Asheville Travel Guide

There’s no place like home, but Asheville is a close second. I originally moved to this strange little mountain city in 2009 for college. Over the 5 years I lived there, I met amazing people, made great friends, ate some truly delicious food, drank really good craft beer, and even found the love of my life.  Which is why, even after we moved away, Scott and I still love going back year after year. If you’re looking to visit Asheville for the first time, or if you’ve been a dozen times and are looking for new recommendations, keep reading. I’m sharing my favorite things to do, places to eat, and beers to drink in this Asheville Travel Guide.

***As of the posting of this article, many businesses and tourist destinations in Asheville are experiencing restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic. For up to date information regarding these restrictions and hours of operations, please visit their websites.

What to Do

Biltmore

            I’ve been entranced by Biltmore since I was a kid. My grandmother had a coffee table book about the estate that I and my sister and cousins used to flip through, and it seemed like something out of a fairytale. I’ve visited the estate several times now, and, on our most recent trip, I finally got to experience the beauty of Biltmore at Christmas. And, let me tell you, it’s stunning. Of course, that’s true any time of the year as well. Visiting the Biltmore feels like traveling to an entirely different place and time. For me, I’m always fascinated by the idea of what it was like to actually live in such a grand home.

            It’s also much more than just a huge house. The grounds and gardens are spectacular, particularly in the Spring when everything is blooming. Of course, there’s also the winery (where adults can do wine tastings) and the creamery at Antler Hill Village. The estate also offers several behind the scenes tours of the house and the winery. They even have an equestrian center where you can experience the beauty of the grounds during a trail ride.

Downtown

            In my opinion, there’s nowhere quite like downtown Asheville. Anytime we visit, Scott and I always set aside a day to just walk around and take it all in. In addition to all of the great restaurants and breweries (more on those in a minute), you’ll find plenty of funky little shops, cute café’s, and art on every corner. And I do mean every corner as one of the things that make Asheville, Asheville is the buskers (street performers). Wander around on a nice day and you’ll hear some truly talented musicians (some travel from all over the country to play in Asheville).

River Arts District

            This is an area of Asheville that’s been on the rise in recent years. In fact, when I first moved to the mountains in 2009, there were only a few businesses there known only to locals. Now, there are several restaurants and eateries, breweries, and art studios. If you’re interested in checking out some of the amazing local artists in the Asheville area, then you should definitely add this to your itinerary.

Hiking

            You can’t mention a trip to Asheville without talking about hiking. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea (seriously, if you’d rather just eat and drink your way around Asheville, totally get it), there are some gorgeous hiking trails in and around the Asheville area. Because they are so many options, I highly recommend this online guide for researching different trails. It allows you to narrow down choices based on length, difficulty, feature, locations, etc.

Personally, I recommend hiking in Dupont State Forest. Located near the town of Brevard, it’s a little under an hour’s drive from downtown Asheville. There you can find several trails of various lengths and difficulty and some of the most beautiful waterfalls the area has to offer.

Other Outdoor Activities

            The mountains of North Carolina offer countless other recreational activities for anyone who’s looking for an adventurous vacation. For whitewater rafting excursions, I’ve used both Nantahala Outdoor Center and USA RAFT. Both were great experiences with excellent raft guides. You can also take your adventures into the treetops with zip lining. Many of the outdoor centers (like NOC) offer zip lining tours but there’s also a ziplining park just outside of downtown that’s a lot of fun.

What To Eat

Sunny Point Café

            We love brunch and, while there are several brunch spots we enjoy, SPC is the measuring stick by which we judge them all. My absolute favorite for years, we don’t leave Asheville without dining there at least once. Our menu favorites include the huevos rancheros, savory stuffed French toast, and the breakfast sandwich. A word of caution: Be prepared to wait.  SPC is a smaller restaurant but insanely popular and they don’t take reservations. If your trip allows, I recommend going on a weekday morning when your wait will be a little shorter. Regardless, I promise the food is absolutely worth it.

12 Bones Smokehouse

            If Scott were ever on death row and had to choose a last meal, it would be ribs from 12 Bones. This is another spot that we don’t miss when we’re in town. There are two locations, one in the River Arts District and one in South Asheville. We recommend the River Arts District (don’t ask me why, it’s just better). Fun fact: this River Arts location is not their original location. They moved into the much-needed bigger space several years ago. When they were in their very first location, you had to arrive before they even opened to avoid a long wait. Within a half hour of opening, the line to order would wrap all the way around the building. (Yes, they’re food is that good).

            Menu favorites: The ribs (obviously) with their famous Blueberry Chipotle BBQ sauce or Cheerwine BBQ sauce (one of their specialty sauces that isn’t always available). I also love their pulled pork and their Hogzilla sandwich. For the sides, you have to try the Damn Good Corn Puddin’ (yes, that is the official name).

Avenue M

            This restaurant has been around for some time now but changed ownership less than two years ago. In the interest of full disclosure, Scott and I know the new owners. In fact, I’ve actually worked with both of them and one of them is partly responsible for teaching me what I know about wine. However, I can tell without bias that the meal we had there recently is the best we have had in a long time. Everything on the menu is made right there in the kitchen, from their house-cured charcuterie to their hand-cut pasta. And you absolutely have to try their Chocolate Beet Cake. Yes, I said Chocolate Beet Cake, you can thank me later. Somehow this dessert manages to be both rich in chocolate flavor but light in texture (and doesn’t actually taste like beets). If you’re at all a foodie, definitely put this place at the top of your list.

White Duck Taco

            Since opening in 2011, White Duck has become something of staple in Asheville. In fact, they now have three Asheville locations and several others in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We usually end up stopping into their Downtown Asheville location while we wander through the city. However, I would recommend checking out their River Arts District location for the full experience (it’s a super cool location). Their menu changes all the time but we always enjoy any taco they make with pork belly or duck.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

            Looking for a little something sweet? Then don’t miss out on the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. They’re specialty is, you guessed it, chocolate. And you can find it there in pretty any form from truffles, to cake, to crème brulee, to hot cocoa. You can find them downtown in Pack Square (an area in the heart of downtown) and it’s the perfect spot to take a sweet break from exploring. They also have a factory location in the River Arts district where you can book a tour to see how chocolate is made!

What To Drink

Wicked Weed/ Funkatorium

         Wicked Weed holds a special spot in our hearts. When Scott and I first started dating, we spent quite a few late nights there. In fact, the very first photo of us together was taken at the bar downstairs. If you’re a fan of craft beer and you want to try some truly unique brews, this is the place to do it. One of mine and Scott’s all-time favorites is the Coolcumber- a seasonal sasion they release in the summer inspired by a classic Hendricks & Tonic drink.

            And if you like sour beers, definitely don’t miss the Funkatorium! Located on the South Slope (see below), this is Wicked Weed’s second brewery dedicated to producing some amazing sour brews.

Highland Brewing Company

         You can’t talk about breweries in Asheville without talking about Highland. Founded in 1994, it’s Asheville’s first true brewery. From humble beginnings (the first location was literally in a basement downtown), Highland is now the largest native NC brewer. Now located in East Asheville, Highland’s brewery boasts a large taproom and an open meadow that are perfect for enjoying one of their classics like the Gaelic Ale or a seasonal favorite like Cold Mountain.

South Slope

         In recent years, this little area just south of downtown has become known as the “brewery district”.  (And by just south of downtown I mean walking distance.) It’s a fun area with a lot of amazing breweries, restaurants, and shops. So, if you’re looking to do some brewery hopping, this is the place for it. Here you’ll find breweries that have been a longtime part of the Asheville beer scene (like Green Man) next to brand new favorites (like Burial Beer Co).

Sierra Nevada

         While Sierra Nevada is not a native brewery to Asheville (its home base is in California), their North Carolina brewery in Mills River is worth adding to your itinerary. Scott lovingly calls it the “Disney World of Breweries”. Roughly 25 minutes from the downtown Asheville area, Sierra Nevada is less a brewery and more an experience. Sure, there’s plenty of places to sit and enjoy a beer and they have a restaurant that serves great food…but that’s only the beginning. They also have an amphitheater where you can find live music in the warmer months. You’ll also find outdoor games like cornhole and bocce, plus an upstairs space with more bar games.  And then there’s just the sheer size of the property itself, complete with hiking trails. You can easily spend the day enjoying the property, take a tour of the brewery, playing games, and enjoying delicious food.

If you like traveling tips and tricks, check out my Amateur Guide to Disney World!