10 Relaxing things to do in Asheville, NC
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
6. Explore Biltmore Village
Biltmore Village is a more quaint shopping/dining area compared to touristy downtown Asheville. Although it receives its’ fair share of tourists, no where near as many as trendy downtown which continuously receives awards for its’ chef inspired restaurants. If you visit earlier in the morning, Biltmore Village is actually pretty quiet. The area is lovely with historical architecture, cobblestone streets, and pretty trees everywhere – a beautiful place for an afternoon of dining and shopping. The famous Biltmore Estate (open for tours year-round) is located just a short drive away.
Highlights of the Village include:
Note: Andaaz and Well Bred are temporarily closed as of March 2025. They are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. I wish them the best in their recovery!
- Andaaz: An upscale Indian restaurant serving a terrific lunch buffet in a gorgeous dining room
- The Cantina: The best Tex-Mex food in town served in a spirited colorful dining room
- Olde World Christmas Shop: Year-round Christmas shop filled to the brim with holiday cheer
- Well Bred: Award-winning bakery specializing in pastries and desserts
7. Enjoy a drink at the Battery Park Book Exchange
The Battery Park Book Exchange is a beautiful champagne bar/book shop located in the historic Grove Arcade building in the center of bustling downtown Asheville. Here you can browse through thousands of used and rare books while sipping a glass of wine or champagne. They also offer non alcohol drinks like coffee and tea. The ambiance is very upscale and sophisticated, and thus, perfect for a date. Although quite popular with tourists, the space is quite large with plenty of seating and rooms to browse around. Also, the high pricing tends to draw many away. If you are up for a splurge, this beautiful and unique combined bar/bookshop is a must visit by any bibliophiles.
Location: 1 Page Avenue
8. Walk/bike along the French Broad River
The French Broad River Park is a beautiful space featuring plenty of greenery, serene river views, and a small nature loop. It’s popular with locals who enjoy jogging, cycling, and picnicking. As one of the shadiest parks in the region, it’s the perfect oasis to escape the harsh sunlight during the summer season. Despite the close proximity to downtown, the park is peaceful most of the year, especially if you enjoy your workout during the morning hours. Connecting to the park is the 2.8 mile long French Broad Greenway. This path is perfect for long runs and leisurely bike rides. For a quiet morning of exercise with scenic views, French Broad is your best choice near downtown.
Location: 508 Riverview Drive
9. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at the Omni Grove Park Inn
The 4 star Omni Grove Park Inn is no doubt the most gorgeous hotel in the Asheville area. However, it’s also one of the priciest. Even if you are not staying at the resort, it’s worth taking a drive over to enjoy breakfast in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Artisanal restaurant. The breakfast buffet is offered 6 days a week and includes a made-to-order omelet bar, chia seed pudding, fresh squeezed juice, donuts and pastries, an oatmeal bar, and various traditional breakfast offerings.
The best part of all is the fantastic mountain scenery as the dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the mesmerizing Blue Ridge mountains. Due to the hefty price tag, this buffet is not highly trafficked (outside of busy holiday periods). After your meal, there are a few shops to browse, an on-site hiking trail, and a massive lobby fireplace to enjoy a drink/cup of coffee. Breakfast, checking out the shops, coffee by the fireplace, then strolling around the beautiful grounds is one of my favorite things to do in the area.
Location: 290 Macon Avenue
10. Explore Grovewood Village
Asheville’s thriving art scene includes many galleries, as well as a whole lineup of art related events and festivals during the year. Woolworth Walk is a gorgeous gallery featuring the works of 175 different artists. This place gets quite busy though. If you are seeking something a bit more off-the-beaten path, Grovewood Village (located adjacent to the Omni) is a wonderful choice. This hidden gem in an oasis of art and history. The 11 acre property is on the National Historic Register. Free attractions include an antique car museum, Grovewood Gallery, a gorgeous sculpture gallery, and Biltmore Industries Homespun museum.
The village at one point housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries. Today, it is home to working artist studios and several museums. Visiting Grovewood is a great opportunity for tourists to explore the history of the area and browse for local artwork. Combine with a visit to the Omni for a perfect half day out.
If antique shopping is more your style, there are plenty of options throughout town. My favorite is Sweeten Creek Antiques. This place is huge – you could spend hours searching for treasures!
Location: 111 Grovewood Rd. (Grovewood Village), 115 Sweeten Creek Rd. (Sweeten Creek)
More relaxing fun in Asheville
- Browse for used records. Harvest and Voltage Records are both great choices.
- Hit local bookshops. Downtown Book and News and Malaprops are both fantastic.
- Book a massage – always a welcome treat after much exercise.
- Schedule a salt cave session. This popular alternative therapy is known to offer respiratory/sinus relief.
*Also, keep in mind that there are many great places to explore within an easy daytrip of the city. Check out these my guide to the best easy waterfall hikes and the most scenic BRP overlooks. All of the waterfalls and overlooks featured here require little to no effort in exchange for mesmerizing views. Thus, these are the perfect daytrip destinations for those seeking quiet, laid-back, no-stress vacation activities.
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