Do What the Locals Do in Asheville

Winter is one of the best times of the year to visit Asheville. Millions of tourists travel here each year, but most want to time their trips with the school calendar or the peak of fall color. After the New Year, the kids go back to school, some of the outdoor activities are closed for the season, and there may not be as many outdoor festivals and events.

That is exactly why it’s the perfect time of year to explore Asheville like a local. There’s a little less traffic, a little more flexibility, and still, more to do than you can pack into a single weekend. Here are seven ways to do what locals do in the French Broad River Valley, especially during the off-season.

Seven Ways to Explore Asheville Like a Local During Winter

1) Go Hiking

Do locals actually go hiking in the winter? Absolutely! Even though Asheville is in the mountains, it is not as if we’re soaked with snow throughout the season. Some years, we hardly see any measurable snow. It’s even been over 70-degrees on Christmas day. Even if it is snowy, we just put on our waterproof boots and enjoy a magical hike.

Where do the locals hike during winter?

Big Views:

Craggy Pinnacle and Gardens
Mount Pisgah
Mount Mitchell (on a particularly clear winter day, you might catch a glimpse of Charlotte’s skyline)
Chimney Rock
Devil’s Courthouse

Note: These areas are high elevation, where it might be much colder and snowier than in the valley. Check the weather and prepare accordingly. Also, be prepared for road and park closures.

Waterfalls:

Crabtree Falls
Linville Falls
Douglas Falls
Rainbow and Turtleback Falls
Skinny Dip Falls
Moore Cove Falls

There are few things more magical than an icy waterfall. Be careful, of course, as the water is especially cold this time of year.

2) Go Full-Send on a Mountain Bike

Asheville is one of the most popular destinations for mountain biking on the East Coast. The abundance of trail systems in our area entices shredders from all over the world. While many places out west and up north are forced to shut down their trails for the season, most of our mountain bike areas are open year-round.

If you want to ride in Asheville like a local, check out these trail systems:

Kanuga Bike Park
Bent Creek Forest
Dupont State Forest
Richmond Hill Park
Big Ivy/Coleman Boundary
Pisgah State Forest/Brevard
Fire Mountain (Cherokee, NC)
Tsali Recreation Area (Bryson City, NC)

3) Catch a Show

Asheville has some of the best music venues in the South. A few of the shows coming up this winter include:

Sam Burchfield + Will Blackburn: The Grey Eagle | January 7
Getaway Comedy: Maddie Wiener: Getaway River Bar | January 7
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac Tribute: The Orange Peel | January 14
The Adam Ezra Group: Isis Restaurant and Music Hall | January 14
The World of Musicals: Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | January 22
Rebirth Brass Band: Salvage Station | February 9

4) Check out the South Slope Food and Drink

The South Slope area of downtown Asheville has a collection of some of the best food and beverages you can find anywhere, including:

Catawba Brewing Company
Burial Beer Co
Buxton Hall BBQ
Vortex Doughnuts
Farewell Coffee Co
The Prospect
Harvest Pizzeria
Urban Orchard Cider Co

You can always find locals in the South Slope area.

5) Visit the RAD

Even though the River Arts District is one of the most popular places to visit for tourists, you’ll find plenty of locals there browsing the world-class art galleries, enjoying great food and drinks, and using the well-designed (still under construction, but open and usable) greenway.

6) Take a Neighborhood Tour (Downtown, West Asheville, South Asheville, North Asheville)

If you’re visiting the city, there are countless lists of must-do activities throughout the city and the region. Many of the places on those lists are local favorites as well.

You’ll have a great time if you try to just hit the highlights, but if you want to really do what the locals do in Asheville, you can take a day or weekend to explore one neighborhood.

Downtown: You can’t go wrong in downtown Asheville. You also can’t explore everything in a single getaway.
West Asheville: There are many breweries, event venues, and parks to enjoy in this hip community.
South Asheville: Many of your favorite restaurants have locations in South Asheville, and finding a parking spot in this part of town can be a little easier.
North Asheville: One of the most historic neighborhoods in town, North Asheville is as charming as it is fun.

7) Spend an Evening or Two at a Dueling Piano Bar

Asheville has one of the only dueling piano bars you’ll find in the South. Off The Wagon is as popular among locals as it is for visitors.

Here at Off The Wagon, you can’t help but have a great time. The musicians will impress you with their repertoire of thousands of popular songs from the last fifty years. It's an all-request show - let the musicians impress you with their repertoire.

It’s a rock-and-roll, sing-along, total party atmosphere. Combined with great drinks and fantastic service, and you may never want to leave!

If you’re in Asheville and want to live like a local, make sure you come by Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar.

More in this category: « What to Do When You’re in Asheville for the Holidays Ten Top Music Venues in Asheville »

22 N Market St, Asheville

Effective 7 July 2022 with NC Senate Bill 470 and NC House Bill 768, we are no longer a private bar. We are a bar and open to the public! No more membership required to come party with us!