Why Asheville Should Be Your Next Destination

 

IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO ASHEVILLE, YOU’RE MISSING OUT. 

Asheville is a trendy mountain down nestled in the blue ridge mountains. And believe me when I tell you, it has something for everyone. For us, that’s part of what makes it the perfect destination. 

Are you a foodie? Try one of Asheville’s world class restaurants. 

Craft beer lover? You’ll be happy to hear Asheville has more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the US. Not only do they have high quantity, but also high quality! 

Outdoor enthusiasts rejoice! You could hike for months and not explore all the trails, overlooks and natural features Asheville has to offer. 

Our favorite part? The waterfalls. There are so many to see and each one is unique in its own way. So many, in fact, that Asheville has been given the nickname, “The Land of Waterfalls.” 

Intrigued by all Asheville has to offer? Read on to learn more about why Asheville should be your next destination.

WHERE TO EAT IN ASHEVILLE

There is no shortage of high quality places to eat in Asheville. Browse Yelp for 5 seconds and you’ll see that over 100 places have 4-5 star ratings which is something we’ve never seen anywhere else. Try some of these or discover something new.

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

 

Biscuit Head: Looking for fresh southern cooking? Look no further than Biscuit Head. With a motto like, “Put some south in your mouth,” you know it has to be good! They are known around Asheville for their ginormous cat head buttermilk biscuits used in unique combinations. Biscuit Head is sure to start your morning off on the right foot. Get adventurous with their mimosa fried chicken biscuit or keep it simple with biscuits and gravy. Either way, you can’t go wrong. 

Tupelo Honey: Steeped in southern tradition with food made from scratch, Tupelo Honey will always leave you wanting more.  They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you can check it out anytime of the day. Try Tupelo’s famous fried chicken & waffles or an ‘Old Skool’ breakfast bowl. Make your meal extra special by pairing it with a Ryan’s sparkling mule.

Sunny Pointe Cafe: “Comfort food from dawn to dark.” Sunny Point Café puts their own spin on traditional brunch favorites. We recommend trying the carrot hot cakes or their signature pecan crusted fried green tomato sandwich.

LUNCH

White Duck Taco: You can tell this craft taco shop cooks up delicious food by the fact there’s always a line. Walk up to the counter, place your order and grab a seat. Their menu changes regularly based on what’s fresh and in season. Be sure to check it out! 

 

Buxton Hall BBQ: Award winning Buxton Hall barbecue was opened by two James Beard nominees. Buxton Hall features Eastern North Carolina style barbecue that will leave your mouth watering. As with many others on this list, you’ll be happy to know they source from local farms.

 

Rocky’s Hot Chicken: The best Nashville Hot style chicken you’ll find in the Carolinas. Described by many as “addictive”, you can order your hot chicken as hot (or not) as you like. It’s (almost) as good as having Nashville Hot chicken in Nashville itself.

DINNER

Chestnut: Upscale farm to table is what you’ll find at Chestnut. They take pride in their local Asheville sourced ingredients and consistently creative dishes and cocktails. Though the menu changes seasonally, you’ll always find some of the best food in Asheville.

Bone and Broth: Craving a high quality steak in Asheville? This is your place. Sourced from regional farms, their natural dry-aged cuts of beef are the cream of the crop.

Forestry camp: The food iteration of Burial Beer Co, Forestry Camp offers up an immersive culinary experience. Prior to being purchased by Burial Beer, Forestry Camp was a Civilian Conservation Corps site owned by the government. It was used to house men in Asheville who were working on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s history in Asheville is as rich as it’s food and beverage selections. 

DESSERT

Sunshine Sammies: If you’ve followed any of our adventures, you know we’re suckers for good ice cream. Order a scoop or one of their namesake ice cream sandwiches. It’s the perfect way to end your day. 

BEST OF ASHEVILLE’S BREWERIES

As we said above, Asheville is home to more breweries than anywhere else. Try one or try them all! Here’s a list of our favorites.

Hillman Beer: We like their wide variety of types of beer (AKA they serve more than just IPAs) and their laid back outdoor seating.

 

Funkatorium: Owned by Wicked Weed Brewing, they feature a large selection of some of the best sour, fruit, funky beers you’ll find. If you’re not afraid of trying something new, be sure to stop by. 

 

Bhramari Brewing Co.: These are hands down some of the most inventive brews you will find. And they have crazy names to match. An example? “Let’s Get Some F***ing Fraanch Toast,” an Imperial Stout w/ French Toast, Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, Lactose, & Vanilla. Bonus- it’s right around the corner from Sunshine Sammies!

 

Hi-Wire Brewing: Good times and circus vibes is what you’ll find at Hi-Wire. They pride themselves on their award winning yet approachable brews.

 

Asheville Brewing Company: Opened in 1998, this is one of Asheville’s original breweries and can’t be missed. 

BILTMORE, HISTORIC ASHEVILLE

THE BILTMORE ESTATE

No trip to Asheville is complete without a stop at the historic Biltmore Estate. This 250-room French Renaissance chateau, once a country home for the Vanderbilt family, is now open to the public. You’ll find a wide array of things to see and do. Get a massage at the spa, let the kids play on the Pisgah playground or enjoy a wine tasting at the vineyard. Their outdoor patio has breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

HISTORIC BILTMORE VILLAGE

If you’re looking for some upscale shopping, take a stroll through Biltmore Village. Touted as Asheville premier shopping district, you can find something here for everyone.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Whether you take a scenic drive or use it to access popular trailheads, you’ll undoubtedly be spending some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway while in Asheville. This road winds its way through the Appalachian Mountain chain and offers spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Catch at least one sunset over Asheville while you’re there. Did you know the blue hue of Blue Ridge Mountains is a result of the trees emitting isoprene into the atmosphere? 

NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM

Asheville is home to the North Carolina Arboretum. The grounds are covered in beautiful and diverse displays of flowers and plants. They also have several well maintained trails that wind through the property. If you’re looking for a beautiful place to take a leisurely stroll while in Asheville, we highly recommend checking this out. Stroller friendly!

THE URBAN TRAIL IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE

You can find all the information you need to take a self-guided tour through downtown Asheville’s urban trail. There are interactive maps and audio files available online, all for free. Plan to spend about two hours about two hour. It will provide you a lay of the land and some great historical information. 

ASHEVILLE, THE LAND OF WATERFALLS

DUPONT STATE RECREATIONAL FOREST

The DuPont State Recreational Forest has several hikes and waterfalls to explore. The most popular are Bridal Veil Falls and High Falls. Grab your gear, pack a lunch and plan to spend the day. Just be sure to arrive early- the parking lot fills up quickly. Looking for trails at DuPont with less people but that still have beautiful waterfalls? Try Triple Falls, Hooker Falls and Grassy Creek Falls. 

PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST

Though we love DuPont, the most epic waterfalls are found in the Pisgah National Forest. 

LOOKING GLASS FALLS

One of the most widely known and visited waterfalls in Asheville is Looking Glass Falls. While there are a few stairs to get down to the bottom of the falls, they can also be seen from the parking area. This makes it a good choice for people with small children, elderly folks or those who would prefer not to walk far for the payoff. 

MOORE COVE

Want to walk behind a waterfall? Hike to Moore Cove Falls. The trail is fairly easy but is generally less crowded than many of of the others. It’s great for families with kids and dogs so everyone can experience the falls.

COVE CREEK

You’ve probably heard of the Sliding rock. It’s a very popular, 60 foot natural waterslide. Unfortunately though nearly everything else in this area is free to do, you have to pay to experience the sliding rock. Well, we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Sliding rock isn’t the only natural waterslide. If you’re looking for a natural waterslide that is just as fun but less crowded and FREE, you need to head to Cove Creek. Here, you’re more likely to find locals than tourists and will have much more room to hang out. 

GRAVEYARD FIELDS

Over 100 years ago, a bad storm toppled the trees in this area. Over time, they became covered with spruce needles and overgrown moss which made the area resemble a graveyard. Then, in 1925, a fire destroyed what was left of the graveyard trees. Today, it’s a popular hiking trail that leads you to beautiful waterfalls.

SKINNY DIP FALLS

Our FAVORITE waterfall hike in Asheville, hands down, is skinny dip falls. The entrance is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but you might just miss it if you aren’t careful. We heard someone once describe it as the Disney World of waterfalls and we have to say we agree.

 

It’s the perfect place to spend a summer day in Asheville. The falls take a long, winding path down the mountain. This creates multiple cascades and shallow pools of water for taking a dip. Because of it’s unique structure, there are many secluded, semi-private areas. This makes it feel like you have your own spot, even if there are tons of other people there. Even though it’s secluded, we wouldn’t recommend actually skinny dipping!

WHERE TO STAY

CAMPGROUNDS

These campgrounds are all quite nice and will put you near many of Asheville’s points of interest.

 

Campfire Lodgings

Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground

Asheville East KOA

Looking for somewhere more unique to stay? Try Harvest Hosts!

Not traveling with an RV? There are plenty of hotel options for all budgets.

 

CURE YOUR FOMO. HEAD TO ASHEVILLE TODAY.

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