Guides

23 Asheville Date Ideas for 2025 That Keep It Quirky and Crafty

by: Gabrielle Lamontagne

Last Updated on Jul 30th 2025

Date ideas in Asheville don’t need to be flashy to feel meaningful. It’s a city that invites you to slow down and do things a little differently. So it’s the perfect place to be for dating the modern way.

According to Bumble’s Dating Trends report, 58% of singles are prioritizing mental health and self-care in their relationships, and 31% are embracing a slower, more intentional pace. Asheville fits that mindset. It’s creative, cozy and full of places that let connection happen without pressure.

You can keep it simple or make it spontaneous — with all the fun things to do in Asheville, NC, there’s room to do both.

Unique Date Ideas in Asheville

1. Cooking Classes

cooking classes date idea in Asheville — *Cooking together gives you something to talk about* and something to eat (via Classpop!)

Cooking classes in Asheville are like going out for dinner, but better. You still get a great meal, but you also get something to talk about while you’re chopping and stirring. From handmade pasta to an elegant steak dinner, it’s a hands-on way to learn something new while sharing good food and plenty of laughs.

Classes often feel more like a dinner party than a lesson, with instructors who are just as interested in sharing stories as they are in teaching knife skills. While it works well for your list of first date ideas, you can also use it for second date ideas and third date ideas in Asheville.

2. Paint and Sip

Looking for something a little bit different? Why not paint and sip the night away? You’ve got drinks, a brush and zero pressure. You'll learn together and challenge each other in a good way. And at the end of the night, whether your canvas looks like a masterpiece or a Pinterest fail, it’s something you made together. Asheville’s got no shortage of studios pouring local wine and keeping it light.

3. Archery Classes

*Date ideas in Asheville don’t get much quirkier than this (via Artemis Archery Asheville)*

Ready, Aim, Loose. You’re probably not thinking archery when you’re thinking about date ideas in Asheville. But it’s a surprisingly good idea. It’s fun in an unusual sort of way. And there’s something kind of intimate about standing side by side, pulling back the string, watching your partner’s arrow hit (or miss) the mark. So plan your next date at Artemis Archery Asheville and channel your inner Robin Hood or Katniss. Fairy tale lovers, this one’s for you.

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4. The Biltmore Estate

Date ideas in Asheville won’t always feel like the South of France, but this one will. Take a tour of the fabulous gardens and Gilded Age architecture of the Biltmore Estate and transport your date to another place and time. It’s got history, it’s got outdoor activities, it’s got a spa and it’s even got a winery. What’s not to love? And if you’re doing alphabet date ideas in Asheville, this one ticks off a whole row.

Asheville Date Night Restaurants

5. Jack of the Wood

Live local music, hand-crafted English ales and elevated pub fare make Jack of the Wood a cozy standout among Asheville date night restaurants. Swing by on a jam night and let the soundtrack do the flirting for you.

6. Benne on Eagle (Permanently Closed)

Inspired by Appalachian ingredients, the modern soul food served here is well worth your time. Enjoy locally sourced dishes while you chat with your loved one for an authentic date idea in Asheville.

7. The Corner Kitchen

the Corner Kitchen restaurant in Asheville, NC — *Far enough off the tourist track to feel like a find (via Corner Kitchen)*

Tucked into a 125-year-old Victorian house in Biltmore Village, The Corner Kitchen blends historic charm with seasonal, locally inspired dishes. It’s one of those Asheville date night restaurants where you can actually hear each other talk, and it proves that not all good restaurants are downtown.

8. Hemingway's Cuba

For dinner with a view, head to Hemingway’s Cuba across from the Grove Arcade. Sip a Cuban daiquiri on the rooftop, take in the mountain skyline and enjoy the blend of Cuban flavors and downtown Asheville energy. It’s been named the best Cuban food in the state for a reason. The menu’s packed with Cuban cuisine with Asheville flair, and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are just as memorable.

9. Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

If your date can handle the heat, Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack brings the spice with Nashville-style hot chicken fried to order. Choose your heat level, share a few sides and don’t forget a cold drink to wash it all down. It’s a fiery twist on date ideas in Asheville, NC.

10. Bear's Smokehouse Asheville

If you’re on the hunt for BBQ and a casual hangout, Bear’s Smokehouse in Asheville’s South Slope delivers. It’s got brisket, burnt ends and pulled chicken, but vegans aren’t left out — they serve smoked tempeh and the beloved Impossible Meatloaf sandwich, plus vegan coleslaw and salad options. It’s got fire pits, local beer and a come-as-you-are vibe that works for any kind of date.

Indoor Date Ideas in Asheville

11. Mold Clay Together

pottery classes date idea in Asheville — *You’ll get a little muddy and maybe make a bowl. Or something bowl-ish. (via Canva)*

Asheville pottery classes aren’t just about clay. They’re about slowing down, getting your hands moving, and laughing when your bowl turns out a little lopsided. You’ll make something together, even if it’s just a story to tell later. Perfect for indoor date ideas in Asheville that feel a little different.

12. Get Artsy

Unleash your inner artist with Asheville art classes. You can paint, collage, sculpt or even try jewelry making. It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of date that taps into the creative energy this town is known for — and works year-round as one of the more unique indoor date ideas in Asheville.

13. Asheville Pinball Museum

pinball museum date idea in Asheville — *Feels like the 80s, in a good way (via Asheville Pinball Museum)*

Take a day off for a playful date at the Asheville Pinball Museum. With dozens of pinball machines and classic games, you can play all day for a reasonable daily price. There’s something charming about battling it out on retro machines with bells, buzzers and flashing lights. It’s a great low-key indoor date idea — we’re thinking Valentine's Day idea with a difference. It’s an idea that has wide appeal, often being included on the list of date ideas for teens, too.

Fun Date Ideas in Asheville

14. Learn New Dance Moves

Dance classes in Asheville let you skip the small talk and go straight to the connection. You’ll learn a few new steps, move to the rhythm and enjoy a night out that’s fun and a little flirty. This idea’s got dinner and movie beat.

15. Batting Cages

If you're both a little competitive, hitting the batting cages in Asheville is a fun way to blow off steam. No deep conversations needed, just take turns at bat, cheer each other on and see who gets bragging rights. The loser buys dinner.

16. Tryon International Equestrian Center

Horses, food and a bit of sport — not a bad combo for couples' date ideas in Asheville? The Tryon International Equestrian Center is just under an hour from Asheville and well worth the drive. Watch top-tier show jumping, grab lunch, and stroll through the grounds. You get a little bit of glamour and lot of fresh air.

Outdoor Date Ideas in Asheville

17. Murals of Asheville

Asheville street mural — *One of the most effortless date ideas in Asheville — and one of the best (via Flickr: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)*

Asheville’s mural scene makes for an easy date that doesn’t feel like one. Just head to the South Slope or River Arts District and start walking. The art is bold, weird and everywhere. Some of it tucked in alleys, some wrapped around entire buildings. You’ll have plenty to look at and even more to talk about.

Asheville is more than just breweries and Bluegrass. It’s creative and quirky and keeps showing up on lists like best cities for artists, and the murals are part of the reason why.

18. Hiking the Blue Ridge

There’s a reason hiking tops the list of outdoor date ideas in Asheville. The trails here don’t mess around. Just outside the city, you’ll find waterfall hikes in Pisgah, sweeping overlooks off the Blue Ridge Parkway and shaded forest trails that feel miles from anywhere. It’s peaceful, it’s scenic, and it’s a pretty great way to spend time together without distractions (except for the occasional black bear or breathtaking view).

19. North Carolina Arboretum

Grab a drink and make your way through the cultivated gardens and trails of the North Carolina Arboretum. There are about 65 acres to explore, and with evening light displays in summer and around the holidays, it’s a date that feels peaceful but never dull. The gardens make conversation easy — something that matters more than people admit, especially for first date ideas or last-minute date ideas. If you're looking for free romantic things to do in Asheville, NC, or even Halloween date ideas once fall hits, this one’s a good place to start.

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in Asheville

20. Mini Outdoor Music Festivals

Catch live music, street eats and community vibes at Asheville’s Downtown After 5. The music’s free, the crowd’s relaxed and the whole thing feels like an Asheville block party, celebrating summer to summer. Bring a blanket, grab a bite and make it your go-to cheap date idea in Asheville. Downtown After 5 is held every third Friday of the month.

21. Thomas Wolfe House

If you’re both into books, this is one of the most intimate (and cheapest) date ideas in Asheville. Tour the historic 29-room Victorian boarding house where Thomas Wolfe, an Asheville native, lived, wrote, and turned family drama into literary gold. It’s quirky, a little moody, and makes you feel like you're stepping inside a story — maybe even something like Look Homeward Angel.

22. Friday Night Drum Circle

Drum, dance or just watch as long as you find a fun way to participate, this makes for one of the best date ideas in Asheville. Drum circles take place in Pritchard Park on warm Friday nights, from April through October, making it perfect for summer date ideas or fall date ideas in Asheville.

23. Parkway & Picnic

You don’t need a reservation to impress — just pack a picnic and head for one of The Blue Ridge Parkway’s scenic pull-offs. If you want to step it up, The Rhu does custom baskets with local cheeses, charcuterie and sweets. Free romantic things to do in Asheville, NC? Let the views do all the heavy lifting. And for double the fun, make it a double date idea so you can have your wingman/woman to keep things running smoothly.

How do you spend a day in Asheville, NC? From picnics on the Parkway to slow dancing at a dive bar, these date ideas in Asheville show off just how much this quirky, creative city has to offer. You don’t need a big budget or fancy itinerary, just a good spot, a little effort and the right person. And with Asheville’s mix of art, nature, food and music, chances are you’ll find a new favorite place to come back to together.

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!