Coziness reaches new heights in Asheville, North Carolina — recently named one of America’s coziest cities.
Here, warmth isn’t just a feeling. It’s a way of life. As the Danish idea of hygge wraps the world in soft blankets and candlelight, Asheville embodies its own mountain version: crackling fireplaces and frosted vistas, toasty mugs of something delicious, and live music that melts the chill away.
This mountain city glows in winter — where stillness and energy get along just fine. You can linger beside a fire pit overlooking downtown’s skyline or wake to a sunrise over snow-dusted peaks. Asheville’s warmth is found not only indoors, but in the faces of makers, musicians, and chefs who keep this creative mountain town buzzing all season long.
Up Your Cozy Game: Seven Asheville Experiences for Winter
1. It only takes a spark.
The view from your couch has nothing on a roaring fire framed by mountain stone. Pull up a rocking chair at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, where the 36-foot fireplace has been kindling stories for more than a century. Or cozy up around a rooftop fire pit downtown, a craft cocktail in hand, skyline glittering against the dark ridgelines of the Blue Ridge.
2. Hiking with a (long) view.
Winter in the mountains offers a rare kind of quiet. With the crowds gone and the trees bare, trails reveal hidden horizons — deep blue skies stretching over endless folds of land. Even a short climb can leave you breathless in the best way, warmed from within. If you’re lucky, you might catch the sparkle of a frozen waterfall mid-cascade. Explore our six favorite hiking trails for winter.
3. Cabin fever, redux.
Got a case of the winter blahs? Sometimes the best antidote for cabin fever is the cabin itself. Asheville’s array of mountaintop retreats and inviting B&Bs have perfected the art of getting away from it all. Slip into your private hot tub overlooking the surrounding peaks and valleys, enjoy a candlelit dinner from the intimacy of your own guest room, or cuddle inside a perfectly Instagrammable 1950s camper parked in a secluded valley across from an organic farm. Browse cabin rentals and bed & breakfast inns.
4. Coziness is a state of mind—and body.
This city knows how to restore you. Stretch out inside the softly lit Asheville Salt Cave, soak in a cedar hot tub at Shoji Spa surrounded by winter woods, or let your mind drift during a lavender foot soak at Wake Foot Sanctuary. Asheville’s approach to wellness is simple: take the quickest path to slowing down. Discover our top spa experiences, each with an Asheville twist.
5. Fill your cup.
Every corner of Asheville seems to pour comfort by the cupful. Sip fine oolong at High Climate Tea Company, surrounded by the quiet hum of conversation. Warm your hands around a velvety hot chocolate at French Broad Chocolate Lounge or a classic Manhattan for two at Little Jumbo. Whether it’s tea, coffee, or a cocktail, these are moments made to linger. Check out Asheville's top coffee shops, from the traditional to the unusual.
6. Get closer to the action.
Summer is for outdoor music and theater festivals. Winter is for intimate performances in the sorts of snug venues that showcase Asheville’s wide-ranging arts scene. From the cozy glow of the Grey Eagle to the electric energy of The Orange Peel, Asheville’s stages make every performance feel personal — the kind of night that lingers long after you leave. Get fired up watching a thought-provoking drama at NC Stage or Asheville Community Theatre, connect with a local singer-songwriter in the welcoming Ayurprana listening room, tap your toes to the frenetic fiddling of a nationally renowned bluegrass act, or dance the night away to global grooves. See our guide to winter events in Asheville.
7. Food is meant to be shared.
With James Beard-nominated chefs turning out small plates worth traveling for, Asheville’s most enticing food spaces beg diners to sit close and order a table full of communal dishes. Romance blossoms here over oysters on the half shell and hush puppies dipped in wild mountain honey, artisanal cheese boards and hibiscus-glazed turnips, and ceviche with papaya and slow-braised short rib nachos. Reserve a table at one of Asheville top 10 most romantic restaurants.
No matter what draws you in, take advantage of the year’s best rates with a winter trip. Take a peek at rates and availability here.
