Beat the Heat in Asheville this Summer

Summer has yet to officially begin, but Asheville has already had a steamy few weeks. With temperatures in the upper-80s and 90s, we are officially ready for some cooling down. 

With all of the mountains, rivers, and waterfalls surrounding us, finding a place to chill out doesn't have to be difficult. The Residences at Biltmore has compiled a list of our favorite ways to beat the heat, below. 

Stay Cool in Our Pool! 

No stay in Asheville is complete without a visit to Biltmore, the largest private home in the country. However, the house is not air-conditioned, due to the fact that it was built in 1895. Fortunately, there are many windows to let cross-breezes cool things down, and large fans are also set up in various rooms and hallways. 

Our advice? Visit the house, then head back to The Residences at Biltmore for a dip in our pool to cool off!

Climb a Mountain

About 34 miles north of Asheville is the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. Its high elevation makes for much cooler temperatures than you'll find in the city; in fact, as of this writing, it's a hot 86F in Downtown Asheville, and only 61F on Mt. Mitchell. 

The paved 1/4-mile trail up to the observation deck on top is an easy climb from the parking lot, but if you're looking for a little more strenuous hike, there are several trails you can follow from the bottom up. Be sure to bring a jacket!

Get Wet!

Drive a little bit south to Brevard to cool off and have a blast at Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest. Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide that empties into an 8-foot pool. It is a refreshing destination that attracts a lot of people during the summer months, so be prepared to wait in line for your turn. 

About 40 miles south of Asheville is DuPont Forest, where you'll find plenty of beautiful waterfalls. However, one of the hidden treasures of the forest is the pristine 100-acre Lake Julian. The lake is a great spot for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking - but you must bring your own equipment. There is no lifeguard on duty, either. 

If you'd rather stay closer to town, or if you have little kids with you, Splasheville in downtown's Pack Square Park is a fun way to beat the heat. The interactive fountain features 21 jets of water that run in 12 different intermittent combinations, so you never know when or where you'll get splashed! 

Cool Treats

A chilly treat is a great way to fight the sweaty weather. Asheville is a veritable hotbed of frosty delights, with several locally owned frozen dessert establishments scattered throughout town.

The Hop is one such place, with homemade dairy and vegan ice cream, sorbet, and more. The shop's 3 locations specialize in unique flavors, using unconventional (for ice cream) ingredients.

Frostbite is another local favorite, with homemade soft serve ice cream, shakes, and slushies. They not only have outdoor seating, but also a drive-up window. 

Ultimate Ice Cream's 2 locations source all their dairy from farms within 150 miles of Asheville. The high butterfat content of their ice cream makes it especially creamy, which makes for a thicker base for unique flavor combinations like Brown Sugar Bacon & Maple ice cream. 

Rolled & Roasted is a local franchise that serves fresh rolled ice cream - as well as sandwiches and other warm food, and Asheville Chocolate is THE place for gelato and sorbetto made in-house in its store downtown. 

Call for more information, 1-888-786-3648