Josie’s guidebook
Essentials
Ingles Markets Inc
7 New Leicester HwyThis is the closest grocery store to the cabin.
Dollar General
3161 New Leicester HwyPick up any simple items you left at home or forgot to get at the grocery store.
Sightseeing
Taking a tour of the Biltmore Estate is one of the most popular things to do in Asheville. You can easily spend a day at Biltmore touring the house and wine tasting. Grab a bite to eat, walk the gardens, and hike one of their 22-miles worth of trails.
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge StTaking a tour of the Biltmore Estate is one of the most popular things to do in Asheville. You can easily spend a day at Biltmore touring the house and wine tasting. Grab a bite to eat, walk the gardens, and hike one of their 22-miles worth of trails.
Hands-down, driving and/or hiking the trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best things to do when visiting our area. It runs from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Explore waterfalls, hikes, and scenic overlooks.
757 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayHands-down, driving and/or hiking the trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best things to do when visiting our area. It runs from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Explore waterfalls, hikes, and scenic overlooks.
Looking for things to do in Asheville where you can meet the furry locals in a safe environment? Head to the WNC Nature Center, home to black bears, owls, red wolves, otters, and red pandas. They have snakes, turtles, hawks, goats, and donkeys, too.
295 locals recommend
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdLooking for things to do in Asheville where you can meet the furry locals in a safe environment? Head to the WNC Nature Center, home to black bears, owls, red wolves, otters, and red pandas. They have snakes, turtles, hawks, goats, and donkeys, too.
See stunning views of the mountains from the Grove Park Inn. Don't miss the National Gingerbread House competition showing during the winter holidays.
573 locals recommend
The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveSee stunning views of the mountains from the Grove Park Inn. Don't miss the National Gingerbread House competition showing during the winter holidays.
River Arts District
3 River Arts PlHiking/outdoor adventures
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
3641 Blue Ridge PkwyOne of our favorite hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The NC Arboretum offers gorgeous nature, hiking, biking trails, educational programs, exhibits, and events. Depending on the time of year, you won’t want to miss the beautiful gardens or the Winter Lights Festival. In past springs and summers, The NC Arboretum has filled the gardens with nature-themed LEGO installations and art sculptures. Of course, you can see Bonsais, butterflies, and their famous Quilt Garden. Check out their website to see what's happening here during your visit.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayThe NC Arboretum offers gorgeous nature, hiking, biking trails, educational programs, exhibits, and events. Depending on the time of year, you won’t want to miss the beautiful gardens or the Winter Lights Festival. In past springs and summers, The NC Arboretum has filled the gardens with nature-themed LEGO installations and art sculptures. Of course, you can see Bonsais, butterflies, and their famous Quilt Garden. Check out their website to see what's happening here during your visit.
One of the most talked-about things to do in Asheville includes walking across Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge — if you dare. Don’t miss the animal habitats, either. Grandfather Mountain is filled with biodiversity which you can experience through their hiking trails. The mountain peaks at 5,946 feet above WNC.
716 locals recommend
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock HwyOne of the most talked-about things to do in Asheville includes walking across Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge — if you dare. Don’t miss the animal habitats, either. Grandfather Mountain is filled with biodiversity which you can experience through their hiking trails. The mountain peaks at 5,946 feet above WNC.
Climb the 70-foot Fryingpan Mountain Tower to catch the best views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Pisgah, Cold Mountain, and Looking Glass Rock – just to name a few Blue Ridge Paarkway icons.
37 locals recommend
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
Climb the 70-foot Fryingpan Mountain Tower to catch the best views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Pisgah, Cold Mountain, and Looking Glass Rock – just to name a few Blue Ridge Paarkway icons.
Don’t miss stunning 360-degree views along the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mount Pisgah Trail. Encounter gorgeous blooms and catch an introduction to Western North Carolina’s mountain ranges with this Mt. Pisgah hike.
9 locals recommend
Mount Pisgah Trail
Mount Pisgah TrailDon’t miss stunning 360-degree views along the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mount Pisgah Trail. Encounter gorgeous blooms and catch an introduction to Western North Carolina’s mountain ranges with this Mt. Pisgah hike.
One of Asheville’s favorite hikes, with something for everyone:
waterfalls, rhododendron, fall color, summer blueberry picking and high-elevation meadows and forests.
176 locals recommend
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Blue Ridge ParkwayOne of Asheville’s favorite hikes, with something for everyone:
waterfalls, rhododendron, fall color, summer blueberry picking and high-elevation meadows and forests.
Dupont State Forest is the best place to discover why Brevard and Transylvania County is called “The Land of the Waterfalls.” Get a sampler of some of the area’s wonderful waterfalls with a (mostly) easy hike to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Did you know that these waterfalls appear in the Hunger Games movies?
48 locals recommend
Hooker Falls
Dupont State Forest is the best place to discover why Brevard and Transylvania County is called “The Land of the Waterfalls.” Get a sampler of some of the area’s wonderful waterfalls with a (mostly) easy hike to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Did you know that these waterfalls appear in the Hunger Games movies?
Located within the UNC-Asheville campus of North Asheville, one of our favorite Asheville things to do is hang out at the Botanical Gardens. Plus, it’s free! With 10-acres of streams, nature trails, bridges, and spots perfect for picnicking, this lesser-known gem is also a refuge for endangered wildflowers.
194 locals recommend
Botanical Gardens at Asheville
151 W T. Weaver BoulevardLocated within the UNC-Asheville campus of North Asheville, one of our favorite Asheville things to do is hang out at the Botanical Gardens. Plus, it’s free! With 10-acres of streams, nature trails, bridges, and spots perfect for picnicking, this lesser-known gem is also a refuge for endangered wildflowers.
Breweries
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGreen Man Brewery
27 Buxton AveAsheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe AveHi-Wire Brewing - South Slope
197 Hilliard AvenueSierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayNew Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StWicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveFood scene
Great restaurant to bring the family to. This location includes a movie theater and a game room.
243 locals recommend
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
675 Merrimon AveGreat restaurant to bring the family to. This location includes a movie theater and a game room.
Another Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co location. This one is also great because of the large outdoor space.
77 Coxe Ave
77 Coxe AvenueAnother Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co location. This one is also great because of the large outdoor space.
Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.
81 locals recommend
Mellow Mushroom
50 Broadway StFunky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.
Chocolate that is sustainably sourced and handmade in Asheville.
363 locals recommend
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareChocolate that is sustainably sourced and handmade in Asheville.
One of Asheville's most well known restaurants (multiple locations). Multiple US Presidents agree.
330 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StOne of Asheville's most well known restaurants (multiple locations). Multiple US Presidents agree.
Colorful outpost of a taqueria mini-chain known for its eclectic, ever-changing combinations.
65 locals recommend
White Duck Taco Shop Downtown
12 Biltmore AveColorful outpost of a taqueria mini-chain known for its eclectic, ever-changing combinations.
Laid-back vibes, bountiful portions, and zesty, veggie-forward dishes define the Caribbean-inspired Nine Mile, named after the place in Jamaica where Bob Marley was born.
589 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveLaid-back vibes, bountiful portions, and zesty, veggie-forward dishes define the Caribbean-inspired Nine Mile, named after the place in Jamaica where Bob Marley was born.
At its three Asheville locations (and one in Greenville, S.C.), this breakfast and lunch spot invites diners to “put some South in your mouth” with its huge, fluffy biscuits. Choose from the selection of house-made jams or gravies ranging from classic red-eye to vegan sweet potato-coconut, or pile the biscuits high with toppings like eggs, country ham, fried chicken, pulled pork, jalapeno pimento cheese, Sriracha slaw, and fried green tomatoes. Biscuits are available vegan and gluten-free as well.
472 locals recommend
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdAt its three Asheville locations (and one in Greenville, S.C.), this breakfast and lunch spot invites diners to “put some South in your mouth” with its huge, fluffy biscuits. Choose from the selection of house-made jams or gravies ranging from classic red-eye to vegan sweet potato-coconut, or pile the biscuits high with toppings like eggs, country ham, fried chicken, pulled pork, jalapeno pimento cheese, Sriracha slaw, and fried green tomatoes. Biscuits are available vegan and gluten-free as well.
Feast on some “Tennessee style” hot chicken and southern soul food. They prepare their unique fried chicken to order, so it’s not spicy unless you want it that way! Ingredients are sourced locally and classic American recipes are made from scratch daily.
137 locals recommend
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton AvenueFeast on some “Tennessee style” hot chicken and southern soul food. They prepare their unique fried chicken to order, so it’s not spicy unless you want it that way! Ingredients are sourced locally and classic American recipes are made from scratch daily.
Rustic-chic counter spot for upscale burgers made with grass-fed beef, plus shakes, beer & wine.
151 locals recommend
Farm Burger Asheville
10 Patton AveRustic-chic counter spot for upscale burgers made with grass-fed beef, plus shakes, beer & wine.
Experiences
A little foodie shopping trip is perfect to try the area’s cuisine and meet a city in a brand new way. Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market is the largest.
85 locals recommend
WNC Farmers Market
570 Brevard RdA little foodie shopping trip is perfect to try the area’s cuisine and meet a city in a brand new way. Western North Carolina Farmer’s Market is the largest.
This Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays in downtown AVL between Woodfin Street and East Walnut St. at 52 North Market Street.
13 locals recommend
Asheville City Market
52 North Market StreetThis Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays in downtown AVL between Woodfin Street and East Walnut St. at 52 North Market Street.
The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore AveCatch a concert at The Orange Peel.
Asheville Music Hall
31 Patton AveAsheville Detours
85 W Walnut StWatch a local baseball game at the Asheville Tourist's field.
Take a day trip to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Amusement Park, in Tennessee.
274 locals recommend
Dollywood Parks Boulevard
Dollywood Parks BoulevardTake a day trip to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Amusement Park, in Tennessee.
Smoky Mountain River Rat Whitewater
3630 Hartford RdTake a day trip to go whitewater rafting.