Top 10 Winter Activities in Asheville

December 15, 2025

  1. Biltmore Estate

    There is never a bad time to visit the iconic Biltmore Estate but winter brings a yuletide oasis.  Now through January 4, 2026,  you can experience the beauty of thousands of lights, over 100 Christmas trees, fragrant wreaths, and sparkling garland. The winter season of January through March also brings lower prices and less crowds.

  2. Explore Beer City USA

    The local craft brewing scene has exploded and Asheville has been voted Beer City USA four years in a row, Asheville takes extreme pride in being home to over 20 local craft brewers. Whether you take a Brews cruise or a DIY tour on the Asheville Ale Trail, a brewery hopping exploration is the perfect way to keep warm and enjoy a cold, winter weekend.

  3. Foodie Experiences  Find out why Asheville ranks first in the South Atlantic region in the RewardExpert’s Best American Foodie Towns. With hundreds of restaurants and farm fresh eateries, you will not be disappointed by the choices of restaurants. Take a guided eating tour with a professional foodie to sample and taste some of Asheville’s best restaurants.
  4. Asheville Restaurant Weeks (January 20-26, 2026 and February 17-23, 2026) 

    Try some new restaurants or revisit favorites. Get the lowest prices of the year, with a prix fix menu at $15-$35/person. With dozens of choices, there’s something for all appetites! Asheville has been touted by many as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in America.

  5. Hiking  Less crowds means quieter hikes. It is a great time to hit the trails! Discover peace and solitude with expansive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a cool, clear day. Dupont State Forest offers several hikes from easy to difficult. It is famous for being one of “The Hunger Games” film locations. Chimney Rock offers breathtaking views of the gorge after climbing up the chimney. Pisgah National Forest offers the opportunity of seeing a frozen waterfall at Daniel Ridge Falls.
  6. Sharpen your photography skills  Choose a half-day or full-day photo tours with our friends, Chris & Bonnie at Asheville Photo Tours. Explore some of the most photogenic but lesser-known locations in the Blue Ridge and Asheville areas.
  7. Take an art class

    Tap into your creative side with some of the talented, local artists. Day and weekend workshops include oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, inks, bookbinding, and pottery.

  8. Live music

    Asheville has been called “One of America’s Greatest Music Cities”. There is a vibrant music scene with live music of all genres from bluegrass to rock. Experience some of the very best in live music and find out why The Orange Peel has been called the country’s premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue. The Orange Peel offers state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment rarely found in a club of its size. Other fun venues include The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall.

  9. Pamper yourself

    There is nothing quite like a luxurious foot soak in a hand-hammered copper bowl. Enjoy a fragrant, rejuvenating, and moisturizing sole to soul experience at Wake Foot Sanctuary. A signature massage can be added on for an extra splurge.

  10. Indulge in a romantic getaway

    Snuggle up with your loved one next to one of our cozy fireplaces with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of wine at The Lion and the Rose

Road beneath an arched stone bridge covered in vines and surrounded by trees.

Haunted Asheville

By odysys_admin • October 30, 2025
We are lucky to have great friends that grew up in Asheville. They have told us about some interesting local hauntings and strange experiences. With Halloween around the corner, we thought this was the right time to share some of these ghost stories and legends of paranormal activity.
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Loyalty Rewards Program

By odysys_editor • September 1, 2025
In just under two weeks, Steve and I will be celebrating our seventh inniversary here at The Lion and the Rose Bed and Breakfast. Where has the time gone? We’ve been through a pandemic and a hurricane and luckily, we are happy to still be here doing what we love. We feel privileged to be the innkeepers of this beautiful, historic inn and to have met so many wonderful people. Many thanks to both our repeat and new guests for giving us the opportunity to be your home away from home while visiting Asheville.
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