The Best & Worst Times to Visit Asheville, NC in 2024

The city of Asheville, nestled in North Carolina’s mountains, is one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. For adventurous tourists, Asheville is mostly interesting because it’s a base for exploring the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.

The city itself has plenty to keep people busy, such as the galleries in the River Arts District, plenty of bars playing blues music, and an up-and-coming gastronomical scene. Just walking around the eclectic historic center is a great way to spend the day.

Asheville is a must-visit destination when touring the U.S. South, especially if you time your visit for when the city is at its most special. Keep reading to find out about the best time to visit.

The Overall Best Time to Visit Asheville, NC

The best time to visit Asheville is in the fall, which is the best season for hiking the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and when the city is at its most beautiful.

Asheville is most popular as a base for exploring the nearby mountains, which are at their most beautiful in the fall. According to the official Blue Ridge Parkway website, the iconic road that passes through Asheville itself, October is the best month to visit for peak foliage.

The changing leaves paint Asheville itself and the mountains around it in amazing colors, making for great photos. Fall also has some of the best weather in Asheville, perfect for walking around the city or even exploring the mountains in the area.

Average temperatures in September are about 77 degrees, while in October they dip down to the high 60s. In October, the rain also peters out, and you’ll see mostly sunny skies.

This weather is perfect for spending plenty of time outdoors because it isn’t chilly but also not sweltering hot. Plus, fall is less rainy than spring and summer in Asheville, so you have less of a chance of getting caught in a downpour.

Outdoor adventurers pack into Asheville during this time, using the perfect weather to go:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Mountain biking
• Fishing
• Birdwatching

Even if you’re not much for physical activity, you can still enjoy the season in Asheville. This is the perfect time to go on a scenic drive and admire the views. There are also plenty of farms near the city that are open to visitors for quintessential fall activities such as apple picking.

During the peak of fall foliage season, there is also plenty to do in Asheville itself. This is the town’s high season, so all tourist-oriented businesses are open. You’ll catch plenty of bluegrass nights, art exhibitions, and more.

Some of the biggest events of the season include:

• Goombay Festival, celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture (early September)
• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (mid-October)
• LEAF Global Arts Festival (October)

Just keep in mind that we’re not the only ones who think this is the best time to visit Asheville. This is the peak season in the city, and hotels tend to fill up quickly (and raise their prices). If you visit during this time, prepare to budget extra and to see a lot more cars on the Blue Ridge Parkway than you may want to.

Cheapest Time to Visit Asheville, NC

The most budget-friendly time to visit Asheville is between the middle of winter and early spring, from mid-January to early March. Asheville is a fairly popular place to visit all year round, but visitor numbers tend to lull by January, once the holiday rush is over.

During the city’s low season, many hotels also offer discounts. You can find popular hotels at 15%–25% off their normal prices during the winter. January is the absolute cheapest month to travel to Asheville, followed by November and March.

Although February is part of the low season, some parts of the month tend to increase in prices. Valentine’s Day is a popular time to visit Asheville for a romantic getaway, and President’s Day weekend sees families take advantage of time off from school. Make sure to avoid holiday weekends to save money.

If you are flying into Asheville, the cheapest months to fly in are January and February. Surprisingly, flying in the middle of the day on Saturday is cheaper than flying during the week, according to flight comparison sites, but always make sure that you double-check the prices.

If you are nearby, you can drive to Asheville, which may be less expensive than a flight. Just keep in mind that it is located high in the mountains, and the roads around the city can become difficult to navigate due to the freeze and snow.

Least Busy Time to Visit Asheville, NC

The least busy time to visit Asheville is in November and January. Spring brings a few more people, but the city is hardly crowded. Winter is the least crowded time to visit Asheville (except for right around the holidays).

The colder weather means that hiking isn’t as pleasant, and many roads close due to storms, including parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Visitors who bundle up will be rewarded with lower prices and a cozy atmosphere. The mountains are downright beautiful in the winter, and there are actually nice ski resorts near the city. Winter is the liveliest season when it comes to live music shows and other cultural events.

November offers another surprising lull in tourist numbers and is the least busy month after January. Leaf season is over, and the holiday season hasn’t started yet.

Visit at the end of the month, and you’ll catch the beginning of Christmas at Biltmore, when the historic estate is decorated for the holidays, but before the crowds really show up.

By March, Asheville starts to experience slightly more visitors, but throughout spring, crowds are more manageable than in summer or fall. The temperatures are mild, and the flowers are beginning to bloom, meaning the season is opening for outdoor adventures.

Spring is rainier than the fall and a bad time to visit for people with allergies, but it is an alternative option if you want to go hiking without the crowds.

Worst Time to Visit Asheville, NC

Overall, the worst time to visit Asheville is in the summer. During this time, there are lots of crowds and the heat can be unbearable. Asheville doesn’t get as hot as the rest of North Carolina, thanks to its great location in the mountains.

However, you can still expect temperatures in the low 90s in June, July, and August. The days often feel even hotter because of the high humidity levels that the city experiences.

Since it is cooler in Asheville than in the rest of the state, many North Carolina residents of other cities flee into the mountains to escape the heat. During the summer, the city is packed with people, and the hotel rates rise accordingly.

The thick crowds can make it feel even hotter and frustrate your vacation. Still, there is plenty to do around Asheville, even when it’s hot. High in the mountains, it’s bearable to go hiking as long as you avoid the hottest part of the day.

It’s also the best weather to go kayaking or otherwise explore the lakes and rivers around the city.

During the summer, the city also organizes plenty of events, such as craft fairs and outdoor concert series. At the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, take in the best of bluegrass, country, and line dancing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some other questions people have asked about picking the best time to visit Asheville, NC:

So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Asheville, NC?

Asheville is a beautiful destination all year round but is at its prettiest in October at the peak of leaf season. To save money, visit in January or November.