Artful new stays and outdoor experiences await throughout the Asheville area

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 2, 2026 – Fresh off being named a top destination for spring break, according to Google Flights data, the Asheville area enters spring and summer with national momentum and a calendar full of headline-making experiences. With the rare, ghostly glow of blue ghost fireflies, local chefs competing on national television and never-before-seen immersive art at America’s Largest Home, the Asheville area is delivering on the richness of an Appalachian spring that stretches seamlessly into a luminous summer season.

As travelers seek meaningful, multi-generational getaways and outdoor experiences that move beyond dusk, Asheville answers with a blend of natural adventure, culinary excellence and cultural discovery, set against the Blue Ridge Mountains as they shift from the vibrant blooms of spring to a lush summer green.

Immersive escapes | New lodging experiences offer authentic ways to settle throughout the Asheville area, from reconnecting in nature to living like a local in the heart of the city’s creative center.

• AutoCamp Asheville welcomes guests for the first time with a design-forward take on a classic camping experience. The property blends modern comforts with the nostalgia of Airstream travel, offering a relaxed basecamp perfect for families, solo travelers and multigenerational groups seeking connection in the outdoors.
• Artful Way, opened April 1, introduces a boutique hotel designed for extended stays, independently owned and curated by local artists and craftspeople. Perched above the River Arts District, the property features suites with full kitchens, in-unit laundry and a creative immersion into Asheville’s arts scene.

Outdoor experiences that shine all season | Longer days, longer stays and blooming landscapes invite visitors outdoors, where new glamping experiences and rare natural phenomena bring magic to the mountains.

• Nature takes center stage at Firelight at Shope Creek with a new offering from Foraging Home. During a stay in one of their modern cabins, a foraging guide greets visitors at their doorstep for a guided tour across the property, creating hands-on experiences that connect guests more deeply to the land.
• As interest in astrotourism and nocturnal travel grows, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer one of their most enchanting after-dark spectacles. Blue ghost fireflies return in May, emitting a steady blue-green glow that illuminates quiet forest floors for a few magical weeks each year. For the best chance at spotting these elusive creatures, visitors can take a guided nighttime journey with Asheville Wellness Tours.
• As the Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates its 90th year in the run up to the country’s 250th birthday, millions of wildflowers bloom in waves from spring through summer along America’s Favorite Drive, offering an ever-changing landscape of color.
  • PEAK BLOOM TIP: As a temperate rainforest and one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, thousands of species of wildflowers bloom at different points in the season. Check out Asheville’s wildflower bloom schedule here.

Sanctuaries of the senses | The Asheville area invites visitors to step inside immersive spaces where sound, light and flavor intertwine.

• From March 26 to Oct. 18, “Luminere” at Biltmore transforms George Vanderbilt’s 1895 Gilded Age mansion and gardens through large-scale projection art and immersive storytelling, casting the estate in an entirely new light.
  • For the first time, visitors can enjoy artisanal picnics on the lawn overlooking the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed gardens before the experience begins at dusk.
  • A brand-new evening house tour highlights Biltmore’s extraordinary collection of fine art, including original Monets, Renoirs and 16th-century tapestries.
• The boundaries between the digital and the natural dissolve with Electric Garden, a new all-ages daytime installation inside Third Room, Asheville’s 5,000-square-foot venue for art and music. Opening April 15, nationally recognized artists fill the space with augmented reality, kinetic light sculptures and interactive displays of light and sound.
• Joyful Noise Listening Lounge and Kitchen, a new River Arts District venue, transforms from a daytime cafe into an evening vinyl “sanctuary of sound.” Chef Joshiah McGaughey, former co-owner of Vivian, leads the culinary program while Summit Coffee operates the daytime cafe service, marking their return to the River Arts District after both lost locations to Hurricane Helene.

Art in a new perspective | This season, our creative communities are embracing reinvention and reframing the familiar through new works, spaces and experiences.

• The River Arts District was recently named “Best Arts District” in the United States in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The district’s large concentration of over 500 working artists, accessible studio spaces, walkable size and immersive experiences make it a favorite among visitors.
• Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Bonesteel’s documentary “A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story” invites audiences to rediscover the complex legacy of Japanese photographer George Masa, whose striking images helped shape the conservation movement and the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A free community screening takes place April 29 at the Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville.
• Muse Art Bar opens in South Slope, introducing a new kind of creative gathering space to unwind through hands-on art. The concept invites guests to slow down and reconnect with creativity through beginner-friendly sessions like pottery, collage, knitting and embroidery, offering a relaxed, screen-free environment where curiosity and connection thrive.
• Paint•It Asheville debuts a playful, interactive studio experience in downtown, where guests can create their own Asheville-inspired artwork to take home. Housed inside Artbeat Gallery & Lounge, the concept pairs step-by-step painting sessions with a lively, social atmosphere perfect for families and groups.

A culinary scene in the spotlight | National acclaim and televised appearances illuminate Asheville’s chefs and restaurateurs.

• The James Beard Foundation recognized three Asheville-area culinary stars in this year’s awards:
  • Finalist | Outstanding Restaurateur | Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani, Chai Pani Restaurant Group
    Chai Pani is known nationally for its vibrant take on Indian street food, while sister concept Botiwalla delivers bold grilled flavors inspired by Irani cafés—together playing a key role in expanding Asheville’s global culinary footprint. On March 24, Molly Irani released “Service Ready: A Story of Love, Restaurants, and the Power of Hospitality.”
  • Semifinalist | Best Chef: Southeast | Matt Dawes, The Bull and Beggar
    Matt Dawes honed his craft in the Asheville area and is a foundational part of the Foodtopia community. Dawes is the executive chef at The Bull and Beggar, a River Arts District favorite celebrated for its refined yet approachable cooking, seasonal ingredients and thoughtful nods to European technique.
  • Finalist | Best Chef: Southeast | Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm
    Farmer and chef Taylor Montgomery is known for hyper-seasonal tasting menus that highlight Appalachian ingredients and preservation techniques, with much of the produce grown on site. Montgomery Sky Farm is a regenerative farm and animal rescue that offers private chef-curated culinary experiences.
• As her James Beard Award-winning tapería turns 15, Cúrate chef Katie Button competes on “America’s Culinary Cup,” a fast-paced high-stakes cooking competition hosted by Padma Lakshmi and airing on CBS weekly.
• Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill, Foothills Grange, Little Chango and Regina’s Westside, were featured in recent episodes of Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” At each of these Asheville area favorites, the “Mayor of Flavortown” sampled signature dishes ranging from Hawaiian-inspired barbecue to a ropa vieja arepa, highlighting the breadth of the region’s food scene.
• Good Hot Fish’s Ashleigh Shanti appeared on Food Network’s “Tournament of Champions.” The high-energy competition pairs some of the nation’s most acclaimed chefs against each other, with the added challenge of randomized ingredients and cooking techniques.
• Chef William Dissen of The Market Place was recently awarded “Restaurateur of the Year” by the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association. Chef Dissen was recognized for his dedication to sustainable sourcing and use of Appalachian ingredients.

Restaurants reignite with reopenings and fresh starts | Across the Asheville area, beloved restaurants and new concepts welcome guests in a season of growth.

• Le Parisien brings French elegance to Lexington Street, led by Executive Chef Gabriel Attala, whose MICHELIN-starred background informs a menu rooted in classical technique.
• Rhubarb returns to Pack Square with a mix of longtime favorites and new seasonal creations. Originally opened in 2013 by Chef John Fleer, the beloved restaurant reopens under new ownership with longtime team members at the helm, led by Executive Chef Mallory Foster. Fleer remains involved as a consultant as the new team carries forward Rhubarb’s deep relationships with local farmers and commitment to Appalachian ingredients.
• Fans of Flour’s scratch-made biscuits and focaccia sandwiches will find them in a new spot on Wall Street, with expanded seating and a full breakfast and brunch menu.
• Local favorite Baba Nahm relocates to the S&W Market this spring, bringing its vibrant Mediterranean street food to downtown’s iconic food hall. The move marks a new chapter for the popular concept while opening the door for owners Brian and Laura Smith to debut a fresh restaurant at their Biltmore Avenue location.
• Shamrock Irons offers a lively Irish pub experience with live music, traditional fare and craft beer selections, adding to downtown’s vibrant social scene.
• Visitors can join locals for the South Slope Stroll each second Saturday, a recurring event that celebrates the vibrant brewery district with rotating themes and a festive atmosphere.
• The Scheffer Group brings the Majestic to North Asheville this May, a nostalgic take on Chinese American cuisine from the team behind several of the city’s standout restaurants. The counter-service concept draws on classic, comfort-driven dishes, from Szechuan dumplings to crispy orange beef.  

Sounds of the season | Asheville’s soundscape expands with a wave of new festivals, street performances and open-air venues that bring fresh energy to the city’s stages and streets.

• AVL Sounds Fest debuts Aug. 6–9 with a refreshed take on AVLFest’s multi-venue format, filling more than 20 spaces across the city with local, regional and national acts. The reimagined event reflects Asheville’s evolving music landscape while continuing its tradition of genre-spanning performances and citywide programming. The 2026 festival will feature contemporary artists performing renditions from the historic Asheville Sessions, the first commercial recordings ever made in Appalachia.
• The inaugural Asheville Buskers Fest, May 2–3, celebrates the city’s vibrant street performance culture. Musicians, magicians and artists animate public spaces, including Pack Square, Pritchard Park and the River Arts District, transforming the city into an open-air stage.
• A new riverside music venue arrives this summer. Hellbender by the Orange Peel opens in July along the Swannanoa River, introducing a 6,000-capacity outdoor concert space that blends natural beauty with large-scale live performances. The Orange Peel is one of the Asheville area’s most iconic indoor music venues and was named one of the top five rock clubs in the country by Rolling Stone. The first show announced at Hellbender features Rhiannon Giddens, Mavis Staples, and Mary Chapin Carpenter in a joyful celebration of American songs on August 1.
• White Horse Black Mountain expands its footprint this summer with support from Explore Asheville’s Tourism Product Development Fund. A new four-season covered patio and upper deck create space for more guests to gather for live music and community events at the nonprofit venue.

Mountains in motion | Asheville’s sports scene steps into a new chapter as a renovated ballpark welcomes fans and a new art exhibition celebrates the culture and creativity of athletics.

• McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists, returns following renovations supported by Explore Asheville’s Tourism Product Development Fund. The spring home opener April 21 signals the return of baseball season, with the refreshed stadium enhancing the experience while preserving the historic charm of one of Minor League Baseball’s oldest ballparks.
  • The newly renovated ballpark will host the Big South Baseball Championship, bringing together nearly 275 student-athletes, their families and fans to the city for a multi-day tournament May 20-23.
• The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Track & Field National Championships will take place May 20-22 at UNC Asheville’s Karl Straus Track. The track was recently renovated, with expansions made possible in part by a $1.5 million Tourism Product Development Fund investment through Explore Asheville.
• Asheville prepares to welcome the PGA TOUR back for the first time in more than 80 years with the debut of the Biltmore Championship Asheville. Set for September 17–20 at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, the tournament marks a major milestone for the region, bringing world-class competition, national broadcast coverage and significant economic impact as the city readies to host players and spectators from around the globe.
  • At Blue Spiral 1, a new exhibit explores the intersection of athletics and art. Open now through April 22, “SPORTS!” features work created from or inspired by sports ephemera and includes repurposed footballs, mold-blown glass, ceramics, paintings and sculpture.  

Spring and summer travel planner

Across the Asheville area, longer days reveal a community moving forward with creativity and inspired momentum. This spring and summer, getting here is easier than ever, with expanded seasonal air service at Asheville Regional Airport, including new and returning routes to destinations like Miami, Minneapolis, Boston and Austin.

Inside the airport, new enhancements continue to take shape, with portions of the updated baggage claim and rental car areas opening this season, alongside the return of the “Art in the Airport” exhibition in the North Concourse.

For more of the most up-to-date insights, seasonal happenings and travel tips visit ExploreAsheville.com.

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About the Asheville area

Tucked away in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Asheville area is where unrivaled natural beauty meets bold creative expression. Here, visitors step into biodiverse forests, explore tall Eastern peaks and engage with a compassionate, ever-evolving community. Every visit to the Asheville area is an invitation to awaken, discover and become.