Asheville Travel Guide

Happy Wednesday! We’ve made it halfway through the week already – only two more days until the weekend! I had such a fun girls getaway to Asheville, NC last weekend and it was hard to get back to reality this week (although I missed my sweet baby boy so much! I got in some extra snuggles Sunday afternoon once I got home!). We had such a fun time and Asheville is truly one of the most unique places I’ve visited. I’ve been to Asheville at least half a dozen times now and while there are a few places I visit every time I go, I love trying a new restaurant or brewery each visit as well.

I figured instead of my typical weekend recap, I’d create an Asheville travel guide in the event that anyone has plans to visit soon or is looking for a place to add to their travel list!

Places to Stay

Grove Park Inn – The Grove Park Inn is beautiful and the view is absolutely breathtaking. If you are getting away for a spa weekend or a romantic getaway, you should definitely stay here. It can get a little pricey, especially during busy weekends, but it’s totally worth it for an unforgettable experience. They also have a gingerbread house exhibit around Christmas and they are unbelievable! They are huge and so intricate – definitely worth checking out if you are visiting Asheville during the holidays!

Biltmore Inn – The Biltmore Inn is right on the property for The Biltmore Estate, so admission to the grounds is included in your stay. I’ve never been to the Inn, but have heard it’s beautiful and if you plan on spending most of your time at The Biltmore, this would be an ideal place to stay!

Airbnb– I’ve stayed in two different Airbnbs in Asheville and both were great for different reasons. One was a larger house up in the mountains (about a 2o minute drive into downtown Asheville) and the other was an amazing house less than 5 minutes away. The best part of an Airbnb is that your entire group can stay together and hangout in a big common area. There is also a kitchen so you can save money by cooking some of your meals at the house!

Hyatt Place Asheville – There are a handful of hotels right on the edge of downtown Asheville, and this one is within walking distance of all of the breweries and restaurants. We’ve stayed here once, but would definitely recommend it if you want to be able to walk downtown!

Things to Do

The Biltmore– Most people who visit Asheville are either heading to The Biltmore Estate for the day or hanging out in downtown Asheville. If you can fit both into your schedule, I definitely recommend checking out The Biltmore! It was built in 1895 and has 250 stunning rooms. You can tour the estate, view the sprawling gardens, eat at several restaurants, shop, visit a petting zoo, and so much more. The house is unbelievably beautiful and you can do a self guided or official tour.

 The Biltmore Winery – I feel like the Winery at The Biltmore needs it’s own section! It’s free once you pay to get on the grounds – you can take a tour of the winery, learn about the history and do a wine tasting where you can sample 6-7 of their wines. They have over 20 types of wine to choose from, and there’s an adorable shop with lots of wine accessories and all of their varieties right next to the tasting room.

Hiking – Asheville is in the mountains of North Carolina and there are several trails that are perfect for hiking. If you like to get outdoors and explore, you definitely need to check out the different trails – the views from the mountains are spectacular!

The Battery Park Book Exchange – One of my friends recommended this place on my first trip to Asheville and I have been back several times since. It’s an adorable book store that sells both new and used books – with lots of classics and signed editions. However, the best part…is the champagne bar! They serve champagne drinks all day and it’s just such a fun environment – you have to check it out if you are in Asheville!

Restaurants

Curate – This Spanish tapas restaurant is SO GOOD. I’ve been three times and each time I’ve left stuffed to the brim with delicious food. There are so many small plate options to choose from, and it’s fun to go with a group of friends and try a bunch of dishes that you wouldn’t normally order as an entire meal. This restaurant takes reservations, but they fill up quickly so reserve a table as soon as you can if you want to eat here.

Zambra– This is another tapas restaurant that is a must-try in Asheville. We actually ended up here one night because we couldn’t get reservations at Curate and I honestly think it’s just as good! I recommend checking out the menu and comparing it to Curate if you only have the chance to try one!

Cucina 24 – This Italian restaurant is tucked away on a little side street and I’d never noticed it until I was in Asheville for a friend’s bachelorette party a few years ago. We had our night out dinner here and it was SO GOOD. Everything they serve is so fresh and locally sourced.

Tupelo Honey– Tupelo Honey is a chain restaurant and is a must-try if you are looking for a good southern brunch. Their biscuits and fried chicken are just the perfect brunch option for your weekend getaway! The location in Asheville doesn’t take reservations and gets really crowded, so head there early or put your name on the wait list and then walk around to grab a coffee from a local shop.

HomeGrown – HomeGrown’s website states “We are a local eatery, serving local food, cooked by local people, and we love what we do!” If you’re looking for delicious southern food that’s fresh and local, you have to check out HomeGrown.

Breweries

Wicked Weed – Wicked Weed is probably one of (if not the) most popular brewery in Asheville. The main level is also a restaurant, and the bottom level has tables both inside and outside that you can grab as they come available. They always have amazing beers on rotation and while they don’t offer flights, they do have half pours if you are looking to try multiple options!

The Funkatorium – The Funkatorium is a satellite location of Wicked Weed that offers a collection of sour beers. I’m actually not a fan of sour beers, but some people love them and they are fun to try if you have never had one!

Twin Leaf Brewery – This is one of my favorite breweries. It has a super laid back vibe and there are lots of long picnic style tables with games you can play. They offer flights which is the perfect way to taste several of their beers. If you are looking to just hang out and chat with your party, this is the place to go!

I hope this guide was helpful! Obviously there are a TON more places to eat and things to do, but these are some of my favorites that I would recommend if you are heading to Asheville for the weekend!

xoxo,

Lauren