Laura's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Believe it or not, this is the first indoor mall in America and one of the places we alway take family and friend when they visit. The sloping floors, acoustics, and architecture will amaze you! On the outside of the building, look up and you’ll see marble carvings of the same person, both grotesque and comical. Rumor has it that the guy who was originally commissioned to do a lot of work, didn’t uphold his end of the bargain so it’s his likeness that’s there for all eternity. Great wine bars at both ends of the Arcade!
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Grove Arcade
1 Page AveBelieve it or not, this is the first indoor mall in America and one of the places we alway take family and friend when they visit. The sloping floors, acoustics, and architecture will amaze you! On the outside of the building, look up and you’ll see marble carvings of the same person, both grotesque and comical. Rumor has it that the guy who was originally commissioned to do a lot of work, didn’t uphold his end of the bargain so it’s his likeness that’s there for all eternity. Great wine bars at both ends of the Arcade!
The GPI is a must for photo-ops! Free 3 hour parking in the garage. Ride up to see the original hotel in the elevator located beside the left fireplace. Note all the construction photos. Also see the spa and all the craftsman furniture and decor.
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The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveThe GPI is a must for photo-ops! Free 3 hour parking in the garage. Ride up to see the original hotel in the elevator located beside the left fireplace. Note all the construction photos. Also see the spa and all the craftsman furniture and decor.
Expensive but amazing! You can easily spend 1/2 day on the grounds. Free wine tastings at the winery.
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Biltmore
1 Lodge StExpensive but amazing! You can easily spend 1/2 day on the grounds. Free wine tastings at the winery.
Lots of hikes and photo ops. Check for closures during winter months.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayLots of hikes and photo ops. Check for closures during winter months.
Food scene
Pick up a charcuterie box with a wide assortment of cheeses and other finger foods. They also have some really nice wines.
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South Slope Cheese Co
11 Southside AvePick up a charcuterie box with a wide assortment of cheeses and other finger foods. They also have some really nice wines.
Creative and inexpensive tacos with or without the shell.
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White Duck Taco Shop Downtown
12 Biltmore AveCreative and inexpensive tacos with or without the shell.
OMG! One of our favorite restaurants in Asheville. We’d eat there everyday if we could afford it!
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Buxton Hall Barbecue
32 Banks AveOMG! One of our favorite restaurants in Asheville. We’d eat there everyday if we could afford it!
Chestnut
48 Biltmore AveCreative locally sourced foods. Try a basket of Joe’s Chips.
Tapas menu. Expensive but worth it if you have a special event you’re celebrating. Yum!!
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Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveTapas menu. Expensive but worth it if you have a special event you’re celebrating. Yum!!
Southern/African cuisine. Amazing spices! Sit at the bar and watch them cook. Just like being on the set of a cooking show!
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Benne On Eagle
35 Eagle StSouthern/African cuisine. Amazing spices! Sit at the bar and watch them cook. Just like being on the set of a cooking show!
So much chocolate...So little time...Try one of the drinking chocolates. They won’t look while you lick out the cup! If you’re a real chocolate foodie, you may want to book a tour in their factory where you’ll be able to experience many different things!
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French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareSo much chocolate...So little time...Try one of the drinking chocolates. They won’t look while you lick out the cup! If you’re a real chocolate foodie, you may want to book a tour in their factory where you’ll be able to experience many different things!
If you love Indian food, this is your place!! We’ve never been disappointed!
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Mela Indian Restaurant
70 N Lexington AveIf you love Indian food, this is your place!! We’ve never been disappointed!
This is our closest place to eat and drink! White Labs is truly a lab. They grow yeast for many brewers around the world. Sit at the bar as close to the pizza ovens as you can. You’ll want to make your own when you get home!
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White Labs Kitchen & Tap
172 S Charlotte StThis is our closest place to eat and drink! White Labs is truly a lab. They grow yeast for many brewers around the world. Sit at the bar as close to the pizza ovens as you can. You’ll want to make your own when you get home!
Posana Restaurant
1 Biltmore AveLots of gluten free options. Great food!
Small, homey feel! Vegetarian or vegan options. Very reasonably priced!
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Rosetta's Kitchen
68 N Lexington AveSmall, homey feel! Vegetarian or vegan options. Very reasonably priced!
Great brunch and lunch menu with gluten free options!
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The Blackbird Restaurant
47 Biltmore AveGreat brunch and lunch menu with gluten free options!
South Slope Beverage Scene
Always have a diversity of beers on tap! Hang out on the upper level porch to see the sunset.
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Green Man Brewery
27 Buxton AveAlways have a diversity of beers on tap! Hang out on the upper level porch to see the sunset.
A Dennis favorite! One of Asheville’s first breweries, serving a diverse mix of beers. Has more of a Goth feel. Take a selfie with Tom Selleck and a Goonie! Rock on, 80’s!
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Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveA Dennis favorite! One of Asheville’s first breweries, serving a diverse mix of beers. Has more of a Goth feel. Take a selfie with Tom Selleck and a Goonie! Rock on, 80’s!
Hi-Wire Brewing - South Slope
197 Hilliard AvenueGood variety of beers.
One of Dennis’s favorites. Really diverse beers, BigAss fan (yes, that’s what it’s called) and games inside. Small hidden, quiet outside area if you want to get away from all the crowds.
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Twin Leaf Brewery
144 Coxe AveOne of Dennis’s favorites. Really diverse beers, BigAss fan (yes, that’s what it’s called) and games inside. Small hidden, quiet outside area if you want to get away from all the crowds.
Sour beers, frequent live music, excellent food. They have a new restaurant next door that I understand is awesome!
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The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveSour beers, frequent live music, excellent food. They have a new restaurant next door that I understand is awesome!
Fabulous mixed drinks and a rooftop bar with a fireplace! The authentic decor is enough to bring you in! It’ll make you feel as if you’ve stepped back into a 1930’s speakeasy. Free gin tastings next door at the Chemist distillery.
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Antidote
151 Coxe AveFabulous mixed drinks and a rooftop bar with a fireplace! The authentic decor is enough to bring you in! It’ll make you feel as if you’ve stepped back into a 1930’s speakeasy. Free gin tastings next door at the Chemist distillery.
If you’re more into cider, this is your place! Such nice people and they host many free fun events.
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Urban Orchard Cider Co. South Slope
24 Buxton AvenueIf you’re more into cider, this is your place! Such nice people and they host many free fun events.
More Brewery Options
New Belgium is located across the river from the River Arts District. FABULOUS tours. (Take an Uber or Lyft to get there and back. It’s quite potent!)
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StThere is definitely a reason this place is the “Disney” brewery! Great locally sourced food, an amazing outdoor area and very good beers!
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Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayThere is definitely a reason this place is the “Disney” brewery! Great locally sourced food, an amazing outdoor area and very good beers!
Arts and Crafts
This district actually encompasses a long strip of the French Broad River. There are many artists and good restaurants along the way. The entire area is gentrifying so If you’re into art and culture, it’s worth the short drive between buildings.
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Isifunda saseRiver Arts
3 River Arts PlThis district actually encompasses a long strip of the French Broad River. There are many artists and good restaurants along the way. The entire area is gentrifying so If you’re into art and culture, it’s worth the short drive between buildings.
Need inspiration for your inner artist or a special gift for someone keeping your kids or dogs while you visit Asheville? This is it! I love this place!
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Kress Emporium
19 Patton AveNeed inspiration for your inner artist or a special gift for someone keeping your kids or dogs while you visit Asheville? This is it! I love this place!
A little more upscale, also amazing! Also has an original affordable lunch counter still serving!
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Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood StA little more upscale, also amazing! Also has an original affordable lunch counter still serving!