Guidebook for Asheville
Food Scene
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveThe food is great and there are gf options at a pasta joint.
Truly unique tea house & cafe originally founded in communist Czechoslovakia. Get the Shak-tea.
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Dobra Tea West
707 Haywood RdTruly unique tea house & cafe originally founded in communist Czechoslovakia. Get the Shak-tea.
Give yourself some wait time but this is a great destination for breakfast & only a few blocks walking distance from the house.
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Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdGive yourself some wait time but this is a great destination for breakfast & only a few blocks walking distance from the house.
Best Oysters in Asheville. Local brews. Two blocks walking distance.
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Oyster House Brewing Company
625 Haywood RdBest Oysters in Asheville. Local brews. Two blocks walking distance.
West End Bakery & Café
757 Haywood RdGreat local hangout for breakfast of a snack.
I never knew they you could do so much with a biscuit! Where quirky Asheville and Southern food collide. Plan for a wait if you are headed there but YUM!
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Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdI never knew they you could do so much with a biscuit! Where quirky Asheville and Southern food collide. Plan for a wait if you are headed there but YUM!
Pub food, kid menu, convenient to the main drag of West Asheville.
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Universal Joint
784 Haywood RdPub food, kid menu, convenient to the main drag of West Asheville.
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas
630 Haywood RdRamen noodles like you've probably never had!
Short Street Cakes
225 Haywood RdBest cupcakes EVER!
Pizza Mind
285 Haywood RdBuild your own pizza & enjoy a couple of beers.
The Hop Ice Creamery
167 Haywood RdBest ice cream in the world!
Zen Sushi
640 Merrimon AveGreat Sushi joint short distance away by car.
Traditional Southern food with an optional healthy twist (gf fried chicken!) Yum all the way around.
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Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall StTraditional Southern food with an optional healthy twist (gf fried chicken!) Yum all the way around.
Next to Earthfare, a local health food store. Also there is another location downtown. Smoothies, rice bowls, and healthy treats available!
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Green Sage Cafe Westgate
70 Westgate PkwyNext to Earthfare, a local health food store. Also there is another location downtown. Smoothies, rice bowls, and healthy treats available!
This place advertises as Indian street food. If that's street food then I can't imagine how good a restaurant is there. Okra is a must.
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Chai Pani Asheville
32 Battery Park AveThis place advertises as Indian street food. If that's street food then I can't imagine how good a restaurant is there. Okra is a must.
Black Mountain is definitely worth a day trip. Downtown is so quaint & walkable. It's a smaller version of downtown or West Asheville. My favorite restaurant is Thai Basil.
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Black Mountain
Black Mountain is definitely worth a day trip. Downtown is so quaint & walkable. It's a smaller version of downtown or West Asheville. My favorite restaurant is Thai Basil.
Fun resurrection of an Art Deco building with some of Asheville’s favorite foods. Balcony seating & a view of Haywood Street if you like!
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The Times at S&W
56 Patton AveFun resurrection of an Art Deco building with some of Asheville’s favorite foods. Balcony seating & a view of Haywood Street if you like!
Drinks & Nightlife
Isis Music Hall
743 Haywood RdGood place to see live music and food is great too.
All Sevens Brewing
777 Haywood RdIconic Westside bar for live music at night and a burger
Great place to play pool and have a drink. They have food too.
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Buffalo Nickel
747 Haywood RdGreat place to play pool and have a drink. They have food too.
Good afternoon hangout for drinking a local brew and playing some corn hole next to the RR tracks. FYI they are not kid-friendly because of the RR tracks.
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Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGood afternoon hangout for drinking a local brew and playing some corn hole next to the RR tracks. FYI they are not kid-friendly because of the RR tracks.
Cider is the the new champagne. Not really but it is gluten free!
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Urban Orchard Cider Co. - West
210 Haywood RdCider is the the new champagne. Not really but it is gluten free!
Local brewery, movie with food service, & game room can all be found here if you are needing some time indoors.
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Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
675 Merrimon AveLocal brewery, movie with food service, & game room can all be found here if you are needing some time indoors.
The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore AveBig names, small venue
Parks & Nature
If you've never been on the parkway then I strongly suggest that you grab a coffee or tea and take an afternoon drive to Mt. Mitchell or Graveyard Fields and take a walk from one of these parking lots to see the view. They are both beautiful wonders of nature in the area. The Visitor Center is a good stop & The Folk Art Center is full of Appalachian crafts and gifts.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayIf you've never been on the parkway then I strongly suggest that you grab a coffee or tea and take an afternoon drive to Mt. Mitchell or Graveyard Fields and take a walk from one of these parking lots to see the view. They are both beautiful wonders of nature in the area. The Visitor Center is a good stop & The Folk Art Center is full of Appalachian crafts and gifts.
Great place to take a walk in the forest or go mountain biking. Take a left at the crossroads on Hard Times Trailhead & connect to the NC Arboretum trails if you want to see both!
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Bent Creek
Great place to take a walk in the forest or go mountain biking. Take a left at the crossroads on Hard Times Trailhead & connect to the NC Arboretum trails if you want to see both!
They always have a unique display indoors and the Bonsai garden is on display in warm weather. Nice place for gentle stroll around the grounds.
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INorth Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayThey always have a unique display indoors and the Bonsai garden is on display in warm weather. Nice place for gentle stroll around the grounds.
This is a great outdoor sanctuary for animals that for various reasons cannot be in the wild. They have bear, otters, cougars, bobcat, wolves, deer, and snakes. Great for a stroll.
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WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdThis is a great outdoor sanctuary for animals that for various reasons cannot be in the wild. They have bear, otters, cougars, bobcat, wolves, deer, and snakes. Great for a stroll.
Great place for stroll next to the river, playground if needed & outdoor picnicking on the grass or under the pavilion! Good spot to play frisbee or play some ball. Bike riding around the velodrome or on the paved pathway.
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Carrier Park
220 Amboy RdGreat place for stroll next to the river, playground if needed & outdoor picnicking on the grass or under the pavilion! Good spot to play frisbee or play some ball. Bike riding around the velodrome or on the paved pathway.
People get married here it's so beautiful & it truly looks like a fairy wonderland. We go there every summer. Easy hike until right up to the falls. Wild berries can be found along the trail in the summer months if you beat us there.
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Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrPeople get married here it's so beautiful & it truly looks like a fairy wonderland. We go there every summer. Easy hike until right up to the falls. Wild berries can be found along the trail in the summer months if you beat us there.
Nature's water park. Get ready for a cold shock when you land but it's so much fun you'll climb right back up!
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Sliding Rock
Nature's water park. Get ready for a cold shock when you land but it's so much fun you'll climb right back up!
Dirty Dancing was filmed on this lake & it has a fun public beach. Plan to leave early on a sunny day to make that happen though. The small town has some quaint shops and restaurants overlooking the river. The drive down 74 through Fairview is gorgeous & you pass our local source or healthy meat, Hickory Nut Gap. There are often events there too!
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Lake Lure
Dirty Dancing was filmed on this lake & it has a fun public beach. Plan to leave early on a sunny day to make that happen though. The small town has some quaint shops and restaurants overlooking the river. The drive down 74 through Fairview is gorgeous & you pass our local source or healthy meat, Hickory Nut Gap. There are often events there too!
After passing through Black Mountain & a stone gate you enter Montreat, a small town that is home to hiking trails, vacation homes, & Robert Lake Park. You can rent paddle boats on Lake Susan, walk around the small lake & look through the shops. If you like to scale things down from the Asheville scene, this is a great spot to head to for some activity & maybe a Black Mountain meal.
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Montreat
After passing through Black Mountain & a stone gate you enter Montreat, a small town that is home to hiking trails, vacation homes, & Robert Lake Park. You can rent paddle boats on Lake Susan, walk around the small lake & look through the shops. If you like to scale things down from the Asheville scene, this is a great spot to head to for some activity & maybe a Black Mountain meal.
Sightseeing
It is worth making this in town trip to sit on the deck, have a glass of wine or appetizer and take in the view. They have piano music in the bar at night too. If you get a chance book a massage or other service at the Spa and you get to stay there for the whole day to enjoy the salt pools, eucalyptus steam room, & outdoor hot tub with a view. Not kid friendly though.
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The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveIt is worth making this in town trip to sit on the deck, have a glass of wine or appetizer and take in the view. They have piano music in the bar at night too. If you get a chance book a massage or other service at the Spa and you get to stay there for the whole day to enjoy the salt pools, eucalyptus steam room, & outdoor hot tub with a view. Not kid friendly though.
It took me years to make it to the Biltmore House because I thought it was too touristy but as soon as I went I bought a year pass for our family so that we could keep going. The drive in is amazing, a tour of the house is well worth it, and time on the lawn in Antler Village listening to live music after dinner is so relaxing. There are also bike trails & a bike rental facility. You may even see some folks playing with a hawk or two, an event available through the Biltmore.
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Biltmore
1 Lodge StIt took me years to make it to the Biltmore House because I thought it was too touristy but as soon as I went I bought a year pass for our family so that we could keep going. The drive in is amazing, a tour of the house is well worth it, and time on the lawn in Antler Village listening to live music after dinner is so relaxing. There are also bike trails & a bike rental facility. You may even see some folks playing with a hawk or two, an event available through the Biltmore.
Check out the view from the top of NC. Make sure to have coats and maybe hats sometimes. It can get cold up there!
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Iphakethe yaseMount Mitchell
2388 NC-128Check out the view from the top of NC. Make sure to have coats and maybe hats sometimes. It can get cold up there!
Stroll through the gardens, check out the current indoor exhibits and definitely don't miss out on the Bonsai gardens!
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Asheville Arboretum
Stroll through the gardens, check out the current indoor exhibits and definitely don't miss out on the Bonsai gardens!
Take a picnic to enjoy one of these beautiful spots on the Parkway!
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I-Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyTake a picnic to enjoy one of these beautiful spots on the Parkway!
Enjoy an afternoon drive to Craggy gardens or Mount Mitchell with the windows down & a coffee. Seriously, nature is amazing! The visitors center and the Folk Art Center are great stops.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayEnjoy an afternoon drive to Craggy gardens or Mount Mitchell with the windows down & a coffee. Seriously, nature is amazing! The visitors center and the Folk Art Center are great stops.
Essentials
Quaint village market with an excellent juice and smoothie bar attached.
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West Village Market
771 Haywood RdQuaint village market with an excellent juice and smoothie bar attached.
Whole Foods Market
70 Merrimon AveHealthfood
This is a standard grocery store with a lot of good local selections too.
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Ingles Market
29 Tunnel RdThis is a standard grocery store with a lot of good local selections too.
Favorite health food grocery close by. They have good pizza, sushi, deli, & a buffet. Definitely use navigation to get to it.
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Earth Fare
66 Westgate PkwyFavorite health food grocery close by. They have good pizza, sushi, deli, & a buffet. Definitely use navigation to get to it.
Sam's Club
645 Patton AveBest gas prices if you are a member
B&B Pharmacy
462 Haywood RdLocal Pharmacy
Walgreens Pharmacy
1124 Patton AveChain pharmacy right around the corner
Shopping
Eclectic hippi store in Haywood if you need some incense.
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Instant Karma Asheville
36 N Lexington AveEclectic hippi store in Haywood if you need some incense.
If you are up for a shopping spree then head downtown. One of my favorites is Spiritex for organic cotton clothing. Malaprop's & Downtown Books and News for books. Tupelo Honey for breakfast, Farm Burger for lunch, downtown Dobra tea house for an afternoon siesta & Mela's Indian food for dinner. The Grove Arcade is a good stroll through also for gifts.
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Downtown
If you are up for a shopping spree then head downtown. One of my favorites is Spiritex for organic cotton clothing. Malaprop's & Downtown Books and News for books. Tupelo Honey for breakfast, Farm Burger for lunch, downtown Dobra tea house for an afternoon siesta & Mela's Indian food for dinner. The Grove Arcade is a good stroll through also for gifts.
Provisions Mercantile
728 Haywood RdQuaint new local store with unique gifts and supplies!
Sparky's Toys & Gifts
726 Haywood RdBest toy store in town.
This is the cutest gift shop of all time. Very unique. I always find things there.
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Whist
444 Haywood RdThis is the cutest gift shop of all time. Very unique. I always find things there.
I don't believe we've ever left Tops without at least one pair of shoes. On downtown's popular Lexington Avenue, a must see for those who love unique shoes.
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Tops for Shoes
27 N Lexington AveI don't believe we've ever left Tops without at least one pair of shoes. On downtown's popular Lexington Avenue, a must see for those who love unique shoes.
Spiritex
14 Haywood StOrganic cotton clothing that is stylish but comfortable too!
Best bookstore on the planet. Some of the most well read folks on the planet work there because they just love to read. Personal human touch that Amazon just can't provide.
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Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StBest bookstore on the planet. Some of the most well read folks on the planet work there because they just love to read. Personal human touch that Amazon just can't provide.
Imported fabrics and clothing here. They took a break winter 2021 but should be open by now.
From Afar
35 Haywood StImported fabrics and clothing here. They took a break winter 2021 but should be open by now.
Unique clothing & local jewelry. The store is themed Earth, Air, Fire, & Water. I'm only allowed in there about once a year because it's so cool.
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Elementality
4 S Tunnel RdUnique clothing & local jewelry. The store is themed Earth, Air, Fire, & Water. I'm only allowed in there about once a year because it's so cool.
Great source for vintage denim & T-shirts. Long standing local business!
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Ragtime Vintage Clothing
20 E Walnut StGreat source for vintage denim & T-shirts. Long standing local business!
Funky little place that would dazzle any Harry Potter fan. Herbs, teas, crystals, & truly unique gifts & remedies.
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Herbiary
29 N Market StFunky little place that would dazzle any Harry Potter fan. Herbs, teas, crystals, & truly unique gifts & remedies.
Entertainment & Activities
This place is yoga central. Green facilities, fantastic teachers, and cute boutique in the teaching facility. They have regular weekend workshops too. They are offering some in person classes at this point!
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Asheville Yoga Center
211 S Liberty StThis place is yoga central. Green facilities, fantastic teachers, and cute boutique in the teaching facility. They have regular weekend workshops too. They are offering some in person classes at this point!
If you need a place for kiddos to play inside this spot will wear them out. My kiddos have aged out of it but we lived here on cold or rainy days.
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Mountain Play Lodge
3389 Sweeten Creek RdIf you need a place for kiddos to play inside this spot will wear them out. My kiddos have aged out of it but we lived here on cold or rainy days.
Fun place to play some board games & eat at the same time!
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Well Played Board Game Café
162 Coxe AveFun place to play some board games & eat at the same time!
Small yoga studio with a big heart. Their offerings are variable at this point so it's probably best to check their website.
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West Asheville Yoga
602 Haywood RdSmall yoga studio with a big heart. Their offerings are variable at this point so it's probably best to check their website.
For a strenuous hike Greybeard Trail in Black Mountain is gorgeous. There is a ranger station in the Montreat shopping area that is open sporadically right now or maps are avilable online or in camping stores.
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Greybeard Trail
Greybeard TrailFor a strenuous hike Greybeard Trail in Black Mountain is gorgeous. There is a ranger station in the Montreat shopping area that is open sporadically right now or maps are avilable online or in camping stores.
Fun old fashioned camping/general store. Two levels with one being the general store & the other with high tech camping gear & maps.
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Mast General Store
15 Biltmore AveFun old fashioned camping/general store. Two levels with one being the general store & the other with high tech camping gear & maps.