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A Local Chef Reveals His Perfect Day in Asheville, North Carolina

A chef-restaurateur who loves the city recommends a noteworthy hike, a hole-in-the-wall taqueria, and a honky tonk..

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Despite its “come anytime” name, All Day Darling, the popular Asheville breakfast spot is easiest to get into before 8 a.m.

Photo by Reggie Tidwell

Jacob Sessoms moved to Asheville in 2004 to open Table , paying homage to the Southeast with an emphasis on ingredients from local farms and purveyors. Table is driven by the seasons, so the menu changes constantly. “Right now, we’re serving a roasted chicken and dumplings dish with sprouting cauliflower and curly endive. It’s fantastic—and probably one of the best dishes we have ever served,” says Sessoms.

Sessoms grew up in Nashville and studied culinary arts and baking at New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now named Culinary Center). His skills also shine at his other in-demand restaurant, which opened in late 2018 in the historic Montford neighborhood, All Day Darling , where a lengthy queue is normal (unless you get there before 8 a.m.).

His latest venture is overseeing food and beverage at The Radical , the first hotel to open in the River Arts District, in October 2023. Note: He’s really excited about the smash burger, the whole trout dish, and the vegetables, for which he works closely with Evan Chender, The Culinary Gardener, to secure the best produce in town (whole steamed pumpkins are the latest prize). “We will steam them until they are soft and kind of char over the wood, then break them open and serve them—those are going to be really cool,” he says.

While busy running around between the restaurants, he still manages to frequently enjoy some of Asheville’s hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems. Here’s his guide to how to spend the perfect day in Asheville.

Perfection in pastry form at All Day Darling.

The early bird gets the caffeine

I wake up early and get a coffee at All Day Darling —I love a cup of black coffee and a ham and cheese croissant with Dijon mustard. The seasonal sweet pastry is always good, too, but make sure you get it warmed up! If you get to All Day Darling before 8 a.m., you’re going to have it nice and mellow. If you get there anytime after 8, it’s going to be wild—but it’s also a fun vibe. It’s all indoor/outdoor with plenty of room to hang out.

Bluebird skies and summits in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hike off the pastries on Hawksbill Mountain

Then, I’d head up the Blue Ridge Parkway north from downtown, about an hour pending traffic, to hike Hawksbill Mountain . The trail is about two miles out and two miles back. It’s a fantastic early-day hike with a magnificent view as its reward. The trail is nice and flowy with some steep, rocky sections—the very last bit is very steep and rocky up to the pinnacle. It’s a gorgeous 360-degree view looking out over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Virginia Piedmont.

Lunchtime = tacos and tamales

I’d head back into town for lunch, but if it’s a cool day, I’d head to the hole-in-the-wall Taqueria Munoz on Patton Avenue for a bowl of lamb consommé or a lamb quesadilla. Or I’d go to Molina for tamales. If it’s a nice warm day, I’d go to the Zillicoah brewery. It’s out of the fray—about three miles outside of downtown, right on the French Broad River—and has a really big, open outside space. I always get food from one of the rotating food trucks here and then sit by the river and enjoy a beer and the views.

Art walk and happy hour in the River Arts District

Next, I’d head down to the River Arts District —walk around and see some art. It’s a great place to talk with artists and buy ceramics, handblown glass, and paintings. It’s not a retail shop; it’s artist studios, so it is really a go-and-explore kind of situation. Stop by The Radical ; it’s inspired by the culture and street art of Asheville and the hotel is in a renovated warehouse from the ‘20s. Head up to The Roof for drinks overlooking the French Broad River and watch the sunset.

Start a dinner crawl with deviled eggs and chips at Leo’s House of Thirst.

Seek out a really great vegetable-forward dinner

Try dinner at Cucina 24 , or perhaps Leo’s House of Thirst . At Cucina 24, Brian Canipelli makes the best pasta in town. He is also an avid vegetable cooker and buys from the same farmers we mostly buy from: Evan Chender and Anne Gaines. Leo’s House of Thirst is a wine bar with chef-driven food. There’s always a handful of small plates that are great and also very vegetable-driven.

A little mezcal, a little High Life, a lotta honky tonk (or vice versa)

I would hit Anoche for a mezcal or tequila and then head to Crucible for a shot of Angostura bitters (to prepare for the rest of the night). I’d head to Double Crown to drink a Miller High Life, and finish the night there dancing the honky tonk. Bring some shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty and plan on drinking tequila and Miller High Life all night. There’s always a good band; the promoter brings a different country band [from around the U.S.] every Wednesday evening. It’s always fun and always packed.

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How to Plan the Perfect Asheville, North Carolina Getaway

Planning a trip to Asheville, North Carolina? Here's everything you need to know, including the best things to do, when to go, and where to stay.

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Asheville, North Carolina is the very definition of a “breath of fresh air.” The city, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, delivers southern hospitality in droves. With stellar views, cultural attractions, a long summer season, plentiful accommodations, and multiple breweries to kick back a pint, it’s where every kind of traveler can find their slice of paradise.  Asheville is a destination that perfectly blends a city feel with country roots, a sense of old meets new, and a welcoming feel that envelops every guest in a warm embrace, making it an easy place to fall in love with. Here’s what you need to know to plan the perfect little getaway in Asheville, North Carolina. 

What to Know About Asheville

Asheville has an identity all its own. It’s eclectic and fun, vibrant and creative, and a place where tradition still exists in all the best ways, including the preservation of its historic buildings and through its long-running events like Shindig on the Green , a free concert series celebrating mountain bluegrass music. Come here ready to indulge in plenty of art, including the kind made by man and the kind made by Mother Nature, thanks to the town’s easy access to the mountains. 

When to Go to Asheville

While we’d never say there’s a bad time to go to Asheville, there may be better times than others, depending on your tolerance for cold weather. There are four very clearly defined seasons in Asheville, but its warm season, Weatherspark reported , typically runs from late May through mid-September, when temperatures hit at or around 76°F. The warmest month is July when temperatures hover around 82°F. 

In contrast, its winters are short but biting. Weatherspark added that the cold season usually falls between late November and February, with temperatures rarely going above 54°F.

One benefit of visiting during the colder months is that you’ll usually find thinner crowds. It’s a time when you may be able to find reduced prices on accommodations, shorter lines in local attractions, and reservations at area restaurants more easily accessible. 

That said, there’s a reason summer and fall are so popular here. First, the glorious weather in the summer allows for endless adventure in area attractions, which is then followed by a spectacular fall kaleidoscope of colors with the changing of the leaves. Its prime leaf-peeping season, Explore Asheville explained , is the first week of November, making a late fall visit a must.

Things to Do in Asheville

Explore the blue ridge parkway..

Pierre Leclerc Photography/Getty Images

You may not be able to drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway on your visit (it does snake through both Virginia and North Carolina for some 469 miles, making it America’s longest linear park ), but you can at least get a taste for it as it passes right through Asheville. Stop at the visitor center at milepost 384 in Asheville and meander through the drive, stopping at as many viewpoints as you’d like to take it all in. There are plenty of trails available for those who want to get out and stretch their legs. Find a host of options organized by mile marker here . 

Soak in the culture at the River Arts District.

The River Arts District is a booming neighborhood absolutely brimming with talent. Several hundred artists show off their goods across the industrial and historical buildings, including painters, ceramicists, jewelry makers, potters, antique dealers, and so much more. The district is worthy of planning an entire day around, and luckily you can, as it’s also home to copious coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, making it possible to nibble all day in between viewings. 

Stop and smell the flowers at The North Carolina Arboretum.

Want even more fresh air? Stop in at the North Carolina Arboretum , a more than 400-acre park located just minutes from town. Here, guests will find a variety of flora and fauna, including a gorgeous Bonsai exhibition, as well as 10 miles of hiking and biking trails that can be used all year long. Don’t miss the garden’s art, culture, and science exhibitions so you can walk away both refreshed and a little more educated than when you started. (Daytime admission is free, however, there is a $16 parking fee.) 

See the Biltmore Estate.

S. Greg Panosian/Getty Images

Thought there weren't any castles in the U.S. ? Think again. The Biltmore Estate is a fairytale home built in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt and is still owned by his descendants today. The family maintains the home’s classical charm, its perfectly manicured gardens, and a vineyard, all dotting the 8,000-acre estate. Guests are welcome to come to enjoy it all with various ticketing options , and children under nine can always visit for free. 

Take a brewery tour. 

Asheville is home to a great brewery scene. In fact, according to Explore Asheville , it’s home to “more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.” There are dozens of breweries worthy of your time, which means it may be best to experience them all on a brewery tour. Asheville Brewery Tours offers several options, including a three-hour downtown walking tour that visits three breweries for three tastes. But if you’re looking for more, you can always book the private tour option and craft a four-brewery tour for you and your friends too. 

See the best craftwork in Appalachia at the Folk Art Center.

Get one more taste of local life at the Folk Art Center . The center is the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, which aims to highlight local artisans from Southern Appalachia. At the center, guests can explore three fine galleries and browse the exhibitions or find the right souvenir to take home with them. And, guests visiting from March through December can also take part in a daily craft demonstration to learn something new. 

Hotels in Asheville

The omni grove park inn.

Get a taste for true luxury at The Omni Grove Park Inn , a hotel that prides itself on its “tradition of southern hospitality” that also happens to come with the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests here may never want to leave as this Asheville hotel comes with a stellar subterranean spa, has four different locally sourced restaurants to try, and is home to its own Donald Ross-designed course. 

The Biltmore Estate

Courtesy of The Biltmore Company

Oh, you need even more grandeur? Then book a stay at the aforementioned Biltmore Estate. The Inn at The Biltmore allows guests to live just like the Vanderbilts in three distinct accommodation options; Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, The Inn at Biltmore Estate, and Cottages on Biltmore Estate . While every choice is excellent, the cottages afford a bit more space to spread out with family and friends and come with cozy furnishings that will make you feel right at home. 

Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection

For a more boutique-style stay, check into Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville, Autograph Collection . The hotel, located next to The Biltmore Estate, comes with equally grand aesthetics, including a common sitting area that resembles a hunting lodge, and rooms boasting large soaking tubs and plush bedding to truly allow guests to relax away their every care. It doesn’t hurt that it also comes with a full-service spa to work out any remaining knots. 

How to Get to Asheville  

Those looking to get as close as possible can fly into the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) with direct flights on Delta, Allegiant, American Airlines, and United, from cities like Atlanta, Denver, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, and more (Jetblue also flies seasonally to the airport). 

Travelers from further away can also find flights to either Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina or McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Both airports are about 125 miles away in either direction. It’s best to rent a car for your stay in Asheville, even if you’re flying into the regional airport, as some attractions are a bit out of town, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is ideal for scenic drives . 

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Road Trip from New York to Asheville, North Carolina

If you're looking for a road trip packed with some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the US, incredible museums, and epic historical sites, look no further than this amazing road trip from New York City to Asheville, North Carolina on the skirts of the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.

The 770-mile road trip from New York to Asheville, North Carolina will take about 14 hours to drive. Notable sights are Philadelphia, Washington DC, Richmond, Charlotte, Bethlehem, Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park and Blowing Rock.

This unforgettable road trip has much in store and you will find exactly what you are looking for whether it is vibrant cityscapes, cultural sites or stunning landscapes. Keep reading to hear our tips and tricks for route options, things to do along the way, and the best times to travel.

How far is Asheville, North Carolina from New York, and how long will the road trip take?

The City Route will take about 13 hours and 40 minutes of driving across 770 miles, with stops in major American cities. This route is the shortest and most direct option, but you can still see a lot of attractions such as historical sites and museums.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Route takes about 15 hours across 790 miles. This route is more scenic, and you can experience nature, mountains, and National Parks. Keep in mind that this route takes you through more remote areas. However, the scenic drives and incredible views make this route totally worth it.

Whichever route you choose, we recommend spreading out the drive over 3-4 days so you can experience everything this incredible road trip has to offer.

Best road trip route from New York to Asheville, North Carolina

With such a variety of attractions and landmarks on each of our recommended routes, which route you will want to follow will ultimately depend on your choices.

The City Route will take you through some of the most iconic cities of the East Coast such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC as well as Richmond and Charlotte. This route is dotted with cultural attractions and historic sites, one after another.

If you'd like to admire some natural beauty, you can make detours to South Mountains State Park and Pisgah National Forest en route. However, if you are after breathtaking scenery, the Scenic Route is the one for you. On this route, you will drive on the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway Route.

You will also drive through the incredibly scenic Shenandoah National Park on this route. You won't be driving through metropolises on this route, but to get your city fix, you can visit Roanoke.

The City Route

This route follows Interstate 95 (I-95) South out of New York City into Philadelphia. From Philadelphia, you will continue on the interstate along the Delaware River until you reach Baltimore, Maryland.

Follow signs for Washington DC, the beautiful capital of the United States. Washington DC is a great place to stay the night, with an abundance of hotels, food, and cultural experiences.

After Washington DC, you will head into Virginia on I-95 South to Fredericksburg, and then continue south to Richmond. After Richmond, you can follow I-85 South to Durham, North Carolina, and then the 1-81 towards Roanoke before reaching the 1-26 and heading south to your final destination of Asheville, North Carolina.

The Scenic Route

From New York City, take I-78 West to your first stop: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Continue on I-78 West and then transfer to I-81 South into Hershey and Harrisburg, both in Pennsylvania. I-81 South continues to Upper Pocosin, Virginia, in the breathtaking Shenandoah National Park.

Continue on I-81 South and stop at the White Oak Flats Overlook and the Great Valley Overlook to truly experience the beauty that the Blue Ridge Parkway has to offer.

Drive a bit further south to Roanoke, Virginia, and then head back onto I-81 South. Near Atkins you will turn onto Nick Creek Road to continue on the Blue Ridge Parkway and make your way to the beautiful city of Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Blowing Rock is a great overnight stop with beautiful scenery and a small downtown district. Continuing on from this scenic town, you can stop in Linville, North Carolina along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and finally make it to your destination of Asheville, North Carolina.

Best places to stop between New York and Asheville, North Carolina

While there are tons of places to stop between New York and Asheville, the best spots to stay overnight are ones that have exciting activities, delicious food and drink options, and comfortable hotels.

We recommend the following cities and hotels for overnight stays while on your road trip.

A historic stopover in Washington DC

Washington DC, the world-famous capital city of the United States of America, is located a little over 4 hours along the City Route. The city is home to famous government buildings and monuments such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Institution Museums.

Not only incredibly historic but the city is also very walkable and boasts an incredible food scene for the ultimate urban experience. It is the perfect overnight spot for the direct route from New York to Asheville.

While in Washington DC, we highly recommend staying overnight at Hotel Madera . Located in the heart of the city, Hotel Madera is close to many of the attractions you will find yourself visiting while in the city.

Centrally located, you will only be one mile from the White House and two miles from the Washington National Monument during your stay at this beautiful property. This hotel features a fitness center, spacious rooms, and an incredible breakfast spread.

Check out their upscale restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal and extensive cocktail menu, perfect after a long day of traveling.

An awe-inspiringly scenic stay at Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock, North Carolina is only 2 hours and 30 minutes from your final destination of Asheville, North Carolina on the Scenic Route, and boasts beautiful scenery and a small downtown shopping district.

Located right on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the town is famous for Blowing Rock, a cliff 4,000 feet above sea level that overlooks the Johns River Gorge. You can even enjoy a variety of different hikes nearby. There really is something for everyone here!

History buffs will love a visit to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. This estate was built roughly around the 1890s and is one of the major highlights on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

If you'd like to stay the night in Blowing Rock, there is no better place than the Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort . This hotel is highly rated and situated in an excellent location, just around the corner from many boutiques and restaurants.

You can enjoy the indoor pool, sauna, and nightly entertainment, plus free private parking, and a continental breakfast. There is also a fantastic restaurant and bar on-site. Stroll through the hotel's beautiful gardens or play a match of tennis on the grounds.

Where to stay once you reach Asheville

When you finally arrive in Asheville, you will likely be ready to relax in a comfortable hotel. There is no better place to stay in Asheville than at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate .

This hotel offers so many amenities, like a heated outdoor swimming pool, a wellness center, and free parking. Additionally, check out the many hiking and biking trails nearby, and enjoy a wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery (just a two-minute walk away from the hotel).

Things to see on a road trip from New York to Asheville, North Carolina

During your road trip from New York City to Asheville, there are endless scenic destinations to stop at and incredible cities to visit. Out of the many places you can explore, keep an eye out for these options.

• Liberty Bell, Philadelphia – Considered an iconic symbol of American Independence, see this famous cracked bell up close and personal.
• Independence Hall, Philadelphia – This historic building is where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States was signed.
• Eastern State Penitentiary – Explore America's most historic and famous prison, with its 19th-century gothic structure. Experience life as a prisoner on one of their interactive guided tours.
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore – This fort successfully defended Baltimore from the British during the War of 1812. The museum is open daily, and free for visitors to walk through.
• Inn Harbor, Baltimore – One of America's oldest seaports, here you can enjoy some of the city's best attractions.
• The Capitol Building, Washington DC – Open Monday through Saturday for tours, here you can visit the U.S. Capitol Building and learn about American democracy.
• The Smithsonian Institution Museums, Washington DC – This world-renowned museum complex consists of 17 different museums and galleries. Here you can enjoy free entry to explore over 150 million objects of art, history, and culture.
• Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC – The most iconic memorial in the city, here you will find the 10-foot marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln, which is surrounded by 36 columns. Each column represents the number of states that existed at the time of the President's death. This is also the location where Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous “I have a dream” speech.
• The White House, Washington DC – This is the official residence of the President of the United States. Originally built in 1972, the White House was later destroyed in a fire and rebuilt again in 1818.
• Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park – Here you can visit the four major battlefields of the Civil War. There are three historic buildings open to the public. Be sure to check out the Visitor's Center, which features documentaries and free guided tours.
• The Historic Kenmore, Fredericksburg – Also known as the Kenmore Plantation, this Georgian style brick mansion was built in the 1990s and is open to the public for tours.
• Maymont, Richmond – This is a 100-acre historic estate and park. You can explore their extensive Japanese and Italian gardens while visiting the Maymont Mansion and other historical buildings.
• Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond – Established in 1847, this cemetery is the resting place of two former United States Presidents (James Monroe and James Tyler), and James Davis. 18,000 confederate soldiers are also buried here.
• Duke University, Durham – Considered one of the country's most beautiful university campuses, stroll around and be sure to check out Duke Chapel. Also worth a visit is the 55-acre botanical gardens. Entry is free.
• Bennett Place, Durham – This historic farmhouse is the location of the negotiations that led to the biggest troop surrender of the Civil War.
• Museum of Life Science, Durham – This is an interactive science museum spread over 84 acres. You can find over 60 species of live animals, a butterfly conservatory, a dinosaur trail, and more.
• Old Salem Museum and Gardens, Winston-Salem – Open year-round (except in January), this serves as a living history museum that shares the history and culture of the Moravian community. You can explore the Historic Town of Salem, multiple museums, along with homes, schools, and everyday life buildings and resources.
• Reynolda House Museum, Winston-Salem – This museum was built in 1917 and houses a premier collection of American art. The pieces found here date from the colonial period right up until the present.
• NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte – A must for any NASCAR fan, here visitors can check out the Hall of Fame recipients.
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Charlotte – Spread over 380 acres, visitors can enjoy the beautiful gardens filled with fountains, tropical plants, and a nature walk.

• Colonial Industrial Quarter, Bethlehem – This 10-acre site is known as one of America's earliest industrial parks. Featuring 10 buildings dating back to the 1700s, it showcases the stores and lives of the Moravian settlers.
• National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem – This museum is a Smithsonian affiliate featuring over 200 artifacts. Enjoy interactive exhibits while learning about America's manufacturing heritage.
• Hoover Mason Trestle, Bethlehem – Built in 1905, this was once used as a railroad to carry coke, limestone, and iron ore. The trestle is 46 feet high, and 2,000 feet long and now serves as a public walkway. Visitors can also get a close look at the furnaces.
• The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey – This museum takes you through the life of Milton Hershey, from failed entrepreneur to the king of chocolate. You can see original machinery used to make chocolate and attend the chocolate lab (book ahead) for a hands-on chocolate-making experience.
• Hershey Chocolate World Attraction, Hershey – Discover all things chocolate with this interactive experience. Here you can take a ride to see how chocolate is made, create and name your own chocolate bar, enjoy a theatrical chocolate tasting journey, and take a ride through the town on the Hershey trolley.
• Broad Street Market, Harrisburg – Opened in 1863, this is one of the oldest operating farmer's markets in the country.
• Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Harrisburg – Designed in 1902, enjoy a free guided tour inside this Renaissance-themed building featuring handcrafted décor, murals, and marble architecture.
• Shenandoah National Park – Among the incredible scenic views and hikes in this National Park includes an easy 2.5-mile hike that brings you to the Pocosin Cabin and the ruins of the Upper Pocosin Mission, as well as the South River Falls. You will need an Old Rag Day-Use Ticket if you are planning to visit the Old Rag Mountain. Please check the national park's website for details.
• Virginia Military Institute Museum, Lexington – This museum houses over 15,000 artifacts. Admission is free and the museum works to preserve the history of the Virginia Military Institute and chronicles the journeys of its alumni.
• Blue Ridge Parkway – Start this scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains and stop to enjoy one of the many hikes and lookouts along the route. Notable stops include the Buena Vista Lookout, House Mountain Overlook, Punchbowl Mountain Overlook, White Oak Flats Overlook, and the Upper Otter Creek Overlook.
• Mill Mountain Star, Roanoke – On top of Mill Mountain is a sunning view of the surrounding landscape.
• Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke – This museum used to be an old freight station. Visitors can enjoy antique automobiles and trucks.
• Blowing Rock – A cliff located 4,000 feet above sea level overlooks the Johns River Gorge. Visitors can enjoy one of the many trails, visit the museum, and check out the Visitor's Center.
• Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Blowing Rock – An historic estate that was developed in the 1890s, you can enjoy a visit to the Manor House or stroll the grounds and enjoy the many trails, lakes, and old apple orchards.
• Mile High Swinging Bridge, Linville – This pedestrian swinging bridge, built in 1952, is 228 feet long and offers beautiful views of Grandfather Mountain.
• Linville Falls, Linville – Known as the most famous waterfall of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visitors can take hiking trails to five different viewpoints.

Best time to go on a road trip from New York to Asheville, North Carolina

This road trip from New York City to Asheville, North Carolina can be enjoyed year-round, but we recommend taking it during mid-September to late-October to enjoy the fall foliage, or during April to see the spring blooms, especially if you are following the Scenic Route.

Winter weather conditions may make this road trip more challenging, especially on the Blue Ridge Parkway as it is a relatively narrow and twisting road. During the colder months, Asheville sees highs of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Visitors can also enjoy more reasonable rates during January, February and March as these are the slowest months for visitors coming to the area.

Known as bordering a subtropical climate, Asheville can be quite humid in the summers, with July and August being known to have more rain than any other time of the year. The destination experiences lows of 60 degrees Fahrenheit up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spring and fall are both very special times to visit the destination. Spring brings warm air and blooming trees and flowers, where visitors can enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature.

In fall Asheville, is known for having one of the longest fall foliage duration which lasts into November. Visitors can experience the beautiful colors of over 100 different species of trees.

If you are still having trouble deciding when to travel, note that Asheville hosts many festivals throughout the year for visitors and locals to enjoy.

The Biltmore Blooms occurs in the spring, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival happen in the summer, the Asheville Art in the Park event is in the fall, and both the Asheville Celtic Festival and the Dickens in the Village event occur in the winter.

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Experience Summer (Camp) Magic in Asheville

The Western North Carolina region has a storied summer camp tradition, owing to its unparalleled beauty and access to numerous outdoor experiences. With  national and state parks  everywhere you turn, serene waterways like the ancient French Broad River and thousands of miles of hiking and biking trails that start in the city and lead to unforgettable adventure, it's no wonder why Hollywood comes a-calling when they need the perfect summer camp backdrop!

Summer Camp , a comedy starring Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, and Alfre Woodard is the latest camp movie to be filmed in the area. In the movie, three childhood best friends who used to spend every summer together at camp reunite for a summer camp reunion with the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains as their backdrop.

Our advice: don't just watch the movie – live it! Start planning your Asheville trip now to experience the summer camp magic firsthand.

Fashion Your Own Summer Camp Experience in Asheville

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3 DIFFERENT WAYS TO SPREND 36 HOURS IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Post Summary: Three different itineraries for spending 36 hours in Asheville, NC. An itinerary for the foodies, the nature lovers, and the art/history buffs.

I can’t lie to you; trying to plan an itinerary for 36 hours in Asheville, NC, is hard. Asheville is bursting at the seams with fun and adventurous things to do. We spent over a month in Asheville  exploring every nook and cranny, and we still left feeling like there was more we could have done. 

Its abundance of activities, incredible food scene, and stunning landscape are why everyone is clamoring to visit Asheville these days. Heck, we’re even considering if we want to move to Asheville!  

Not to fear, though. We’ve come up with the perfect 36-hour itinerary for Asheville, NC.

Because there is so much to do in this great city,  I’ve broken the full day into three best of Asheville itineraries – one for nature lovers, the foodie crowd, and the art and culture crew. For your weekend in Asheville, mix and match or follow it exactly as planned. Whatever you choose, I guarantee you’ll be wishing you had more than 36 hours in Asheville!

*This 36-hour Asheville post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we truly think are helpful.

HOW TO GET TO ASHEVILLE, NC

Asheville has one airport, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), used by Allegiant, American, Delta, Elite, Spirit, and United. Since we have points with Southwest, we flew into Raleigh airport and picked up a rental car to make the four-hour drive. Other cities that are closer to Asheville are Greenville, SC (1.5 Hours), Knoxville, TN (2 hours), and Charlotte, NC (2 hours).

While downtown Asheville is walkable, you will need transportation if you opt to do activities like a hike in Pisgah National Forest or a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I recommend renting a car for your weekend in Asheville. You can rent a car and search for the best deals through  Rentalcars.com .

Uber and Lyft are also readily available in the city if you choose to go without a rental car.

Parking in downtown Asheville is available through meters and parking garages and is generally not too hard to find. Check out this site for the most comprehensive rundown of parking in Asheville.

WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Because we travel with a toddler, we always choose to stay in a home rental through VRBO.  There are dozens of affordable and stylish VRBOs in Downtown Asheville. If you have a car, you might consider staying in the historic Montford District, the closest neighborhood outside of Downtown Asheville. We stayed there and loved being tucked away from the central hub but still being close enough to access everything quickly.

Here are a few highly reviewed home rental options in Asheville.

• Asheville Urban Nest: Chic two-bedroom apartment located in Downtown Asheville. Amazing walkability!
• Downtown Apartment : Luxurious one-bedroom apartment in Downtown Asheville. Excellent walkability.
• One Bedroom Condo : One-bedroom condo located a short drive from Downtown Asheville. Clean, simple, and more affordable.

If none of these strike your fancy, you can browse VRBO rentals here.   You could opt for a cabin in the woods, a chic downtown apartment, a cottage in the Montford District, a trendy West Asheville apartment…there are so many options to choose from!

While we didn’t personally stay in a hotel, we have heard good things about the luxurious Omni Grove Park Inn , the Haywood Park Hotel ,  and the Black Walnut B&B Inn .  

**You can check here for reviews and the best prices for Asheville hotels.**

TIP: You’ll want to book your accommodations as soon as possible, especially if you are visiting in the Summer or the Fall, Asheville’s most visited time of the year. Affordable accommodations will be booked up, and you will most likely have to pay more if you wait till the last minute. 

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT ASHEVILLE

Asheville is a year-round destination that can be enjoyed all year. Peak tourist season is from summer to fall. The fall foliage is stunning, and thousands of”leaf peepers” flock to Asheville to see the Blue Ridge Parkway in all its colorful delight. We visited in the fall, and while there were a lot of people, it never felt overwhelming.

Summers are hot and humid…but it’s also the best time to paddleboard or tube the river !

If heat and crowds turn you off, then the best time to visit is in the spring when prices will be lower, the temperature is pleasant, and the wild rhododendrons will be in bloom.

Winters are mild in Asheville, with a few inches of snowfall. Prices are at their lowest (except during the winter holidays), and crowds are minimal.

36 HOURS: ASHEVILLE CITY GUIDE

Day 1: explore asheville.

I’ve started this weekend in Asheville itinerary with the first day being your half-day. Feel free to switch it around to suit your arrival time. This 1/2 day is all about taking the time to explore Asheville and its most popular neighborhoods: Downtown Asheville and West Asheville.

Lunch at Tupelo Honey Start your 1/2 day with some food at the original Tupelo Honey. What began in 2002 has now become a popular chain that continues to expand every year.  Even though chain restaurants aren’t exactly the feel of downtown Asheville, there’s a reason it has grown so much- it’s delicious! Visit the place where it all began and nosh on some amazing southern cuisine.

Tupelo Honey 12 College St, Asheville, NC 28801 Check website for updated hours

Explore Downtown Now is the time to take in the epicenter of Asheville. With nary a chain store in sight ( except for Urban Outfitters, which I don’t understand -what’s that about Asheville? ), stroll through Lexington Avenue to see the clothing shops, cafes, bookstores, vintage apparel, and enough art boutiques to take up an entire 1/2 day of exploring. If you want more structure to your stroll through downtown, you can opt to do the Urban Trail, a 1.7-mile walking trail with 30 landmarks to explain downtown Asheville’s history and architecture. You can get a map of the walk at Pack Place on Asheville’s Pack Square, or you can view a map here. 

Other highlights of downtown include:

• T he French Broad Chocolate Company -A dessert cafe offering handcrafted chocolate. It’s a chocolate lovers paradise.
• Grove Arcade –  A preserved art deco historic building that houses locally-owned shops and restaurants, including the perennial favorite, the Battery Park Book Exchange.
• Woolworth Walk –  An art gallery housed in an old Woolworth building. A good choice if you aren’t able to visit the River Arts Center District.
• Asheville Pinball Museum –  For the young at heart, this all-you-can-play arcade features classic pinball machines and a full bar.

Explore West Asheville Now it’s time to switch it up and take a short stroll around the hipster neighborhood of West Asheville. West Asheville’s central hub is on Hayword Street and includes quirky shops and dive bars like Fleetwoods, a bar-vintage shop-wedding chapel-music venue.

Dinner at Jargon End the night at the highly-rated restaurant Jargon. Offering an eclectic mix, including southern-inspired dishes, Jargon is housed in a cozy historic building.

Jargon 715 Haywood Road, Asheville NC Sunday – Thursday, 5 pm – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday, 5 pm – 10 pm

Day 2: Explore Outside of Asheville

Now that you’ve seen downtown Asheville and West Asheville, it’s time to dive deeper into what this great city has to offer. Here’s where you can choose the foodie itinerary, a nature itinerary, or an arts and culture itinerary.   You can follow it to the letter or mix and match as you like.

THE FOODIE ITINERARY

If you have chosen this itinerary, you are my people! I live to eat. I travel to eat. I wake up to eat.  Asheville is one of the premier dining destinations in the US.  This town prides itself on its fresh, farm-to-table, inventive cuisine.

Breakfa st at Biscuit Head Put all your diet concerns away when you enter Biscuit Head. And then add more gravy. Biscuit Head is one of the top choices for the best breakfast in Asheville, and it’s easy to see why.  The star of the show is hands down their mouthwatering biscuits. And yes, they do have gluten-free biscuits.

Biscuit Head West Asheville Location 733 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806 Hours: Monday-Sunday, 8 am-2 pm

Wild Foraging Tour (3 hours) After breakfast, go on a wild foraging tour with No Taste Like Home.   They offer forage-to-table tours that include an easy hike through the forest to forage for edibles that you can then take to partnered restaurants that will whip up a free appetizer with your findings.  The guide will lead you around, helping you to learn how to identify and find wild edibles like greens, berries, mushrooms, flowers, roots, nuts, and more.

Local Food Outing (3 hours) Another great option is to visit a U-Pick farm in the surrounding areas around Asheville. We visited the family-run farm, Justus Orchard , in the Fall and LOVED spending a half-day picking apples and salivating over apple cider donuts. North Carolina is one of the biggest producers of apples in the country, so apple picking feels like a right of passage if you’re visiting in the autumn season.

** READ OUR GUIDE ABOUT APPLE PICKING IN ASHEVILLE **

You can also tour the local artisanal chocolate company French Broad Chocolate Company, where you will learn about the process of making chocolate and, of course, delight in ample chocolate tastings. If chocolate isn’t your speed, visit Looking Glass Creamery to taste homemade cheese and caramel, as well as tour the working farm.

Lunch at 12 Bones Smokehouse Get your southern barbecue time in at the joint that the Obamas helped to make famous. A more inventive spot, they play around with flavors and don’t claim to be purists when it comes to barbecue.

12 Bones Smokehouse 5 Foundy Street, Suite 10, Asheville, NC 2880 Hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 am – 4:30 pm

Brewery Tour (3 hours) Asheville has more microbreweries per capita than anywhere else in the US. It’s safe to say that Asheville is the reigning champion of the US’s craft brewery scene.   So if you’re coming to Asheville, you have to try some beer. A walking brewery tour, like this highly rated one , where you can sample a few different breweries, is a great way to see a little bit of everything.

You can also park yourself at one brewery and chill for a few hours. Two tasty options are Wedge Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing Company.

Dinner If you did the foraging tour, end your day at one of the partnered restaurants and feast on your free appetizer. If you opted out of the foraging tour, check out one of these top-rated restaurants in downtown Asheville.

$ $ Rhubarb – Contemporary Appalachian Cuisine Curate – Spanish Tapas Ukiah – Japanese Smokehouse

$ Farm Burger Asheville – Hip locally sourced grass-fed burgers.

NATURE LOVERS ITINERARY

This is a jam-packed itinerary of nature activities centered around one area, the scenic Pisgah National Forest. I have included two hikes to suit two preferences, a longer one (Looking Glass Rock) and a short one (Moore Cove Falls). It’s probably best you choose one of the hikes based on how much you want to do. If traveling with young kids, I would cut out Looking Glass Rock Hike.

FYI: All of the activities in Pisgah Forest are about 50 minutes to an hour away, so you will need a car to get there.

Breakfast at Early Girl Eatery Start your day out early with a hearty breakfast at Early Girl Eatery in downtown Asheville. Fuel up for a long day out in nature, and afterward, take a five-minute walk to The Gourmet Chip Company to pick up sandwiches and chips to go so you’re adequately prepared for your day of hiking and nature activities.

Early Girl Eatery 8 Wall Street, Asheville NC Monday – Sunday 8 am -9 pm

Gourmet Chip Company 43 1/2 Broadway St, Asheville Sunday-Thursday 11 am-6 pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am-7 pm

13 STUNNING PHOTOS OF ASHEVILLE’S NATURAL BEAUTY

Looking Glass Rock Hike (4-5 hours) Start with a  moderately difficult 6.5-mile hike that rewards you with small waterfalls, rhododendrons, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Looking Glass Falls (30 minutes to 1 hour) Western North Carolina is jam-packed with waterfalls. You could spend an entire month trying to visit all the known and unknown waterfalls peppering the mountains of North Carolina. An accessible waterfall to check out is the 60-foot-tall Looking Glass Falls. You can park and see it from the road or take the 3-minute walk down the steps for a closer look. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, swimming or wading is allowed near the waterfall.

Moore Cove Falls (1 -2 hours) Close to Looking Glass is Moore Cove, another spectacular waterfall that is particularly fun because you can walk behind the waterfall.  A relatively easy 1.5 miles, this hike is an excellent option for families or people who don’t want an arduous climb. There are a few steep steps during the walk. After passing the falls, the trail continues up to reach another small waterfall. Due to it being quite slippery and steep, it is highly advised that only experienced hikers continue along that path.

Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest (1-2 hours) Afterward, take a short drive to visit the 60-foot natural water slide called Sliding Rock. It’s easily accessible (there are stairs to get there) from the parking lot and is a popular activity for locals and tourists. 

Be forewarned…the water is chilly. 50-60 degrees chilly. We visited in October when it was even colder, but it was so worth it! One of my favorite memories of our time in Asheville. We summoned up the courage, and once we did, the rest of the onlookers decided to go for it as well. We even saw very young children (by their parents’ side) taking a plunge into the frigid water.

The slide is officially open from April to October and costs $3 per person. If visiting in the offseason, the slide will be open during daylight hours; however, there will be no staff, lifeguards, or accessible restrooms.

**If you want a more low-key nature-based itinerary or it’s too cold to do a full hiking day, another option is to start your day at the North Carolina Arboretum, a short 20-minute drive from Downtown Asheville. The NC Arboretum offers beautiful gardens and lush hiking paths that more than satisfy the desire to connect with nature. The arboretum is located right next to the entrance to the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, so afterward, you can jump on and take a scenic drive, stopping as you like to take in the views or to take a short walk. Stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center for tips and suggestions on what to do. If you’re visiting in the fall, The Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-do activity for the technicolor display of autumn colors.

Dinner at 9 Mile We tried as many restaurants as we could while we were there, and 9 Mile’s Caribbean-inspired cuisine with a modern twist stands out as one of our top meals in Asheville. There are three locations, with the original location residing in the Historic Montford District. They don’t take reservations, and it gets very crowded at night, so your best bet is to get there right when it opens and have an early dinner. Or be willing to wait!

9 Mile Hours: Monday – Sunday, 4 pm -9 pm

ART AND HISTORY ITINERARY

Asheville is dubbed the “Paris of the South,” no doubt in part for its fierce commitment to staying true to what makes it Asheville but also because of its longstanding history of being a haven for the creatively inclined. This itinerary will satisfy anyone looking to dive deeper into Asheville’s rich culture.

Breakfast at Ultra Coffeebar Grab a simple breakfast and lavender honey latte at Ultra Coffeebar, a hip cafe and coffee bar in the River Arts District of Asheville.

Ultra Coffeebar 242 Clingman Ave, Asheville NC Monday-Friday 7 am–5 pm, Saturday & Sunday 8 am–5 pm

River Arts District (RAD)(2 HOURS) Spend a couple of hours strolling through the world-class River Arts District of Asheville. What once housed industrial buildings and empty warehouses along the French Broad River is now home to over 200 artists in 22 buildings. While Downtown Asheville offers a lot in the way of restaurants and tours, the River Arts District exposes you to the heart and soul of Asheville and what makes it so unique – its high value and esteem for the creative life.

While visiting the River Arts District, you can see artists at work, take a class, buy some unique art (almost all galleries offer to ship), and enjoy a day spent taking in the local arts. Check out their website to find maps, a calendar of events, and to see if your trip coincides with the monthly second Saturday, where there is a free trolley and special demonstrations.

Tip: Bring comfortable shoes! You will be walking a lot.

Lunch at White Duck Taco Located within the RAD is Asheville fan favorite, White Duck Taco Shop. Serving affordable creative tacos like Thai Peanut Chicken and Jerk Chicken, a visit to Asheville isn’t complete without a stop here.

White Duck Taco 388 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC Mon-Thur 11:30 am – 9 pm, Fri-Sun 11:30 am – 9 pm

Biltmore Estate (3-4 hours) The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in the US. Built in the 1800s for George Vanderbilt, the son of esteemed railroad and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, the entire estate sits on 8000 acres, and the home is a massive 178,926 square feet. It’s basically a castle. The house is a spectacular display of a Gilded Age mansion with an impressive array of 16th-century tapestries and artwork from Vanderbilt’s many travels.

Most people who visit the Biltmore Estate spend all day there to make the most use of the steep ticket costs ($70-$100) depending on the time of year and because there are enough activities to spend an entire day there.

However, since this itinerary is only for 36 hours in Asheville, I customized the itinerary to include the highlights of the Estate, which are walking through the home and touring the gardens . I also put the Biltmore Estate in the afternoon rather than the morning to avoid the Biltmore Estate’s big crowds. The Biltmore is the number one tourist activity in Asheville, and depending on what time of the year you go, you may not be able to avoid crowds. Your best bet is to go early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

READ OUR GUIDE ON VISITING THE BILTMORE ESTATE WITH KIDS

Dinner For Dinner, you can check out Antler Village, which is included with your ticket fee and is within the Biltmore Estate. It’s a small quaint village with a winery, jungle gym set, petting zoo, ice cream shop, artisanal shops, and a handful of high-quality restaurants.

Or you can leave the Biltmore Estate and visit the super cute and delicious Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village just outside of the estate. Corner Kitchen is located in a Victorian home that once housed employees of the Biltmore Estate. They serve farm-to-table southern-inspired fare and craft drinks. I personally think Corner Kitchen is better than anything in Antler Village

Corner Kitchen 3 Boston Way, Asheville NC Mon-Sun 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5 pm till closing

What should I do if I have 3 days in Asheville?

If you’re planning a long weekend in Asheville and looking for more fun activities, you could add on a day trip outside of the city. We visited Great Smoky Mountain NP, one of the best National Parks on the East Coast.  It’s free and offers some of the best hiking around.

There’s also the small and charming mountain town of Black Mountain- and the best part: It’s only 20 minutes away!

Lastly, if you’re a fan of history and writing, you can visit the Carl Sandburg Home and Historic Site.  It’s a serene spot with hiking trails and tours.

You can also browse through Viator to see fun guided tours being offered while you’re there. They change seasonally and will vary between haunted walking tours and guided waterfall tours.

Check here to see what tours are available now.

Enjoy your time in Asheville! Let us know if you use our itinerary for how to spend 36 hours in Asheville, NC. Also, spread the love and pin it on Pinterest using the button below.

PIN IT FOR LATER

READ NEXT: Should You Visit The Biltmore With Kids ? When + Where + How To Go Apple Picking Near Asheville 10 Of The Best Airbnbs in Asheville Are We Moving to Asheville ? Should You?

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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11 comments.

I LOVE the Nature Itinerary. The sliding rock sounds so fun! I will be adding these hikes to my list 🙂 Thanks for the great guide!

Glad you like it! The sliding rock is one of my FAVORITE things to do in Asheville. I hope you get to do it one day.

Asheville is one of my favorite places! :] Such an awesome place to visit (I’m with you on it being hard to stuff everything there is to do in just 36 hours). White Duck Taco is actually responsible for my no longer being able to eat duck anymore (their logo looks just like my pet duck, haha). I’ve been to all the waterfalls you mentioned–they were beautiful! <3

Oh my gosh, that’s so funny! What a quirky story about white duck taco and your pet duck. Also, I love that you had a pet duck!

I love that you included itineraries for different interests like nature and history. Ashville is such a beautiful place. I can’t wait to start traveling again.

I haven’t spent time in this part of the US yet, so its great to get inspiration like this! Never heard of Asheville before, but its on my list now. The nature looks amazing!

Asheville is a fantastic place to visit! It’s perfect for anyone who loves nature. I hope you can make it out there one day.

OMG! you had me at Foodie tour! We were supposed to have vacations in North Caroline last summer, but the hurricane passed Norfolk 3 days before we leave Canada, therefore, we had to reroute our itinerary.

Really Asheville is a beautiful place, thanks for your guidance.

Thank you for some much guidance, we will only have about 30 hours on our stop in Asheville so really helpful to get an idea of everything we can fit in 🙂 Safe travels!

I was about to visit Asheville NC, this article helped me a lot about the city. Thank you!

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How will the new Asheville rail line be funded? Advocates to look for tourism taxes

ASHEVILLE - As regional advocates step up to coordinate funding efforts for the proposed Asheville-Salisbury rail route, one of the next steps is identifying local funding solutions for the project, which, in its entirety, is projected to cost $665 million.

One of those solutions for an early funding local match to federal funding for the line — a match that is expected to cost between "$150,000 to $400,000" — could come from the local tourism development authority.

Members of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority subsidiary Explore Asheville, including CEO Vic Isley, met with members of the WNC Rail Committee and the city of Asheville Department of Transportation to discuss funding efforts for the Asheville-Salisbury Rail Corridor, WNC Rail Committee Chair Ray Rapp said during a June 5 WNC Rail Committee meeting.

The BCTDA is able to fund capital projects through two avenues: the Tourism Product Development Fund and the Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund. In the past year, the TPDF and LIFT funds have provided nearly $17 million to local capital projects expected to increase tourism revenues. Another $15 million is expected to be available for fiscal year 2025, according to the recently discussed BCTDA fiscal year 2025 budget.

"Recently, Explore Asheville was delighted to participate in a positive informational meeting with Asheville-Salisbury Corridor advocates," Explore Asheville spokesperson Ashley Greenstein told the Citizen Times June 5. "It’s very early on in the conversation, so they shared important background on the exciting prospective project and we outlined respective Tourism Product Development Fund and Legacy Investment from Tourism Fund criteria and timelines."

Rapp said he believes the goals of the project are in line with the "mission and purpose of the TDA."

In December, a $500,000 grant for the project was announced by the  Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration alongside the announcement of a massive infrastructure overhaul to the "S-Line" between Richmond and Raleigh.

The next step for the Asheville to Salisbury route would be an additional estimated "$150,000 to $400,00" in local match funding  for the "project planning" stage of the Corridor ID program, which involves the creation of the Service Development Plan, N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division Director Jason Orthner said. The funding must come from a non-federal source, like a Metropolitan Planning Organization, city or state government.

The specific amount required to fund this part of the project may not come until the end of the "scoping" phase, which just officially began and will end within a March or May 2025 time frame, Orthner said. When NCDOT reaches that point, the specific budget needed for local funding will be clearer, he said.

For project planning, the additional non-federal match is 10% of what the FRA has put into the process.

After that step is funded, the next step in the process is the project development stage, which will require a much higher 20% local match to the FRA's funding.

Interim city of Asheville Department of Transportation director Paul Ballard called the conversation with the BCTDA "very positive," as the committee continues to catch local officials up to speed on the state of the project.

"It's serious now and we have timetables and we have financial needs," Ballard said during the June 5 meeting, though noted the TDA had asked for more information about the projects after the May 25 meeting between the organizations.

Leaders from the Land of Sky Regional Council recently expressed interest in supporting the effort by coordinating regional leaders, towns and organizations that may be able to provide non-federal funding for the rail project .

Another plan to produce funding is the recently introduced N.C. Senate Bill 821, which would provide an additional $1 million in state funding for the seven North Carolina train routes identified in the CID program.

Despite support from state senators, including local Democratic Sen. Julie Mayfield, Rapp, a former Democratic state legislator, noted the bill had "gone nowhere" after being introduced. The bill was referred to the committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate on May 6.

Timing for Asheville-Salisbury corridor

While funding remains a top priority for state and regional sponsors of the plan, the WNC Rail Feasibility Study released in December provides a better picture of how long it would take to travel on the system.

The Asheville-Salisbury corridor is "the longest" out of the seven identified by the CID program, Orthner said.

Here are times it would take to travel by rail given in the study, compared to times it would take to travel by car and bus according to Google:

Salisbury to Asheville

• Train : 3 hours and 35 minutes
• Car : 2 hours and 10 minutes
• Bus : 3 hours and 30 minutes

Raleigh to Asheville

• Train : 6 hours and 47 minutes
• Car:  3 hours and 50 minutes
• Bus : 6 hours and 20 minutes

Charlotte to Asheville

• Train : 4 hours and 26 minutes
• Bus : 2 hours and 55 minutes

More: Asheville passenger rail plan finds local support as NC rail funding bill is introduced

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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected]. Please help support this type of journalism with a  subscription  to the Citizen Times.

Asheville a top 10 city in US for outdoor dining: See how it rates

Asheville is famous for food, breweries and the great outdoors. And a recent study reflects that, ranking the city in the top 10 countrywide for alfresco dining.

Dating expert site DatingAdvice.com's Editor-in-Chief Amber Brooks ranked 150 areas , with Asheville coming in at sixth place in the nation.

"The urge to indulge in one of life’s most cherished rituals - alfresco dining - grows irresistible as the days grow longer," Brooks wrote. "Outdoor dining experiences in bustling city streets and tranquil countryside retreats are synonymous with the changing seasons, and American cities offer a unique blend of culinary delights perfect for couples wanting to spend a romantic evening together."

Downtown Asheville was praised for views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus the variety of options for outdoor dining, "from rustic beer gardens to rooftop restaurants ."

More: New patios, cool rooftop bars to visit this summer in Asheville

Outdoor dining in Asheville

Outdoor dining options in Asheville certainly aren't difficult to find. You'll see tables and chairs of restaurants and bars along many sidewalks downtown.

Some new and notable restaurants and breweries from Citizen Times reporting include:

• Visuals at Burial Beer Co. , with craft beverages and curated small plates.
• The Flat Iron Hotel Rooftop Bar .
• Terra Nova Beer Co. South Slope , with craft brews and pizza.
• Soprana Rooftop Cucina , with Italian fare.
• Highland Brewing Co. , now featuring rooftop cabanas and plant-based soul food.
• El Patio by Guajiro , with cocktails and live music.
• Cooperative Coffee Roasters , with sustainably sourced coffee and more.

More: National Geographic travel guide features Asheville as LGBTQIA+-friendly destination

Best alfresco dining in the US

• Historic District, Savannah, Georgia
• French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
• West Village, New York City, New York
• Ocean Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
• Downtown, Charleston, South Carolina
• Downtown, Asheville, North Carolina
• Harbor Town, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
• Provincetown, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
• Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Waikiki, Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii

More: Which Asheville restaurants, bars opened in 2nd quarter 2024? Italian fare to coffee shops

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

48 Hours in Asheville: The Perfect Itinerary

 DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

For decades, tourists came to Asheville to marvel at the spectacular Biltmore Estate while largely ignoring the rest of the city. Nowadays Asheville is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Southeast. A thriving arts and culture scene attracts attention, as do newly renovated neighborhoods that host design studios, trendy restaurants and the nation’s largest concentration of microbreweries.

This 48-hour itinerary includes the iconic Biltmore Estate along with beautiful scenery and delicious food. When it comes to accommodations, visitors have booked rooms at the luxurious The Omni Grove Park Inn for generations. If you’re in the mood for a less expensive stay, consider  Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville, or one of the area’s many bed & breakfast inns.

Day One: Morning & Afternoon

Morning: Grab a hearty breakfast at The Corner Kitchen ( 3 Boston Way ) in Biltmore Village or, for lighter fare, visit Well-Bred Bakery & Café ( 6 Boston Way ) for freshly baked scones and an assortment of coffees. After breakfast be sure to check out Biltmore Village. Originally the staging area for servants at the nearby estate of the same name, the village has become an attraction in itself, offering popular shops and restaurants within a tree-lined historic district.

9 a.m.: Take a car to The Biltmore Estate and enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds and mansion. George Vanderbilt spent a short weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his mother in 1888, when he was 26. This grandson of industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt left the area inspired, and within a year, he returned to begin construction on what today is billed as America’s premiere home. The Biltmore Estate is a 250-room French chateau with an astounding four acres of floor space. Outside, the carefully manicured grounds offer 2.5 miles of garden walking paths on 8,000 acres. Savvy travelers arrive as early as possible, especially in the busy warm-weather months. Reserve an entry time when purchasing online tickets. ( 1 Lodge Street. Tickets: $80 for adults at the gate, $70 for adults in advance, youth and children 16 and under enter free during the summer. Discounts available for AAA members. )

12:30 p.m.: Take a break from your exploration to enjoy a light lunch at The Kitchen Café , ( located in the Antler Hill Village and Winery ). The nearby winery also offers free samples of their product. Make Antler Hill Village the transition point between outdoor and indoor explorations. Which should come first? Check the weather forecast before making that decision.

Your level of interest will dictate the length of time spent at Biltmore, but it certainly is possible to spend an entire day on the estate and not see everything. At minimum, reserve five hours for exploring.

Day One: Evening

5 p.m.: Drive up the northbound Blue Ridge Parkway east of Asheville for a look at one of Western North Carolina’s beautiful sunsets. Just a few miles north of the junction with US 70 is Haw Creek Valley overlook ( milepost 380 ): a great vantage point for viewing sunsets. Get there early, because on clear nights the relatively small parking lot will fill up quickly.

6:30 p.m.: As light dims, there will be the temptation to keep traveling northward to visit more scenic pull-offs. Save that pleasure for tomorrow. Head back south to US 70, then access eastbound I-40 to the town of Black Mountain, home of the Red Rocker Inn ( 136 N Dougherty Street ). Casual fine dining awaits, with specialties such as hand-cut pork chops, fresh mountain trout and homemade pastas, flatbreads and desserts. Reservations are suggested; closed Sundays.

Day Two: Morning

8:30 a.m.: Start out your day with a tour of Asheville’s iconic Omni Grove Park Inn ( 290 Macon Avenue ), which appears on the National Register of Historic Places. This classic resort emerged from the proceeds of “elixir” sales in the early 1900s. From Wednesday to Sunday each week, guests can take a free, 45-minute guided tour that begin in the lobby at 9 a.m. For day visitors, joining the 20 person tour costs $10 per adult. On days when tours aren’t offered, it’s still worth a quick stop to see one of the first great mountain resorts in the American South.

10:15 a.m.: Just a few years ago, the area that is now Asheville’s River Arts District was a blighted industrial neighborhood along the French Broad River. The only tourists arriving here in those days probably took a wrong turn in their search for the Biltmore Estate. Today they arrive to visit 22 art studios housed in restored factories and buildings. Artists will be working on their latest creations, and you can sometimes engage them in conversation about their techniques and creations. For those who like to buy original pieces from up-and-coming artists, it can be a profitable stop.

Day Two: Afternoon and Evening

11:20 a.m.: Arrive at  Buxton Hall Bar-B-Cue ( 32 Banks Avenue ) before the restaurant’s opening at 11:30 and expect to stand in a short line. The minor time investment yields one of the first tables of the day. Those who arrive an hour later wait much longer. Buxton Hall has a reputation for its “all-wood, whole hog barbecue,” and side dishes such as “mussels cooked under the pig.”

1 p.m.: If you deny yourself dessert, more temptation lurks around the corner in this South Slope neighborhood. The  French Broad Chocolate Factory  ( 21 Buxton Ave ) is open daily, and offers a 75-minute guided tour of the facility on Saturdays that requires a reservation and a $10 fee. At other times, shorter free tours also explain the philosophy of bean-to-bar cacao sourcing and fair trade with the farmers who produce the beans. The owners also serve their creations at a downtown chocolate lounge on South Pack Square.

2:15 p.m.: Fortified with barbecue and chocolate, head east on US 70 to the same interchange where that great sunset view was pursued last night. Once on the northbound Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll soon encounter the  Folk Art Museum ( milepost 382 ). Stop to see a variety of handicrafts created by mountain people—some from necessity for household jobs, and others for sheer beauty. Travelers who revel in such creations could spend half a day here, while others will be satisfied with a quick look. In either case, leave your camera locked in the car. Rules prohibit photography inside the building.

Continue driving northward on the winding, climbing parkway until you reach Craggy Dome overlook. Park and begin a 0.7-mile hike to  Craggy Pinnacle Summit ( milepost 364 ). This short hike is rather strenuous in spots, but those who continue eventually enjoy one of the best scenic views in this part of the country.

If the weather isn’t cooperating, other Asheville-area activities that could fill an afternoon include a trip to the  Asheville Museum of Science ( 43 Patton Avenue ), or a tour of Asheville’s 50 breweries. The  Wicked Weed Brewpub  ( 91 Biltmore Avenue ) offers free tours.

5:30 p.m.: Asheville’s restaurant scene includes some innovative eateries. Southerners enjoy varieties of “hot chicken,” usually fried with varying degrees of spices and hot sauces. Sample this trend at  Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack . The Arden location ( 3749 Sweeten Creek Road ) is located only a few miles from the intersection of US 25A and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The term “shack” is for marketing effect only, Rocky’s offers a sit-down restaurant with a bar and a  Zagat rating.

Day Three: Morning

10 a.m.: If your departure day falls during the weekend, visit  Posana Café ( 1 Biltmore Avenue ) for a gourmet brunch. The restaurant serves only locally sourced products and features a contemporary American menu. It makes a nice dinner stop for those who can’t make it to brunch.

11 a.m.: Posana is a great place to launch a brief walking tour of downtown Asheville, which is possible along the  Urban Trail and accessed using a smartphone. Make the tour as short or as long as you wish. A piece of street art marks each stop.

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More Asheville Travel Press From NY Times

by Eating Asheville

The popularity of Asheville continues to become more and more prominent as Asheville travel articles continue to pop up in major publications across the country.  Check out this feature from Jeremy Egner in the New York Times.  While there are many Asheville travel opportunities, here is one stellar itinerary for a weekend here in Foodtopia.  Of course we’d recommend booking a food tour somewhere in there.

36 Hours in Asheville, N.C.

By JEREMY EGNER OCT. 13, 2016

Mountain-ringed and progressively minded, the city that calls itself Land of the Sky is renowned for its creative spirit.

Asheville calls itself the Land of the Sky, but that barely scratches the surface. This city of just over 87,000 people, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, is also the land of the arts, the outdoors and terrific cuisine, as well as a land of colorful history distinguished by Gilded Age opulence and literary inspiration. Asheville, which was spared damage from Hurricane Matthew, has rebounded from a long economic trough in recent decades. It is now a top tourist destination in the South, one renowned for its creative spirit and progressive ideals. That status is threatened, some say, by a North Carolina measure, passed in March, that ended anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, spurring many corporations, performers and sports organizations to avoid the state. Some merchants say business has suffered, too, even though the city’s leaders have urged the state assembly to repeal the bill. Travelers concerned about spending money in North Carolina can take heart from the “Y’all Means All” signs that have gone up around Asheville since the bill was passed.

1. Literary Landmarks, 2 p.m.   Fun fact: Asheville inspired one of the most famous lines in American literature. “You Can’t Go Home Again,” the title of a posthumous novel by Thomas Wolfe, was based on the author’s stint as a pariah in Asheville, his hometown, after the publication of his 1929 bildungsroman “Look Homeward, Angel.” The book was so unsparing in its barely veiled depictions of actual Ashevillians from his youth (the city was called Altamont in the novel), the local library declined to carry it for years even as it became an American classic. Eventually all was forgiven and now Wolfe’s former home on Spruce Street, where much of the novel was set, is part of a small but fascinating museum about his life and the city in the early 20th century ($5, children $2). More macabre literary fans can drive past the site on Montford Avenue where Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald died in a sanitarium fire in 1948, or even book the “Fitzgerald suite” at the Grove Park Inn, the whimsical granite pile, now an Omni property, where Zelda’s husband, Scott, stayed during his visits. Follow up with a trip to one of the tremendous downtown bookstores, including the wonderfully atmospheric Malaprop’s and Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, an elegant spot in the Grove Arcade, the airy Art Deco emporium, where you can enjoy wine with your limited edition tome.

2. South Slope Suds, 4 p.m.   Asheville also calls itself “Beer City USA” and it’s hard to argue the point. It has more breweries per capita than any American city — 23 at last count — drawing hopsheads from all over. While you’ll find beer tours, all you really need is some walking shoes — many of the best small breweries are within a few blocks of one another on the South Slope. Burial Beer Co., in a former auto repair shop, makes terrific Belgian ales (samples, $3). Green Man, around the corner, specializes in English styles (pints from $4.50) — opt for the original taproom over the more touristy “Green Mansion” next door. The Funkatorium, by the local fave Wicked Weed, focuses on sours that range from majestic to mouth-twisting (samples from $2). Other South Slope favorites include Twin Leaf, Hi-Wire, Catawba and Asheville Brewing Company.

3. Farm to Chef to You, 7 p.m.   Asheville has been doing farm-to-table since before it was a marketing point, and top-notch restaurants like Cúrate, Bouchon and Tupelo Honey Cafe have turned it into a dining destination. One new bright spot is Local Provisions, by the Southern chef Justin Burdett. The seasonal menu specializes in local ingredients prepared with grace and sophistication, from the N.C. Amberjack crudo ($10) to the apple brandy strip steak with potatoes, beans and mushrooms ($36). Got room for a nightcap? Try Sovereign Remedies, a 21st-century cocktail bar in a former early 20th-century pharmacy that channels both aspects, creating libations infused with botanical ingredients designed to cure whatever ails you. Try the Root Daiquiri, made with rum, lime, sarsaparilla, burdock and dandelion ($8).

4. Take a Hike, 9 a.m.  Western North Carolina is a hiker’s paradise, with Mount Pisgah, Sam Knob and waterfalls all within an hour’s drive of Asheville. But you don’t have to leave the city to get your nature fix. The North Carolina Arboretum, roughly 10 miles southwest of downtown, packs lush seasonal gardens, actual babbling brooks and miles of trails into 434 acres. Guided hikes are available at the rustic-but-refined visitors center, but the best thing about managed wilderness is the ability to get lost without getting, you know, actually lost.

5. Eat in a Shipping Container, Noon   Go to Smoky Park Supper Club for the building — the restaurant is composed of artfully arranged shipping containers and presents as the Lego fantasia of a gargantuan, gifted child. Stay for New South snacks like smoked North Carolina shrimp ($10). But linger for the most no-frills aspect of all: picnic benches a few feet from the French Broad River, offering a placid spot to sip a beverage and watch the current go by.

6. Farm to Chef to You, 2 p.m.   In the mid-1980s artists began transforming more than 20 industrial buildings along a one-mile stretch of the river into a jumble of light-filled studios. The River Arts District now hosts some 200 artists, most working in studios open to visitors. Grab a nitro cold brew at Clingman Cafe ($3.50) and wander up Clingman Avenue to see Jonas Gerard’s vibrant canvases and sculptures at his namesake studio, and phantasmagoric porcelain pieces at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts. On Lyman Street, Warehouse Studios offers captivating textiles, jewelry and paintings, including Barbara Fisher’s moody, impressionistic oils and Olga Dorenko’s dizzying, hyperrealistic landscapes.

7. River Arts & Snacks, 4 p.m.   Wind down at Wedge Brewing Co., specializing in local beers (Iron Rail IPA is the go-to), or a snack at the industrial chic Bull & Beggar. (Try the rabbit rillettes, $8, or grilled eggplant with yogurt and mint, $12). Other favorites in the district include White Duck Taco Shop and the Junction.

8. Toast the Sunset, 6 p.m.  Despite its name, SkyBar is essentially a glorified fire escape — three steel platforms, with rails and tables, attached to the Beaux-Arts Flatiron building. Most evenings those terraces fill up with patrons watching the sun set over the mountains as servers bring beverages conventional (local beers from Highland and Green Man, $4.50) and less so (the Southern Haut Snap blends rye whiskey and gingersnap liqueur with vanilla tea, $10). Enter at the World Coffee Cafe on Battery Park Avenue and wait for the antique elevator. The Sunset Cocktail Terrace at the Grove Park Inn also offers a picturesque end to the day.

9. Westward Ho, 8 p.m.   Once shabby, West Asheville has become a dining destination, an evolution many credit the Admiral, a gastro pub hiding behind a cinder block exterior, with kick-starting. It is the neighborhood’s signature restaurant, but it’s hardly alone. Nine Mile, a Jamaican cafe, creates inspired jerk dishes and salads (don’t miss the garlicky His Majesty’s dressing), with lots of vegan options. Buffalo Nickel offers interesting bar fare (try the buffalo cauliflower, $8), pool tables and pinball. The Westville Pub is the watering hole we all want to be regulars at — thankfully the bartenders treat you as such, and validate your parking.

10. Live Like a Vanderbilt, 9 a.m.   Arguably Asheville’s most renowned landmark, the Biltmore Estate is expensive to visit (adults from $55) and often crowded. But it’s also magnificent. The main house, a 250-room limestone marvel inspired by French Renaissance chateaus, was designed by Richard Morris Hunt for George Washington Vanderbilt, the scion who fell in love with the mountainous countryside and, in true Vanderbilt fashion, bought 125,000 acres of it. (The estate now stands at around 8,000 acres.) Completed in 1895, the house is the largest private residence in the United States, with over four acres of floor space — Vanderbilt descendants still own it, though it has been open to the public since 1930. In addition to the 10,000-volume library, cavernous banquet hall and other remnants of Gilded Age luxury, visitors can see 16th-century tapestries and works by Sargent and Renoir, among others, and stroll through elaborate gardens by Frederick Law Olmsted. Dining options range from concession stand hot dogs to brunch at the upscale Dining Room at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, but a tip: Save your appetite for the casual, nearby Biscuit Head. Lodging

Hotel Indigo (151 Haywood Street; ashevilleindigo.com), at the edge of downtown, is well positioned both for walking to the city center and hitting the highway for more distant attractions. The sunny rooms are colorfully decorated with murals and local artworks, and the higher ones offer terrific city and mountain views. From $159.

Haywood Park Hotel (1 Battery Park Avenue; haywoodpark.com) is located downtown in the 1920s building that was the former home of the Bon Marché and Ivey department stores, local landmarks for decades. Arguably the most centrally situated stay in town, the Haywood Park is close to many of Asheville’s best restaurants and shops, and its rooms are unusually large for an urban boutique hotel. From $249.

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6 reasons to visit Asheville, North Carolina now – including art, food and a vortex

When I first visited Asheville, North Carolina in 2013, I was obsessed with the vortex — but it surprisingly took a backseat on my most recent trip. I found 6 new reasons to visit Asheville, North Carolina now.

This time around to Asheville, I was happily distracted by the dozens of amazing new restaurants, hotels (almost 20 new small hotels since my first visit), emerged art scene and myriad attractions.

Asheville has come a long way, notable for a small city with a small population (about 90,000), for it not only reflects growth but offers more reasons to visit — 6 really good ones. Asheville is truly standing out in the South and thankfully still has a lot of heart.

Here are 6 reasons you should visit Asheville, North Carolina now.

1. the vortexes are amazing..

I know this sounds strange, and well, sure… it is , but vortexes exist here the same way they’re a big lure for visitors to Sedona . The vortex is the best attraction in Asheville because it makes the other attractions even better. Yep, that’s another weird thing to say. Lastly, you can’t see a vortex, but you can feel it (weirdest!).

Let me explain.

Vortexes are strong energy points across the world, so people are spiritually and naturally drawn toward them. When you’re in a place with a vortex, it simply amplifies your mood. The easiest explanation: You feel great. The vortexes (there are 24 in Asheville) are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround the city, and the feeling you get in Asheville is what I’ve coined as “effortlessly positive.” I’ve been to Asheville three times, and each time, I learn the population increases and *sticks* (meaning residents in Asheville never really move somewhere else… in fact, have you ever met a new neighbor in your city who moved from Asheville? It’s rare). That’s the power of the vortex and how it fills you with its good energy.

One of my favorite vortex stories of all time involves George Vanderbilt.

George Vanderbilt (of the famed Vanderbilt family in New York) was driving through Asheville with his mother in the late 1800s. She got sick, so they had to stop while she recovered. While here, George felt like a new person, completely inspired, and fell in love with Asheville. A few years later, in 1895, he builds  the Biltmore Estate , the largest private residence in North America and now a museum, right in Asheville.

Random, right? Nope. It’s the power of the vortex. Why else would Vanderbilt build an estate in a place he had absolutely no connection to?

I truly believe there’s great energy in Asheville, vortex or not, and others agree. I guess you’ll have to determine this for yourself with a visit.

2. The Biltmore Estate.

Speaking of Vanderbilt and Biltmore, the Biltmore Estate is one of the best attractions in the state, if not the South. Sprawling 8,000 acres (it takes about 15 minutes to drive from the entrance to the actual parking lot just next to the Biltmore House), the estate receives approximately one million visitors a year.

In the early 1900s, it was uncommon to have home gymnasiums, but George Vanderbilt outfitted Biltmore House with the most up-to-date equipment of the time including parallel bars, a chain-driven rowing machine, and wall mounted pulleys with adjustable weights. #Biltmore pic.twitter.com/QAbE5qQpt4 — Biltmore Estate (@BiltmoreEstate) January 3, 2020

Visitors journey more than a hundred years back in time through elegant and over-the-top bedrooms, lounges and basements with actual antiques furnishings. If you’re into old-world charm and decadence, I would make Biltmore a priority. Downton Abbey fans are also making a beeline with the new exhibition , which runs until April 2020.

And, hey, if you’re really obsessed, you can now stay at the Biltmore , which opened an inn, hotel and cottage in the past few years.

3. The dining scene has gone next-level.

On my previous visits to Asheville, I ate through many terrific restaurants serving Southern food, including one of my favorites, Tupelo Honey , which has branched out to other cities. I remember only one notable restaurant didn’t serve American cuisine at the time of my visit, and that was Curatè, which serves Spanish-inspired tapas, and it’s delicious.

Now, there’s so many great restaurants celebrating all types of cuisine, and many are reminiscent of NYC or Chicago dining scenes. This is credited to the imaginative, progressive and talented young chefs serving up elevated dishes.

I didn’t have enough time to visit them all, but I dined at a few that prove Asheville is still a competitive foodie city. Two notable restaurants include:

Cultura . The dining experience is truly exceptional. Chef Jacob Sessoms, a native chef who worked with Jonathan Waxman in New York City, is a young local hero in the dining scene and made a name for himself after opening Table .

Cultura, which opened in April 2019, serves new-agrarian cuisine, and quite possibly the only restaurant in the state to do so. Expect creative, farm-fresh dishes merging with traditionally Southern family-style dining (ie: huge portions), like Colonel Hester’s Bucket of Birds smoked & fried (for 2-4 people, $65.00), which won’t include boring chicken.

I’d also recommend Sovereign Remedies , which is actually a bar, but there are a few tables for dining upstairs in a rustic attic setting (think vintage furniture and a French balcony overlooking the bar).

In a way, it reminded me of Napa Valley, and I’m not completely shocked considering the restaurant is helmed by Chef Graham House, who spent time in Northern California. The New York Times loved the restaurant, and the dishes are truly elevated and thoughtful, so don’t expect typical bar fare. In fact, Sovereign Remedies serves up organic, local and sustainable ingredients in beautifully plated dishes. The Bavette Steak with wildflower butter and radicchio hit all the right spots for me, one of the reasons to visit Asheville, North Carolina!

4. There are more hotels than ever before.

As I mentioned earlier, almost 20 hotels have opened since my visit in 2013. Not all of them are notable, but visitors have more options. At the time of my last visit, the only hotels you’d even consider are Grand Bohemian Asheville and Omni Grove Park Inn .

Now, travelers can shack up at other great boutiques, like The Windsor Boutique Hotel , Aloft Asheville , The Foundry Hotel and Kimpton Hotel Arras , the latest hotel to open, which I recently reviewed .

5. You can bring your dog basically anywhere.

I travel often with my pup Ruby , and I consider all the pet-friendly factors when visiting a city. Asheville checks off all the boxes. Most Asheville hotels are pet friendly (we stayed at Kimpton Hotel Arras since Kimpton is the most pet-friendly hotel chain in the world, and we rarely saw a guest without a pup here), there are ubiquitous green lawns and yards and parks, shops are incredibly pet-friendly (and there are tons of boutique pet shops) and even restaurants that have patios allow dogs and offer dog menus, like Sunny Point Cafe ,  Daphne at Twisted Laurel and Posana .

What made Asheville even more pet-friendly is that you can book Asheville dog city tours. On the tour with Dog Door , which you can book here , we stopped at local shops with dog goodies, breweries that love pups and even dog concept shops.

I also met up with a pet psychic at Heart Alchemy who offers pet companion readings . This was truly interesting, and I’m sure I’ll write a longer story, so look out for that.

In the reading, the psychic Lewisa basically communicated some of Ruby’s thoughts to me, and even psychoanalyzed some of her behavior (why she does it) and some valuable techniques to better our relationship. Wow, sounds weird when I write it out, but it seriously blew me away. It’s one of the great reasons to visit Asheville, North Carolina.

6. Asheville is affordable.

Asheville is an affordable city . The restaurants are reasonably priced, there’s very little high-end shopping, and hotel rates won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The fact there are more hotels means rates will remain competitive, which means you won’t spend a lot.

It’s also a great walking city. Downtown is compact, and you can stroll the streets with plenty of window and people watching, hop in a brewery for a cheap beer and browse tons of galleries for free. Even the art shops are reasonable. We stopped by Zapow, an art collective featuring the amazing work of young contemporary Asheville artists, and I left with a great framed artwork and a sticker for under $40.

I also recommend heading to West Asheville and River Arts , an emerging district along the river that feels inspired by Brooklyn with its industrial design, food trucks and range of galleries and studios.

Have you been to Asheville? Tell me your experiences below!

More Travelbinger stories:

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Tourism authorities revise Asheville area Airbnb data after Citizen Times story

A SHEVILLE - Tourism officials have revised data used in a Citizen Times analysis on the stunning growth of the short-term rental industry, saying their numbers misrepresented its size.

The change reflects the difficulty in gauging the breadth of the sometimes informal and still partially underground business that by all accounts has grown massively with the introduction of online platforms, such as Airbnb and VRBO. That is according to the owner of the largest local STR business and local and state government officials, some of whom see the industry as a significant contributor to the local housing crisis.

Unchanged are sales numbers reported July 3 by the Citizen Times and tracked by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a governmental body. Those showed revenue growth of more than 1,000% since 2016, from $18.7 million to $229 million countywide. Hotel sales grew 53% in that time.

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The fault was found in the number of STRs (sometimes called short-term vacation rentals), which were reported as 10,000 but are actually less than 6,000, according to the revised TDA data.

The original analysis came from a Jan. 28 TDA meeting presentation that said, "there is now more vacation rental supply than hotel room supply." It included annual percentage breakdowns between the two lodging types.

The percentages were wrong, TDA spokesperson Ashley Greenstein said July 7, because there was a double count. The numbers were also meant to represent STR rooms, not individual listings, Greenstein said.

The revised data shows 9,143 STR rooms countywide with 5,223 individual listings, she said. Listings can mean anything from an individual room for rent to a whole house with many rooms. There are 9,034 hotel rooms in the county.

Asked about the difficulty in tracking the rental numbers, Greenstein said the industry is much more changeable than the traditional hotel business.

"The number of vacation rental listings frequently fluctuates. Homeowners may choose at any time to remove a listing or add one," she said.

The TDA gets its data from the county and private contractors. It tracks the numbers to understand trends and also because sales affect the 6% tax that it receives from lodging businesses. Most of the tax goes to tourism marketing for Asheville and the rest of the county.

Chip Craig, owner of Greybeard Realty which manages 285 STRs in nine area counties, said tracking the local market is difficult because it is highly "fragmented."

"Of the professionally managed homes, we're the largest, and we're not that big. Probably 75% are individually managed. That's why it's so hard to get the data," said Craig, a former TDA member.

Craig acknowledged the industry has boomed, but questioned whether the sales numbers overstated the growth. Some was due to STR owners who had not paid the occupancy tax but then began to do so, he said. The tax is how sales are measured.

Black Mountain short-term rentals: Short-term rentals pose problems for some in Black Mountain but a boon for tourism economy

Woodfin rentals: Woodfin council in split vote greenlights restrictions on short-term rentals

One way the industry could be better gauged is through state regulation, said Tim Moffitt, a member of North Carolina Senate who lives in Henderson County and owns an STR.

In several ways, Asheville and Buncombe County elected leaders oppose a bill proposed by Moffitt that would take away much of local governments' ability to regulate STRs, including a virtual ban inside Asheville.

An exception to the ban enacted in 2018 are "homestays," which mean the renting of one or two rooms within homes. A long-term resident must be present at the time. Even with that clampdown, illegal rentals persist, according to Andrew Fletcher a professional musician, renter and city downtown spaces task force chair. Fletcher could not be reached for comment July 7 but has said STRs tear apart the "fabric" of neighborhoods and take away housing from locals.

But Moffitt said he wanted to work with Asheville and county officials and provide ways they could manage the industry, including by mandating better reporting by STR owners.

"I believe in creating thoughtful policy. And in order to do so we have to identify everybody in every market that is participating in this enterprise," he said.

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at [email protected], 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a  subscription  to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Tourism authorities revise Asheville area Airbnb data after Citizen Times story

Election 2024 updates: Biden defends debate performance; Trump mocks him at Virginia rally

What to know after Biden and Trump's first debate

• President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are back on the trail today after facing off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle.
• Biden delivered an energetic speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, defending himself after his poor performance in last night's debate. He also gave brief remarks in New York commemorating the Stonewall Inn.
• Some Democrats expressed concern about his ability to remain on the ticket following several major stumbles. The New York Times editorial board published an opinion piece tonight calling on Biden to drop out .
• Trump, whose debate performance was littered with falsehoods and misleading claims, spoke at a campaign rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he didn't waste any time mocking Biden's debate performance .
• The Supreme Court released three major decisions this morning, including a Jan. 6 case that Trump praised.

DNC spokesperson calls NYT editorial 'laughable'

Megan Lebowitz

A spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee hit back at the New York Times editorial board tonight over its op-ed saying Biden should end his re-election bid.

"It's laughable," said spokesperson Abhi Rahman.

The Biden campaign dismissed the op-ed earlier tonight.

Biden speaks at last campaign event of busy post-debate day

Biden delivered remarks tonight at a New York fundraiser, capping a day of campaigning as he attempts to rebound from last night’s debate performance.

"When you get knocked down, you get back up," Biden said, repeating a phrase he used at a campaign rally earlier in the day.

Biden also poked fun at his age, but said that it gave him the ability to get things done and tell the truth. "This is a nation that believes in honesty,” he said.

Before the fundraiser, Biden held a rally in North Carolina and delivered remarks at the opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York.

The Biden and Trump campaigns were hoping to appeal to Black voters in the first debate, but some expressed disappointment in both candidates after the faceoff. NBC News’ Shaquille Brewster reports.

First lady recounts conversation with Biden about the debate

Caryn Littler

In front of a New York fundraising audience this evening, first lady Jill Biden recounted a conversation she had with her husband after last night's debate.

"As Joe said earlier today , he’s not a young man," she said. "And you know, after last night’s debate, he said, ‘You know, Jill, I don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel that great.’"

The first lady said that she responded by saying, ‘Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you’ve been president.’”

The Supreme Court’s Jan. 6 ruling is expected to ripple through rioters’ cases but not necessarily Trump’s

Ryan J. Reilly

The Supreme Court’s ruling Friday  in favor of a Jan. 6 defendant charged with obstruction  of an official proceeding quickly triggered activity in other  Capitol rioter  cases to revisit that charge, but it’s unlikely to derail former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference case.

Justice Department officials and attorneys for Jan. 6 defendants said that the court’s 6-3 ruling in the case involving former Pennsylvania police officer Joseph Fischer would not have an immediate effect on most of the 1,000-plus convictions secured by prosecutors.

Read the full story here.

Despite Biden’s dismal debate performance, abortion care providers remain resolute

Erika Edwards

Lauren Dunn

Jessica Herzberg

Elysee Barakett Elysee Barakett is a health intern at NBC News.

Proponents of abortion rights were dumbfounded by Biden’s vague and sometimes incoherent messages on abortion access during last night’s debate, especially when he declined to rebuke Trump’s false claims that Democrats are in favor of killing babies.

“The debate was a disaster,” said Dr. Warren Hern, director of the Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado. “It’s going to be hard to recover from this.”

The debate should have been a layup for people in favor of abortion rights. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, touted the fact that he nominated three anti-abortion justices to the Supreme Court while in office from 2017 to 2021. As a result, the constitutional right to an abortion was overturned in 2022, leaving states in charge of whether to allow women to terminate a pregnancy and at what stage.

Joh Fetterman responds to The New York Times' op-ed: 'f--- that'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., slammed The New York Times' editorial board's opinion piece urging the president to drop out of the 2024 race.

His message on X was just two words: "f--- that."

Fetterman has been a stalwart supporter of Biden.

Democratic National Committee touts grassroots organizing around debate

Biden's allies are touting grassroots organizing and fundraising figures from debate night in a memo first shared with NBC News.

The memo, co-written by Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler and Democratic National Committee communications director Rosemary Boeglin, highlighted the days ahead of the debate as "mobilizing hundreds of thousands of grassroots supports online and off."

They said that the Biden campaign and its allies organized 436 watch parties across the country, leading to more than 12,000 in-person attendees in battleground states.

Tyler and Boeglin also pointed to supporters signing up for "more than 1,500 volunteer shifts for our weekend of action in the battleground states." The campaign and allies also made nearly 1 million texts and calls to voters in battlegrounds, the memo said.

"While Republicans are in disarray and the Trump campaign continues to neglect crucial constituencies on the ground, the Biden-Harris campaign and Democrats across the country are not taking a single opportunity to engage voters for granted," the memo said. "That’s how we’ll win in November."

Georgia Democrats worry for Biden but still plan to vote for him

Nnamdi Egwuonwu

Christopher Cicchiello

Anne Fayssoux, 71, couldn't believe the Biden at the podium was the same one she saw deliver a rousing State of the Union address mere months earlier. At the debate's conclusion, she said she felt "sad, anxious and upset."

"I think he’s deteriorated since his State of the Union speech that went so well. They did say that he had a cold. But he seemed a little more disabled than just someone with a cold," Fayssoux told NBC News.

Even after noting Biden's numerous slip-ups she doubled down that Biden would receive her vote: "No, there’s no way in heaven and earth that would vote for someone who tried to overthrow our government on January 6th," she said. "I’d vote for Biden 100%."

Another traditionally Democratic voter, Andrew Rose, 50, was more critical of Biden and the debate as a whole.

"Oh, I was so disappointed in Biden. He was hoarse. He was pale. He looked really frail," Rose said. "And, I mean, Trump just lied through his teeth the entire time. It was a disaster, start to finish, both sides."

Rose said that calls to have Biden step aside for another Democrat were uncalled for and continues to have "confidence" in the president to continue his campaign.

"I think he’ll be okay," Rose said. "Just last night was just not a good look for him, but I think he’ll be okay."

Rose added that in the second face-off between Biden and Trump, he hopes the president will "play up" Trump's convicted felon status.

Democrats in swing-state Michigan divided over Biden's fitness

Emma Barnett

Democratic voters in Dearborn, Michigan, are split on whether Biden should step aside in order for the Democratic Party to nominate another candidate after a stumbling debate night.

Rashad Asoufy said it was “surprising to see the decline in Biden’s health due to his age.”

“Ideally, I would like him to step down and have someone else be the Democratic ticket,” Asoufy told NBC News. “But if he’s all we have, I would still stick with Biden because the alternative is not really   good for this country because it kind of threatens our democracy.”

Jennifer Ganem, 59, thinks it is too late for Biden to step aside.

“I think that we need to stay the course at this point of the process,” she said.

While Ganem described Biden’s performance as “sad,” she said, “We are voting for that leader, but we also need to remember we’re voting for all the people around our president, somebody who can bring together a good team, and former President Trump did not prove that he could do that.”

On the other hand, Marsha Brazil, a 71-year-old from Dearborn, is adamant that Biden should not step aside.

“Biden has the experience. Why would you want to — did they want to replace Trump? Look at all the things — he’s a convicted felon,” she said.

Brazil added that “the Democrats need to get together and stick with what they got and try to improve them with what they have instead of trying to replace it. You don’t replace nothing like that.”

Brazil described the debate as “horrible” because “Trump lied when he first opened up his mouth.”

“Biden was trying to tell the truth, but by him being a stutterer and having problem speaking properly, and having a cold, he had a problem delivering his points because he was trying to fact-check Trump on everything,” she added.

Biden addresses NYC’s LGBTQ community a day after poor debate performance

Matt Lavietes

Under the dark cloud of a lackluster debate performance and  panic among some Democrats , Biden spoke today at the opening of a visitor center for LGBTQ history in New York City.

Biden addressed several hundred LGBTQ attendees and allies, including singer Elton John, actor Neil Patrick Harris, fashion designer Michael Kors and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Courtney Act, at the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center to commemorate Pride Month.

“Today, I’m proud to unveil a new visitor center for Stonewall National Monument, the first ever LGBTQ+ visitor center in the national parks of America,” Biden said. “It matters. We remain in a battle for the soul of America. But I look around at the pride, hope and light that all of you bring, and I know it’s a battle we are going to win and continue to make progress.”

'Lock him up' chants erupt after reference to Trump at Biden-Harris rally

Reporting from Las Vegas

Stumping for the president at a Biden-Harris campaign rally in Las Vegas, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly made a comment that prompted “lock him up” chants from the crowd. 

“We have a choice between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who will continue to fight for you, or a convicted criminal who is only looking out for himself,” said the senator, who's a Navy veteran and former astronaut. 

On came a series of “lock him up,” chants, a variation of the “lock her up” chants originated by Trump’s own supporters in reference to Hillary Clinton in the run-up to the 2016 election. 

Kelly responded to the chants, saying, “Folks, all you have to do is vote.”

The neighboring senator was part of a high-profile lineup of Biden-Harris surrogates to speak at the rally, including New Mexico Gov. Michelle Grisham and Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. The keynote speaker was Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Biden’s facing pressure to drop out. Trump isn’t joining in.

Allan Smith

Former President Donald Trump is not known for restrained commentary about his political opponents’ weaknesses.

But after a debate in which a number of Democrats felt President Joe Biden’s performance was  so uneven and concerning  that he should  consider getting out  of the presidential contest just weeks before the Democratic National Convention, Trump is holding back from the full pile-on.

Former HUD secretary says Biden 'less likely' to win now

Zoë Richards

Julián Castro, a former HUD Secretary in the Obama administration who then ran for president in 2020, said today that Biden had failed to clear a low bar in the first presidential debate last night.

"Biden had probably the lowest bar to clear of any presidential nominee coming into a — this time summer, usually it’s a fall debate — and he failed to clear that bar. That was obvious," Castro told host Ryan Nobles on NBC News' "Meet the Press NOW." "After last night, it became less likely that he will win. Now it’s up to him to rebuild that competence to make it more likely."

Castro said he was "never convinced" that Biden was the strongest candidate for the 2024 nomination, but he said that at each juncture over the past two years, the chance to consider an alternative to Biden was "shut down."

Castro added that the optics are also a concern, saying, "We’ve come to a point where this is a political liability that is is so difficult to overcome."

Supreme Court set to rule Monday on Trump presidential immunity claims in federal election interference case

Ginger Gibson Senior Washington Editor

The Supreme Court is set to rule Monday on whether former President Donald Trump has  sweeping presidential immunity  that would shield him from prosecution for trying to overturn the 2020 election.

The justices have left the high-profile case for their final decision day before summer break. It was the last one argued this term.

There are three other cases set to come up on Monday, two dealing with Republican-backed state laws seeking to regulate social media platforms and the other on when companies can challenge federal agency rule-making.

Bidenworld brushes off The New York Times' editorial board snub

Monica Alba

Gabe Gutierrez

There is no love lost between The New York Times and some staffers in Bidenworld after the newspaper's editorial board called on the president to drop out.

Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond responded tonight to the New York Times editorial board's op-ed urging Biden to step aside after last night's poor debate performance.

“The last time Joe Biden lost the New York Times editorial board’s endorsement it turned out pretty well for him," he said.

One Biden aide indicated to NBC News that the rebuke was actually energizing for some in Bidenworld.

“That s*** is like jet fuel in my veins,” the Biden aide said. “I love it.”

The paper's editorial board ultimately backed Biden in the general election in 2020 but had selected Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., during the Democratic primaries earlier that year.

Pennsylvania Republican suggests the 25th Amendment is 'worth consideration'

Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate nominee Dave McCormick thinks there is a “possibility our Commander-in-Chief is not up to the job” — and suggested the 25th Amendment, which allows the vice president and Cabinet members to write a letter to Congress declaring the president is not fit to serve, is “worth consideration.”

McCormick, sitting next to former Attorney General Bill Barr at his "America’s Future Tour: Safer Communities for Pennsylvania" event just north of Pittsburgh, described this as a “sad and scary thing to say.”

The McCormick campaign later released a video titled “Bob Casey Said Over And Over That Biden Was Fit To Be President. He Was Lying.” The video shows McCormick’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, defending Biden and his record, as well as Biden complimenting Casey and calling him a “close friend.”

When asked for a response, the Casey campaign referred NBC News to a comment given to PoliticsPA.com that reads, “I’m fighting for Pennsylvania against an opponent who sells out working people to enrich himself, invested in Chinese military companies, and cheered when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Pennsylvanians deserve someone fighting for working families, not for billionaires.”

Nevada Democrat: I wish Kamala Harris was running for president

Julius Tolbert, an 84-year-old Democrat, wishes that Vice President Kamala Harris was running for president instead of Biden in light of his lackluster debate performance, he told NBC News in a Las Vegas supermarket parking lot.

“I wish the vice president, I wish she was running for president. I think she’d be a good president,” said Tolbert.

“I think she — the people can understand her better because she can get up there and talk,” Tolbert added. 

Tolbert, an African American originally from Alabama born to sharecroppers, said he worries what Republicans retaking the White House will mean for Black people and people of color.

“If we get a Republican in ... it’s going to be bad for people of color,” Tolbert said. 

Tolbert was also troubled by Trump.

“The lies that he was telling, what he had done when he was president of the United States, none of that was true. Everything he said,” Tolbert said. 

Despite acknowledging Biden wasn’t an effective communicator last night, Tolbert was not panicking, even as he noted he was "worried" about Biden's health and his ability to make it through another four-year term.

“He knows what he is doing. He’s very quiet about what he does,” said Tolbert. “He was not trying to be a superstar."

New York Times editorial board calls on Biden to drop out

The New York Times editorial board published a bombshell op-ed today calling on Biden to leave the race, joining the rising chorus of concerned politicians and pundits.

"The clearest path for Democrats to defeat a candidate defined by his lies is to deal truthfully with the American public: acknowledge that Mr. Biden can’t continue his race, and create a process to select someone more capable to stand in his place to defeat Mr. Trump in November," the editorial board wrote .

The op-ed acknowledged that ending his campaign would "be against all of Mr. Biden’s personal and political instincts."

The piece highlighted that it was Biden himself who challenged Trump to the debate.

"The truth Mr. Biden needs to confront now is that he failed his own test," the board wrote.

During a conversation with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Aspen Ideas Festival, venture capitalist Peter Thiel said he would vote for former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. A former backer of Trump, Thiel said he would do so begrudgingly. NBCUniversal News Group is the media partner of Aspen Ideas Festival.

Presidential debate drew 51.3M viewers, down from recent events

Jason Abbruzzese

The first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign cycle drew about 51.3 million people, according to the media analytics company Nielsen, a sharp drop from previous debates and the smallest audience since a 2004 debate between then Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush.

Nielsen’s audience estimate came in slightly above host CNN’s figure. The cable news company said Friday that 47.9 million people watched the debate between Biden and Trump across broadcast and cable TV as well as streaming.

While still a sizable TV audience, Nielsen’s estimate represents an approximately 30% drop in viewership from the first Biden-Trump debate in 2020, which drew 73 million viewers. At 51.3 million people, the estimate puts the most recent debate just ahead of the third Bush-Kerry debate but behind all debates from the 2008, 2012 and 2016 campaigns, according to data from Nielsen's election hub.

Vulnerable down-ballot Democrats stay quiet after Biden’s debate

Bridget Bowman

Sahil Kapur

Democrats running in competitive down-ballot races this year largely kept quiet or dodged questions today about the first presidential debate as the party grapples with the fallout from Biden’s shaky performance.

Several Senate Democratic candidates in key states took to social media not to comment on the debate, but to share footage from recent campaign events or highlight other policies. Staffers working with several of those campaigns did not return requests for comment on the debate. And a few candidates did not directly answer questions about whether Biden should continue as the party’s presidential nominee.

“I focus on my race. I’m not a pundit,” Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio,  told News5 Cleveland  when asked if party leaders, including himself, should ask Biden to step aside. “I’ve never given my colleagues about what they should do with their free time and what they should do with other politicians.”

Trump praises today's Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 6 defendant

Trump this afternoon praised the Supreme Court's ruling today in favor of J a n. 6 defendant seeking to toss out an obstruction charge for taking part in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

"The great Supreme Court ... they did the right thing," Trump said at a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, referring to the court's 6-3 ruling in favor of Jan. 6 defendant Joseph Fischer .

Trump also said those involved in the riot were facing persecution because of his campaign for president, although many of their charges predated his presidential bid.

"All of their persecution is only happening, and all of it has happened to me, because I’m running for president," Trump said.

Bill Clinton highlights Biden's record in post-debate post

Former President Bill Clinton commented on Biden's debate performance today, pointing to his "solid leadership."

"Joe Biden has given us 3 years of solid leadership, steadying us after the pandemic, creating a record number of new jobs, making real progress solving the climate crisis, and launching a successful effort in reducing inflation, all while pulling us out of the quagmire Donald Trump left us in," Clinton said. "That’s what’s really at stake in November."

Clinton's tweet comes shortly after Obama also lent his support to Biden on X.

Biden celebrates Pride Month at Stonewall visitor center event

"Happy Pride!" Biden said at the start of his remarks in New York at a visitor center opening event commemorating the Stonewall Inn.

The Stonewall Inn was the site of a police raid in 1969 that helped propel the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

"LGBTQ+ people are some of the most inspiring people I know," Biden said in remarks with a level of energy similar to a North Carolina rally earlier today, a stark contrast from last night's debate performance.

He also recounted a childhood story about the first time he saw two men kiss. Biden said that his dad told him, "It's simple, Joey. They love each other."

At the end of his remarks, Biden introduced Elton John.

Debate performance threatens to overshadow Biden's NYC event with LGBTQ voters

Biden is attending the opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center in New York City, but several LGBTQ attendees suggested that last night's debate performance could overshadow the festivities.

Scott Dewey, an account executive at software company SAP — one of the center’s sponsors — called last night’s debate “humiliating.”

“I felt so bad for Biden, but then at the same time, I was thinking, ‘Are they doing this so early, are the Democrats trying to sabotage him?’” Dewey, a gay man, told NBC News.

“I mean, what the hell? It was a disgrace,” Dewey added. “He’s too old and he absolutely confirmed that last night."

Biden campaign launches digital ad saying Trump 'only cares about himself'

Mike Memoli

The Biden campaign is putting out a paid digital campaign following last night's debate, that uses clips from Trump's debate remarks to paint the former president as a self-serving candidate.

The 29-second ad includes snippets of Trump's comments at the debate lectern last night while discussing topics like abortion, the job market and the Capitol riot, alongside short captions from the Biden campaign that describe the former president as a candidate who doesn’t care about veterans, democracy, Black families or reproductive rights.

“Donald Trump only cares about himself," the ad says. "And if he wins, he’ll only help himself. Because he doesn’t care about you."

Trump kicks off first post-debate rally by mocking Biden

Ryan Brooks Ryan Brooks is the weekend politics editor for NBCNews.com

Kicking off his first-post debate remarks at a rally in Virginia, Trump mocked Biden's performance and said the president "didn't know what the hell he was doing."

"As you saw on televison last night we had a big victory against a man who is trying to destroy our country," Trump said. "Despite the fact that crooked Joe Biden spent the entire week at Camp David resting, working, studying — he studied so hard he didn't know what the hell he was doing."

"It's not his age, it's his competence," the former president added. "He's not respected anywhere in the world."

'He’s still on message': Georgia Democrat looks to Biden's positives

Alec Hernández

Reporting from Marietta, Ga.

Paula Billups, a registered Democrat from Marietta, said that while she is disappointed in Biden’s performance last night overall, she is “still very hopeful” that he can be re-elected this November. 

“He’s still on message,” Billups, 60, said of Biden, adding that she didn’t think the president “communicated the message as well as he could have last night.” 

Her lackluster review of his Thursday night performance, however, will not dissuade her from casting her ballot for Biden again in November. 

“I know a lot of people are discussing whether he should step down. No, he should not step down. He has a great team to support him,” she said, noting that Trump is only a few years younger. 

Billups, a professor of business administration at a local university, was also confused by Trump’s onstage comment about migrants taking “Black jobs.” 

“He made it seem to imply that maybe it was lower-level jobs, which that’s just not the case. You know, we hold jobs at all levels, but I’m not sure what he meant by that,” she explained. 

Biden supporter impressed with North Carolina rally: 'I would have loved to have seen that person at a debate last night'

Elleiana Green Elleiana Green is a Digital Politics intern with NBC News

As Democrats continue to voice concerns about Biden's performance following the Thursday night debate, Biden's energized speech on Friday provided a stark contrast for Dannie Montgomery, a Biden supporter who attended his North Carolina rally.

“I would have loved to have seen that person at a debate last night,” Montgomery said. "I would have liked to seen a little bit more fire last night."

Throughout the rally Biden made the case as to why he should remain in office and insisted that he could do the job while acknowledging his lackluster performance.

“I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easy as I used to," Biden told the crowd. "I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth!"

Biden communications director won't say whether the campaign is changing strategy ahead of Sept. debate

Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler told reporters on Air Force One there have been no high-level discussions "whatsoever" about the president stepping aside.

"The president said it himself today: You know, I think he didn’t have the best night on the debate stage," Tyler said. He roundly rejected any calls for Biden to step aside and said they are still definitely planning for the September debate.

Tyler wouldn’t say though if the campaign would change its overall strategy on how Biden will prepare for that one versus last night’s performance.

'What defines a Black job? A job's a job,' Black voters in Georgia react to Trump debate comments

Two Black voters in Georgia said Trump's Thursday night answer referencing "Black jobs" in a response about the role immigrants play in the U.S. economy, said it reveals the "type of person Trump is."

“They’re taking Black jobs now and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people,” Trump said. “They’re taking Black jobs, and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.”

"What defines a Black job? A job's a job," Ryan Beasley, a 45-year-old undecided voter from Atlanta, told NBC News.

Beasley, a Black resident from Decatur, had always voted for the Democratic Party prior to this election. Asked what he would do if the election was tomorrow, he responded, "Stay in bed."

He added, "I think it's time for new leadership; I think it's time for younger leadership."

Red Girma, a 24-year-old from Georgia, expressed similar concerns.

"It just felt like they were referencing, like I don’t want to say it, but like bottom-barrel jobs that are like supposed to be like Black jobs or like Hispanic jobs like," Girma said. "I don’t know what he was trying to get at that. I don’t know if that that was supposed to like win us over."

'We’re doomed': NV independent voter expresses concern over Biden's age and ability to beat Trump

John Luch, a 45-year-old carpenter and independent voter from Nevada, expressed concern over Biden’s age and performance following the Thursday night debate. 

“It was just a bunch of stammering, a bunch of like, grasping for an answer,” Luch said of Biden’s performance onstage with Trump.  

Luch said that he typically votes for third-party candidates in presidential elections and that his current plan is to vote for “none of the above” come November. He added that he’d be open to supporting the Democratic Party if they remove Biden from the ticket in favor of a younger candidate. 

As for Biden’s chances of beating Trump in the general election, Luch remained skeptical because of the president’s age. 

“I think you should be alive long enough to see the ramifications of your actions,” Luch said. “We’re doomed. This the best we got.”

Congressional Democrats admit Biden stumbled in the debate but stand by him for 2024

Kyle Stewart

Ryan Nobles

Rebecca Kaplan

Kate Santaliz

A  debate performance  by President Joe Biden that  set off a five-alarm fire  within  his party  Thursday gave way to a more measured public reaction the next morning from congressional Democrats, who acknowledged he did poorly but didn’t agree with those who called on him to drop out of the presidential race.

“It was a terrible debate. Joe Biden couldn’t communicate and Donald Trump lied every time he opened his mouth,” said Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., who represents a competitive district.

But when asked if Biden should step aside from the 2024 race, Craig said she’s focused on her district.

Privately, many Democrats — including  some lawmakers  — said that they are worried. But publicly, they’re putting on a brave face and downplaying the impact of a single debate.

Read the full story here .

Obama says Biden's performance last night doesn't change the clear choice in the 2024 election

Rebecca Shabad

Former President Barack Obama doubled down on his support for Biden for president in a post on X this afternoon after Democrats expressed concern over his former running mate's debate night performance against Trump.

Steve Bannon must report to prison by Monday after Supreme Court rejects last-minute appeal

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon must report to prison by Monday after the Supreme Court rejected his last-minute bid to stave off his four-month sentence for defying subpoenas from the House Jan. 6 committee.

Bannon was convicted in Washington on two counts of contempt of Congress nearly two full years ago, in July 2022, and sentenced to four months in prison in October 2022. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols had put his sentence on hold as he pursued an appeal of his conviction, which was rejected in May . Nichols then ordered Bannon to report to prison by July 1 , saying there was no basis to continue to delay the sentence. An appeals court then rejected Bannon’s appeal of the decision, leaving only the Supreme Court to help him avoid incarceration.

PA Democratic Party chair: 'I'm with him'

Lauren Mayk

Asked by NBC News whether Biden should still be the nominee, the head of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party said yes.

"Joe Biden will beat Donald Trump and the people of Pennsylvania will support him," state Sen. Sharif Street said. "It's President Biden's decision what he wants to do in his life and so far he's decided he's our nominee and I'm with him." 

Biden won the battleground state in 2020, but polls have shown a close race going into November.

'Disgusting and dangerous': Activists decry Trump's 'bad Palestinian' comment

Rima Abdelkader

Activists and community leaders criticized Trump's comment last night that Biden is seen as a “very bad Palestinian,” in relation to the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

"Using 'Palestinian' as a slur is disgusting and dangerous," said Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

Trump said during the debate that the president had “become like a Palestinian, but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian. He’s a weak one."

Imam Omar Suleiman, president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, criticized both Biden and Trump in response to that exchange: "Truly, you’re both just bad human beings," he said in an Instagram post.

“The fact that he called President Biden a Palestinian, a bad Palestinian, was an insult to me,” Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha wrote on Instagram .

Biden backers in N.C. disappointed in debate but sticking with him

Monica Dunn

Biden supporters at his rally in North Carolina told NBC News they were disappointed with his performance in yesterday's debate but are still standing behind him.

"I thought there was a debate between a good man and a bad man. So you know, the good man may have had an off night, but he’s still a better man, and I’m going to vote for him. Not a problem," said one attendee, John Burns.

Another, David Tillem, said Biden's performance in the debate was "a disappointment," but he thinks he's still fit for the job. Asked if he was the best person to lead the Democratic Party right now, Tillem said, "Who else is there? That’s the question. He’s the one who’s been out front. Can he do it? Yeah."

A third, Tara Waters, said Biden has been "counted out before, and he’s shown how resilient he is, and so we’ll just have to wait and see. But I am rooting for President Biden, and I’m thankful for what he’s done for our country."

Biden leaves the stage to 'I Won't Back Down'

Daniel Arkin

Biden left the podium to the tune of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" — an interesting song choice amid growing calls for the president to drop out of the race following his debate performance.

Biden's remarks are finished

The president spoke more clearly and forcefully than he did last night, but it remains to be seen whether the rally in North Carolina will change the post-debate narrative.

Buttigieg tells Biden to 'get down to work, get back to work'

During an interview with MSNBC, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that Biden is "the best person to lead the country forward," despite his performance in the debate last night.

Asked about how Biden will fix the chaos in response to last night's debate, Buttigieg said Biden must "get down to work, and get back to work."

He added, "Just because you are on the right side of the American people with all the policy arguments doesn't mean you automatically get to win an election."

Biden insists he can do the job of president

"Folks, I give you my word as a Biden: I would not be running again if I didn't believe, with all my heart and soul, I could do this job — because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high."

The crowd replied with chants of "Yes, you can!"

Biden addresses age, debate performance: 'I don't debate as well as I used to'

Biden, defending himself against criticism of his debate performance and questions about his age, told the crowd: "I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easy as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth!

Biden blasts Trump for not explicitly pledging to accept election results

Biden excoriated Trump for not flatly promising to accept the results of the November election.

CNN debate moderator Dana Bash asked Trump three times whether he would accept the 2024 election results. He did not directly answer the question the first two times, but on her third attempt, Trump said in part: “If it’s a fair and legal and good election, absolutely.”

Trump then proceeded to repeat a discredited allegation of voter fraud when he lost four years ago.

Biden has not alluded to criticism of his debate performance

In his remarks so far, Biden has not commented on the chorus of criticism that followed his debate performance last night. He is proceeding with fiery criticisms of Trump and describing his second-term agenda in broad strokes.

Biden is coughing occasionally but sounds less hoarse

Biden has coughed a few times in the early section of his prepared remarks, but he sounds less hoarse than he did during last night's debate.

During the Thursday night debate, a Biden aide and others familiar with his situation told reporters he had a cold.

Crowd chants 'Lock him up' after Biden calls Trump a 'one-man crime wave'

Biden, ripping into Trump's legal troubles, referred to his 34 felony convictions in the New York hush money case and derided the former president as a "one-man crime wave."

The crowd started chanting "Lock him up," as Biden continued his remarks.

Biden repeats 'alley cat' attack on Trump

Biden, recalling last night's debate, told the North Carolina crowd that he "spent 90 minutes on a stage debating a guy who has the morals of an alley cat" — repeating an attack line he used during the face-to-face confrontation with Trump.

Biden lays out second term agenda in clearer terms

Biden, who has faced criticism from Democrats for failing to lay out a clear and forceful second term agenda at last night's debate, rattled off some of his domestic priorities at the top of his remarks in North Carolina.

"We're going to stand up for the women of America," the president said. "We're going to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land." He also pledged to defend entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security.

Biden also interrupted by chants of 'Four more years'

Biden was beginning to explain why he is speaking in North Carolina when some of his supporters in the crowd started chanting "Four more years" to drown out a protester.

'Our options are horrible': Suburban Atlanta voters unimpressed by both debate performances

Two suburban Georgia voters were left disappointed by both candidates' performance in last night’s debate, both expressing concern for Biden’s fitness to serve and Trump’s perceived lack of substance. 

“I don’t even know how to describe it. I think it was sad and we didn’t really learn about what they would do about the issues in this country,” said Rebecca Tucker, 70, of suburban Marietta. Tucker felt “terrible for Biden” and questioned his ability to serve after watching him onstage. 

“I don’t think that he’s mentally capable of leading our country,” she said, adding that “Trump seemed more clear headed and alert.”

Daniel Savage, 54, explained that the substance of the debate was far overshadowed by the style. 

“Honestly, I just couldn’t get past the embarrassment. The first five minutes, it just was horrifying,” he said, adding that while Biden was “not cognizant,” Trump’s display was merely “average.”

“We have two candidates that I’m embarrassed to say are running for president of the United States,” he continued. 

Both Tucker and Savage voted for Trump in 2020, but were open to hearing from both candidates last night to help inform how they will cast their ballot this fall. They both are still undecided.

Biden begins remarks at North Carolina rally

The president has started giving his first public comments since last night's debate.

Jill Biden interrupted by 'four more years' chants

First lady Jill Biden, who is introducing Biden in North Carolina, was interrupted by supporters in the crowd chanting "Four more years."

Biden arrives for campaign rally in North Carolina

Biden has arrived for a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is expected to deliver remarks amid calls for him to drop out of the presidential race following his performance at the debate.

Pence calls Biden's debate performance 'a sad spectacle'

Former Vice President Mike Pence derided Biden's debate performance as "a sad spectacle" in a post on X, then went on to tout the resilience of the American people.

Pence — who failed in his effort to secure the GOP presidential nomination last year — has said he will not back Trump, his former running mate.

Biden campaign discussed whether it was a good idea for Harris to do post-debate interviews, source says

Biden campaign advisers deliberated over whether Vice President Kamala Harris should still do media interviews after the debate, given Biden’s performance, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

During the conversations, some Biden advisers suggested that it could be a “bad look” for Harris to go on the airwaves, this source said, but ultimately she decided that she wanted to do them for several reasons.

First, Harris felt that she had a duty to speak out because her name is on the ticket with Biden and second, she wanted to “prosecute the case against Trump” while making the case that she and Biden have “delivered together” over the last three and a half years.

“She was very clear that when he succeeds, they succeed. When she succeeds, they succeed,” this source said. “Same team.”

Dean Phillips quotes Gandhi: 'Speak only if it improves upon the silence'

In his first public post since the debate, Rep. Dean Phillips, Biden's most prominent primary challenger, shared a quote from Mahatma Gandhi on X, "Speak only if it improves upon the silence."

Phillips dropped out of the primary race in March and endorsed Biden.

Biden 'absolutely not' dropping out of the race, campaign says

Kelly O'Donnell

Peter Nicholas

Asked if Biden would drop out of the race, a Biden campaign spokesperson said, "Absolutely not."

“President Biden is the only person who has ever beaten Donald Trump. He will do it again. Donald Trump did not give voters any reason to vote for him tonight. On the issues, the American people are with Joe Biden,” a Biden campaign adviser said.

Pelosi says Biden had a 'bad start' to debate, still supports him

Ava Thompson

Asked if Biden is the best messenger for the top of the Democratic ticket, Rep. Nancy Pelosi said she is a “very big supporter of President Biden."

“He got off to a bad start," she told reporters. "I thought he came through OK on the issues later.”

Major Biden fundraiser says Democrats should 'take a deep breath'

Alan Kessler, a Philadelphia-based Biden fundraiser, said today that Democrats should "take a deep breath and see how things develop in a week or 10 days."

"In the meantime, if people want to have discussions about everything from potentially having somebody else [on the ticket] to how to handle last night, maybe that should happen," Kessler said. "But before people jump off bridges or start a draft movement, let’s take a deep breath and see how things unfold."

Longtime Biden ally Rep. James Clyburn says the president had a 'poor performance' during the debate

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., a longtime Biden ally, told reporters on Capitol Hill today that he thought the president's performance during last night's debate was "poor."

Clyburn said that Biden doesn't need to change anything on "substance," but on style, he argued that Biden is "not a show horse."

"The debate last night had some shortcomings," he said, noting that infrastructure was not brought up once even though Biden signed a major bill to rebuild the nation's roads and bridges.

"We have a workhorse on behalf of the American people. We got a show horse just trying to get him out of office," he said.

Clyburn was credited with helping propel Biden's 2020 presidential campaign forward after endorsing him before the South Carolina primary.

Biden campaign rakes in $14 million around the first presidential debate

The Biden-Harris campaign raised $14 million on debate day and the morning after, a campaign official told NBC News.

The official said the hour after the debate — between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. — was the single best hour of fundraising since the campaign’s launch in April 2023.

Senior Biden adviser says Jan. 6 defendants must be held accountable after Supreme Court decision.

A senior Biden adviser said today that "violent insurrectionists and those who encourage them must be held accountable, but Donald Trump thinks otherwise."

The adviser's comment comes in response to the Supreme Court's decision that sided with a Jan. 6 rioter challenging an obstruction charge.

"Just last night, Trump again defended January 6 and the insurrectionists who violently assaulted law enforcement officers and tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power," the adviser said about the debate. "Today’s ruling does not change the fundamental truth that Donald Trump will always put himself over our democracy.”

The June presidential debate, by the numbers

Nigel Chiwaya

Biden and Trump  touched on many topics during  last night’s presidential debate , from the economy and inflation to the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, health care and immigration.

NBC News kept track of how the candidates used their time during the debate. The graphics below show the time dedicated to each topic, along how long the candidate spent on each.

Good inflation news for the Biden admin lost in debate fallout

There's good news about inflation this morning. The wonky-sounding personal consumption expenditures index (PCE) for May came in at its slowest growth rate in more than three years . It comes after other recent encouraging inflation data, including from the closely watched consumer price index (CPI).

PCE is also a preferred inflation gauge for the Federal Reserve, which could end up cutting its benchmark interest once or twice this year as price growth slows down. That would be good news for Americans paying credit card bills and those who are priced out of the housing market because of high mortgage rates.

But what could be seen as a boost for Biden is likely to get lost amid the fallout from his shaky debate performance last night. When pressed on inflation yesterday, Biden incorrectly said he inherited 9% inflation from Trump. CPI hit that level in the middle of 2022, Biden's second year in office. The president also stumbled in demonstrating how the annual rate of CPI growth is now down to 3.3% and is expected to keep cooling.

Biden campaign co-chair says he 'lost on style, but won on substance'

Mitch Landrieu, Biden's campaign co-chair, defended Biden's debate performance during an interview with CNN this morning.

Asked about voters' response to the debate, Landrieu said Biden had a "rough time" last night. He added, "The president might have lost a debate on style, but he won it on facts. He won it on decency."

Monday will be the final day of Supreme Court rulings

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its final rulings of the session Monday. The decision on Trump's immunity argument in one of his criminal cases remains undecided, meaning it's likely to come Monday.

Supreme Court rules for Jan. 6 rioter challenging obstruction charge

Lawrence Hurley Supreme Court reporter

Reporting from the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today ruled in favor of a former police officer who is seeking to throw out an obstruction charge for joining the Capitol riot Jan. 6, 2021, in a ruling that could benefit Trump.

The justices on a 6-3 vote handed a win to defendant  Joseph Fischer , who is among hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants — including Trump — who have been charged with obstructing an official proceeding over the effort to prevent Congress’ certification of Biden’s election victory.

The court concluded that the law, enacted in 2002 as part of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act after the Enron accounting scandal, was only intended to apply in limited circumstances involving tampering with physical evidence.

Read more about the decision here.

Pelosi, asked for reaction to Biden's performance, says 'not right now'

Asked to react to Biden's performance at last night's debate, former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she "will have it, but not right now."

Pelosi, one of the most powerful Democratic elected officials in the nation, made the comments as she stepped into an elevator at the Capitol. She did not specify when she planned to make public comments about the debate.

NBC News' Chuck Todd wrote last night that he was most intrigued to hear from Pelosi and former President Barack Obama. "They are, arguably, the two most influential Democrats not named Joe Biden right now," he wrote, "and if they went public saying, 'Thank you for your service but it’s time for new blood,' I'm not sure Biden could survive as the nominee."

Supreme Court delivers blow to power of federal agencies, overturning 40-year-old precedent

The Supreme Court today overturned a 40-year-old precedent that has been a target of the right because it is seen as bolstering the power of "deep state" bureaucrats.

In a ruling involving a challenge to a fisheries regulation, the court consigned to history a 1984 ruling called Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council.

It is the latest in a series of rulings in which the conservative justices have taken aim at the power of federal agencies. The ruling was 6-3 with the conservative justices in the majority and the liberal justices dissenting.

Biden campaign commits to participating in September presidential debate

The Biden campaign said that the president still plans to participate in the second scheduled presidential debate against Trump.

A Biden aide said all systems are go for the debate and they're committed to it. ABC News is set to host that debate on Sept. 10, less than two months before Election Day.

Hillary Clinton reiterates support for Biden post-debate

In her first public reaction following the debate last night, Hillary Clinton wrote in a post on X that she'll be voting for Biden this November.

Top Democratic fundraisers sound the alarm after Biden’s debate performance

Brian Schwartz, CNBC

Rebecca Picciotto, CNBC.com

Many of the Democratic Party’s top fundraisers are privately sounding the alarm after  Biden ’s disappointing  debate  performance against Trump last night.

“Disaster,” said a Biden donor who plans to attend a fundraiser with him tomorrow in the  Hamptons .

“This is terrible. Worse than I thought was possible. Everyone I’m speaking with thinks Biden should drop out,” said the person, who was granted anonymity to recount private conversations.

CNBC began hearing from worried  Democratic  campaign donors and fundraisers less than 20 minutes into the 90-minute debate hosted by CNN.

“Game over,” said a longtime Democratic campaign adviser, who has been raising money for congressional leaders for over a decade and helped raise money for Biden’s 2020 White House bid.

Supreme Court allows Oregon city policy targeting homeless people

The Supreme Court today rejected a constitutional challenge to ordinances enacted by a small city in Oregon that punish homeless people for sleeping on public property when they have nowhere else to go.

The justices ruled in favor of the city of Grants Pass, saying the measures do not run afoul of the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment.

Hakeem Jeffries says Biden shouldn't step down

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded "no" when asked by reporters if he thinks Biden should step down following his debate performance last night.

Supreme Court to begin announcing decisions momentarily

The Supreme Court is about to begin announcing decisions. They've brought two boxes into the press room — traditionally meaning we could get more than two cases.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says Biden is 'not up to the job'

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressing reporters on Capitol Hill this morning, said he believes the presidential debate showed that Biden is not fit for the presidency.

"Everyone can see the objective fact that we have been discussing here for a long, long time, that President Biden is not up to the job," Johnson said.

Trump has also drawn criticism for a series of falsehoods and exaggerations during the CNN presidential debate. Johnson praised Trump's performance, saying the presumptive GOP nominee "won on every metric of measurement, I think, on the issues, on his stamina, on his temperament."

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defends Biden while avoiding mention of his debate performance

Henry J. Gomez

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued a post-debate statement through her political organization this morning that praised Biden without remarking at all on his performance in last night's debate.

"For hardworking people in Michigan and across the country, this election is about which candidate can do the most to make life easier for them and their families, stand up for our rights and freedoms, and leave a better country for our kids and grandkids," Whitmer said in the statement. "On these questions, the difference between Joe Biden and Donald Trump as people, and as presidents, could not be clearer. " 

Whitmer is among the Democrats whose names routinely surface as a potential replacement for Biden on the ballot — and her name was ringing out among panicked party insiders last night after Biden stumbled through a shaky debate with Trump.

"Joe Biden is running to serve the American people," Whitmer said in her statement. "Donald Trump is running to serve Donald Trump.   The difference between Joe Biden's vision for making sure everyone in America has a fair shot and Donald Trump’s dangerous, self-serving plans will only get sharper as we head toward November." 

Another Democrat, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, raised eyebrows on X after last night's debate by sharing a photo of her and other statewide officeholders with Whitmer under the message "Mood. #TeamMichigan."

"I'm proud of our team here in Michigan. And wanted to remind people that the Democratic Party is a whole lot bigger than one moment or one person," Benson wrote in a text to NBC News, adding that she was not suggesting that Whitmer enter the presidential race. "Our team in Michigan is an example of that."

Some Democrats start calling for Biden to ‘throw in the towel’ on 2024

Jonathan Allen

Some Democrats began calling for Biden to step aside so the party can nominate another candidate after he  stumbled badly  in last night’s debate.

“This was like a champion boxer who gets in the ring past his prime and needs his corner to throw in the towel,” said a Democratic lawmaker, adding that he meant Biden should exit the race.

The options for a switch are limited : If the president doesn’t choose to leave of his own volition, there would have to be a revolt among Democratic National Convention delegates, the vast majority of whom were elected on their pledges to nominate Biden. But that’s what some Democrats were thinking about last night.

It’s “time to talk about an open convention and a new Democratic nominee,” said a second Democratic lawmaker who has been a solid Biden supporter.

Biden campaign defiant against calls for him to drop out of race

Aaron Gilchrist

Biden's campaign is defiantly pushing back against calls for the president to drop out of the race.

A source familiar with the campaign’s thinking argued that Biden has been counted out by all the same pundits and reporters before, and the anonymous Democrats doubting him are anonymous because the party is behind him 100% (When pressed about why some of the doubters were going on the record, the source countered that they were TV pundits).

“It’s a long, long campaign, and one debate, as we saw in 2012 with Obama, will not decide the results,” the source said.

Another source familiar with the campaign’s thinking flatly denied Biden would leave the race, saying, “Of course not.”

That source argued that a fair number of polls show the debate “as a wash” and that people hated Trump’s Jan. 6 lines and refusal to accept election results.

Still, one former administration official acknowledged that attention may shift to someone else.

“One thing I think this does is underscore the importance of Vice President Harris and her role in carrying her weight, and then some, on this ticket,” the source said. “It’s all eyes on Harris — and the next big media moment: Trump’s VP selection.”

Biden stopped by a campaign-sponsored viewing party in Atlanta following his debate with Trump. He later went to collect an order from a Waffle House. At both stops, he accused Trump of lying during the debate.

Sen. John Fetterman says he refuses to join 'Democratic vultures on Biden's shoulder'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., suggested in a post on X this morning that he doesn't agree with calls by some Democrats to find an alternative to Biden after his debate performance.

"I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden’s shoulder after the debate," Fetterman said. "No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record."

Fetterman had a similarly poor debate performance in Oct ober 2022 against Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, in part because Fetterman was still recovering from his stroke. Ultimately, Fetterman won the race in the midterm election.

Gov. Josh Shapiro admits Biden 'had a bad debate night,' but stresses the president is 'up to the job'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a possible future Democratic presidential candidate, admitted in an interview this morning that Biden didn't do well last night, but stressed that Democrats should "stop worrying."

"Look, I think Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but it doesn’t change the fact that Donald Trump was a bad president — a bad president who ripped away our freedoms, a bad president who drove our economy into the ditch, a bad president who exacerbated the problems of climate change, and a guy who stood on the stage last night and not only lied about his past, but lied about the kinds of things he’s proposing for the future," Shapiro said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."

"That is what I took away from this debate," he continued. "That’s what I saw, and I think we still have a clear contrast in this race. Nothing about the debate changed that last night."

Shapiro, a top surrogate for Biden as a member of the campaign's national advisory board, said that Democrats should stop worrying about Biden's candidacy and focus on defeating Trump.

"I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with both the former president and President Biden, and you know what I can tell you, Joe Biden is up to the job," he said.

Pressed multiple times to address Democrats' alarm over Biden's performance, Shapiro said he had acknowledged several times that Biden had a bad debate night.

"He’s got a burden on him to show people that he is still able to move forward in these debates and in prosecuting the case against Donald Trump," Shapiro said. "I believe he can do that."

What are the candidates doing today?

Alana Satlin

Biden and Trump are back on the trail today after the first debate of the 2024 cycle. Trump will deliver remarks at an event in Chesapeake, Virginia, at around 3 p.m., while Biden and first lady Jill Biden will attend a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, at noon.

After the rally, Biden and the first lady will head to New York for two other events. In the afternoon, the Bidens are scheduled to deliver remarks at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center grand opening ceremony in Manhattan.

Later in the evening, they’re both expected to participate in a campaign reception in New York City.

DNC billboard to highlight Trump's reported 'losers' and 'suckers' remarks about service members ahead of his Virginia rally

Gary Grumbach

The Democratic National Committee is reminding Virginia voters of Trump’s past comments about U.S. service members, as the presumptive Republican nominee holds a campaign rally in Chesapeake, an area home to one of the largest U.S. military populations.

A montage of news reports from Trump’s presidency on the topic will be played on a mobile billboard driving around the Hampton Roads area today ahead of the rally, NBC News has learned.

Many of the news reports featured on the mobile billboard center on the September 2020 Atlantic article written by Jeffrey Goldberg, titled, “Trump: Americans who died in the war are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’” — a topic that came up in last night’s debate.

“As Donald Trump heads to Virginia today, voters will remember the disrespect and pain he inflicted on service members and their families as he callously mocked them while serving as commander in chief,” DNC spokesperson Tracy King told NBC News. “President Biden is the only candidate in this election who fights for our service members and honors their sacrifice. Virginians will head to the polls this November remembering how Donald Trump disrespected our heroes, while President Biden fights for them.”

After Biden brought up the reported comments during the debate, Trump responded, "The losers and suckers story that he made up is a total lie on the military, it’s a disgrace. They made it up. It was in a third-rate magazine that’s failing, like many of these magazines. He made that up.”

Trump will be joined by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin at today’s rally — the first time the two will share a stage.

In response to the candidate’s performance last night, Youngkin posted on X, “Could it be any clearer? Strength versus weakness. That’s why Virginia is in play. See you in Chesapeake tomorrow, Mr. President!”

‘Babbling’ and ‘hoarse’: Biden’s debate performance sends Democrats into a panic

Natasha Korecki

Biden, 81, was supposed to put the nation’s mind at ease over his physical and mental capacity with his debate showing last night. 

But from the onset of the debate, he seemingly struggled even to talk, mostly summoning a weak, raspy voice. In the opening minutes, the president repeatedly tripped over his words, misspoke and lost his train of thought.  

Democrats are talking about replacing Biden. That wouldn’t be so easy.

Ben Kamisar

Alex Seitz-Wald

Party rules make it almost impossible to replace nominees without their consent, let alone smoothly replace them with someone else. And doing so would amount to party insiders overturning the results of primaries when Democratic voters overwhelmingly to nominate Biden. He won almost 99% of all delegates.

And at the moment, there is no known, serious effort to push Biden off the top of the ticket.

Still, the Democratic National Committee’s charter does make some provisions in case the party’s nominee is incapacitated or opts to step aside, and an anti-Biden coup at the convention is theoretically possible, if highly unlikely. So how would it work?

Debate takeaways: Biden confirms some voter fears as Trump leans into grievances

Biden failed to mitigate  his biggest liability  in his re-election bid at the CNN debate last night, while Trump doubled down on his grievances and skipped past opportunities to cover his own vulnerabilities.

Biden’s biggest weakness — voter concerns about his age and sharpness, according to polls — was on display throughout the more than 90-minute debate as he struggled through answers and failed to deliver the energetic performance allies believe he needed. And Trump had no new answers for voters about the issues on which he’s weakest, including his felony conviction, his role in overturning Roe v. Wade and his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

The first showdown between Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, in 2024 comes early in the election year, giving voters an opportunity to see the president and his challenger side by side. Here’s what they saw — and what it means for the campaign.

The flight time from New York, New York to Asheville, North Carolina is:

1 hour, 29 minutes.

In-air flight time: 1 hour, 29 minutes From gate to gate: 1 hour, 55 minutes Constant 500 mph: 1 hour, 10 minutes

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Flying time from New York, NY to Asheville, NC

The total flight duration from New York, NY to Asheville, NC is 1 hour, 29 minutes .

This is the average in-air flight time (wheels up to wheels down on the runway) based on actual flights taken over the past year, including routes like EWR to AVL . It covers the entire time on a typical commercial flight including take-off and landing.

If you're planning a trip, you should also factor in extra time for the plane to pull back from the gate and taxi to the runway, as well as reaching the destination gate after landing. If you include this extra time on the tarmac, the average total elapsed time from gate to gate flying from New York, NY to Asheville, NC is 1 hour, 55 minutes .

Finally, pilots might want to estimate the flight time using an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. If you don't add any extra time to increase or decrease speed for take-off and landing, then at constant speed your flight time would be 1 hour, 10 minutes .

If you're booking a flight, make sure you check the scheduled departure and arrival times. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between New York, NY and Asheville, NC .

The calculation of flight time is based on the straight line distance from New York, NY to Asheville, NC ("as the crow flies"), which is about 584 miles or 939 kilometers .

Your trip begins in New York, New York. It ends in Asheville, North Carolina.

Your flight direction from New York, NY to Asheville, NC is Southwest (-124 degrees from North).

The flight time calculator measures the average flight duration between points. It uses the great circle formula to compute the travel mileage.

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Flight time calculator

Travelmath provides an online flight time calculator for all types of travel routes. You can enter airports, cities, states, countries, or zip codes to find the flying time between any two points. The database uses the great circle distance and the average airspeed of a commercial airliner to figure out how long a typical flight would take. Find your travel time to estimate the length of a flight between airports, or ask how long it takes to fly from one city to another.

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