Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
A Cosmpolitan Mountain Jewel
By: Jennifer Bardoner
DRIVE TIME: 3 hours, 40 minutes from downtown Chattanooga
GREAT FOR: Couples › Culture › Shopping › Outdoors
BEST IF YOU HAVE: 2-3 days
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Asheville offers compelling reasons to visit year-round, from its renowned dining scene to its scenic surroundings. Whether you want to eat, shop, relax, hit the town or hide in the mountains, head here.
> WHAT TO DO:
Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge Street
800-411-3812
America’s largest home definitely doesn’t skimp on stateliness. From the large heated pool and one of the nation’s first private bowling alleys in the basement, to the ornately decorated bedrooms that have welcomed the likes of Edith Wharton and Theodore Roosevelt, to the expansive grounds designed by Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the Châteauesque estate is still as impressive today as it was 100 years ago. There are several tour options: You can explore the house with an audio guide at your own pace (included with admission), get exclusive access to the roof or unrestored rooms with a personal guide, or cavort across the 8,000 acres via a river or Segway tour, a few of the many options available. Additionally, Antler Hill Village, located on the grounds, offers special wine tastings and packages featuring the estate’s label.
» Each summer, the Biltmore Concert Series brings in world-renowned talent for intimate concerts on the grounds.
Moog Factory Tour
160 Broadway Street
828-239-0123
Called a “highlight” and a “must for music-lovers” in a slew of 5-star reviews, the free, hourlong tour takes visitors behind the scenes to learn how the legendary synthesizers are hand-built and used in a variety of applications. The employee-owned operation carries on the legacy of Dr. Robert Moog, who collaborated with over 100 artists and composers to develop the Moog synthesizer in the 1960s. Tours are offered Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. by appointment only. Call to schedule.
» There is a tour in Asheville for every interest: food, art, breweries, history, farms, ghosts, foraging. A good place to start is exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/tours
Called “Tennessee’s Biltmore” by PBS, Falcon Rest is a Victorian mansion built in 1896. Daily tours and tearoom lunches are offered at this historic house, which also serves as a bed-and-breakfast. Guests can enjoy history-related entertainment, a nice meal and the beautiful Victorian decor of the house and garden.
Home to the studios of more than 200 artists, it goes without saying that you’ll be able to find something unique here. Most of the work spaces are open daily and offer demos and the chance to speak with the artists, who represent everything from painting and pottery to jewelry and glass. Don’t just bring your wallet, though; the area is a canvas of public murals and art installations that will have you reaching for your camera over and over again.
» The monthly Second Saturday open houses feature extended hours, special events and free trolleys to connect visitors to all the artists and goings-on.
> COMING UP:
Dedicated to American art of the 20th and 21st centuries, the 70-plus-year-old museum is getting a brand-new building in Pack Square at the center of town. Set to open this summer, the first exhibit will feature the work of 50 regional artists — a focus for the artist-founded facility — in “Appalachia Now! An Interdisciplinary Survey of Contemporary Art in Southern Appalachia.”
> FREE MUSIC:
Glassworks Concert Series combines glassblowing, craft beer and bluegrass on the first Friday of the month April-December from 5-8 p.m. at Lexington Glassworks.
Concerts in the Park offers the chance to sprawl out a blanket for free tunes from 5-7 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month May-September at Biltmore Park Town Square.
Downtown After 5 draws locals to North Lexington Avenue the third Friday of the month May-September for an opening act around 5 p.m. and headliners starting at 7 p.m.
Ooh La La Curiosity Market takes over Pritchard Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on select Saturdays May-September to showcase the work of more than a dozen local artists along with live local music.
Shindig on the Green brings the sounds and sights of Southern Appalachia to Pack Square Park with free concerts, impromptu jam sessions, dance troupes and storytellers on Saturdays July-August from 7-10 p.m. The series takes a break for the ticketed Mountain Dance and Folk Fest, which is Aug. 1-3 this year.
> THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers plenty of inspiration — and activities — for those looking to get closer to nature. Take advantage of the easy access to Pisgah National Forest, which the National Park Service describes as “a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and heavily forested slopes.” Stretching over 500,000 acres, the forest includes more than 1,600 miles of trails and 245 miles of bike trails, overnight facilities for horseback riders, guided climbs, and plenty of opportunities to hone your skills at fishing and hunting or just while away a weekend far from the stress of the office.
Pisgah is also home to the Cradle of Forestry in America, site of the first school of forestry in the U.S. The historic site features paved interpretive trails, interactive exhibits, film, music, drama, guided tours and an Adventure Zone offering hands-on activities for children and adults with autism.
> DON'T MISS:
Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide in nearby Nantahala National Forest is a popular summer destination that dumps visitors in an 8-foot-deep pool for a cool-off. The park also offers access to whitewater rafting.
The Montford Rooftop Bar is a hidden gem offering artful cocktails amid the stunning backdrop of the city skyline framed by the Appalachian Mountains. Head here before sunset for a dazzling day-ending display, but allow for long wait times.
> WHERE TO EAT:
COST KEY:
$: Under $10
$$: $11-$30
$$$: $31-$60
$$$$: $61+
Abeja’s House Cafe
1550 Hendersonville Road #116
828-505-3696
Cost: $
“The best of both worlds” doesn’t just pertain to this highly rated spot’s focus on brunch, but also to its flavorful menu, which includes ethnic and American inspired eats. Billing itself as “healthy eating with Latin roots,” the restaurant’s unassuming atmosphere belies the artful presentation of everything from burgers to breakfast burritos to the vegan bowl to the bourbon salmon, made with local organic eggs and hormone- and antibiotic-free fare.
Curate
13 Biltmore Avenue
828-239-2946
Cost: $$$
Corners of the world converge in this elegant yet simple space — and so do crowds of diners. Make a reservation for the chance to soak up some Spanish flair. The menu offers a crowd-pleasing selection of Spanish style tapas (small plates) hailed as some of the best this side of the Atlantic. The atmosphere matches, with a rustic elegance at once reminiscent of a Spanish butcher shop and a modern European bar.
Plant
165 Merrimon Ave.
828-258-7500
Cost: $$
Offering upscale vegan food (yes, that does exist — in Asheville), this place is a must for those looking to eat healthy or just try something new. Whether you’re vegan or not, you will not be disappointed. Zagat calls it “one of the best vegan restaurants in the country.” On-site parking and a full bar enhance this small, dinner-only spot’s popularity. Call ahead for reservations.
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton Ave.|
3749 Sweeten Creek Road
828-575-2260 |
828-676-3222
Cost: $$
Serving simple Southern food, Rocky’s is renowned for its quintessential sides almost as much as its hot chicken. While the food may be straightforward, the recipes are touted as “the best” by countless reviewers. Be sure to check out the daily specials. With flavors that can get pretty spicy, depending on the diner’s preference, there’s an ample selection of beer and wine available. The counter service moves pretty quickly, but you can call ahead and pick up, or have it delivered.
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