Asheville Accolades

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

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. 

Chosen by USA TODAY Network food journalists who know their local scenes best, the list celebrates places that offer not just great flavors but also heart, hospitality and a strong sense of community.

Asheville topped the list of best places to go in 2026 by The Points Guy Travel Team

Buncombe County made Fodor's Top Places to Go in 2026! 

Find Asheville on T+L's 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026! Section: Destinations for Nature Lovers 

Potential New Boyfriend named "Best Third Place" in America by Eater.

Luminosa earned a MICHELIN Green Star, while Luminosa, Little Chango and Mother earned a Bib Gourmand distinction; 12 others on recommended list.

Frommer’s editors and contributors from around the globe have chosen places that you might not have otherwise considered for your own adventure through 2026.

When Hurricane Helene hit, Asheville, North Carolina, banded together—and became 2025’s Nicest Place in America.

The Blue Ridge city of Asheville, North Carolina, was just named the most affordable fall-foliage destination to travel to in the U.S.

Asheville has once again captured the hearts of travelers, earning the No. 9 spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 list of Best Cities in the United States. Voted on by readers who recognize places with a strong sense of character, Asheville’s inclusion is a testament to its creative energy, resilient spirit, and the people who make this place unforgettable.

Asheville is No. 3 in CNN's list of America's Best Towns to Visit 2025 thanks to its mountain setting and the resilience seen in its food, beverage and arts scenes.

The Good Hot Fish chef wins for her cookbook Our South: Black Food Through My Lens

Asheville's Crucible made Esquire's 2025 list of the best bars in America.

Hurricane Helene’s floods may have knocked this North Carolina mountain town back on its heels, but Asheville’s music scene is resilient. Bands and fans alike have since returned to breweries’ beer gardens and traditional venues across town to hear artists from all genres. Above all else, catch a show at venerable club the Orange Peel.

Wanderlust's third annual celebration of sustainability in travel looks at 50 destinations that show travel can be a force for good

Asheville's Good Hot Fish, Luminosa and Potential New Boyfriend make Southern Living's list of The 20 Best New Restaurants In The South

Where to go in the US for an enriching family trip

#7: Asheville, North Carolina

#10: Let your inner southerner out in Asheville, North Carolina

The Radical—in a refurbished 1920s cereal factory, with a self-described “posh punk” attitude and decor, from the eclectic lobby with sofas of all shades to the bohemian rooms with patterned headboards and fringed lamps—is now providing gallery space for the displaced Radical Arts District Artists (RADA) members. 

Asheville listed as #7 Best Beer Cities

These locations across the United States have been nominated by an expert panel and voted by our readers as the 10 best beer cities for hosting the most outstanding beer scenes in the nation. That means stellar collections of established and up-and-coming breweries, beer bars, brewpubs, beer festivals, and even thriving homebrewing communities where a novice brewer can get their foot in the door. 

Asheville’s resilient spirit and ever-evolving cultural landscape have earned it an esteemed spot on The New York Times' prestigious “52 Places to Go in 2025” list. Recognized for its vibrant recovery and enduring creativity, our Blue Ridge Mountain town continues to inspire visitors with its blend of history, art and heart.