When you hear “North Carolina,” far too many minds wander to the Outer Banks and other seaside towns along the Atlantic coast. North Carolina, in fact, is a sprawling place where visitors can find plenty of worthwhile attractions that don’t require swim trunks and suntan lotion. One destination worth checking out for a weekend is the Buncombe County seat of Asheville. Home to about 89,000 people across 45 square miles, this city in the western portion of the state is a place where natural beauty takes the form of trees and mountain ranges. For those contemplating a trip and looking for hotels in downtown Asheville NC, we’re here to shed a little light on that essential aspect of your get-away as well as major destinations worth checking out.

History Close at Hand: Every group has a history buff who won’t be satisfied unless one element of their vacation involves an educational opportunity. Asheville’s growth can be traced back to the 1780s and was the site of a Civil War battle in 1865. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Swannanoa River make up major geographical landmarks that also contribute to the serene atmosphere of the region. Those looking to roll up all these attributes into an afternoon should look up the Asheville Urban Trail, which “the unique history, architecture, and people that shaped Asheville’s vibrant mountain culture over the years.” Read more about it here. To make the most of your time in the city, it’s likely worth checking into an Asheville hotel to extend your stay.

Cooling Off: After a long day of exploring the city’s attractions, and before heading back to your Asheville hotel, you’ll want to get a taste of the local beer scene. According to ExploreAsheville.com, the city has “more breweries per capita than any U.S. city, roughly 100 local beers can be enjoyed in Asheville, served on draft and in bottles.” To make the most of this designation, those looking for hotels in downtown Asheville NC should coordinate their stay with some of the city’s year-round beer festivals. One of New Belgium Brewing Company’s two national headquarters is in Asheville. To sample some of their brews, come during May for the “Tour de Fat Asheville” and enjoy the festival of bicycles – which makes plenty of sense given the bikes that adorn their beer bottles and cans.

It’s impossible to do Asheville in a day. As such, booking an Asheville hotel room is an essential consideration for every trip. All it takes to schedule a weekend get-away in North Carolina is finding out about local upcoming events and hotels in downtown Asheville NC to make getting about town even easier.