Asheville and Weaverville faves!
Outdoorsy stuff
This is our go-to, just over the Tennessee line (it’s about 30 minutes from the house). If you map to the park itself it will take you to the trailhead. The trail winds along a river almost the entire time, with lots of small waterfalls and opportunities to take a dip. Not usually busy!
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
501 Rocky Fork RoadThis is our go-to, just over the Tennessee line (it’s about 30 minutes from the house). If you map to the park itself it will take you to the trailhead. The trail winds along a river almost the entire time, with lots of small waterfalls and opportunities to take a dip. Not usually busy!
This is the closest trail to the house - if you GPS to the Bull Gap Trailhead, it’s about 15 minutes. Great views, and if you keep going you’ll run into some old homestead sites (Rattlesnake Lodge).
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rattlesnake Lodge
Blue Ridge ParkwayThis is the closest trail to the house - if you GPS to the Bull Gap Trailhead, it’s about 15 minutes. Great views, and if you keep going you’ll run into some old homestead sites (Rattlesnake Lodge).
The town of Hot Springs is about half an hour away. Call the “Hot Springs Resort and Spa” to see if they have any hot tubs available (you have to call, you can’t book online). These are totally private riverside hot tubs that are filled with mineral-rich water from the local hot springs. It’s not fancy, but it’s GREAT! If you want to do a hike beforehand, we recommend “Lover’s Leap.” The trailhead is right in downtown hot springs, so you can hike and then soak. *One note - Lover’s Leap has some high cliffs, and isn’t a great hike for small children.
182 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hot Springs Resort And Spa
315 Bridge StThe town of Hot Springs is about half an hour away. Call the “Hot Springs Resort and Spa” to see if they have any hot tubs available (you have to call, you can’t book online). These are totally private riverside hot tubs that are filled with mineral-rich water from the local hot springs. It’s not fancy, but it’s GREAT! If you want to do a hike beforehand, we recommend “Lover’s Leap.” The trailhead is right in downtown hot springs, so you can hike and then soak. *One note - Lover’s Leap has some high cliffs, and isn’t a great hike for small children.
Not too far from here on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views are INCREDIBLE, and you’re able to experience the “balds,” which are geographically unique to this region. It’s really special.
224 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyNot too far from here on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views are INCREDIBLE, and you’re able to experience the “balds,” which are geographically unique to this region. It’s really special.
360 degree mountain views without much hiking involved. If it’s a clear day, it’s absolutely worth the drive.
227 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Max Patch
Max Patch Road360 degree mountain views without much hiking involved. If it’s a clear day, it’s absolutely worth the drive.
If you want the most “bang for your buck” regarding waterfalls, this is the place. Three gorgeous (and huge) falls within a short hike of one another. The Hunger Games movies were filmed here, if you're into that!
624 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dupont State Forest
Staton Road If you want the most “bang for your buck” regarding waterfalls, this is the place. Three gorgeous (and huge) falls within a short hike of one another. The Hunger Games movies were filmed here, if you're into that!
Weaverville food/coffee/beer - All walkable!
A true Weaverville institution. Come early to get a table, and stay for the live music. Great pizza, good vibes.
213 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Mountain Pizza
55 N Main StA true Weaverville institution. Come early to get a table, and stay for the live music. Great pizza, good vibes.
This is the closest spot to the house. They have amazing coffee and great food (not just for breakfast, but lunch and sometimes dinner too). Think avocado toast and huevos rancheros. If you’re going later in the day (or early, who are we to judge?), they have local beer on tap. Also prosecco on tap!
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Yellow Mug Coffee Lounge
113 N Main StThis is the closest spot to the house. They have amazing coffee and great food (not just for breakfast, but lunch and sometimes dinner too). Think avocado toast and huevos rancheros. If you’re going later in the day (or early, who are we to judge?), they have local beer on tap. Also prosecco on tap!
A short walk down Main Street you’ll find the “Best Bakery in Western North Carolina since 2014.” It’s no joke. Amazing pastries and breakfast items. Don’t sleep on the Mountain Eclair!
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe in Downtown Weaverville
26 N Main StA short walk down Main Street you’ll find the “Best Bakery in Western North Carolina since 2014.” It’s no joke. Amazing pastries and breakfast items. Don’t sleep on the Mountain Eclair!
Great coffee shop with limited food (but they are very serious about the coffee!). Beautiful building (the old fire station!), with Grateful Dead playing much of the time.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Allgood Coffee
10 S Main StGreat coffee shop with limited food (but they are very serious about the coffee!). Beautiful building (the old fire station!), with Grateful Dead playing much of the time.
Listen - I am sometimes hesitant about “Asian Fusion” type places (it feels like they’re often trying to do too many things!), but this one is good. We typically order sushi. Good for takeout, with online ordering.
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Soba Sushi and Noodles
76 N Main StListen - I am sometimes hesitant about “Asian Fusion” type places (it feels like they’re often trying to do too many things!), but this one is good. We typically order sushi. Good for takeout, with online ordering.
Greek/American spot with a good draft beer and cocktail menu. Can get very busy on the weekends.
127 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Twisted Laurel
10A S Main StGreek/American spot with a good draft beer and cocktail menu. Can get very busy on the weekends.
More upscale Italian place - great if you want something a little nicer, but don’t want to leave Weaverville.
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Glass Onion
18 N Main StMore upscale Italian place - great if you want something a little nicer, but don’t want to leave Weaverville.
Tiny place with the best burgers in town.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Main Street Grill
5 S Main StTiny place with the best burgers in town.
No frills spot with outdoor seating and really good beers. There’s also a taco and burrito place (Baa’d Sheep Burritos) attached to the brewery. We go there all the time, it’s a good hang.
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Eluvium Brewing Company
11 Florida AveNo frills spot with outdoor seating and really good beers. There’s also a taco and burrito place (Baa’d Sheep Burritos) attached to the brewery. We go there all the time, it’s a good hang.
A Bob Ross themed Aperol Spritz bar! Not nearly enough Bob Ross stuff, but the drinks are great.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hoppy Trees Beer & Spritz Bar
7 Florida AvenueA Bob Ross themed Aperol Spritz bar! Not nearly enough Bob Ross stuff, but the drinks are great.
Truly special brewery. They focus on Belgian and French farmhouse ales, and “historical beers” (like, recipes that are hundreds of years old), and the results are fun and funky - but definitely for serious beer enthusiasts. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1pm - 6pm, to add to the mystery.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zebulon Artisan Ales
8 Merchants AlleyTruly special brewery. They focus on Belgian and French farmhouse ales, and “historical beers” (like, recipes that are hundreds of years old), and the results are fun and funky - but definitely for serious beer enthusiasts. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1pm - 6pm, to add to the mystery.
Asheville faves
Hopefully a few here that are a little under the radar (i.e. not on every "best of" list)
Hawaiian-inspired menu in the River Arts District, surrounded by tons of cool graffiti. Great cocktails, and don’t miss the desserts. The owner also has a really successful cake business (Cakes by Gray) and the desserts are the BEST.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
RosaBees
27 Foundy StHawaiian-inspired menu in the River Arts District, surrounded by tons of cool graffiti. Great cocktails, and don’t miss the desserts. The owner also has a really successful cake business (Cakes by Gray) and the desserts are the BEST.
Amazing food, the best service, good cocktails. Menu is African/Southern, and pays tribute to Eagle Street’s history as the center of Asheville’s African American community in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Highly recommended!
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Benne On Eagle
35 Eagle StAmazing food, the best service, good cocktails. Menu is African/Southern, and pays tribute to Eagle Street’s history as the center of Asheville’s African American community in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Highly recommended!
Upscale Mexican downtown. Sit at the bar if you can. Lobster nachos!
279 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StUpscale Mexican downtown. Sit at the bar if you can. Lobster nachos!
Downtown, great food and location. Excellent brunch.
116 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rhubarb
7 N Pack SquareDowntown, great food and location. Excellent brunch.
Upscale in the River Arts District, interesting menu (meat centric, not the best for vegetarians) and great atmosphere. Try their more casual burger place down the road, Baby Bull.
159 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayUpscale in the River Arts District, interesting menu (meat centric, not the best for vegetarians) and great atmosphere. Try their more casual burger place down the road, Baby Bull.
Amazing upscale plant-based spot - dinner only. If you have friends who think they don’t like vegan food, this place will change their minds.
176 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plant
165 Merrimon AveAmazing upscale plant-based spot - dinner only. If you have friends who think they don’t like vegan food, this place will change their minds.
To be honest, the location isn’t great. It’s in a shopping center across from the mall. But if you want excellent oysters, this is your spot (their original restaurant is in Key West, this is the 2nd location). Especially good if you’re wanting seafood but don’t want to deal with the crowds at Jettie Rae’s (which is also great).
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Pearl
15 Peaks Center LaneTo be honest, the location isn’t great. It’s in a shopping center across from the mall. But if you want excellent oysters, this is your spot (their original restaurant is in Key West, this is the 2nd location). Especially good if you’re wanting seafood but don’t want to deal with the crowds at Jettie Rae’s (which is also great).
Classic red sauce Italian on the north side of town. Really good food!
91 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian
641 Merrimon AveClassic red sauce Italian on the north side of town. Really good food!
Funky cocktail bar (with light food) in West Asheville. Our favorite bar.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Golden Pineapple
503 Haywood RdFunky cocktail bar (with light food) in West Asheville. Our favorite bar.
Great cocktails on the north side of town. Great if you’re not quite up for the crowds downtown.
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Jumbo
241 Broadway StGreat cocktails on the north side of town. Great if you’re not quite up for the crowds downtown.
Very much a “locals” brewery on the river. Our very favorite brewery to hang out at, with an excellent authentic taco truck on site. If you’re up for it, the beef cheek quesadilla is the way to go. **Kids not allowed
113 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zillicoah Beer Co.
870 Riverside DrVery much a “locals” brewery on the river. Our very favorite brewery to hang out at, with an excellent authentic taco truck on site. If you’re up for it, the beef cheek quesadilla is the way to go. **Kids not allowed
Best brewery in town, on the South Slope. If you’re brewery-hopping down there, don’t miss it (it’s a little tough to find unless you’re looking for it).
331 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveBest brewery in town, on the South Slope. If you’re brewery-hopping down there, don’t miss it (it’s a little tough to find unless you’re looking for it).