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Autumn in Asheville Retreat Itinerary
Visit the color oasis of changing seasons in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, complete with a retreat adventure. Feel free to use this itinerary on your next Asheville experience, and enjoy the area for your girl's trip, family vacation, or romantic get-a-way. I test out the travel plans so you don't have to be the guinea pig.
While Asheville North Carolina is a fun place to visit any time of year, and many of these itinerary suggestions will work regardless of the season, visiting when those leaves are most dramatic gives a heightened fuzzy feeling like nothing else.
Why Autumn in Asheville?
This vibrant mountain city in Western NC's Blue Ridge Mountains is all the things that give you a little smile. Need art or antiques? Food or breweries? Options for shoppes, galleries, herbiaries, rooftop bars and more? YES! Not to mention river views, mountain views, and seasonal vibes. Sitting at 2200 feet above sea level, French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers intersect in the city. Surrounded by dense forest, the local black bear appreciation (and sasquatch) are fun to enjoy while visiting.
Named after Governor Samuel Ashe in 1797, this historic city has history! There's also an appreciation of the finer things, due to it's proximity to the Biltmore. The gilded age home of George Vanderbilt, built between 1890 and 1895 is the largest privately owned home in the US. Pisgah National Forest, which was created from part of the estate surrounding the home and area is known as the birthplace for modern forestry in the US. Because of Vanderbilt's wealth the area built up significantly.
My family has visited North Carolina before and while we have amazing memories in Lake Lure and the surrounding area, this was my first official visit to Asheville- where I explored rather than just driving through.
It was already on my bucket list, and this was the perfect opportunity.
Enjoying the Lake Family and Friends on Lake Lure Jumping off the boat in Lake Lure
For more on visiting North Carolina and Itinerary tips: Click HERE.
Every Retreat has a different purpose.
Life lately has been taking me on a ride of building and rebuilding, and I really felt the devastation that happened in and around Chimney Rock. In September of 2024, Helene's heavy rainfall led to catastrophic flooding. We watched in terror as the area was washed away and many homes fell into the river, and into Lake Lure.
Especially hitting Home since a tree fell through my family house and I've been dealing with Insurance, contractors, and many layers of getting permits and town approval. On another level because I grew up in New York, where there are seasons, and I live now in Florida where there are none, I realize something happens when you experience four seasons a year. Time passes in a different format. Without seasons time really does feel stagnant. Was that a year ago or five years ago? It's very hard to tell! But when the weather plays such an influence on your life, you remember things in a different order.
I was craving seasons - an autumn experience. I decided the vibe would place those who came in a unique Autumn mindset. The house would have a wraparound porch up in the mountains where we could look out and see many different leaves changing colors. We'd have hot tub and a fire pit. Every adult would have a full-size bed to themselves. I wanted us all to be able to fit in one vehicle. I set out to find exactly all of that. Once I had the specs, I knew how many people could attend. This was a smaller more intimate Retreat capped at seven. Previously my smallest retreat was eight to Costa Rica and that was because my first international retreat was also just eight months away when I planned it. But I had four people that I knew were already in when I booked so it made sense. As a rule, I typically give a year for planning purposes.
The Dining Room Table Over the porch views Beautiful living space Great couch and fireplace kept us warm
The perfect house for our Autumn in Asheville Retreat was found on Airbnb! It was a three-story house up a mountain (literally, the drive was so interesting - I am glad we did this in the daylight) and checked all the boxes. Located but 20 minutes from Asheville, this Burnsville home gave us the setting we needed. Our host Sharonda allowed me early access in the morning to come and drop off food / groceries prior to my airport run.
A full stocked kitchen, and a kitchenette, laundry, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and space for our vision. Book here on Airbnb.
The house is part of the experience. This home is up single lane driveway type of road which is steep, and the GPS repetitively directs you to a neighbor's home which is just under the location. You've got to drive like you mean it! If you are leery of heights or driving up the side of a mountain this is not the one for you!
So what to do in Asheville?
That was the easy part.
Wander, explore, enjoy the area completely. I hoped to have more time to take in the art, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with those who attended. In reality, it goes so fast. We still maximized the experience and enjoyed our quality time together.
The Biltmore - Every bucket list to the Asheville area already has the Biltmore on it! Click here for a backstory on why it was jumping off the page at me to visit now.
Architectural splendor, in the middle of a forest, the Biltmore is it's own testament of wealth, design, intricate craftmanship, and French Renaissance. Essentially, it's a castle just outside of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fredrick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park, also designed the landscape of the estate, which sits on 8000 acres of gardens and beauty.
While you are there you can choose from a variety of house tours, enjoy wine tasting, a visit to the barn yard, enjoy the estate's restaurants, and wander through the gardens. Ticket prices are higher than you'd expect, but is it work it? YES. I thought this would be a one and done visit for me, but I would definitely return. It is also a full day activity although the tour only lasts apx. 90-minutes. You do receive a headset when you check in, and I have tips below for how to maximize your time.
Chimney Rock State Park - located in Chimney Rock, Rutherford County, North Carolina, centered on a 315-foot rock spire that overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Visitors can reach the top of Chimney Rock by climbing the Outcroppings Trail stairways or by taking an elevator to the Sky Lounge. The 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls are a mostly flat hike reached by a 0.7-mile one-way, 1.4-mile round-trip trail. Short, paved walkways and developed viewpoints make highlights enjoyable during your visit. People kept saying "hike down to the falls" and that's not really accurate. The falls are down compared to the Chimney at the top of the rock, but really the hike itself climbs gradually as well.
When I first saw the Chimney of Chimney Rock from below at Lake Lure, I thought is was a bit obscene! I was encouraged to make the climb and that day the elevators were not in operation, so I climbed to the top! I would have purchased anything that said "I survived the climb! After 499 steps I knew it was the hardest thing I'd done to date. If you want to head up to Exclamation Point look out that's an additional 330 stairs. We did catch part of the trail and got some great photos at the Soap Opera Box. This is less than 100 steps up to the next viewpoint.
Well, I had hiked up to the top in the past, but I had yet to make it "down" to the waterfall. This was already on my bucket list, and I thought would be a wonderful addition to this experience. This made for a great day!
Waterfalling, Hickory Nut Falls The Chimney, at Chimney Rock Under the cave rock in the Opera Box
Lake Lure side quest - I just wanted to see how they were recuperating and recovering.
I was hoping to patronize their local businesses in a way that might help their economy. The Flower Bridge is now a corner lot building some character. The quaint little town is building and while roads are still in the process of being made accessible, small businesses are coming back! The devastation is still obvious. The massive rebuilding project is well under way. This area is special, and in close proximity to so much beauty! If you're looking for a lake vacation, add this to your bucket list.
Asheville - known for art, food, and an eclectic taste for all kinds of interesting things, I just wanted to wander the village and see all of it.
This was a fairly brief Retreat, four days and three nights.
As always, I arrive the day prior to everyone else so that I can get my affairs together and feel confident in the layout.
On this occasion, I actually went two days early as I have a friend that lives in the area and was able to connect with her prior to the Retreat beginning. This put me just 30 minutes from the Asheville airport and made for a great excuse to visit.
The Itinerary Details
Prior to the retreat:
Plan the itinerary, menu, and book the excursions. Communicate the plans, share packing list, and coordinate transportation to and from Asheville Airport.
Day one:
-Pick up rental car and meet everyone at the Asheville airport
-Eat lunch in downtown Asheville, wander time
-Head to the grocery store for personal items and preferred snack snacks
-Arrive at the house by 4:30 PM
-Welcome circle
-Pizza from Hog Hollow Wood Fired Pizza in Burnsville, great place to dine in - although I picked it up and we had a low key eat and relax night with pizza, salad and a charcuterie board.
Hanging out in downtown Asheville Downtown Asheville
Day two:
-Breakfast at the mountain house
-Leave by 9:30 am for 11:45 house and garden tickets to the Biltmore
-Arrive by 10:30
-Park in lot B or C, for closest walking to the house
-Wander the gardens, stop for photos
-Souvenir Shops - offer samples of yummy things and this was actually very enjoyable to see their eclectic selection of gifts and goodies
-Head over to Antler Village (this is a 3-mile drive)
-Free wine tasting (the line for this was too long, we enjoyed walking through the wine cellar and then looped back out)
-Dinner - There are many options, we chose to eat at Cedrics which had a really good menu and great service.
**There are no public bathrooms inside of the home. Bathrooms are out front on the right side of the house near where you'll line up for the entry time.
**We did the House and Gardens Tour and followed self-paced a map through a section of the 250-room home. I am slow! I like the details, to take photos and to take it all in.
** The gardens are spectacular. We enjoyed the green house and rose garden, did not wander all of the garden trails, will return.
Picturesque home - The Biltmore Lady sitting in the Biltmore Garden The Biltmore Gardens are calling
Day three:
It was raining at our Mountain house (and chilly) but NOT raining at Chimney Rock, so we modified our original plan.
-Art activity
-Head out to Chimney Rock State Park, 1-hour-30-minute drive
-Take the elevator up to the top, enjoy the viewpoints
**This is a very scenic route, up and down and round and round the mountain you go! If you get motion sickness the ride may be sketchy.
**Bathrooms are near the front end of the entry to the park, and at the elevator area
**The elevator line does move rather slowly
-Hike "down" to the waterfall - not really "down" but more like over to the water fall despite how it's described
-Drive-through Lake Lure, food, and or coffee stop before returning to the mountain cabin for dinner, we premade tacos in the crockpot
**We are at the Lake House, which has a good menu and good food. It's definitely better on a day where you can sit outside, but on this chilly day the soups and warm sandwich options hit the spot.
Ladies along the trail to the waterfall Waterfall Hike Hickory Nut Falls Visiting Chimney Rock in Autumn
Day four:
-Checking out
-Wrap up circle
-Pack and load the vehicles
-Head into the art district of Asheville to wander and explore
**Highlights were the Glass Center, The Galleries, and the Benjamin Walls Gallery
-The brewery: Sierra Nevada Taproom (close proximity to the airport)
-Return rental car at airport and head home!
**Some things were closed on Sunday - we still had more than enough to see and do!
It was a CHILLY day (30 degrees over night - and we needed more layers than originally planned)
Packing List:
Asheville Retreat Packing List page 1 Autumn in Asheville page 2
Menu:
Review:
The seasons hit the spot. This itinerary was ambitious, but we had a very efficient group of very travelers who came together and bonded. Many of the guests met for the first time on this Retreat, everyone got a long great, and all went smoothly as planned. We were flexible with the weather and time, and I appreciated the positive feedback from everyone who was happy to join a small intimate retreat.
Want to join a retreat?
Attend a trip that you don't have to plan with like minded adults ready to center, grow, and vibe in a new way.
My next retreat will be Mahjong & Monet in Mount Dora, Florida from April 2 - 5th, 2026.
There's still space on the Flow With the Falls Niagara Retreat also! Click HERE for details.
Wherever your travels take you, be sure to keep your presence in the moment.
~Nature is healing, grounding and living. Tune in.
~Enjoy where you are at. Be a little flexible with people and their navigation of time.
~Let go of things you can't control.
~Remember to put your people above things, and cherish the memories.
~Do things that will make you proud of yourself when you recall later.
~Live more, in abundance and walk in your own footsteps.
~Breathe fresh air, feel the flow of water, and find your own level.
~Wherever you travel, bring a little piece home in your heart.
Map of Downtown Asheville Ladies on a Retreat Autumn has arrived at Chimney Rock
As a blogger, I enjoy helping families spend more time enjoying their quality time together and less time having to figure it all out. My four children have been my test subjects of how to plan a great family adventure for many years and now that my youngest is 22, many of my travels are work related, or grandma related! As time has changed, I've evolved but I still LOVE TO TRAVEL, explore, wander, visit, discover, learn and love. If nature is there, I can find my happy place. I use the term "single" not to emphasize my status but to signify that if I can manage some family fun on a limited teacher's salary with four children, anyone can do it. I am very intentional in how I spend my time and earnings. I typically seek out budget friendly ways to enjoy my time, but will occasionally splurge for the right reasons :-)
Happy Travels!!
God Bless every road you travel on. xo
Mz. Savvy
A note from the editor:
The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Confirm details when planning your trip. I hope this makes it easier for your planning process.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please share your thoughts and experiences, we are all on this journey to live and love together. I welcome your travel tips & tricks :-)
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Stray, by Benjamin Walls, photographer and artist Autumn in Asheville Retreat with Benjamin Walls The back porch of the Lake House Autumn in Asheville in Burnsville
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