There’s so much to do in Asheville and there’s a lot of opportunities to travel there on a budget because there are a ton of free things to do, like hiking/parks/walk around downtown. I grew up in the Asheville area and love going back, not only to visit family, but to enjoy all that the city and it’s surroundings have to offer. The town I grew up in is a beautiful and growing town called Black Mountain, about 15 minutes east of Asheville. You get gorgeous views of the blue ridge mountains and the quiet yet still bustling fun of small town life. And then you aren’t too far from the heart of Asheville!
Best times to go to Asheville: Recommended times to go— spring and fall for different reasons.
Things to do all year round (but especially summer!):
- Festivals during the seasons – Sourwood/Apple Festival http://www.sourwoodfestival.com
- Drum Circle https://www.romanticasheville.com/drumming_circle.htm
- Smokey Mountain Folk Festival https://www.lakejunaluska.com/specials_packages/family_vacations/sm_folk_festival/
- Local Farmers Markets
- Downtown Asheville – Pack Square Park https://www.romanticasheville.com/packsquare.htm
Fall time recommendations:
- Go to the Mountains
- hiking BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY https://www.blueridgeparkway.org
- Craggy Gardens https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/poi/craggy-gardens/
- Devil’s Courthouse Trail https://ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/devils-courthouse-trail/
- Mount Mitchell Trails https://ashevilletrails.com/category/mount-mitchell-state-park/
- A little farther away in Black Mountain/Old Fort/Montreat – Ridgecrest, Catawba Falls, and Lookout Mountain (Lake Tomahawk) https://ashevilletrails.com
- Mountain Biking – Max Patch, Bent Creek, Triple Falls, Graveyard Fields MONTREAT/OLD FORT https://www.romanticasheville.com/max-patch
Winter Recommendations:
Skiing at Beech and Sugar Mountain https://www.beechmountainresort.com
ARTSY + Cultural Activities To Attend:
River Arts District https://www.riverartsdistrict.com
Biltmore House (late 1800’s) https://www.biltmore.com:
The Biltmore House is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895[2] and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 sq ft (16,622.8 m2) of floor space and 135,280 sq ft (12,568 m2) of living area. Still owned by George Vanderbilt’s descendants, it remains one of the most prominent examples of Gilded Age mansions. The House, the grounds, and so much more are a delight to tour and enjoy!
Grove Park Inn (1913) https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park
The Omni Grove Park is a historical resort hotel on the western-facing slope of Sunset Mountain within the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Asheville, North Carolina. This hotel was visited by various Presidents of the United States mentioned below.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel was built in the Arts and Crafts style.
Best Places to Eat
Breakfast –
Sunny Point Cafe https://sunnypointcafe.com
Louise’s (Black Mountain) https://louisesblackmtn.com
Over Easy Cafe http://www.overeasyasheville.com
Lunch/Dinner –
WHITE DUCK TACO http://whiteducktacoshop.com
Chestnut https://www.chestnutasheville.com
Chai Pani http://www.chaipaniasheville.com/
Nine Mile https://ninemileasheville.com
Farm Burger https://farmburger.com/asheville-nc/
Easy Girl Eatery https://earlygirleatery.com
Tupelo Honey Cafe https://tupelohoneycafe.com/location/downtown-asheville/
My Father’s Pizza (BM) http://www.myfatherspizza.com
Fresh (BM) https://freshwoodfiredpizza.net
Where are the best places to stay?
Air bnb! Or you can rent houses/cabins. Or stay at one of the nicer/fancier places connected to Biltmore/Grove Park
Best Places to Explore/“hidden” gems:
Visit Black Mountain: https://www.exploreblackmountain.comThe town of Black Mountain
Sliding Rock a little farther away in Brevard and LAKE LURE: http://www.townoflakelure.com
Top Things You Have To Do/ Try There
-Beer (Brewing companies)
*Sierra Nevada https://sierranevada.com/visit/north-carolina/
*Wicked Weed https://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/
*New Belgium https://www.newbelgium.com/brewery/asheville/
*Highland Brewing https://highlandbrewing.com/
*Green Man http://www.greenmanbrewery.com/
*Catawba https://catawbabrewing.com/
-favorite beers – Octoberfest (SN), White Zombie (Catawba), Pernicious IPA (WW)
Safety Component – Asheville is a very safe town
When Hiking, make sure you dress appropriately for the season. Bug spray, water, snacks. Bears (black bears) you will likely not see. They are nocturnal animals and are more scared of you then you are of them. With a snake, if it’s a black snake you are fine. You will likely not see them either, but perhaps look up what to do if you see a copperhead, rattlesnake, or water moccasin. Make sure to lock your car! In general, just be aware of your surroundings. Our hikes are VERY user friendly!
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