OT: Asheville, NC What should I do?

[AlSwearengen]

Since we are in vacation planning mode, I need some suggestions on things to do in Asheville, N.C. My mornings will be occupied blasting downhill on a mountain bike, so I have that covered. I have heard that I need to go to "the thirsty monk" which is supposed to be a top notch beer bar, even though I don't drink beer, maybe I will find one that I can drink.

I hear that the "hippy" and "alternative lifestyle" is strong in asheville. Is it that bad?

 

[DerHntr]

Tupelo Honey Cafe is worth the wait at lunch

Also, you can do this at Apalachain Amusement Center (below). I haven't done it yet but have heard good things. BTW...I think it is pretty expensive though.

 

[AlSwearengen]

I have fallen into that money trap (not this particular one) in the past. It could be fun, but I would have had to take out a loan to come close to getting my fill of it.

 

[FreeDawg]

I hear that the "hippy" and "alternative lifestyle" is strong in asheville. Is it that bad?

Depends how you feel about pot. Hippies, stoned or not, have always been friendly to me so I wouldn't worry about it. But you saying, "Is it that bad" leads me to believe you may become upset a time or 2 if you encounter a flock of hippies.

 

[DerHntr]

that expensive? damn shame. looks like fun

nm

 

[57stratdawg]

It's a good city either way. We went for NYE this year, and had a good time. I was told once that there are more microbreweries within a 2 hour radius of Asheville than anywhere else in the country. No idea if that's true or not, but sounded good.

Lobster Trap is good down town. Thirsty Monk, Jack of the Woods, there's a bar/local resturant on every street. You can't NOT have a good time.

It's smaller than I thought though. Make plans to spend some time in the mountains or the Biltmore.

 

[Bigedawg]

The Biltmore is amazing and they make wine there that is actually pretty good. Wine tastings are daily and you will get more than your fill. Plan on spending at least half a day there, though.

 

[homeydclown]

Yep the Biltmore is a very good place to go to spend all day with more than just the large house. They have the winery and attached new shop attractions nearby. Catch Blue Ridge Parkway and go to Mt. Mitchell highest point east of MS and Linville Falls not to far away. South head to Dupont forest near Brevard, NC-Hendersonville, NC where they have lots of bike trails and great water falls (shots from "Last of Mohicans" movie). Nice place to picnic and not so far off is Pisgah National Forest just outside of eastern Brevard. Cradle of Forestry is in the Pisgah where you can go to the museum near Pink Beds picnic area so lots of stuff to see for an afternoon. At the Cradle have historic walking trail with some folks acting as guides from Park Service. How about the NC Arboretum south part of Asheville and really lots to see at the museum there and actual arboretum to walk around. Heck drive to Lake Lure and see Bat Cave, NC. Lots to do all around Asheville and yes stay at The Grove Park Inn and feel like you are a king of the castle. Great place to stay and heck just to visit for an afternoon. Lots of heads all around Asheville and you may find a few old rainbow people.
C

 

[saltslugs]

When are you going? My brother is singing the national anthem at the Asheville Tourists' game next Wednesday.

 

[saltslugs]

12 Bones Barbecue is pretty awesome. Obama has eaten there twice in the last two years. I would say that it's a must. Definitely the best ribs I've ever eaten.

The Admiral is a strange, but incredible restaurant and dining experience. You must make reservations, but it's fairly casual and absolutely delicious with lots of unusual foods.

Multiple great breweries, but you said you aren't in to beer so... Lots of great bars with interesting features, such as The Vault (one room is an old bank vault), Arcade (lots of old arcade games), and a book store that sells wine and what not.

 

[Hankp22]

Here you go:

Breweries/Bars:

Wedge Brewery
Wicked Weed
French Broad
Pisgah
Highland
Thirsty Monk
Jack of the Wood

Food:

Early Girl (brunch)
Sunny Point (brunch)
Tupelo Honey
Rezaz (upscale)
The Admiral (upscale)
Curate
12 Bones (bbq)
moes (bbq)

Music:

The Emerald Lounge (The Cave Singers play Thursday...I highly suggest checking them out)
The Orange Peel (Son Volt plays this weekend. The place can get crowded though. Large crowds can make it rough in there)
Jack of the Wood and Highland Tap Room should have music on the weekend.

Golf:

Grove Park

It is a laid back mountain town, and you can find something entertaining for everyone. Asheville is a very spread out town. From Black Mountain to West Asheville, you can find something to get into. Biltmore Village is upscale and there are plenty of restaurants/shopping around the area. Downtown is very walkable, clean, and there are bars/restaurant options on every corner. During the summer, there will be a summer series of concerts going on during the weekend. You will find a mixture of hippies and hipsters. You will find some interesting people in West Asheville.

 

[BiscuitEater]

Too bad about the Beer issue ...

Ashville is quickly becoming the 'beer capitol' of at least the east. What they have is already impressive and is only going to get better soon ...

New Belgium Brewery out of Colorado announced that they’d be coming to the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. This is following an announcement earlier this year that Sierra Nevada Brewing Company would be coming to the area as well.

 

[Dawgma.sixpack]

The Admiral is great, looks like a dive, but oh what food; at about 9:30 pm, the crowd changes and it gets lively....Lobster Trap (downtown) is good, great martinis; and one of my favorites is Vincenzo's. GREAT italian food, authentic atmosphere (downtown). The Biltmore and the surrounding shopping area is interesting; Biltmore is worth a walkthru. If you like to browse antique/second hand stores, there are a wealth of them 20 miles south in Hendersonville, open on Sundays, too. Great live theatre in Asheville and Hendersonville, REALLY good. And an interesting, live music community. And yes, there is a strong alternative lifestyle presence there; lots of greenies, too.

 

[esplanade91]

While you're they're, scout out job openings for me. I've been trying to find a job there all semester with no luck.

I'm only half joking. I'm desperate.

 

[gymdawg.sixpack]

jut left there, and trust me on this 1

its a cool place and i have been many times. u are going to overpay for all meal except the best one around; barleys. just go once and you will see. best pizza i have ever had, BY FAR! and yes, i have had some decent pizza in my time. its excellent and they have a great tap selection.
there's a art exhibit (2 stories) near the haywood park hotel, where we stayed. cool history there. umm besides that its pretty liberal, kinda hippie sh**. i like it but its not for everyone. lots of art, and some of the best beer selections i have ever seen!
one last thing, and i dont care if youre not into sweets. there's a place called the "chocolate fetish." go there often. get a sample of stuff, but make sure you try to turffle with cayene pepper. AMAZING! have fun...........

 

[Topgundawg]

Drum Circle (Friday nights downtown), Grove Park (Presidents stay there), Biltmore (House, wine, grounds)

If you don't check out these three things you are missing a serious part of the city.

 

[garndawg]

Ya'll are all missing out...

Black Mountain: Red Rocker Inn: At least do Dinner here, but you better make your reservations early.

The. Bomb.

Nice place to stay, too.

You can thank me later...

 

[chefdawg]

www.sophieshideaway.com (If you haven't booked lodging, pet-friendly as well)

Great place to stay in the mountains about 15 minutes from downtown. Great restaurants everywhere, but Savoy for dinner and
Early Girl for breakfast/lunch stand out. Went to www.chimneyrockpark.com- easy hike and ridiculous views.

 

[RogueBooster4you]

My take on what to see/do/eat/drink

Must sees/do's:
The Biltmore Estate
Grove Park Inn
Mt. Mitchell
Black Balsam hike, possible swim at Graveyard Fields on the way back, both south of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Pkwy
Drum Circle on Friday nights
Shindig on the Green (blue grass on Saturdays)
Navitat Zipline

Must Eats:
12 Bones, you can't get the rib flavors anywhere else
The Admiral, make your reservation a few weeks in advance, voted best dive bar/fine dining
Tupelo Honey is good, but you'll wait forever...just a heads up

Must Drinks:
Pisgah Brewing Co., about 20 minutes away in Black Mountain and if you can't make the drive just get it on tap
Highland Brewing Co
You could take the Brews Cruise and hit 3 or 4 micros

 

[olblue.sixpack]

Since we are in vacation planning mode, I need some suggestions on things to do in Asheville, N.C. My mornings will be occupied blasting downhill on a mountain bike, so I have that covered. I have heard that I need to go to "the thirsty monk" which is supposed to be a top notch beer bar, even though I don't drink beer, maybe I will find one that I can drink.

I hear that the "hippy" and "alternative lifestyle" is strong in asheville. Is it that bad?

Stay at the Grove Park Inn. I think the renovations to the Sunset Patio are near completion.

 

[LTblows]

If you're into waterfalls, my favorite two are:
Skinny Dip Falls
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/skinny_dip1.htm

and
Triple Falls
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/triple_dupont1.htm

 

[Maroon Mommy 2]

If you're into plants, visit the Auboretum in Asheville - beautiful plants and trees, and the weather should be great.
Food downtown, I suggest you go to "Laurey's" - she is a fellow biker who has been battling cancer and has a great little eatery sand a great downtown. Also a very good person, as I landed in Asheville late one night, and she did too, and since there were no cabs available, she drove me to my hotel - first time meeting her more than 8 years ago.

Diriving or biking up the Blue Ridge Parkway is also a treat. Have a great time!

 

[operch]

Be sure to let us know what you did and ate and if you found something not posted, you recommend.