Things To Do
Biltmore
Biltmore is the largest home in America, built by the Vanderbilt's. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance if you want to tour the house and grounds. The estate is massive and beautiful to drive around. You can watch demonstrations by blacksmiths and broom makers to gain a greater appreciation for modern technology. They also have an excellent winery where you can do a tasting. You can use discount code lionrosebb and the following website link to receive a discount of up to $13 off an adult daytime admission ticket with audio guide at http://biltmore.com/partners.
French Broad Chocolate Factory & Cafe
French Broad Chocolate was founded in Asheville and named for the French Broad river running through town. We took a tour here on our first trip together and come back every time. The factory tour is well worth it, but if you do sign up for a tour make sure you check the address and DON'T show up at the chocolate lounge downtown like we did our first time. The factory also has a cafe to buy some treats or you can visit the chocolate lounge in downtown Asheville if you just want to stuff your face.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Although there's many breweries in Asheville, Sierra Nevada stands out with its huge brewing campus. Even if you don't want to sample the beer, we highly recommend a brew house tour. They also have an excellent restaurant and outdoor area.
New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium is the other big brewing campus in Asheville and like Sierra Nevada they offer a great tour. They also usually have food trucks outside their taproom in case you get hungry.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is great for a scenic drive or a hike if you're up for it. Check out the National Park Service link for a list of open trails. You can pick up a charcuterie box from South Slope Cheese Co. if you want to pack a little picnic for your drive/hike.
The North Carolina Arboretum
The arboretum is a beautiful place to visit with a variety of gardens and a bonsai tree exhibit. No ticket required - you only pay to park.
South Slope Brewing District
Asheville is home to the most microbreweries per capita in the US and the South Slope district (about a 30 minute walk from the B&B) is the prime spot for day drinking. It's a very walkable district with brewery after brewery right next to each other. Click the link to view some brewery recommendations by the B&B innkeepers - many of them we can vouch for. Burial is our favorite if you're an IPA person, while Wicked Weed is the most popular (with the neighboring Funkatorium if you're into sours). There's also many great places to eat in this area - you need something to absorb the alcohol!
Foraging tour
Asheville is full of hippies and if you want them to take you out into the woods and show you how to identify edible plants and mushrooms, then this is the tour for you. We were pleasantly surprised by how interesting everything tasted and we didn't get sick! We've taken a tour with No Taste Like Home and would recommend them - they round up all the plants you collect at the end and cook some appetizers for you to sample.
The Golf Course at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
This is one activity we've never actually done, but the golf course is very highly rated and we thought it would appeal to a couple people.
Not beer
Asheville is famous for beer but it also has many great cideries and coffee shops. Cider and mead: Noble Cider & Mead Taproom Urban Orchard Bold Rock Mills River Cidery Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery Coffee: Rowan Vortex (also has amazing donuts) High Five PennyCup Double D's Farewell And many more we haven't tried yet...
Hiking and Other Outdoor Activities
In addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway, there's many other great spots for hiking and other outdoor activities. Click the link for the innkeepers' recommendations.
Downtown
Adjacent to the South Slope district, downtown Asheville is also approximately a 30 minute walk from the B&B and is another great place to walk around. You'll find excellent places to eat with a plethora of international options, coffee shops, eclectic artisan shops, and the best people watching in town.
Amazing Pubcycle Tours
This is the other activity we haven't done before but have always wanted to try! Maybe this will be the trip we make it happen. It looks like a fun way to explore the town. Let us know if anyone else is interested in doing this.