Traci’s guidebook
SAVORY AND SWEET
This is a long list, but there are so many good choices!
A husband and wife team at the helm who are doing it right! Warm and inviting! The best Aperol spritz in town.
62 locals recommend
Vivian
348 Depot StA husband and wife team at the helm who are doing it right! Warm and inviting! The best Aperol spritz in town.
Great Northern Italian. Incredible menu options and a warm and inviting dining room.
85 locals recommend
Cucina24
24 Wall StGreat Northern Italian. Incredible menu options and a warm and inviting dining room.
A beautiful spot for watching the buskers when the weather is right. A great place to sip a chilled rose.
116 locals recommend
Rhubarb
7 N Pack SquareA beautiful spot for watching the buskers when the weather is right. A great place to sip a chilled rose.
A beautiful courtyard for sipping wine while nibbling on truffle fries. A great little spot to land after a day at the Biltmore house.
23 locals recommend
Fig
18 Brook StA beautiful courtyard for sipping wine while nibbling on truffle fries. A great little spot to land after a day at the Biltmore house.
I love Limones! Impeccable service, wonderful owners and the best Mexican fusion food in Asheville. They also make a mean margarita!
279 locals recommend
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StI love Limones! Impeccable service, wonderful owners and the best Mexican fusion food in Asheville. They also make a mean margarita!
The Bull and Beggar is a special place. Amazing cuisine, farm to table at its best. Wonderful cocktails, friendly staff.
159 locals recommend
The Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayThe Bull and Beggar is a special place. Amazing cuisine, farm to table at its best. Wonderful cocktails, friendly staff.
Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro
125 S Lexington AveDon't miss burger and beer Mondays!
The best vegetarian in town. Laughing seed has stood the test of time in our beloved city!
161 locals recommend
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StThe best vegetarian in town. Laughing seed has stood the test of time in our beloved city!
Karen Donatelli Bakery & Café
1000 Hendersonville RoadYou will feel like you are in Paris!!
OWL Bakery
295 Haywood RdThese folks are hitting it out of the park!
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood RdDonut envy...
DRINKS AND NIGHTLIFE
I am too old to go clubbing but these are a list of some sophisticated spots for socializing and imbibing.
This place is so cool. The wine list is impressive and the atmosphere is elegant, not to mention dog friendly!
191 locals recommend
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveThis place is so cool. The wine list is impressive and the atmosphere is elegant, not to mention dog friendly!
A locals favorite. Small and intimate with live music and a great wine selection.
176 locals recommend
5 Walnut Wine Bar
5 W Walnut StA locals favorite. Small and intimate with live music and a great wine selection.
When the weather is warm, get yourself to this sublime spot. Sit and sip wine by the river as you watch tubers float down the French Broad river.
95 locals recommend
Smoky Park Supper Club
350 Riverside DrWhen the weather is warm, get yourself to this sublime spot. Sit and sip wine by the river as you watch tubers float down the French Broad river.
The Montford Rooftop Bar
199 Haywood StThe view is simply breathtaking.
BEER
This is Asheville....of course I had to provide this list.
Wicked good beer. These people are talented and making a big name for themselves.
331 locals recommend
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveWicked good beer. These people are talented and making a big name for themselves.
Yes, it's a crazy mob scene but the beer is just that good.
478 locals recommend
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveYes, it's a crazy mob scene but the beer is just that good.
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveThe baby sister of wicked weed. Try the sours, they are amazing!
An Asheville locals favorite and this judges favorite by far. A great place to relax on a summer day. Eat peanuts and enjoy a game of corn hole.
285 locals recommend
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayAn Asheville locals favorite and this judges favorite by far. A great place to relax on a summer day. Eat peanuts and enjoy a game of corn hole.
Hi-Wire Brewing - South Slope
197 Hilliard AvenueGreat people watching, great beer!
A recent newcomer on the Asheville scene but a quality contender. It feels very much like "old Asheville."
113 locals recommend
Zillicoah Beer Co.
870 Riverside DrA recent newcomer on the Asheville scene but a quality contender. It feels very much like "old Asheville."
The place is huge and the facility is beautiful. Worth a visit.
450 locals recommend
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StThe place is huge and the facility is beautiful. Worth a visit.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Asheville has some funky and eclectic shops. I am sure you will find something you love to take home with you.
This is the best gift shop in Asheville. Say hello to Katie for me!
38 locals recommend
L.O.F.T. of Asheville
53 Broadway StThis is the best gift shop in Asheville. Say hello to Katie for me!
This store is so funky. There is also tons of information about their products and gifts. Lots of local artisans.
7 locals recommend
Ten Thousand Villages
10 College StThis store is so funky. There is also tons of information about their products and gifts. Lots of local artisans.
This fun, bohemian, jewelry filled store will boggle your mind. It is filled to the brim with fun stuff.
Street Fair
42 Battery Park AveThis fun, bohemian, jewelry filled store will boggle your mind. It is filled to the brim with fun stuff.
Asheville Bee Charmer
32 Broadway StEverything honey and beyond. They also give out samples!
Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StLocal owner, local books, local coffee!
East Fork
15 W Walnut StBeautiful pottery from the great grandson of Matisse.
I love this "homesteading store" in West Asheville. I want to buy everything.
12 locals recommend
Villagers
7 South Main StreetI love this "homesteading store" in West Asheville. I want to buy everything.
From Afar
35 Haywood StBeautiful clothing, yummy soaps, gorgeous textiles.
This is such a unique space, and there is an awesome bookstore-Common ground, attached.
71 locals recommend
Screen Door Asheville
115 Fairview RdThis is such a unique space, and there is an awesome bookstore-Common ground, attached.
Mtn Merch
22 Lodge StAll things local and Asheville based.
Local crafts and essentials for the yard, all in a beautiful space.
34 locals recommend
New Morning Gallery
7 Boston WayLocal crafts and essentials for the yard, all in a beautiful space.
SIGHTSEE
Great places to visit and beautiful photo ops!
Biltmore
1 Lodge StNo Asheville list would be complete without this gem.
The Jackson Building
22 S Pack SquareSources say it's haunted...I believe it.
Another stunning example of architecture brought to you by Rafael Guastavino.
53 locals recommend
Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
97 Haywood StAnother stunning example of architecture brought to you by Rafael Guastavino.
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
52 N Market StThe home of Asheville's native son.
Grove Arcade
1 Page AveOne of the best places in town to grab a drink and people watch.
If you are headed for a drive on the parkway, if nothing else just stop here for a drink or dessert-the view is to die for.
123 locals recommend
Pisgah Inn
408 Blue Ridge PkwyIf you are headed for a drive on the parkway, if nothing else just stop here for a drink or dessert-the view is to die for.
Looking Glass Creamery
59 Noble RdAmazing cheese and very friendly staff!
PARKS AND NATURE
When you just need to get out of the city!
Max Patch Loop Trailhead
One of the prettiest places on the planet!
Pink Beds Picnic Area
A great place for a picnic!
Not for the faint at heart, this water is freezing. Stand on the observation deck and watch the faces when they surface from the water.
384 locals recommend
Sliding Rock
Not for the faint at heart, this water is freezing. Stand on the observation deck and watch the faces when they surface from the water.
Looking Glass Falls
U.S. 276Right around the corner from Sliding rock!
Bull Gap Trailhead - Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
667 Ox Creek RdOne of my favorite hikes.
The is a great place to take a stroll and the flowers and exhibits are amazing.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayThe is a great place to take a stroll and the flowers and exhibits are amazing.
Support this wonderful facility. Caring and amazing staff. Check out the red pandas.
295 locals recommend
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdSupport this wonderful facility. Caring and amazing staff. Check out the red pandas.
PAMPER
After the hikes, the shopping and the breweries...
Make your toes happy with a signature blend for what ails you.
33 locals recommend
Wake Foot Sanctuary
1 Page AveMake your toes happy with a signature blend for what ails you.
The best facial in town. This is a serene space where you will be pampered from the moment you enter the door.
AVL Skincare
34 Wall StThe best facial in town. This is a serene space where you will be pampered from the moment you enter the door.
It feels miles away but it is really just a few minutes from downtown. Wonderful hot tubs and massage. Great for a small group.
71 locals recommend
Shoji Spa & Lodge
96 Avondale Heights RdIt feels miles away but it is really just a few minutes from downtown. Wonderful hot tubs and massage. Great for a small group.
Spa Theology
53 College Stcozy and intimate space to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
Asheville Yoga Center
211 S Liberty StA great place to enjoy your practice and calm your mind.
The spa here is top notch of course and if you purchase a treatment you get use of all the pools and other amenities.
37 locals recommend
Grove Park Inn at Sammons Building station
The spa here is top notch of course and if you purchase a treatment you get use of all the pools and other amenities.
A beautiful place to unwind and relax
16 locals recommend
The Salt Spa of Asheville and Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary
473 Hendersonville RdA beautiful place to unwind and relax
Take in a movie after a massage. The best place to view independent movies while sipping on a local craft beer.
113 locals recommend
Fine Arts Theater
36 Biltmore AveTake in a movie after a massage. The best place to view independent movies while sipping on a local craft beer.