Asheville Area Guidebook
Food scene
Close local breakfast spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Love their egg & cheese croissants, curry chicken salad, and plenty of sweets if you desire.
65 locals recommend
The Well-Bred Bakery & Café in Biltmore Village
6 Boston WayClose local breakfast spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Love their egg & cheese croissants, curry chicken salad, and plenty of sweets if you desire.
THE place to breakfast in Asheville (West Asheville). Expect a wait unless you get there early (before they open). They also do fantastic dinners. Inside and enclosed semi-heated in Fall/Winter outside seating.
587 locals recommend
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdTHE place to breakfast in Asheville (West Asheville). Expect a wait unless you get there early (before they open). They also do fantastic dinners. Inside and enclosed semi-heated in Fall/Winter outside seating.
Andaaz
28 Hendersonville RoadAmazing Indian food close to the Airbnb in Biltmore Village.
Burial Beer and amazing smoked meat and other yummy food. Indoor and outdoor seating. The garlic fries are AMAZING (I am a fry connoisseur - must be crispy but not greasy.)!!!
71 locals recommend
Forestry Camp Bar & Restaurant
10 Shady Oak DrBurial Beer and amazing smoked meat and other yummy food. Indoor and outdoor seating. The garlic fries are AMAZING (I am a fry connoisseur - must be crispy but not greasy.)!!!
Quintessential Asheville for a nice day - Not your usual tacos - small unique and on the mini white corn tortillas. Order 2 or 3 or 4 different ones to fill up. Bang Bang Shrimp, Pork Carnitas, Greek Gyro style and more. Picnic tables out by the river. Don't get the booze - not worth it here. But Cheerwine slushy is fantastic on a hot day (if you like cheerwine).
440 locals recommend
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrQuintessential Asheville for a nice day - Not your usual tacos - small unique and on the mini white corn tortillas. Order 2 or 3 or 4 different ones to fill up. Bang Bang Shrimp, Pork Carnitas, Greek Gyro style and more. Picnic tables out by the river. Don't get the booze - not worth it here. But Cheerwine slushy is fantastic on a hot day (if you like cheerwine).
Another must do in Asheville if you like BBQ. BUT NO DINNER - ONLY LUNCH ON WEEKDAYS SO PLAN AHEAD. I like this location best. Attached is the Wedge Brewing newer location. A friend says the Wedge has the best beer in town (he likes dark beer if I remember correctly.)
330 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StAnother must do in Asheville if you like BBQ. BUT NO DINNER - ONLY LUNCH ON WEEKDAYS SO PLAN AHEAD. I like this location best. Attached is the Wedge Brewing newer location. A friend says the Wedge has the best beer in town (he likes dark beer if I remember correctly.)
Tiny dessert and coffee space. You could do French Broad Chocolates with all the tourists (and if you want ice cream or truffles this is the place) but for Tiramisu or other delights, this is a quiet go do.
102 locals recommend
Old Europe Pastries
18 Broadway StTiny dessert and coffee space. You could do French Broad Chocolates with all the tourists (and if you want ice cream or truffles this is the place) but for Tiramisu or other delights, this is a quiet go do.
Downtown. Reasonably priced and fantastic. Often can get in on weekend nights easily. I believe this is take out only now.
65 locals recommend
Blue Dream Curry House
81 Patton AveDowntown. Reasonably priced and fantastic. Often can get in on weekend nights easily. I believe this is take out only now.
Higher End. Locally sourced food. On Historic Wall Street near the Flat Iron Building.
58 locals recommend
The Market Place
20 Wall StHigher End. Locally sourced food. On Historic Wall Street near the Flat Iron Building.
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StAn Asheville resident favorite. Special date night location.
Copper Crown
1011 Tunnel RdAlways great food. Close house but not in town, easy parking.
This bar reminiscent of a speakeasy is located right in downtown Asheville. However, if you're not looking carefully, you will walk right past the door. Amazing atmosphere. Friendly bartenders. Poe-like atmosphere. Great for a drink before or after dinner.
86 locals recommend
The Crow & Quill
106 N Lexington AveThis bar reminiscent of a speakeasy is located right in downtown Asheville. However, if you're not looking carefully, you will walk right past the door. Amazing atmosphere. Friendly bartenders. Poe-like atmosphere. Great for a drink before or after dinner.
You will hear about French Broad Chocolate everywhere you go in Asheville. They have won international awards for their chocolate. I prefer Old Europe just because the line is shorter on busy weekends, I like cake or tiramisu, and everything is great there as well. Still, if you want an amazing, probably never find it anywhere else truffle experience (i.e. ginger & caramel, strawberry balsamic or grapefruit & fennel, rose pistachio cardamom etc.), this is the place.
363 locals recommend
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareYou will hear about French Broad Chocolate everywhere you go in Asheville. They have won international awards for their chocolate. I prefer Old Europe just because the line is shorter on busy weekends, I like cake or tiramisu, and everything is great there as well. Still, if you want an amazing, probably never find it anywhere else truffle experience (i.e. ginger & caramel, strawberry balsamic or grapefruit & fennel, rose pistachio cardamom etc.), this is the place.
Beer Scene
This area is the host to Wicked Weed (good food here too), Asheville Pizza & Brew, Funkatorium (specializes in sours), Greenman, and others. Catawba has a back room where they do comedy shows with nationally known comedians usually Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. If you want to walk and sample, this is a good area to take an UBER to/from (10 min from Airbnb).
75 locals recommend
South Slope Brewing District
This area is the host to Wicked Weed (good food here too), Asheville Pizza & Brew, Funkatorium (specializes in sours), Greenman, and others. Catawba has a back room where they do comedy shows with nationally known comedians usually Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. If you want to walk and sample, this is a good area to take an UBER to/from (10 min from Airbnb).
Not really a beer place - but better! I like Cider and this is my favorite place in Asheville (I prefer sweet...their Old English is a fave plus they do seasonals). Outside patio and lawn down below. They have inside space....not sure if opened back up since covid.
118 locals recommend
Urban Orchard Cider Co. - West
210 Haywood RdNot really a beer place - but better! I like Cider and this is my favorite place in Asheville (I prefer sweet...their Old English is a fave plus they do seasonals). Outside patio and lawn down below. They have inside space....not sure if opened back up since covid.
Gorgeous - they spent a ton of money. If you love beautiful places and like Sierra Nevada beer you might want to check it out. Best bet on a busy day is go out back and order bites from the back beer counter. Otherwise the wait for food is crazy. Family friendly. Cornhole, firepit etc.
726 locals recommend
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayGorgeous - they spent a ton of money. If you love beautiful places and like Sierra Nevada beer you might want to check it out. Best bet on a busy day is go out back and order bites from the back beer counter. Otherwise the wait for food is crazy. Family friendly. Cornhole, firepit etc.
In the River District up above the French Broad River. Small inside space. Big outside space. Food truck out front - varies day to day. Sweet spot.
450 locals recommend
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StIn the River District up above the French Broad River. Small inside space. Big outside space. Food truck out front - varies day to day. Sweet spot.
Right near the Airbnb and oldest beer brewer in WNC (well, legal beer brewer I would guess....). Big inside and outside spaces. Food truck varies. Often music on the weekends in the field to the far side.
349 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyRight near the Airbnb and oldest beer brewer in WNC (well, legal beer brewer I would guess....). Big inside and outside spaces. Food truck varies. Often music on the weekends in the field to the far side.
There are several locations for the Wedge. According to a friend, best dark beer in Asheville. This is the first location, in the dirt lot by the train tracks in the river arts district. All seating is outside so make sure it's a nice day. Drink here and get food from a local food truck on site, or go over to white duck taco in river arts (3 blocks north) for lunch or a casual dinner at a picnic table by the French Broad River. Or go over to the Wedge at Foundation (three blocks south ) and have your beer with some 12 Bones BBQ (open for lunch only into early afternoon) they are located in the same building. Also at the Foundation location you find some of the wildest graffiti art in Asheville. Drive on to the right past the Wedge/12 Bones building to see more. Continue through the dirt lot and you will come back out to the main road on the right.
285 locals recommend
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayThere are several locations for the Wedge. According to a friend, best dark beer in Asheville. This is the first location, in the dirt lot by the train tracks in the river arts district. All seating is outside so make sure it's a nice day. Drink here and get food from a local food truck on site, or go over to white duck taco in river arts (3 blocks north) for lunch or a casual dinner at a picnic table by the French Broad River. Or go over to the Wedge at Foundation (three blocks south ) and have your beer with some 12 Bones BBQ (open for lunch only into early afternoon) they are located in the same building. Also at the Foundation location you find some of the wildest graffiti art in Asheville. Drive on to the right past the Wedge/12 Bones building to see more. Continue through the dirt lot and you will come back out to the main road on the right.
This is the place if you favor sour beer. They also do have a dinner menu. Inside and outside seating. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company is close by as well as all the other South Slope breweries. Asheville Pizza & Brew also has a location on the North side of town where you can get pizza and beer both outside and inside the movie theater there. Shows used to be older movies with deeply discounted tickets.
169 locals recommend
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveThis is the place if you favor sour beer. They also do have a dinner menu. Inside and outside seating. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company is close by as well as all the other South Slope breweries. Asheville Pizza & Brew also has a location on the North side of town where you can get pizza and beer both outside and inside the movie theater there. Shows used to be older movies with deeply discounted tickets.
Sightseeing
Best sunset in Asheville from the outdoor patio. I hear the appetizers are better than the main meals.
98 locals recommend
Hemingway's Cuba Restaurant & Bar
15 Page AveBest sunset in Asheville from the outdoor patio. I hear the appetizers are better than the main meals.
CLOSED NOV-MAR/APR. Amazing views off the back side of the Inn /from the restaurant. You can park and go look off the giftshop/restaurant deck or stay for lunch. Food is good not great but view unsurpassed.
123 locals recommend
Pisgah Inn
408 Blue Ridge PkwyCLOSED NOV-MAR/APR. Amazing views off the back side of the Inn /from the restaurant. You can park and go look off the giftshop/restaurant deck or stay for lunch. Food is good not great but view unsurpassed.
Head North on the Blue Ridge Parkway 30 minutes. This VIsitor Center has a bathroom down behind and a ranger on site plus small gift shop. You can take an easy hike from here to the Picnic area-turnout slightly before the Visitor Center (or vice versa). But my favorite hike here is to the Pinnacle (go thru tunnel just past Visitor Center and parking on left - up to top then back. Views are 360.
224 locals recommend
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyHead North on the Blue Ridge Parkway 30 minutes. This VIsitor Center has a bathroom down behind and a ranger on site plus small gift shop. You can take an easy hike from here to the Picnic area-turnout slightly before the Visitor Center (or vice versa). But my favorite hike here is to the Pinnacle (go thru tunnel just past Visitor Center and parking on left - up to top then back. Views are 360.
Amazing array of crafts (that word does not do most of it justice) from around the multi-state area. Gift shop downstairs. Museum and rotating display upstairs. My FAVORITE permanent display is the pictures and schematics of the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway upstairs at the far end of the exhibit.
255 locals recommend
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyAmazing array of crafts (that word does not do most of it justice) from around the multi-state area. Gift shop downstairs. Museum and rotating display upstairs. My FAVORITE permanent display is the pictures and schematics of the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway upstairs at the far end of the exhibit.
Highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Parking lot near the top. Take food if you want to lunch - they have a snack stand but nothing substantial. Amazing views. Balsam firs smell amazing. Short steep hike to the top - paved.
114 locals recommend
Mount Mitchell
Highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Parking lot near the top. Take food if you want to lunch - they have a snack stand but nothing substantial. Amazing views. Balsam firs smell amazing. Short steep hike to the top - paved.
Hiking
DuPont is the destination for BIG waterfalls. The trails to the big ones are easy to moderate and close to parking lots. They tend to be crowded on weekends so if you are here on a weekday that is ideal. Great hiking out beyond Triple Falls and High Falls gets you away from the crowds. Bridal Veil Falls is beyond these and it and parts of the Forest were featured in the Hunger Games movies.
100 locals recommend
DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center
89 Buck Forest RdDuPont is the destination for BIG waterfalls. The trails to the big ones are easy to moderate and close to parking lots. They tend to be crowded on weekends so if you are here on a weekday that is ideal. Great hiking out beyond Triple Falls and High Falls gets you away from the crowds. Bridal Veil Falls is beyond these and it and parts of the Forest were featured in the Hunger Games movies.
Walk up the stairs from the base or take the elevator inside the cliff to the lookout point. Continue up more steps to the top of the ridge and hike out along it to a waterfall (or take the middle trail out for a better view of the Falls). This area was used in the filming of Last of the Mohicans.
333 locals recommend
Chimney Rock State Park
431 Main StWalk up the stairs from the base or take the elevator inside the cliff to the lookout point. Continue up more steps to the top of the ridge and hike out along it to a waterfall (or take the middle trail out for a better view of the Falls). This area was used in the filming of Last of the Mohicans.
Head south (45 min) on the Blue Ridge Parkway - past the Pisgah Inn and you cannot miss it. Get there early on weekends, parking is limited and spreads out along the road when lot is full. This is an easy hiking area - gorgeous with color in the Fall. A waterfall near the concrete path that drops down from the lot and another 1/3 mile up the big open valley.
176 locals recommend
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Blue Ridge ParkwayHead south (45 min) on the Blue Ridge Parkway - past the Pisgah Inn and you cannot miss it. Get there early on weekends, parking is limited and spreads out along the road when lot is full. This is an easy hiking area - gorgeous with color in the Fall. A waterfall near the concrete path that drops down from the lot and another 1/3 mile up the big open valley.
Moderate to Strenuous Hike. UP on the way UP, DOWN on the way DOWN. Spectacular views at the top. Flat at first then rocky. Lots of stepping up. 1.1 miles each way for 2.2 total.
70 locals recommend
Mount Pisgah
Moderate to Strenuous Hike. UP on the way UP, DOWN on the way DOWN. Spectacular views at the top. Flat at first then rocky. Lots of stepping up. 1.1 miles each way for 2.2 total.
Moderate short hike to 360 views. This is about 30 minutes from the Airbnb - North on the Parkway. Good end of the day hike if not getting dark too early. Or grab food and drink and hit it mid-day for lunch with a view. (Blue Ridge Parkway North. Pass Craggy Picnic Area, Visitor Center, go thru Tunnel and Lot is on left.
143 locals recommend
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
3641 Blue Ridge PkwyModerate short hike to 360 views. This is about 30 minutes from the Airbnb - North on the Parkway. Good end of the day hike if not getting dark too early. Or grab food and drink and hit it mid-day for lunch with a view. (Blue Ridge Parkway North. Pass Craggy Picnic Area, Visitor Center, go thru Tunnel and Lot is on left.
Close Easy Hiking - Park at the Folk Art Center. There is a trail out near the road that continues North along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
12 locals recommend
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Mountains-to-Sea TrailClose Easy Hiking - Park at the Folk Art Center. There is a trail out near the road that continues North along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Easy Close Hiking / Arboretum. $12 to enter/park inside. You can park outside along the road up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike in for free but if you plan to go up to the Education Center and Bonsai Garden (most plants inside during late Fall/Winter but area is open) - it's pretty far. (They will give you a trail map.) I park just inside the Gate to hike. 3 miles moderate - take Old Mill Trail to left on Bent Creek Road. First major left spur is Rocky Cove Road, connects to Owl's Ridge. At top go left on Hard Times Road - brings you back to parking lot by gate where you entered.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayEasy Close Hiking / Arboretum. $12 to enter/park inside. You can park outside along the road up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike in for free but if you plan to go up to the Education Center and Bonsai Garden (most plants inside during late Fall/Winter but area is open) - it's pretty far. (They will give you a trail map.) I park just inside the Gate to hike. 3 miles moderate - take Old Mill Trail to left on Bent Creek Road. First major left spur is Rocky Cove Road, connects to Owl's Ridge. At top go left on Hard Times Road - brings you back to parking lot by gate where you entered.
Coffee Shops
Trade and Lore
37 Wall StDowntown - historic Wall Street. Great coffee shop.
Any of the 3 locations recommended. Their decaf has a toasted flavor that I love.
186 locals recommend
High Five Coffee
190 Broadway StAny of the 3 locations recommended. Their decaf has a toasted flavor that I love.
Cool coffee pastry hangout. East Asheville on way to Folk Art Center and Blue Ridge Parkway. Doubles as a bar at night.
87 locals recommend
Filo Pastries & Post 70 Indulgence Bar
1155 Tunnel RdCool coffee pastry hangout. East Asheville on way to Folk Art Center and Blue Ridge Parkway. Doubles as a bar at night.
City advice
Don't miss
Wildlife
Wildlife is everywhere - including in my driveway and yard. The bears are active here year-round. We regularly see them on the backyard cameras and occasionally in driveway - so pause as you EXIT the Airbnb, especially at night, before heading to your car. Our motion cameras are helpful in warning you about wildlife, however the spiders and webs can also set them off...so don't get too excited. Also plentiful - opossums, raccoons, rabbits, turkeys, and an occasional groundhog. Lastly - MEADOW is the outdoor very friendly neighborhood cat you may encounter in the driveway.
Don't miss
Day Trip - Easy/Moderate Hiking and Views
Hit up Subway or Well-Bred Bakery for lunch food and drinks, hit the Folk Art Center as you get on the Blue Ridge Parkway Northbound. Stop at Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (bathrooms here and can easy hike picnic area to visitors center or vice versa) BUT I RECOMMEND Hike Craggy Pinnacle - short uphill hike with 360 views. Can take lunch up here or wait. Cont on to Mt. Mitchell - highest peak East of the Mississippi. Drive to top and walk up through the Balsams (smells amazing!!!) on the paved but somewhat steep trail (benches for resting) to the top. Lunch here or in parking lot.
Don't miss
Website for Hiking Options
The Romantic Asheville website (just add .com) is a great site for Hiking info. You can pick views or waterfalls and it rates them easy, moderate, strenuous.
Don't miss
LIVE MUSIC WEBSITE - UPDATED REGULARLY
Asheville Live Music - add .com (Airbnb won't let us post links.)