Originally, I wrote this post after our first trip to Asheville in 2017. Just ask MG….the city will make you fall in love with it. Since 2017, we bought a house and moved to Asheville. We loved our time there, and wouldn’t have left if it weren’t for MG’s job changes. So, here are some of our favorite places below!
When we travel together, we normally stop at a Trader Joe’s and get all the water, snacks, and breakfast items we will need for the week. We normally eat breakfast at the hotel, a light lunch and a cocktail, and then go out to dinner. I’m sorry for the lack of breakfast spots on this list lol but I don’t think we have ever eaten breakfast downtown.
Beer
- Sierra Nevada (my fave- you can also do dinner here)
- Wedge (Mike’s fave)
- Wicked Weed
- Bold Rock
- Hi-Wire Brewing
- Bens Tune Up/NG/Sake
- Burial
- Funkatorium/ sour beers
- Green Man
Wine
- Biltmore Estate Winery
- Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard
- Silver Fork Winery
- Fontaine Vineyards
- Pleb Urban Winery
Cocktails
- Sovereign Remedies (great charcuterie board)
- Antidote (cool inside area & fire pit outside)
- Omni Grove Park Inn (sit outside while the sun sets)
- Cultivated Cocktails Distillery (you can take home their mixers and spirits)
- Social Lounge
Food
- Nine Mile (my favorite! order the Empress Salad)
- Curate (book a reservation)
- Montford Rooftop Bar
- SkyBar
- Farm Burger
- Storm Rhum Bar
- Grand Bohemian Hotel
- Lookout
- Iron statue
Coffee
- Old Europe Pastries
- Brother Joe’s Coffee-Order the cookie butter iced latte or nitro brew coffee.
- 10th Muse-this place is in an abandoned-feeling garage, chocked full of antiques, a chalkboard table, art. Order the Nutella iced latte or cold brew. Served in 100% recyclable cups/lids.
- Double D’s-watered down but the bus is cool
Hiking
- John Rock (my fave)
- Looking Glass Rock (MG’s favorite)
- Craggy Gardens
- Mt. Pisgah
- Black Balsam Knob
- Catawba Falls
Things to See
- The Biltmore Estate (it’s bucket list material)
- Shopping in Biltmore Village
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Omni Grove Park Inn (specifically the spa)
- River Arts District
- Downtown Asheville
- Grove Arcade (small building with little shops inside)
Free parking downtown is hard to find, so wear comfortable shoes. You’ll most likely be parking on a street. Check here for more public parking details. Also, the “Visit Asheville” page on Instagram is a great resource for events and great spots to go!
Asheville has consistently been ranked in the top 100 cities to visit. There’s no question why because this place has the best of both worlds. From a cool downtown area bustling with breweries and delicious food to miles of countryside leading up to the Biltmore Estate. Every square mile is begging to be photographed and shared! There are many more great spots, but these are ones we have been to and visit over and over again.
Always remember to practice “leave no trace” and have fun!
Thanks for reading!
xx, Chelsea
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