Asheville in November: 17 Fun Things to Do & Tips

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Asheville in November is a sight to behold and it’s one of my husband and I’s favorite times to visit the city.

In November, the lights and Christmas decorations start to go up, the last of the fall color hangs as long as it can, and all kinds of Holiday events are happening.

We love visiting because technically November is the beginning of low season in Asheville which means fewer crowds to deal with.

That is – unless you’re visiting for Christmas at Biltmore, where most of the tourists will be.

There are plenty of other things to do in Asheville in November though and we’ve done almost all of them!

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Best Things to Do in Asheville in November

Asheville is special this time of year because of the beautiful fall colors, fun seasonal events, local farms, and so much more. Not to mention, you’ll likely find better deals since the crowds of October are no longer here!

Whether you explore on your own or take a tour in Asheville to learn more about the history and charm of this unique place, you’ll love it here.

Book your Asheville tours before you arrive in the city! 🤩

1. Catch the Fading Fall Color in Early November

Early November is the perfect time to explore the last bit of Asheville’s fall color. While peak leaf season is in October, you can typically always find a little bit of fall still hanging on.

You’ll want to visit in the first week of November for the most color but depending on the timing that year you may be able to see some the second week of November as well.

The city parks, Biltmore Village, and the North Carolina Arboretum are great areas to see the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges close to the city center.

If you have a car, then the scenic drives around the city offer endless opportunities to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains. North Carolina is known for its beautiful fall colors so don’t miss out!

2. Get in the Holiday Spirit at Christmas at Biltmore

One of the biggest things to do in Asheville in November is visit for Christmas at Biltmore. This year the iconic event will run from November 3rd to January 7th, but the last night for Candlelight Christmas Evenings will be on Jan 6th.

When you go to buy your ticket pay attention to the fine print! If you want to tour the house during the evening when all the lights are twinkling, and fire places are lit, make sure to purchase the Candlelight Christmas Evening Ticket.

This lets you tour the house at night and you get free next-day access to the grounds. I think my favorite part was driving up after dark and walking through the woods from the parking lot on the path lit by lamps.

Watching the house emerge that way was such a different perspective from visiting during the day. These tickets are pretty expensive though so I highly recommend taking advantage of everything included.

Plan on a few hours to walk through the grounds, gardens, and explore Antler Hill Village. A tasting at the Biltmore Winery is included in your ticket but you need to book a reservation in advance for this!

You can also buy a Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration ticket if you just want to see the Christmas decorations. They truly are impressive.

If you’re wondering whether the ticket prices are worth it, here are my thoughts on that:

Yes, it’s expensive but if you love touring historic homes and seeing Christmas decorations then it’s absolutely worth it. If that’s not your thing, then I would skip it.

This is a great date night idea if you’re looking to do something special or something fun for a girl’s trip. I went with my parents last year and we had a great time so families with older kids might like this too.

3. Take a Scenic Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving the Parkway in November is one of the best ways to enjoy the fall foliage. The mountain views are spectacular, and many of the hiking trails close to the parkway offer great views too.

If you’re heading north along the parkway, you can go to Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct. Along this route, soon after you get out of town you can do the Craggy Pinnacle hike or Rough Ridge near the Viaduct.

If you’d rather go south, Graveyard Fields, Devil’s Courthouse, and Waterrock Knob are all excellent stops that can’t be missed during this time of year.

While November is a bit early in the season for inclement weather, it’s definitely not unheard of – especially near Mount Mitchell. Always double check conditions on the Parkway to make sure it’s open as they will close sections of it due to weather or other issues.

4. Visit a Local Farm for a Fun Day Out

For a quintessential fall experience, a trip to a local farm is a must. Surrounding Asheville, there are multiple farms with pumpkin patches, apple orchards (sometimes both), and others that have fun fall festivities.

While the you-pick apple season is typically over by November, you can still visit some of the orchards and grab a sweet treat or other items from their markets.

Grandad’s Apples in Hendersonville is one of the most popular farms in the area and they typically stay open until mid-November. This family farm has been growing apples for four generations and offers a variety of apples, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and more.

Don’t miss their Farm Market and Bakery, but be prepared to wait in a long line on the weekends! They are famous for their apple cider donuts. You’ll find all kinds of apple treats on the menu though.

Tyler and I visited once and it looked great for families with kids because they have a lot of family-friendly activities.

One of our personal favorites is Justus Orchard. They don’t have a big playground or corn maze but they still serve apple cider donuts, have a nice Farm Market, and a few other kid-friendly attractions on weekends. They are typically only open the first weekend in November.

Sky Top Orchard is open for the entire month of November and they have a playground, animal barn, bamboo forest, and so much more.

Hickory Nut Gap is another fun spot that has fall events running until the 17th of November. You’ll want to check their event schedule for what’s happening on specific days.

You may want to stop by some of the wineries near Hendersonville while you’re out this way too.

5. Attend the River Arts District Annual Studio Stroll

If you love browsing local art and meeting the artists themselves, then you have to plan on being at the River Arts District Annual Studio Stroll this year.

It will be held the weekend of November 12 – 13 and you’ll find many of the artist’s studios open during this time plus live demonstrations.

There will be live music, refreshments, and multiple opportunities to buy arts and crafts so you can take home a unique souvenir.

6. Savor the Area’s Best Ciders at Urban Orchard Cider Co

When it comes to the flavors of fall, apple is typically a fan favorite which makes it the perfect time of year to have a hard cider.

Urban Orchard crafts over 50 different flavors using apples from local Hendersonville orchards. Check the tap list at their two taprooms before you go to see which flavors are available at that time.

Their tasting rooms are located in West Asheville and on the South Slope so both convenient locations when you want a crisp cider to drink.

7. Enjoy Small Town Charm in the NC Mountains

The mountain towns surrounding Asheville, NC are the perfect places to visit during November as you can enjoy the changing leaves on the way there. These small towns also typically have adorable downtown areas that are beautiful in fall as well.

Brevard is a quaint college down with a huge outdoor community since it’s located in Transylvania County – the Land of the Waterfalls – and has so many mountain biking opportunities in the nearby Pisgah National Forest.

You’ll find many amazing restaurants in Black Mountain and tons of cute shops downtown. There are a couple of great breweries that are great hangout spots.

Hendersonville is home to many of the apple orchards in the area and you’ll find many wineries near town too. There are many great shops and restaurants in downtown Hendersonville as well.

These are just three of the fun small towns near Asheville that you should visit!

8. Try Seasonal Coffees at Popular Asheville Hangouts

Whether you’re basic (no shame) and love your pumpkin spice, looking for apple cider, or want to try something new, the coffee shops in Asheville have you covered!

Double D’s Coffee & Desserts is housed inside an adorable double-decker bus parked in the center of Asheville. There you can find some of the tastiest seasonal coffee drinks paired with delicious desserts.

The Rhu is also an amazing spot located just off Patton Avenue, where you can sample some local coffees and browse through their marketplace full of locally-made goods.

Rowan Coffee is another great spot to visit for coffee and pastries. They specialize in providing quality service, have a unique up-scale atmosphere, and offer the most amazing pastries that pair perfectly with their specialty brews.

9. Walk Through the Grove Arcade for their Christmas Decorations

From mid-November through the month of December, the Grove Arcade is decked out in Christmas decorations and holds an ongoing Winter Wonderland event.

Not only can you walk through to enjoy the decor and towering Christmas tree, but there will be live music and events on certain nights, shopping specials, and more.

If you’re looking to kill some time while downtown, then take a walk through this historic building! You can also take a walking tour of Asheville to learn more about how it came to be.

10. National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn

November in Asheville brings the annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn.

This renowned competition attracts talented artists from all over the country (and even Canada), who showcase their creativity and culinary skills in crafting intricate gingerbread houses.

The Omni Grove Park Inn, one of the most beautiful and unique hotels in Asheville, opens its doors to visitors so you can see these edible masterpieces for yourself.

NOTE – you won’t be able to view these creations until November 27th! Plan accordingly if you want to see them.

11. Wander Through the Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum

Visiting Asheville in November is not complete without experiencing the Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum. Tyler and I went last year and it was such a fun date night idea!

This popular event features an outdoor walk-through open-air format, allowing visitors to wander through the glowing landscapes lit up by holiday lights.

You’ll find a fun light show at the Quilting with Flowers exhibit, a light tunnel that you can walk through, and so many other cute light displays to enjoy.

In their Education Center, there are drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks for sale and when we were there, they had live music outside as well.

You need reservations to visit for the Winter Lights but be prepared because it was very very crowded even with the reservation system. We stayed until an hour or 30 minutes before they closed and the crowds has started to thin out by then.

12. Attend the Asheville Holiday Parade

The Annual Asheville Holiday Parade will be held on November 18th this year from 11am to 1pm. This is a fun way to kick off so many holiday festivities for the city.

The parade route is along Biltmore Avenue and runs toward Pack Square and you’ll want to arrive early to get a good spot. There are over 100 entries into the parade from various local groups so you never know what you might see!

If you have kids, then you can also go ahead and have pictures with Santa made at the Restoration Hotel after the parade.

13. Explore Downtown Asheville

Exploring downtown Asheville in November can be a fun way to spend the day whether you’re out with the girls or exploring with your significant other.

Start by visiting the art galleries to check out the vibrant Asheville art scene, and pick up some unique gifts for loved ones. There are plenty that you can just pop into around town but Woolworth Walk is a great one to visit.

Take a walking tour of the city to visit many of its famous landmarks and learn more about how this quirky city came to be.

Make sure you try at least one of the local restaurants whether you’re having breakfast in Asheville or lunch. The S&W Market is a fun food hall, Farm Burger is my favorite burger spot, and Jerusalem Garden Café is popular for Mediterranean food.

There are some great shops downtown as well so spend some time walking around and see which displays catch your eye.

14. Support Local Businesses and Knock Out Your Christmas Shopping

Speaking of shopping, November is getting close to Christmas time! What better way to handle all your Christmas gifts than by shopping at locally owned stores and boutiques?

You’ll find many great stores along N Lexington Avenue downtown and in the Grove Arcade area. The Grove Arcade has many upscale retailers inside, but you can also find outdoor booths here too.

One of my favorite stops – the Asheville Bee Charmer – is along Battery Park Avenue so don’t miss it.

15. Grab a Jacket and Head Out on a Beautiful Hike

One of the best parts about visiting Asheville is the great outdoor opportunities – even in the colder months. When heading out on a hike during this time, make sure to dress warmly though as temperatures can get very chilly at higher elevations and change quickly.

Craggy Pinnacle is a popular destination for hikers with its amazing 360 degree views. Graveyard Fields is another great option that’s home to two of my favorite Asheville waterfalls.

Black Balsam Knob is a popular longer hike along the Art Loeb Trail that also leads to expansive mountain views. There are so many great options to choose from! If you’re having a hard time figuring out the best option for you, consider taking a hiking tour near Asheville.

16. Escape the Cold and Head Indoors

If going outside in the cold November air doesn’t sound fun to you, don’t worry. Asheville has plenty of fun indoor activities to offer.

Spend a chilly afternoon tucked away in a local bookstore such as Malaprop’s, where you can find books from local and regional authors. Check out the Asheville Art Museum or the Asheville Pinball Museum.

Asheville is known as a wellness retreat so why not treat yourself to one of the many pampering experiences? Visit the popular Sauna House, Asheville Salt Cave, or spend the day at Shoji Spa & Retreat, a Japanese-inspired wellness center overlooking a national forest.

17. Take a Ride on The Polar Express

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a magical ride on The Polar Express, perfect for families with kids who would love to experience the classic story brought to life.

During the journey, passengers can get cozy in their seats and enjoy hot chocolate and treats while they listen to the beloved tale and soundtrack from the movie.

Once the train arrives at the North Pole, all the kiddos get to meet Santa Claus and receive a gift! These tickets book up fast so you’ll want to make reservations early.

If you don’t have kids but still want to ride the train, take the Tuckasegee River Excursion where you ride out to Dillsboro, stop for an hour and 20 minutes, then head back to Bryson City.

Weather in Asheville in November

Asheville in November offers a mild and comfortable temparatures, with an average high of 58℉ and average low of 38℉.

Typically, there are about six days of rain throughout the month and you usually won’t experience the unexpected thunderstorms of summer afternoons.

However, be sure to bring along jackets and other warm clothing if you plan on spending time outside in the evenings!

What to Wear in Asheville in November

When packing for a trip to Asheville in November, it’s important to remember to bring warm clothing. Long pants and layers are essential for staying comfortable during the day.

I personally like to wear long sleeves and usually a cardigan plus I pack a heavy coat just in case but I am very sensitive to the cold. My hands get cold easily so I also pack a light pair of gloves and toboggan.

However, if you’re not as averse to cold weather as I am, then you may be able to get away with only wearing a light jacket.

Peak Leaf Season in Asheville

If you visit Asheville in November, it will almost certainly be past peak leaf season. Peak is typically in mid to late October depending on weather leading up to that time.

That doesn’t mean the colors won’t be beautiful though. Early November is typically a great time to visit since you can still find some color but you won’t have to deal with the peak crowds like in October.

Late November brings a different type of beauty in the form of golden-brown leaves that are still clinging to trees, combined with beautiful evergreens in some places.

Wrap Up: Things to Do in Asheville in November

November is a great time to visit Asheville as there are so many fun events going on around the city. The holiday season is just beginning, so you can start to see decorations around town and in store windows.

And even though peak leaf season has passed, you can still enjoy some of the last bit of fall colors before winter really kicks in.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or something more lowkey, there’s plenty to do in Asheville during this time of year.