There are places you visit. And there are places that stay with you.
Tucked within some of the world’s oldest mountains, Asheville continues to earn national and international recognition for what locals have always known: this is a city where creativity runs deep, food tells a story, and the mountains shape more than the skyline.
Year after year, Asheville is named among the best — not for one thing, but for the way it all comes together.
Here’s a look at the accolades that keep this mountain town in the spotlight.
Downtown Asheville in Spring
2026
- Travel + Leisure — Top 2026 Spring Break Destinations According to Google
February 17, 2026
Asheville came in second when it came to trending spring break destinations, seeing the next-highest year-over-year percentage increase in searches for domestic trips. - The Points Guy — Where to go in 2026: The 17 best places to travel
January 16, 2026
Asheville topped the list of best places to go in 2026 by The Points Guy Travel Team. - Fodor’s — Go List: Top Places to Go in the USA in 2026
November 21, 2025
Buncombe County was named to Fodor’s Top Places to Go in 2026, recognizing the region’s natural beauty, creative culture, and evolving travel experience. - Travel + Leisure — The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026
November 20, 2025
Asheville was selected for Travel + Leisure’s global list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026, featured in the “Destinations for Nature Lovers” category. - Frommer’s — Best Places to Go in 2026
October 30, 2025
Frommer’s editors and contributors selected Asheville among their top recommended destinations for 2026 travel.
Downtown Asheville
2025
- The New York Times — 52 Places to Go in 2025
January 6, 2025
Asheville earned a spot on The New York Times’ annual global travel list, recognized for its resilient spirit and cultural landscape. - Travel + Leisure — Best Cities in the U.S. 2025
July 8, 2025
Asheville ranked No. 9 on Travel + Leisure’s list of Best Cities in the United States. - CNN Travel — America’s Best Towns to Visit 2025
June 26, 2025
Asheville ranked No. 3, recognized for its mountain setting and the strength of its food, beverage, and arts communities. - Reader’s Digest — Nicest Place in America 2025
September 26, 2025
Asheville was named the Nicest Place in America following Hurricane Helene, recognized for community resilience and mutual support. - Southern Living — Most Affordable Fall Foliage Destination in the U.S.
August 27, 2025
Asheville was named the most affordable fall foliage destination in the United States. - BBC — Best Places to Travel in 2025
May 26, 2025
Asheville ranked #7 in the U.S. for enriching family travel experiences. - Wanderlust Travel Magazine — The Travel Green List 2025
May 27, 2025
Asheville was named to Wanderlust’s annual list of 50 global destinations demonstrating sustainability leadership. - Rolling Stone — 2025 Travel Awards: Best Music Cities
June 9, 2025
Asheville was recognized for its live music culture and venue scene, including mention of The Orange Peel. - Time — World’s Greatest Places of 2025
March 13, 2025
The Radical was named to Time’s global list for its adaptive reuse of a historic industrial building and support of River Arts District artists.
Good Hot Fish
Culinary Honors
- Wine Spectator — The Most Underrated U.S. Cities for Food and Wine, According to Sommeliers
February 20, 2026
Restaurant industry pros share the five U.S. cities that should be on your radar for travel and dining in 2026. Asheville made this top 5 list. - USA TODAY — 2026 Restaurants of the Year
February 11, 2026
Bear's Smokehouse BBQ and Luminosa named in USA TODAY's 2026 List of Best Restaurants in the US. - Eater — Best New Restaurants in America 2025
November 19, 2025
Potential New Boyfriend was named “Best Third Place” in America. - MICHELIN Guide — 15 Asheville restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide in first-ever selection for the American South
November 4, 2025
Luminosa earned a MICHELIN Green Star, while Luminosa, Little Chango and Mother earned a Bib Gourmand distinction; 12 others on recommended list. - Southern Living — The 20 Best New Restaurants in the South
May 26, 2025
Good Hot Fish, Luminosa, and Potential New Boyfriend were included among the South’s top new restaurants. - James Beard Award — Chef Ashleigh Shanti
June 16, 2025
Chef Ashleigh Shanti of Good Hot Fish received a James Beard Award for her cookbook Our South: Black Food Through My Lens. - Esquire — Best Bars in America 2025
June 9, 2025
The Crucible was named to Esquire’s list of the best bars in America. - USA Today — 10 Best Beer Cities in the U.S.
March 5, 2025
Asheville ranked #7 Best Beer City, recognizing its concentration of breweries, beer bars, and brewing culture.