If your ideal destination offers nature, art, culinary experiences, and a laid-back vibe, turn your attention to Asheville. This city in western North Carolina is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains; this spot has become popular in recent years, largely due to its burgeoning art and craft beer scene. Not to mention its picture-picture scenery, with gorgeous mountains, manageable weather, and friendly locals. Whether you spend most of your time exploring the outdoors or taking advantage of the vibrant downtown and River Arts District, it’s a must-visit for a long weekend. Here, our guide on where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in this mountain town:
Where to stay
The Foundry Hotel
The Foundry Hotel is a centrally-located lodging option in downtown Asheville for travelers who like to spend most of their vacation exploring via foot. You can easily walk to countless restaurants, bars, and shops, all within a hop-and-a-skip of this property. Technically a Hilton hotel, it won’t give you the same impression as most chains since it was initially a steel factory. With modern industrial touches, The Foundry’s in-room amenities are all locally sourced, and they take time to educate their guests on Ashevillian culture. In fact, you can book a private tour with their on-site historian or take their house car — a Tesla Model X — on a jolly ride. Don’t miss out on their dining options, including an Applachian-inspired sour food restaurant and lobby bar led by James Beard nominee John Fleer.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
If you are looking for a splurge-worthy hotel, there’s no better pick than The Omni Grove Park Inn. It’s been a landmark in Asheville for more than 100 years and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountains. It’s only a short, ten-minute drive to downtown and offers the type of mountain luxury you dream about. Their award-winning spa is available to hotel guests only, featuring several hot tubs, two pools, an outdoor spa cafe, and an extensive services menu. After being pampered, book a dinner at one of their many dining options, including the Sunset Terrace, Edison, and others. The ideal nightcap? A glass of wine while sitting by their floor-to-ceiling fireplaces in the lobby.
The Applewood Manor
For a more quaint experience that still offers curated amenities and services, book your stay at The Applewood Manor. You can think of it as the perfect marriage between a boutique hotel and bed and breakfast, featuring six luxurious suites, all individually crafted to ooze history and beauty. It was the former private residence of an army captain and continues to be one of the longest-operating properties in the town. In addition to cozy chambers, they also offer farm-to-table dining options, bespoke experiential programs, and plenty of outdoor space to wander.
Where to eat
Jargon
One of the spots you can’t miss during your visit to Ashevegas, as locals call it, is Haywood Street in West Asheville. This hub is home to many art studios, breweries, and restaurants. Book your reservation at Jargon, a modern-American restaurant that offers continental social cuisine with local ingredients. It’s led by executive chef Steven Goff and is located in a restored historical building. In fact, the team received a Griffin Award for Historic Preservation for their work. How about that menu? Well, it’ll be different each time you visit, since it changes daily based on the availability of goods from farmers and purveyors. But some examples include smoked eel toast with creme fraiche, rye, sesame, and pickles, or a beef tongue plate to share.
Chai Pani
This downtown Asheville staple was recently named part of The Restaurant List by The New York Times and for a good reason. Chai Pani features a mouthwatering menu of Indian dishes, ripe with spices and enticing flavors. For those who love this type of cuisine, you’ll be impressed by Chef Meherwan Irani’s approach to street food, with a mix of handheld and fork-required plates. One of our favorites? The Sloppy Jai, full of lamb, chutney, and yogurt.
Cucina 24
You can find plenty of cheap eats in Asheville, but if you’re more of a fine-diner, Cucina 24 will impress your tastebuds. You can think of it as a mix between Italian food and southern Appalachian ingredients. They offer a collection of meats, cheeses, pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and veggies, herbs, and fungi sources from foragers and farmers in the Asheville area. However, the best experience is via Chef Brian Canipelli’s tasting menu that changes daily and will challenge your palette with adventurous small plates and wine pairings.
What to do
Tour the Biltmore Estate
No trip to Asheville is complete without visiting the iconic Biltmore Estate. It’s the largest privately-owned home in the country and is a playground for history buffs and winos alike. This 250-room mansion was built in the early 1900s by the Vanderbilt family, who helped to create Asheville as we know it today. This expansive property has 8,000 acres of trails, gardens, and an on-site winery. You can book a variety of tours, depending on your interests, or spend the day exploring on your own. For those who can’t get enough of Biltmore history, you can also stay on the grounds at the Biltmore Inn, a luxury hotel.
Explore and hike the area.
Hikers, rock climbers and mountain bikers all find Asheville to be an oasis of the American south. There are numerous mountain ranges to hike or ride, easy access to the Appalachian Trail, and lots of waterfalls to chase after. Even if you’re less of an adventure-seeker, don’t miss out on a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway, the country’s longest linear park. At 469 miles, it can take you through 29 North Carolina and Virginia counties, all at a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour.
Dive into local arts and brews culture.
Fun fact: Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other American city. Cheers to that! Plan your visit to the Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, and countless other breweries that offer hops, dark and pale aisles, pilsners, ciders, and more. In addition to being a mecca for beer-lovers, it’s also a destination for artists. Painters, sculptors and many other artisans actually take up residence in the River Arts District, allowing visitors to see their work in action and support their craft.
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