A WEEKEND IN ASHEVILLE, NC

Asheville is a city in western North Carolina with the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop. There are many mountain towns along the west coast of North Carolina, but Asheville is quite big compared to places like Highlands, Boone, and Blowing Rock. Asheville is many things to different groups of people: it is an artist’s haven, a hiker’s dream, a pumpkin spice latte lover’s leaf peeping paradise, and a foodie mecca. The city is bustling with things to do year round, but I fall among the millions of girls who love a good autumn season. However, whenever you decide to go to Asheville, I do not doubt that you will have a wonderful time. If you’d like an itinerary already laid out for you, peep the below for how I would make the most of this city:

I am a supporter of eating chocolate at any time of day, so why not start the day right by going to French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Grab a coffee and some chocolates, a cookie, or a slice of cake (who says you can’t have cake for breakfast?) I absolutely love their caramelized almonds in dark chocolate, and they do have vegan options. The secret is out on this place, so I’d get there as soon as it opens. Depending on the time of year, you might even find yourself in a line of avid chocolate lovers who, like you, are trying to be the first ones in the door!

After you get that sugar spike, spend the morning exploring the city! I love art, so I would head to Kress Emporium, which houses the work of many regional artists. The building in itself is also somewhat of an artistic piece, with neoclassical motifs. Then walk over to Asheville Gallery of Art. While Kress Emporium was built in 1928, Asheville Gallery of Art showcases work in a more contemporary space. If you’d like to spend your money on something other than art, go to Grover Arcade (P.S…you can also buy more art there…are you sensing an Asheville theme?) End your shopping morning at Woolworth Walk, where you can peruse even more art. On your way out, get lunch at The Soda Fountain, a quick and easy place to grab classic American fare within Woolworth Walk. It was originally established in 1938 and has since been restored, allowing patrons to take advantage of the fully functional Old Fashioned Soda Fountain! Take this food to go and have a picnic at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville.

Spend the afternoon at a really fun zip-lining place called Navitat, just 30 minutes outside the downtown area of Asheville. There are different tours that Navitat offers, but I would hands down suggest the Mountaintop Tour. The experience is about three hours, and starts with a van ride up the mountain (which is extremely bumpy, but quick!) with your guides and whoever has also reserved a zip-lining spot (up to nine people). The tour features three huge zips and four scenic trails, where you glide from mountaintop to mountaintop up to 65 mph. At one point, I was able to look to one side and see the Blue Ridge Mountains, and then I looked over my other shoulder and saw the Great Smoky Mountains. Navitat offers side-by-side zipping, so CJ and I were able to do it at the same time! Also, don’t worry about trying to capture the moment. Your guides take photos of everyone throughout the tour, and you have an opportunity to purchase these pictures at the end of your experience. There is also an option to rent a GoPro, but I personally think it is a bit of a waste. Someone in our tour rented one and the majority of the footage he got was of the forest floor, as he kept looking down and forgot it was on his helmet! Speaking of, you are fitted with a helmet for safety. If you are a bit of a germophobe (like me), I would suggest popping on a cheap plastic hairnet underneath the helmet for maximum germ protection!

To end your first day, make a reservation at Chestnut. This restaurant has an ever-changing menu, but at the time I fully enjoyed my truffle fries with a petite filet, and CJ had a delicious rabbit dish. You have the option to eat at the restaurant or take it to go and have a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are a number of overlooks on this parkway that offer you breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, such as Walnut Cove Overlook, Chestnut Cove Overlook, Bad Fork Valley Overlook, and Stony Bald Overlook. If any of these are too packed with people, just follow the parkway until you hit an empty overlook!

Spend your second day at one of the biggest draws of Asheville: The Biltmore. George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville in 1888, and quickly began work on a 250-room French Renaissance style chateau, which we now know as Biltmore House. In 1895 the house was opened to family and friends, and in 1930 Biltmore House was opened to the public. The estate has a rich history, and has since expanded to include accommodations, a winery, and outdoor activities.

I would start your day off with falconry! You meet your guides at The Inn on Biltmore Estate and from there, you meet some hawks and maybe even an owl. You are able to fly the birds a couple of times, and it is a wonderful activity. Note I am spoiled from my time at the Ireland’s School of Falconry, where you can take private tours and the bird you are given spends a significant amount of time with you. At the Biltmore, you are in a group setting with other participants, and you have a limited time actually holding and interacting with your bird.

Then take a tour of Biltmore House. While it is quite crowded around the holiday season, it is very magical, as the house is fitted with all the Christmas decorations anyone could ever imagine. There are Christmas trees in every room, and a large recreation of the House made of gingerbread! After your tour, enjoy lunch at Stable Café, which offers Appalachian comfort food. As we like to go in the fall/winter time, I had a delicious meatloaf and pecan pie.

Spend the afternoon flitting around the Biltmore shops and perhaps sign up for another outdoor activity! We had a basic sporting clays lesson, which was a lot of fun, but there is also archery, horseback riding, fishing, biking, meditations, and more. Along with the myriad of activity options, there are a plethora of dinner options as well. Check the Biltmore website to see which menu suits you best. We hope you have a lovely time in Asheville!

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