Girls Weekend in Asheville, NC

A girls weekend in Asheville is hard to beat, especially when you can drive up easily from Atlanta. With a walkable downtown, an incredible food and drink scene, live music, and mountain views in every direction, Asheville makes for an ideal weekend getaway without the hassle of flying.

We headed up on Saturday morning and took the scenic route through Nantahala National Forest, which instantly set the tone for the trip. The slower drive and mountain scenery made the journey feel like part of the experience rather than just a way to get there. It’s a route we loved so much that we took it again on the way home.

We stayed right in the heart of downtown at Kimpton Hotel Arras, which made exploring Asheville incredibly easy. From champagne bars and tapas to late-night live music and jazz downstairs at a hidden speakeasy-style lounge, everything we wanted to do was just a short walk away.

If you’re planning a girls’ weekend in Asheville and want a trip that blends great food, relaxed nights out, and scenic mountain views, this itinerary delivers all of it—and then some.

Where We Stayed: Kimpton Hotel Arras

We stayed at the Kimpton Hotel Arras, and it was the perfect home base for our girls weekend in Asheville. Located right in the heart of downtown, the hotel is central to shops, bars, restaurants, and just about everything you’d want to do without needing a car. Once we checked in, we were able to walk everywhere for the rest of the weekend.

The hotel itself strikes that ideal balance between stylish and comfortable. The rooms were spacious and well-appointed, making it easy to relax and reset between outings. One of our favorite perks was the nightly social hour in the lobby, where the Kimpton offers complimentary beer and wine. It became a natural starting point for our evenings and a great way to gather before heading out.

We also loved having a welcoming lobby space to return to at the end of the night. Whether it was grabbing a drink after a full day of eating or winding down before turning in, the hotel felt lively without being overwhelming.

If you’re planning a girls’ weekend in Asheville and want to stay somewhere that’s walkable, comfortable, and well-located, the Kimpton Hotel Arras checks all the boxes.

Saturday Night in Downtown Asheville

We kicked off Saturday night with a stop at Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, a spot that came highly recommended by a friend—and immediately lived up to the hype. The space is cozy and eclectic, lined with bookshelves and buzzing with conversation. We shared a champagne flight and a charcuterie board, which felt like the perfect way to ease into the evening and set the tone for the weekend.

From there, we headed to dinner at Chorizo. The lively tapas-style menu made it easy to sample a few things and keep the night moving. It was casual, energetic, and exactly what we wanted before heading out for live music.

After dinner, we made our way to Fitz and the Wolfe, where the main level was full of live music and dancing. Just when we thought we’d seen it all, we discovered the Palm Room downstairs. The vibe shifted completely—more intimate, speakeasy-like, with jazz and a relaxed lounge feel. It felt like stumbling onto a secret spot, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the night.

With tired feet and full hearts, we eventually wandered back to the hotel, grateful that everything was just a short walk away. It was one of those nights that reminded us why Asheville is such a great city for a girls weekend—great drinks, great music, and plenty of surprises along the way.

Sunday Brunch & a Food-Focused Afternoon

We eased into Sunday with brunch at Blackbird, a solid downtown spot that hit the mark for a relaxed start to the day. The atmosphere was lively without feeling rushed, making it a great place to recap the night before and fuel up for what turned out to be a very food-forward afternoon.

After brunch, we joined a food tour with Asheville Food Tours, led by local food expert Stu Helm. The tour offered a deeper look at Asheville’s culinary scene, with multiple stops and plenty of tastings along the way. By the end, we were more than full and officially tapped out on food for the day.

I’ll be sharing a separate post with a full breakdown of the tour, but it’s worth noting here just how filling and well-paced the experience was. It was the kind of afternoon that made us appreciate having everything close by—and no real agenda afterward.

With very full bellies, we headed back to the hotel for a low-key evening. A few drinks back at the Kimpton and an early night felt like the perfect way to wrap up Sunday before heading home the next day.

Monday Morning & the Scenic Drive Home

After a relaxed morning and one last pass through downtown, we packed up and headed back toward Atlanta—once again taking the scenic route through Nantahala National Forest. Driving it both ways turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip.

The winding roads, mountain views, and quiet stretches of forest were a refreshing contrast to the busy weekend in downtown Asheville. It gave us time to decompress, replay highlights from the trip, and ease back into real life rather than rushing straight home.

If you’re planning a girls weekend in Asheville and have the flexibility to drive, this route is absolutely worth it. The scenery adds something special to the experience and makes the journey feel just as memorable as the destination.

Final Pour: Why Asheville Is Perfect for a Girls Weekend

Asheville has a way of delivering exactly what you want from a girls getaway. It’s walkable, full of personality, and packed with great food, wine, and live music—without feeling overwhelming. Being able to drive up easily from Atlanta only adds to the appeal, especially when you can take the scenic route through the mountains.

Staying downtown made the entire weekend feel effortless. From champagne flights and tapas to jazz tucked away downstairs and relaxed brunch the next morning, everything flowed naturally without the need for a packed itinerary. Add in a food tour that left us happily full and a peaceful drive through Nantahala National Forest on the way home, and the weekend struck the perfect balance between fun and downtime.

If you’re looking for a destination that works just as well for celebrating, catching up, or simply getting away for a few days, Asheville checks all the boxes. It’s the kind of place you leave already talking about when you’ll come back—and what you’ll do next time.

If you’re already thinking about your next girls getaway, you might also enjoy this recap of another girls trip, a wine-filled weekend in Woodinville that focused on tasting rooms, great food, and slowing down together