areas that have been designated for smoking or vaping. Medical and recreational marijuana use remains against the law in North Carolina; possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor.

How Dog-Friendly Is Asheville?

In our canine-captivated culture, dogs, who must be leashed by law, are everywhere — hiking trails, hardware stores, breweries, the Biltmore Estate (on the grounds, not in the house), dog parks (where they can be unleashed in certain designated, gated portions), the “official” Dog Welcome Center (1 Battle Square, across from the Grove Arcade), dog-treat bakeries and dog-friendly restaurants. Festivals and special events, where dogs may be prohibited altogether due to crowd size, are typically the exception, so it’s better to leave your pampered pooch in your dog-friendly hotel or to check out one of Asheville’s doggie day care centers. Not to be overlooked, cats get their due on the Asheville Cat Weirdos Facebook page and at The American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, about an hour’s drive west of Asheville.

Is There A Discount Card/Book For Area Attractions And Dining?

The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association sells a 2020 Passport ($65) with BOGO deals good at participating member restaurants. And Asheville Grown’s 2020 Go Local discount card ($18) entitles cardholders to deals and discounts from 500+ locally owned shops and businesses, including more than 100 restaurants, food trucks and bars.

The main Asheville visitor center (36 Montford Ave.) has humans on duty to assist with questions, plus brochures, maps and coupons pertaining to area attractions. The center is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A satellite location in Pack Square Park operates 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Is Asheville ADA Complaint?

Asheville aims to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the city has to contend with older infrastructure, hilly terrain and numerous conflicting demands. There are individual buildings and businesses with exemptions. Everyone who visits Asheville should keep in mind that downtown sidewalks are often narrow with obstacles, and some have steep inclines.

How Do I Get A Table At Asheville's Most Popular Restaurants?

Unless you reserve well in advance — in extreme cases, two months out — it’s unlikely you will. Try calling rather than just looking online. Go for an early or late lunch instead of dinner, or belly up to the bar rather than wait for a table. But by all means, don’t despair! Asheville has scores of less famous but amazing and unique places to eat.

Hoe Can I Get Around Without My Car?

You can walk anywhere in downtown. To venture farther out, there are taxis, Ubers, Lyfts and public buses run by the city of Asheville (ART). There are various rental services for bikes and cars, and some hotels offer shuttle service.

What Are Asheville's Sister Cities?

Asheville has an active Sister Cities program with seven partners: Vladikavkaz (Russia), San Cristóbal de las Casas (Mexico), Saumur (France), Karpenisi (Greece), Valladolid (Mexico), Osogbo (Nigeria), and Dunkeld-Birnam (Scotland).

Where Can I Find A Calendar Of Events?

There’s a lot going on in Asheville — festivals, concerts, retreats, celebrations, author appearances, sports competitions, dances, you name it. To be in the know each week, visit avlcalendar.com for a comprehensive listing of events of every stripe and type. And for a quick look at some of the year’s biggest events, check out the Festivals section in this guide.

Photo by Dr. Taylor MacLean

@frenchbroadchiro