Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of North Carolina, Asheville brings a unique blend of outdoor adventures, artistic charm, and great eats. If you’re looking for a memorable getaway, this charming city and surrounding area offers so many experiences that cater to every traveler’s interests. Here’s what I did while visiting Asheville this summer. Let’s dive in to the 3-day itinerary that will help you make the most of your time in North Carolina.
Day 1: Nature, Sunflower Fields, and Dining in Town
Looking Glass Falls
First thing Friday morning, we headed out to Pisgah National Forest, with the destination of Looking Glass Falls in mind. Here, followed by an easy hike, you’ll find a majestic waterfall, with crystal-clear water. If you’re not much of a hiker, you can check this view out from the road. It’s been named one of the area’s few accessible roadside waterfalls, making it a great option for most people, no matter their mobility status. You can take the steps down to check out the falls, with rocks at the bottom you can step on to get to the creek. At the bottom, you’ll find folks swimming, taking photos, and enjoying all the beautiful waterfall has to offer. Beware, it gets extremely crowded, thanks in part to its proximity to the road and minimal hike.
Sliding Rock
Nearby is Sliding Rock – a nature-made waterslide. Though we didn’t check it out this trip, it’s close to Looking Glass Falls and is a great stop on your way up the Blue Ridge Parkway. My family has checked it out in the past and has really enjoyed this unique geological formation that lets you slide down a cascade of rock into the refreshing water below.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Up next, we checked out the Blue Ridge Parkway, often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” is a must-visit. Embark on a scenic journey that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering panoramic views and lookouts where you can stop and take it all in.
The Hub
After all that exploring, we were ready to refuel with some lunch. My dad is an avid mountain biker, so he recommended The Hub. The Hub and attached Pisgah Tavern offers bike rentals and repairs, cold drinks, outdoor seating, and shopping for any outdoor gear you might need. There’s also a coffee spot and food trucks, where we enjoyed chicken tenders and a veggie burger, along with a round of cold beers.
Sunflower Fields
On our drive home, we spotted a sunflower field and I was dead set on stopping by on the way to dinner later on. We went back to our AirBnb, freshened up, and headed to McCall Farm in Penrose, where we took in the most stunning views of flowers for DAYS! Not just sunflowers, but gorgeous zinnias, pampas grass looking florals, wildflowers, and more. McCall Farm also has incredible produce and ice cream for those of you with a sweet tooth. Location: 2400 Crab Creek Road, Penrose, NC; (828) 884-4054
The Square Root and Brevard
For dinner, we headed into Brevard. We met friends for dinner at The Square Root, which is a must if you’re in the area. They don’t do reservations, so I’d recommend putting your name in early and walking around the surrounding area to kill time while you wait. There are cute shops and a great bookstore nearby. Favorites on the menu included:
- FRIED GREEN TOMATOES: southern style. breaded in house. drizzled with a creamy dijon sauce
- WOK FRIED BRUSSEL SPROUTS: with chilies, tossed in a sweet ginger chili glaze and finished with orange zest
- NC MOUNTAIN TROUT: local trout with a crawfish stuffing, topped with a lobster mornay sauce, and served with pimento cheese grits and bacon braised collard greens
- CRISPY ROASTED DUCK À L’ORANGE: half a duck with a grand marnier orange glaze. served with lemon, bacon, and goat cheese brussel sprouts atop pecan and dried cranberry yellow stone ground grits
- EGGPLANT PARMESAN: tender breaded eggplant cutlets topped with tomato bruschetta, imported parmesan, and mozzarella over a bed of marinara sauce
- CHICKEN MARSALA: sautéed tender chicken breast in a rich marsala mushroom sauce and served with parmesan truffle risotto and topped with spiced pecans
- DESSERT: don’t miss the key lime pie and the oreo cheescake!
My mouth is watering again after reading these descriptions!
Day 2: City Livin’
Tupelo Honey in Asheville
On day two, we began our day with a hearty brunch at Tupelo Honey, a renowned eatery known for its inventive Southern-inspired dishes. From fluffy biscuits to delicious breakfast bowls, your taste buds are in for a treat. Naturally, we ordered their famous fried green tomatoes which are panko-crusted with basil, roasted red pepper sauce, and heirloom grits with goat cheese. Funny enough, we all got the same entree, which was the “old skool” breakfast bowl aka two sunny-side up eggs, parmesan rosemary potato cracklins, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, green tomato salsa, roasted red pepper sauce, and more heirloom grits with goat cheese.
We couldn’t help but also order their “biscuits for a cause” with blueberry jam. Proceeds from this dish benefit Tupelo Honey Relief & Development Funds that aid Tupelo employees in need; with $550,000 awarded to date! Pro tip: grab some blueberry jam for the road! They bottle and sell it in-house.
Downtown Asheville
Post-brunch, we set out to explore the city’s unique character. Asheville’s downtown is dotted with boutiques, art galleries, book stores, and craft shops that reflect the city’s artistic spirit.
River Arts District in West Asheville
A visit to West Asheville is a must, especially for art enthusiasts. I recommend checking out the River Arts District specifically. The district’s vibrant art scene is complemented by Summit Coffee, a local gem serving up not just caffeine but also a cozy atmosphere. I got their summer camp latte which tasted like roasted s’mores! Grab a coffee and wander around through the many galleries in the district. There are so many local artists showcasing their work, from pottery to vintage finds to abstract works, there is something for everyone.
New Belgium
No visit to Asheville is complete without a nod to its vibrant craft beer scene. Make your way to New Belgium Brewery next, an iconic establishment that has played a significant role in shaping the city’s beer culture. They have guided tours and offer a variety of beer flights and drafts to enjoy as you take in the views.
Bold Rock
To round out the day, we headed to Bold Rock in Mills River, a local cidery with stunning mountain views. Here, we enjoyed cider flights, yummy eats from their food trucks, and a beautiful sunset over the hills.
Day 3: Chasing Waterfalls (Again!)
High Falls
Asheville’s vicinity makes it a haven for waterfall enthusiasts, offering a variety of hiking trails that lead to cascading wonders. We headed off to High Falls, part of the Triple Falls Loop in Little River. Triple Falls was the perfect easy hike, coming in around 2 miles roundtrip. And the views? Beyond captivating. We laid on the rocks in the sun and just took it all in!
From outdoor activities to leisurely art explorations and yummy dining experiences, this city truly has it all. Enjoy your trip to this incredible area and Asheville!
Getting to Asheville
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