What To Do in Asheville During The 2026 SoCon Basketball and Wrestling Tournaments
Get ready to cheer, debate your bracket picks, and make the most of every minute between games and matches in Asheville. March brings two Southern Conference championship weekends to town with the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville (March 5-9) and the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships (March 6-7) at Kimmel Arena at UNC Asheville
You can catch buzzer beaters and takedowns by day, then dive into Asheville’s food, drink, and mountain views in between sessions. Between craft brews, award-winning dining, and downtown nights, the momentum never slows even after the final whistle. Get wrapped up in all the competition, then explore Asheville like a true contender.
What Can I Do in Asheville During SoCon Weekend?
Thursday | Opening Tip-Off
Ease into the tournament weekend with a perfect pre-game warm-up. Grab an early dinner at Cúrate, Xico, or Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, three downtown spots where flavor combinations are as exciting as a second-half comeback. Then, stroll through downtown and enjoy the eclectic city vibes.
Evening highlight: Catch a live show at The Orange Peel or The Grey Eagle — both known for crowd-pleasing lineups that spike the energy in all the right ways.
Friday | Pin Down Your Parkway Plans
Between games, trade your bleachers for blue skies. Take a quick drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, where early spring shines across the ridgelines and mountain views stretch for miles. Or, if you prefer to keep the pace relaxed, walk off the adrenaline with a gentle loop through the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, just minutes from downtown.
Dinner game plan: Keep it local. Try Chai Pani, Chestnut, or The Market Place, where Asheville’s downtown Foodtopia scene shines as bright as the championship lights.
Saturday | Three-Point Ideas & Takedown Dinner Plans
Start the morning with a coffee crawl: High Five Coffee, Summit, and Rowan are all downtown favorites. If the team’s energy needs a reset, head to Well Played Board Game Café or Asheville Retrocade for some friendly competition that doesn’t require a singlet.
Between games, check out Asheville’s South Slope District, where breweries like Burial Beer Co., Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium, and Hi-Wire Brewing are just a short walk apart.
Evening calls for dinner and a stroll — wander through Grove Arcade’s shops, then toast to your team at Battery Park Book Exchange, where champagne meets good stories in an iconic Art Deco setting. End the night at Asheville Proper, where the only thing to pick is which delicious and juicy steak to enjoy.
Sunday | Fast Break to a Local Tour
Sunday is a great day to slow things down while still seeing a lot of Asheville.
Start with the Urban Trail, a self-guided walking tour that weaves through downtown’s architecture, public art, and hidden stories, then explore the city’s deeper roots on the Black Cultural Heritage Trail, which highlights the people and places that shaped Asheville’s historic Black communities.
For a more playful spin on sightseeing, hop aboard LaZoom, Asheville’s purple comedy bus tour that blends local history with offbeat humor and lively storytelling. When it is time to shift from stories to sips, head to New Belgium Brewing for a behind-the-scenes brewery tour and tasting. End the evening with an intimate Italian meal at Piccolina.
Monday | Championship & Chill
The weekend of SoCon fun ends with Monday night basketball and one team's ultimate goal of an NCAA Tournament berth. Fuel up with brunch at Tupelo Honey or Early Girl Eatery, both beloved for Southern comfort done right. Before the trophy is raised, take one last Asheville victory lap:
- Stretch out those cheering muscles with a visit to Sauna House or Shoji Spa, two local favorites for pre and post-tournament relaxation.
- Stop by SPORTS! A Group Exhibition at Blue Spiral 1 Gallery in downtown Asheville. The show, featuring multiple artists, reimagines athletic imagery and ephemera — from repurposed footballs and mold-blown glass to paintings and ceramics — as layered works of art. It’s a thoughtful pivot before celebrating Championship Monday.
- Pick up souvenirs with soul at Appalachian Craft Center or East Fork Pottery — lasting reminders of your SoCon stay.
Extend Your Stay | From Courts to Creeks
Don’t let the final whistle signal the end of your Asheville story. Extend your visit into a mountain mini-vacation:
- Biltmore Estate: Wander the gardens and enjoy seasonal wines at the winery.
- Black Mountain: Just 20 minutes east, this small town pairs cozy cafés with big-hearted mountain views.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Stretch your legs (and your perspective) with scenic overlooks and short hikes like Craggy Gardens or Graveyard Fields.