Guidebook for Asheville Area
Arts & Culture
The Biltmore has a little bit of everything for everyone! While the house itself is amazing, there are numerous other sights and activities on the estate including:
• The Winery - take a tour and get a behind the scenes look at the Biltmore's own label, followed by an extensive tasting. One bit of advice, don't buy the "usual" wine types on the estate (Merlot, Zin, Pinot, Chardonnay, Riesling etc) because these can be purchased for much less at the local grocery stores (plus 10% off 6 bottles at Ingles)!! But if there’s a special blend you like it’s probably best to purchase it there.
• The Gardens - Always beautiful any time of the year, but the spring tulips are amazing as well as their prized roses. Their indoor gardens are equally amazing with a unique collection of tropical plants in their “hot house”. They have a wonderful store on the bottom floor with all sorts of plants, garden paraphernalia and souvenirs. Also check to see if they are hosting any classes that you may find interesting.
• Restaurants - I’m sure there are a million reviews with details about the various restaurants on the Estate so I won’t go there, other than to say my personal fav is the Bistro :)
For the more adventurous spirit:
• Land Rover Experience - ride with a trained driver through a mountain course with ups, downs and even sideways just like the commercial :)
• Segway Tour - after a short instruction on their “off-road” type Segway (really fairly easy to get the hang of it) you’ll head off on a somewhat backwoods tour of the Biltmore grounds that few get a chance to see. We had a blast on this 3 hour tour!
• Skeet shooting - while I know they have this activity, I have not personally participated so cannot comment on the course other than to say I believe they have skeet and trap options.
1485 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Biltmore
1 Lodge StThe Biltmore has a little bit of everything for everyone! While the house itself is amazing, there are numerous other sights and activities on the estate including:
• The Winery - take a tour and get a behind the scenes look at the Biltmore's own label, followed by an extensive tasting. One bit of advice, don't buy the "usual" wine types on the estate (Merlot, Zin, Pinot, Chardonnay, Riesling etc) because these can be purchased for much less at the local grocery stores (plus 10% off 6 bottles at Ingles)!! But if there’s a special blend you like it’s probably best to purchase it there.
• The Gardens - Always beautiful any time of the year, but the spring tulips are amazing as well as their prized roses. Their indoor gardens are equally amazing with a unique collection of tropical plants in their “hot house”. They have a wonderful store on the bottom floor with all sorts of plants, garden paraphernalia and souvenirs. Also check to see if they are hosting any classes that you may find interesting.
• Restaurants - I’m sure there are a million reviews with details about the various restaurants on the Estate so I won’t go there, other than to say my personal fav is the Bistro :)
For the more adventurous spirit:
• Land Rover Experience - ride with a trained driver through a mountain course with ups, downs and even sideways just like the commercial :)
• Segway Tour - after a short instruction on their “off-road” type Segway (really fairly easy to get the hang of it) you’ll head off on a somewhat backwoods tour of the Biltmore grounds that few get a chance to see. We had a blast on this 3 hour tour!
• Skeet shooting - while I know they have this activity, I have not personally participated so cannot comment on the course other than to say I believe they have skeet and trap options.
Amazing place to visit! Eat dinner on the huge deck, visit the beautiful spa & see where parts of “Dirty Dancing” was filmed!
573 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveAmazing place to visit! Eat dinner on the huge deck, visit the beautiful spa & see where parts of “Dirty Dancing” was filmed!
Head there on a Friday night to join the drum circle!! It’s a must see to really get a feel for the Asheville “Normal is weird” culture :)
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pritchard Park
67 Patton AveHead there on a Friday night to join the drum circle!! It’s a must see to really get a feel for the Asheville “Normal is weird” culture :)
Food scene
Okie Dokies Smokehouse
2375 US-70Great BBQ close to the cabin
Fantastic fried green tomatoes and shrimp&grits!
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Black Mountain Bistro
203 E State StFantastic fried green tomatoes and shrimp&grits!
The first TRUE Cuban joint in the area!!! I’m from Miami and have SO missed my cortadito in the morning and have FINALLY found a Cuban cafe that is actually run by Cubans :)
Phenomenal food (there’s a menu in the folder in the brochure bowl on the counter). Although they are only open until 3p so get there early for the best bread and guava pastelitos!!
Here’s the menu:
https://www.cousinscubancafe.com/
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cousins Cuban Cafe
108 Broadway AvenueThe first TRUE Cuban joint in the area!!! I’m from Miami and have SO missed my cortadito in the morning and have FINALLY found a Cuban cafe that is actually run by Cubans :)
Phenomenal food (there’s a menu in the folder in the brochure bowl on the counter). Although they are only open until 3p so get there early for the best bread and guava pastelitos!!
Here’s the menu:
https://www.cousinscubancafe.com/
One of my FAVS!! Th we are def busy on the weekends, but try to go on a Friday night to enjoy the drum circle across the street at Pritchard Park.
They have great comfort food as well as pecan pancakes for dinner!
305 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tupelo Honey
12 College StOne of my FAVS!! Th we are def busy on the weekends, but try to go on a Friday night to enjoy the drum circle across the street at Pritchard Park.
They have great comfort food as well as pecan pancakes for dinner!
Best coffee around!! Served in most local restaurants including the hospital :)
70 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dynamite Roasting Company
3198 US-70Best coffee around!! Served in most local restaurants including the hospital :)
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall StFantastic breakfast with local foods
Super busy on weekends, but if you’re a biscuit & gravy fan you MUST try their “gravy flight”!!!
472 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdSuper busy on weekends, but if you’re a biscuit & gravy fan you MUST try their “gravy flight”!!!
Hiking
Easy, dog friendly waterfall hike!
Perfect location for a short, fairly level, dog friendly hike just east of Black Mountain.
http://ashevilletrails.com/pisgah-national-forest/catawba-falls-waterfall-hike-asheville/
216 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrPerfect location for a short, fairly level, dog friendly hike just east of Black Mountain.
http://ashevilletrails.com/pisgah-national-forest/catawba-falls-waterfall-hike-asheville/
Blue Ridge Parkway
Scenic drive through the mountains with dozens of scenic overlooks and hiking spots
Do NOT leave town without taking a drive on the BRP!! The entrance is 10 min from the cabin then head toward the Folk Art Center.
757 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayDo NOT leave town without taking a drive on the BRP!! The entrance is 10 min from the cabin then head toward the Folk Art Center.
Includes a BRP store with maps & info as well as a beautiful collection of items by local artists from jewelry to blacksmith pieces to carved wood designs to handmade purses, clothing, baskets, etc.
255 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyIncludes a BRP store with maps & info as well as a beautiful collection of items by local artists from jewelry to blacksmith pieces to carved wood designs to handmade purses, clothing, baskets, etc.
Numerous trails, beautiful tunnel entrance, great photo ops!
For more info:
https://www.romanticasheville.com/Craggy.htm
224 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyNumerous trails, beautiful tunnel entrance, great photo ops!
For more info:
https://www.romanticasheville.com/Craggy.htm
Highest mountain east of the Mississippi with breathtaking 360 degree views
See this site for more info:
https://www.romanticasheville.com/mtmitchell.htm
114 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mount Mitchell
Highest mountain east of the Mississippi with breathtaking 360 degree views
See this site for more info:
https://www.romanticasheville.com/mtmitchell.htm
Fairly short hike to one of the most beautiful outlooks…..hands down my fav place to take a picnic and hang out on the huge rock to watch the sunset
For more info:
http://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/beacon-heights-trail/
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beacon Heights Overlook Trail
Beacon Heights TrailFairly short hike to one of the most beautiful outlooks…..hands down my fav place to take a picnic and hang out on the huge rock to watch the sunset
For more info:
http://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/beacon-heights-trail/
Mile high rope bridge, hiking trails and beautiful vistas
716 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyMile high rope bridge, hiking trails and beautiful vistas
Sightseeing
Linville Caverns, Inc.
19929 U.S. 221Such a cool place to visit!!
Breweries
One of the oldest….love their slogan “Just a wee bit different
349 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyOne of the oldest….love their slogan “Just a wee bit different
Black Mountain Brewing
131 NC-9Great little local brewery
Pisgah Brewing Company
2948 US-70Adventure
Longest zip line in eastern US!
The Gorge - A Zipline Canopy Tour
166 Honey Bee DrGreat place for a day trip to visit sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls
384 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sliding Rock
Great place for a day trip to visit sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls
Awesome thrill riding white water rafting
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Wahoo's Adventures Nolichucky Outpost
1201 Rock Creek RdAwesome thrill riding white water rafting