Asheville, North Carolina is the perfect mountain town. There is so much charm and plenty of corners to explore. It is known for it’s vibrant culture, unique breweries and highland views. Having a boyfriend in Asheville has allowed me to see all parts of the town and put together a list of things to do.
To Do’s
The list of things to do in Asheville is endless. If this is your first time going to Asheville, the top two things you must see are the Biltmore and Sierra Nevada. Both attractions are Asheville staples.
The Biltmore is a universal attraction in North Carolina and does not disappoint (especially at Christmas time). Known as America’s Largest Home, the Biltmore is an 800 acre estate packed with trails, restaurants and a winery! If you are interested in exploring the outdoors, there are a few guided hiking train with varying degrees of difficulty. For a more relaxed version of the outdoors, I highly recommend wandering the gardens. The garden terrain is massive and absolutely stunning.
The winery is definitely my favorite aspect of the Biltmore. A complimentary wine tasting is included in your admission ticket. Although there is usually a line, I wouldn’t skip it! The actual winery is located in Antler Hills. This is a cute village square that connects you directly to the winery. While I have not had the chance to check out all aspects of the estate, I would suggest checking out this link to explore.
Onto my favorite, Sierra Nevada Brewing. Please don’t be discouraged by the drive to get there. Although it is about 25 minutes outside of Asheville, it is worth it. Sierra Nevada reminds me more of an estate than a brewery. Not only is the building beautiful but they also have an awesome outdoor seating area and garden. I have always said that the beer is good but the food is even better. You do not want to miss out on eating a meal here. My all time favorite dishes are the duck fat fries (sounds weird but trust me) and the Joyce Farms chicken wings.
The Outdoors
Hawksbill Rock on the Snowball Trail is a 2.8 mile hike with the most rewarding view. Although this is ranked at a moderate level online, I would put this more toward the difficult category. You need sturdy shoes and will have to climb a little bit to get to the top! A little bit of huffing and puffing was still 100% worth it. Craggy Gardens is actually in the surrounding area of the Snowball Trail. There are tons of easy to moderate trails at Craggy Gardens with great views and places to picnic.
Frying Pan Mountain Lookout is a quick 1.5 mile hike with stunning panoramic views! Do not go if you have a fear of heights. The tower is a little shaky on the way up but the view is worth it.
The Brews
Drinking beer might be the #1 thing to do in Asheville. I have a list of the breweries I love the most but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of how many breweries Asheville has to offer. If you are a first time visitor, the South Slope Brewery District of Asheville is the place to be. You can bounce from brewery to brewery in the span of a few hours. This district is home to the Funkatorium, Catawba, Green Man Brewing, Burial, Ben’s Tune Up and many others. I have highlighted a few of my favorite below.
Wicked Weed and the Funkatorium – If you have heard of Asheville, you’ve heard of Wicked Weed. Both locations are must-see spots. I enjoy the vibe of the Funkatorium a little more. The Funk is known for flavorful sour beers and delicious food. Although I am not a huge fan of sour beers, they have plenty of other beers/ciders/roses on draft.
Bhramari – Great, unique beer and delicious food. Highly recommend their brunch.
Highland Brewing – This brewery is located on top of a hill about 10 minutes from downtown. Their beer is great, they have spacious outdoor seat and always have a food truck!
The Foods
Take a look at this post for food recommendation!