The Local’s Guide to Asheville, North Carolina
Guest Written by Rachel Meenan
First, some background:
Asheville is a happenin’ lil funkytown nestled in the southern Appalachian (pronounced Apple-atch-en) mountains of WNC - Western North Carolina. Unbeknownst to many, these mountains are the oldest in the world and were once taller than the Himalayas. Sure they’re no longer the tallest or the craggiest, but that’s because they’ve been worn down longer than any other mountain range anywhere. The French Broad River, a mere 300 million years old, give or take, is the third oldest river in the world and runs directly through the center of town. Before it got this name the Cherokee called it a few different things: Tah-kee-os-tee – ‘racing waters’ ; Agiqua – ‘Long Man’ ; Peo-li-co ; and Zillicoah (they have been thriving in this place where the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers converge, ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ To Ki Ya Sdi, aka “the place where they race,” for 10,000+ years, after all).
This region contains an incredible breadth of biodiversity, as seen in our vast number of tree species, song birds, and more, and is even known as the birthplace of modern forestry. The area is also historically renowned for its ideal altitude, atmosphere and climate to heal all kinds of ailments. One particular illness can be said to have really put modern Asheville on the map–tuberculosis. The city quickly became an internationally recognized center of treatment and research for TB which lasted more than 50 years. The healthy climate also attracted one Maria Louisa Kissam Vanderbilt, leading to son George’s obsession with the region and the eventual construction of America’s largest private residence–The Biltmore Estate.
An hour from TN, an hour from SC, but a world away in style. Asheville is serious about supporting its small businesses and you will find very very few big chain stores or restaurants in town, so be prepared for the unique and exceptional. We love live music, delicious farm to table food, our all-woman city council, and beeeeeeer. Don’t love our super short highway entrance ramps - you’ve been warned.
NOW, the RECOMMENDATIONS:
EVERYONE AGREES
DRINKING
You can’t go wrong with a single brewery in town, that being said the most popular would probably be:
New Belgium (River Arts District aka “The RAD”)
Wicked Weed (South Slope)
South Slope is Asheville’s brewing district, you can easily brewery hop in this area and it is easily within walking distance from downtown
Sierra Nevada (South AVL)
Cocktails etc.
Sovereign Remedies (downtown)
Seasonal cocktails in vintage digs. Eat here while you’re at it, really tasty octopus but skip the deconstructed pot pie.
Noble Cider & Mead (south slope)
Bone Dry. Shmancy.
Antidote (south slope)
They have their own distillery and their bartenders can make anything. Check out the upstairs and the up up stairs/rooftop for swanky vintage apothecary+ vibes
EATING
Cúrate (downtown)
Holy moly macaroni Y’ALL, do NOT miss this. Menu recs: the pulpo, acorn fed ibérico jamón (cured Iberian ham), squid ink paella, setas al Jerez (mushrooms in sherry), moorish lamb skewers, blood sausage, chistorra jose’s way, gazpacho… all of it.
Want similar flavors in a more relaxed setting? Try La Bodega, Curate’s little sister restaurant, also owned by James Beard Award-winning chef Katie Button.
Nine Mile (west AVL)
Haywood Road location; Caribbean inspired. Get the Marley’s Magic on linguini and bring me leftovers (just kidding, you won’t have any)
Biscuit Head (west AVL)
Housemade jams, housemade hot sauces, housemade biscuits. Prepare for a big ole Betty of a biscuit, but show up early because everyone wants one
DOING
Check out an Asheville classic… the drum circle!
This famous drum circle has been gathering every warm-enough Friday night (April-October, and warmer nights other months) in downtown Pritchard Park for over 20 years.
Take a hike!
Black Balsam Knob (south on the Blue Ridge Parkway aka The BRP)
Great for a sunset picnic!
Max Patch (Appalachian Trail)
Seen better days… people have been rough on this spot with the litter and such. They implemented new camping rules to help the site recover. No matter what, gorgeous 360 views with a very gentle hike. Still more than worth a visit, just be gentle on the land here.
Mt Mitchell with a pit stop at Craggy Pinnacle (north on the BRP)
Tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River, you can drive most of the way up. Craggy Pinnacle is a great quick hike and the drive between these two stops is some of the prettiest Blue Ridge Parkway there is. Feeling adventurous? Go all the way to Linn’s Viaduct. I’ve done all 469 miles of the parkway and this section is THE BEST full stop.
Street Art “Tour” of the River Arts District
Contains: Wedge brewery, 12 Bones BBQ, Summit Coffee, a skatepark, an indie cinema, artisan craft shops… you get it. River Arts is a large-ish area home to hundreds of working artist studios, shops, and more. Put “Grail Moviehouse” in your GPS for the right spot.
Walk our brand new riverside pedestrian walkway (RAD)
Park at “Craven Street Bridge French Broad River Access” and bike, walk, skate, slither alongside the 3rd oldest river in the world, one of the few which runs north instead of south.
Riverin’
Get a closer look by going rafting, tubing, SUPing, kayaking. Water sports best done away-ish from town for the cleaner water - there is some great rafting near Hot Springs, NC. Check out Section 10 (Barnard River Park to Weaver Bend) for a day-long calm-water float with a cooler in tow.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
DRINKING
Breweries - Less mainstream, think smaller batch, more crafty
The Funkatorium (part of Wicked Weed, this spot does sours like nobody’s business)
Burial (South Slope; from hoppy to saison to imperial, everything here is delicious; personal fave - “The River to Hell Runs Red.” Yum.)
Highland Brewing (east AVL; check out the ample outdoor activities here, from an 18-hole disc golf course to beach volleyball, this place is great for fun-while-drinking
Fae Nectar (Lake Lure)
45 mins outside of downtown, but don’t let that stop you from checking out this charming lakeside meadery. Want something funky? Try the mead slushy
Pink Moon Bar (west AVL)
Speakeasy-style vermouth bar hidden behind a freezer door? Yes please! You’ll need the door code though, which you can get from their Instagram stories. Come here on a Wednesday night for classy vermouth, shut down the joint, and head to the front of the building for “Western Wednesdays” at one of the best dive bars in the city, the Double Crown.
Leo’s House of Thirst (west AVL)
Sip on some amazing wines and relax with charcuterie as you lean back in adirondack chairs around the outdoor firepit. This is the ideal autumn spot.
Cocktails at Crow & Quill (downtown, on north Lexington, walk this whole street for cute shopping while you’re at it)
Golden Pineapple (west AVL)
This bartender owned and operated joint serves up a funky rotating cocktail menu the likes of which you won’t find elsewhere in town. Sleeper hit? On Sundays they sell pizza starting at 6pm. They sometimes sell out by 6:15.
Coffeeshops
Ultra Coffeebar (RAD)
Delicious coffee with flavors made exclusively in-house with chemical free ingredients. Try the Nitro Cold Brew on tap for a creamy dreamy treat
Grind (RAD)
Asheville's first black-owned coffee shop. Enjoy specialty coffee and house-made pastries from The Rhu.
High Climate Tea (downtown)
non alcoholic, but also alcoholic options; Head to the Chinese tea bar for a sampling and an education, head to the cafe side for a full pot, plus delicious Chinese and pan-asian snacks & mochi. Can’t recommend this place highly enough for the friendliness, vibes, value, the total package. Paid parking across the street is convenient.
Dobra Tea (west AVL)
Less Chinese tea, more turkish, middle eastern, Indian; tasty vegan things; simple, earthy, healthy, but way more delicious than your standard vegan gluten-free fare. Take off your shoes and grab a seat on some comfy pillows at a table in the back then order the “Sweet Smell of Jerusalem” tea with milk & honey
EATING
OWL Bakery (east west AVL)
Please don’t skip this. Some of the best laminated pastries anywhere, definitely at least in AVL; ham & cheese croissant, cardamom bun, daily & seasonal specials. They sell out of the good stuff early, try before 10am, 9 if you can.
Hole Doughnuts (east west AVL)
Rustic, old fashioned style; not everyone’s fave but those people are just wrong. Hole only has 4 flavors, 3 are standards and one daily special. Though it is the simplest option, the classic glazed flavor is a real stand-out. Woman-owned and operated, the owner lives behind her shop in a tiny house. Order your doughnuts and wait for her to call your name with more appreciation and excitement than you could possibly expect. If you know, you know.
Stoney Knob Cafe (Weaverville)
Sunday brunch or bust. Greek meets funk. Get the crab cake Benedict, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, every single thing here is tasty and the staff is sweet as pie. The atmosphere is sooo kitsch, there’s no place like it!
Neng Jr’s (west AVL)
This James Beard nominated intimate restaurant opened mid-2022 and has been garnering some serious buzz in its short life. Included in The New York Times's and Bon Appetit’s 2023 list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States, don’t miss the one of a kind Asheville-meets-Filipinx flavors. Try the quail egg topped oysters
The Admiral (east west AVL)
Understated on the outside; charcuterie, ribeye, and panna cotta on the inside. This is comparable in quality to Cúrate with none of the crowd
Guajiro (River Arts District)
Cuban food truck, opened October 2022, amazing Cuban coffee and tasty Cuban breakfast. Don’t miss the ultra-flaky guava and cheese pastries as well as the soul-nourishing croquettes
Vivian (RAD)
Euro-influenced seasonal menus in a charming vintage space. Phenomenal brunch, the best in town and never as packed as the downtown joints
DOING
Mount Gilead Farm (Leicester)
Goats. Goats. Goat cheese. Goat caramel. LOVELY owners who knew nothing about farming until… I’ll let them tell you the rest. See if Zachariah is available for a tour, he’s a peach. Is it springtime? Spring for the “bottle feeding baby goats” experience, you are not ready for the cuteness.
Pinball Museum (downtown)
$20 all you can play all day vintage pinball. Super silly, super fun, imagine a casino for children… that still serves beer.
Shoji Spa & Retreat (southeast AVL)
If you want a unique spa experience then go take a soak in completely private outdoor Japanese-style salt tubs. Guests don a Japanese Yukata (cotton robe) and sandals before retiring to their private hot tub overlooking the National Forest.
Shopping:
Look for a farmer’s market aka “tailgate market”
There’s at least one around town every day of the week. Delight in local artisan’s goods, occasionally quite odd, always delicious and/or entertaining
Secondhand clothes your thing? Outdoor Saturday Market at Fleetwood’s (rock and roll wedding chapel, bar, music venue, and vintage store. It’s as weird as it sounds) (west AVL)
Secondhand Shops
Sugar Britches (by the Pinball Museum downtown) Want to dress as funky as a local? Try this amazing vintage/secondhand store with crazy cool finds at occasionally unbelievable prices
rEvolve (west AVL) voted the best in town. Amazing stop for a wearable souvenir
East Fork (downtown)
Values-driven ceramics company making pottery by hand using proprietary glazes and iron-rich North Carolina clay
Harvest Records (east west AVL)
Great selection, helpful staff, good prices, no judgy vibes. Definitely the best record shop in town
One World West (west AVL)
Tuesdays for funk jam. Wednesdays for a lively latin dance night (don’t miss the salsa lesson 8:30-9); Live music almost every night. This is also a brewery so the drankies ain’t bad either
I love the view at Hawksbill so much that I got married here.
shamelessly sharing this photo
Hike Hawksbill Mountain at Linville Gorge
A little drive from town, but totally worth it. The gorge is awesome because you can hike down into it to the river and the waterfalls, you can do a rim hike, or you can go above it and hike up the mountain. Hawksbill should take you under an hour to hike up; it is a steep climb, but this view is spectacular. Prefer an easy “hike” (walk 10 minutes on a paved path) to a great viewpoint? Check out Wiseman’s view.
4WD suggested, though we’ve seen sedans make the drive… slowly.
No matter what you do—have fun out there… and never pay more than $10 for parking!
Did you visit Asheville? Reach out and let us know if you enjoyed any of our recommendations!