A Weekend in Asheville

This time last year, we made our way to Asheville to celebrate my growing family, but we also used it as a reason to explore a part of NC state we had yet to know!  So we loaded up the car and got ready for a quick long weekend - one that we've discussed many a time to recreate. And as a part of any roadtrip, we geared up with all the essentials we need to travel the long road ahead!  
 
For starters, this is a great trip from any part of country as the terrain is beautiful to see. But we were coming from the state of Florida, full on in summer mode and flat lands galore, so to be welcomed to crisp mountain air only a short (8 hour) drive away was amazing!   

But what all did this place have in store for us? ​Honestly, something for everyone!  

Love the great outdoors?  That's what it's known for - I mean, the changing colors made us fall in love (pun totally intended). 

Do you travel for food & drink?  They've got a great culinary scene - with plenty of wineries &  breweries for the picking!

Looking for arts & culture?  The city of Asheville is an eclectic city, packed with original art & music and unique design! 

Want to get wrapped up in experiences?  We found a little bit of everything to make this trip perfectly ours. 

Ready for more - read on to find our suggestions for what there is to do and see in this charming city nestled in the hills of western North Carolina!

What To Do?

Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway - Right in North Carolina, you will find some of the most stunning drives in the country wrapped through peaks and valleys.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is  a slice of the Appalachian Mountains but it feels like you're so much further away from the south. The Parkway itself starts a little ways down in Cherokee, NC, wrapped by the Great Smoky Mountains and winds all the way up to Afton, Virginia - right outside of Shenandoah National Park! And from there you don't have to stop - you can continue on to Skyline Drive to go even further north!

​We opted to wake up early and hit the road so we could catch the sun rising over the peaks. Sunrise somehow always ends up being a trip activity of ours, whether we intend it to or not, and thankfully because we have caught some spectacular showcase of colors!  We drove about 20 minutes from our the entrance to Craggy Gardens to watch the sky light up as we greeted a new day.  It is about 12 miles from the Folk Art Center, and the Blue Ridgeway Parkway Visitor Center, which welcomes you from Asheville onto the parkway. The visitor center provides you with a ranger to meet, more information to gather, and for our kids, an opportunity to get one more Junior Ranger badge to add to their travels.  

After sunrise, we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway for another hour, just taking in the scenery, and stopping off where we could to take a hike or two.  Though the conditions of our morning didn't make it all that possible, as we had lots of clouds, dew and adverse conditions that made us worry about getting too far into hikes with little ones.   But it is on our short list to come back to finish our trails and continue onward to Virginia - and so on!  

Eat and Drink through Asheville - ​Food, breweries and wine galore!

Who doesn't love going somewhere and finding something great to eat!  It's even better when there are more choices than you can handle! 

Burntshirt Vineyard is in Hendersonville, a short drive south of Asheville but with some great mountain vibes.  Situated on a quiet country road, the tasting room faces the vineyards and the grounds are as charming as you'd expect.  You can dive into a wine tasting experience, order by the bottle or glass, and enjoy food right on site!  

We were told about two well-known establishments to eat at while there - and we made sure we tried both!  We hopped over to Biscuit Head for breakfast one morning at their West Asheville location (there are also locations by the Biltmore and Hendersonville, and a location in Greenville as well).  It's known for what its name says - biscuits!  From biscuit sandwiches to biscuit donuts - but if you prefer the regular variety, the jam is also where it's at!  This breakfast was phenomenal - only complimented by the Maple Bacon Latte (it IS as delicious as it sounds)!

Our other eat was to Tupelo Honey where we chose a brunch time stop as well.  They're in quite a few states, but none near us in FL, so we knew we needed to stop.  Plus, this was able to take us into downtown Asheville where we had yet to explore and enjoy the experience surrounding it.  The cafe was eclectic and definitely reflected the vibe of the city, adding to the charm of this whole area.  We opted to try the Southern Shakshuka with a fully loaded Bloody Mary on the side. And if this sounds great to you, you're in luck - they serve brunch all day!

Last but not least, BREWERIES!  This is what they're all about and much of the appeal of visiting.  Everything from local favorites to brands you make recognize at home, you can find it here.   We went out our first night to experience the South Slope district and visit a few breweries true to the Asheville scene - Green Man Brewery and Catawba Brewing. But they are only two of the many that call this city home!  A little further out is New Belgium Brewing, best known for its Fat Tire brand. Visiting was a great change of pace as it was outside city limits and had grounds to run around (especially with little ones along). But if you're looking to relax with an opportunity to let the kids frolick, we hear that Sierra Nevada in Mills River (just outside of Asheville) is one of the best at providing a family friendly experience and atmosphere with amazing views. 

Apple picking is in season - It wouldn't be fall without pumpkins, apples, cider and doing all the great things that come with it!  We made sure that our plans included apple picking, a rarity for these Floridians, and the weather couldn't have made it more perfect. It was brisk and overcast, creating the perfect mix of that fall feel.  

We enjoyed our time at Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard, where they offered U-Pick apples by the basket -only fill up what you plan to take!  We ended up picking a whole basketful and taking home more apples than we could eat.  Needless to say, there were a lot of apple delicacies made back home - in combination with the goodies we purchased. on site their Farm Market. 

See Asheville  -  ​We had a jam packed weekend so didn't get to do EVERYTHING we wanted to - more breweries, more arts, more mountain hikes ... visit the Biltmore!  And that's all on  in addition to time relaxing and just taking in the wilderness! 

But we did find time to squeeze in time in Downtown Asheville and get a feel for the city that so many call home.  We explored during a quiet weekday morning where we got a good sense of what all it has in store - a mix of old world charm meets modern expression - and we can only imagine the energy this city exudes with street musicians, culinary tours, the arts and so much more!  

• Did you know that this is home of the Hunger Games?
• Spend a day at the Biltmore - the luxurious home of the Vanderbilts and the largest in the US!
• Not too far is Chimney Rock, a perfect place for a family hike!
• Asheville holds its on as one of the greatest music cities!
• There's so many great tours in and around Asheville to truly allow you to discover this area!

There's so much more here than we were given the time to see, so we leave you with this - plan wisely and make sure you spend enough time there to truly explore Asheville! 

Where to stay? 

The appeal of this destination is staying in a cabin, lighting a fire, and enjoying the surrounding wilderness.  What a dream!  If it's yours, BOOK AHEAD!  There is no time like the present to plan a few months (to a year) out as it does book up FAST!  

We opted to stay at a hotel - only because we were limited in how much time we'd be here, and more time would be spent out rather than in.  So we needed to stay in a place central to the Asheville and surrounding area, since we had a lot of commuting to do.  We chose the Holiday Inn East Asheville, right off Tunnel Road. And if you have an itinerary packed with things to do, this hotel is a great stay!  The Holiday Inn has really updated their brand  and we are pleased with all they have to offer, especially when traveling with kids and looking for conveniences.  This hotel is near the highway to take you into the city or the roads to lead you to the Blue Ridge - so even if Asheville is just a stop for you on a bigger journey, this place is the perfect gateway for a comfortable stay.

If you're looking for a destination that can provide you a true appreciation for the beauty of nature, as well as get you a chance to dine and drink new flavors, and allow you to appreciate art of all kind  - well, then Asheville is calling! 

So when are you going to go?