With just under 100,000 residents, Asheville has earned a reputation so much larger than the city itself. The expansion of the railroad in the 1880’s brought poets and visionaries to town, setting an artistic trend still seen today. The city is beautiful, with the Blue Ridge Mountains framing every shot and as eccentric as can be. Pleads to keep Asheville weird can be spotted on murals, next to Oompa Loompas, and t-shirts, filed alongside “only get naked with people you trust” graphic Ts.
Here are some ways to enjoy North Carolina’s premier mountain town.
Soak in the Eccentricity!
Asheville has got to be one of the most eccentric cities. With murals of everything, including a charming one that sees Dolly Parton admirably looking at RuPaul, “Stay Weird Asheville” continues the call to keep the best parts about this city in check. Best explored while strolling downtown, see what amazing oddities you can find!
River Arts District
Breweries, galleries and potteries – oh my! This four mile stretch of Riverside Drive is hipster heaven. With enough craft coffee shops to caffeinate a small nation and seemingly endless artist, naturally housed in abandoned warehouses, River Arts embodies everything Asheville perfects. Parallel is a lovely trail that winds along the French Broad river.
Shop at all the Indie Boutiques
Lacking many major brand names downtown, Asheville has a ton of cute botique shops specializing in everything. There are a ton of general stores, stocked with anything you could need and outdoor outposts. Diamond Brand Outdoors is the star, filled with everything to prep for your mountainous excursions. The Grove Arcade is considered the first indoor shopping mall in the US and continues to have some retailers today. It has beautiful atrium covering the shops.
Double D’s Coffee
What’s not to love about a Double Decker bus (which is totally what Double D’s are referring to) that also functions as a coffee shop!?
Biltmore [Village]
The Biltmore Mansion is expensive, REALLY expensive… like $86 just to walk around the grounds. Literally no way. If that’s your thing, don’t let me stop you, but if you’re like me, that’s too steep of a price. HOWEVER, you should at least walk around the Biltmore Village. A quaint mall on the outskirts of the grounds, it maintains the charm of the bordering mansion. The Grand Bohemian Hotel sets the tone the village follows, almost feeling like a western ski lodge. Animal busts, fireplaces and towering portraits line the stone walls. Weaving through the hotel feel like a cave!
The Food (!!!!!!!)
Everyone raves about Asheville’s food scene, but let me list my favorite eats. The tacos from White Duck Taco Shop are sublime. The Chicken and French-toasty prepared biscuits from Early Girl Eatery are JUST as awesome as they sound, I need to go back JUST to experience this dish again.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Stretching from North Carolina into Virginia, the 469-mile parkway follows the summits of the Blue Ridge Mountains and connects the Great Smoky Mountains with Shenandoah National Park. It’s a gorgeous drive and part of the road passes right by Asheville. Be sure to take advantage of the numerous hikes and overlooks along the way. There’s a great guide here.
HIKING
Asheville is IN the mountains, so there’s a ton of great trails nearby. Pigsah National Forest is literally right down the road. Here are some of the best hiking opportunities in the area:
- Mt. Mitchell
- Topping off at 6.6k feet, Mount Mitchell is the tallest point east of the Mississippi. It’s protected in a North Carolina state park with a few trails. There’s a road that takes you pretty much to the summit, but you’ll have to climb a few more feet to hit the proper top.
- Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
- This 3.9 mile trail follows a ridge before climbing around a mountain. The trail is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Craggy Gardens Trail
- Craggy Gardens Trail weaves through a high altitude forest. With wildflowers and blueberries in the summer, it gives fantastic views from the treeless bald. The trail is off the Blue Ridge Parkway and approximately two miles long.
- Douglas Falls
- The hike to Douglas Falls is the longest on the list at 6.6 miles. Climbing over 2,000 feet, it takes you to the 70-foot Douglas Falls. It’s a pretty cool waterfall, falling from an overhanging cliff and framed by a rock wall behind. Be forewarned, the flow is usually low.
- Catawba Falls
- Just under three miles, this trail follows the headwaters of the Catawba River as it cascades through waterfalls. It’s one of the most popular hikes near Asheville and also perfect for trail running. The trail also passes the moss-covered remnants of an abandoned dam.
- Linville Falls
- About an hour north of Asheville is one of the area’s most famous waterfalls. Falling 90 feet into a gorge below, the falls is one of the most visited sites along the Blue Ride Parkway. It’s a short hike to the overlook, but the area has a couple other hiking opportunities.
- Looking Glass Rock
- At 5.7 miles, this trail packs a punch in views. It’s an out and back excursion that leads to panoramic views of mountains. The trail is in Pigsah National Forest and the parking lot can fill up fast, so go early.
Southern Smoky Mountain National Park
Bordering North Carolina and Tennessee, the southern portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about an hour an a half from the city. Elk abound in the fields around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Be sure to visit the small farm museum and the visitor center. The calm Oconaluftee River Trail runs along the river for 3 miles, while the more intense trail to Newton Bald follows Mingus Creek. Outside of the park sits Cherokee, a small Native American town. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is worth a visit. Further down the road is Fontana Lake with its boating, trails and overlooks. It’s a pretty lake, with sharp mountains rising around the perimeter, but the controversial history is definitely worth a listen. The creation of the TVA lake flooded a town, forcing generations of families out of their homes.
White Water Rafting
Asheville sits right on the French Broad River. Well the portion passing through town remains calm, the river surrounding can be choppy! Companies like French Broad Adventures and Nantahala Adventure Center offer rafting day trips from the city. The $65 half-day trip by French Broad Adventures takes you to Class II and III rapids for five miles of the river. More expensive packages include transportation and longer trips.
Drink Your Weight in Beer
Asheville’s beer scene has become one of the greatest in the nation, especially considering the city’s size! Some of the must visit breweries include the nationally known New Belgium Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. along with local spots like Highland Brewing Company, Burial Beer Co. and Hillman Beer. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Sliding Rock Recreation Area
Who doesn’t love a natural waterslide? This 60 foot waterfall is smooth enough to slide down. It drops into a eight foot pool. 11,000 gallons of water pass over the falls every minute!
Turquoise Skies 