Alright now ladies...yeah!? Bachelorette season is upon us + it’s time to get the girls together. So if you’ve been given the task (or taken it upon yourself) to plan your bestie’s bachelorette party, a reunion with the gals, sister trip, etc. – why travel far when you can have a killer party right at home? We’ve got the rundown for a packed 48-hours in Asheville – making for the best girls’ weekend, from where to stay, eat, drink to what to do.
Where to stay
First things first, no weekend trip can begin without a killer place to stay. Asheville has a number of hotels fit to accommodate your group. Check out Cambria, The Omni Grove Park Inn, Aloft Asheville Downtown + Doubletree Hotel Biltmore, just to name a few.
If you want to stay like a local, Airbnb is a great option. Airbnb is also good if you have a larger group + you all want to stay together in one house. Check out our Airbnb roundup for our local suggestions.
Asheville Glamping offers unique vacation rental experiences with the chance to stay in a dome, yurt, tipi, safari tent, airstream or tree house.
A stay in the dome. | Photo by @Callangcarpender
Friday
After everyone has unpacked, it’s time to get ready to go out on the town together, because time is short + there’s a lot to show them here in Asheville.
A few easy + delicious dinner options for a group of any size include:
Buxton Hall BBQ |📍32 Banks Ave. | Voted North Carolina’s best BBQ joint by Southern Living, Buxton Hall is an Asheville #MustDo.
Farm Burger |📍10 Patton Ave. | Farm Burger is counter service + build-your-own burger style, made from all farm fresh ingredients.
Papa’s + Beer |📍17 Tunnel Rd. | A local favorite, who doesn’t love mexican food + margs?
After enjoying your first meal of the weekend together, why not finish off the night with drinks or treats?
Hemingway’s Cuba |📍15 Page Ave | This rooftop bar has views of the city + mountains, and makes for the perfect photo op spot for squad pics + cocktails.
District Wine Bar |📍37 Paynes Way | With an eclectic vibe + over 50 wines, District is a great place to relax after traveling earlier in the day, catch up + get ready for the weekend ahead.
Sunshine Sammies |📍99 South Lexington Ave. | Handmade, custom ice cream sandwiches with vegan + gluten free options available, plus “after school treats” like homemade Twinkies + Pop Tarts.
The Hop |📍640 Merrimon Ave. or 721 Haywood Rd. | Made from scratch, dairy-free ice cream + sorbet with all the options you could want.
If you’re really ready to get the party started, book a Pubcycle for your group and take a tour of the city while drinking, singing + pedaling your way around.
A ride on the Asheville Pubcycle. | Photo by @Skylar_b_miller
Saturday
Wake up on Saturday + get ready to pack the day full of all the activities.
Spend the morning hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A few close hikes that are beautiful + appropriate for any level are: Craggy Gardens, Black Balsam Knob, Frying Pan Tower + Crabtree Falls. Find more hikes here. This is a great way to get away from the busyness of the city + truly take in the beauty of the mountains you came to see. Those times spent taking in nature with friends can be some of the most bonding, plus it’s free.
To get the most out of your outdoor experience, you could book a group guided mountain or waterfall yoga hike with Namaste in Nature.
A hike with Namaste in Nature. | Photo by @namaste_in_nature
If you’re looking for a little less active way to spend your morning check out one of Asheville’s many tailgate markets + spend time browsing homemade, local goods.
After a little morning activity, try one of these places for lunch:
Well Bred Bakery + Cafe |📍6 Boston Way | House-made sandwiches + sides + more. Plus, delicious fresh baked goods.
Conner Kitchen |📍3 Boston Way | Conner Kitchen |📍3 Boston Way | This sweet, historic home in Biltmore Village offers a full breakfast menu with some classic plates as well as original creations.
White Duck Taco Shop |📍12 Biltmore Ave. or 388 Riverside Dr. | The most unique, gourmet street tacos you’ll ever find.
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack |📍1455 Patton Ave. or 3749 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Fried chicken that puts all other fried chicken to shame + a selection of sides so good, you’ll have a hard time choosing just one.
Spend the afternoon at the Biltmore Estate. Tour the house, spend time walking through the beautiful blooming gardens + conservatory, and make sure to stop by the winery for a complimentary wine tasting. See our guide here. Continue the afternoon with shopping in Biltmore Village across the street.
Or, spend the afternoon on a brewery tour at Sierra Nevada learning the history + process of beer making, then enjoy drinks on their backyard patio that will have you swooning. 😍
Before dinner, spend an hour or two testing to see if the #bridesquad has enough teamwork to take on the wedding day in an Escape Room (like Breakout Asheville) or see which friend has the best throwing skills + let off some steam at Axeville Throwing Club.
And if you chose to stay in on the first night, or are ready for round two, get dressed up, take a few mirror selfies, call an Uber + get ready for an eventful Saturday night.
Need a few more suggestions for dinner? Try one of these...
Pack’s Tavern |📍20 S Spruce St. | Pack’s offers a varied menu in a restored historic building in the heart of downtown.
Tupelo Honey |📍12 College St. or 1829 Hendersonville Rd | If you’re looking for some delicious scratch-made, Southern comfort food – look no further.
Zambra |📍85 W Walnut St. | Step it up a notch with this traditional Mediterranean tapas + wine restaurant.
After dinner, make your way to Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar for some laughs with the girls. This is a request only, sing-along piano bar, and they love to celebrate + serenade any bachelorette, birthday girl, etc.
If you want to take in more local places, head to the South Slope + bounce around a few breweries like Catawba Brewing, The Funkatorium, Burial Beer Co. + Wicked Weed. Find more great spots here.
Sunday
Just because everyone is heading home today doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in one or two more activities together. No girls’ weekend is complete without a good brunch date, and Asheville is loaded with great brunch spots,
Try one of these for breakfast, lunch + in between…
Biscuit Head |📍733 Haywood Rd., 417 Biltmore Ave or 1994 Hendersonville Rd. | Cat-head size biscuits with delicious + unique toppings.
Sunny Point Cafe |📍626 Haywood Rd. | Their menu features a variety of upscale comfort food to satisfy any cravings.
Daphne at Twisted Laurel |📍130 College St. | Offering casual + creative new American cuisine that will have you loving every bite.
After brunch, if there’s still time before everyone has to get back on the road go for a studio stroll in the River Arts District. A lot of artists will have their studios open on weekends for people to pop in + out of to enjoy the art, watch the process or purchase a piece.
Or maybe stop in an antique shop or two like the Antique Tobacco Barn. Check out our antique round up here.
To end the weekend on a truly relaxing note, visit the Asheville Salt Cave for a 45-minute group session. Choose to relax in either a zero gravity chair or on comfy pillows and blankets on the salt floor. The cave host will provide a guided relaxation allowing you to rest + restore.
After packing up, saying goodbyes + posting your weekend recap on Instagram, make one last stop at Simple Cafe + Juice Bar or Green Sage Cafe for the perfect on-the-road juice, smoothie or coffee.
Readers’ Top Picks
While this list is pretty hefty, there were a few places + activities we forgot to add to the list. And thanks to our readers, we’ve included even more squad fun.
“LaZoom beer and band tour for sure!” – Marsha L.
“Tour French Broad Chocolate Factory and then indulge!” – Sunny
“Going with the ladies on a memory-making tour with Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours!” – Christine G.
“Pie Flights at Baked Pie Company are a must!” – Michael F.
“Invite Birdie, our adorable Flower Truck to your party and build your own bouquet or make a fun fresh flower cuff bracelet to wear.” – Patty H.
“For an afternoon glass of wine (or two), Margaret & Maxwell Wine Salon in Biltmore Village!” – Paula T.
“Navitat Canopy Adventures! Beautiful way to spend time outdoors.” – Abigail W.
“I work with Blue Heron Whitewater Rafting and I have been very surprised with how many bachelor/bachelorette parties go rafting with us! They seem to have a great time!” – Kay C.
“We offer ‘uniquely Asheville’ packages with options from yoga on the mountain hikes, massage at the rental, group tarot readings, yoga at the rental and so much more.” – Sue Ann
“Asheville’s Fun Depot is a great spot for fun, especially for our adventurous groups! The ropes course is an obvious choice, however with our tropical rainforest water, we have so much space for groups to create all the best memories!” – Joanna S.
“Of course, Echoview Yarn Store Craft Nights.” – Echoview Fiber Mill
“We’ve had a number of “girls weekend” and bachelorette parties at Chop Shop (guys weekends and bachelor parties as well!”) come for a butchery, oysters/seafood class, or sausage making class!” – PJ
“C&Co. Handcrafted Skincare + Natural Spa.” –Christina A.
“Check out an Aerial Yoga class at Aerial Space!!” – Lisa V.
“We see many bachelorette and bachelor parties here at Climbmax Climbing...for indoor (2 hours) or outdoor climbing events (half and full day).” – Stuart C.
