Things To Do
Outdoor adventures in the Blue Ridge Parkway
Enjoy hiking in the nearby Pisgah National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or DuPont State Recreational Forest. Grandfather Mountain is a popular trail close to Asheville, and has a beautiful viewpoint that can be hiked or driven to. Black Balsam Knob and Mount Pisgah are two hikes that we have done with family that are close to the city. Looking Glass in Brevard (out of the way, but a great day hike!- Fletcher)
Biltmore Estate
You can take a tour of the house, walk around the gardens (sometimes they have art installations within the gardens), go horseback riding, or enjoy wine tastings on the estate. You can get a discount on day tickets at (https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1012848/house-grounds-asheville-biltmore-daytime-admission-audio?campaign_id=285F3E94013B82E5BE231F58577CD252) with the promo code: tracoxwed
Downtown Asheville
Wander through the charming streets of downtown Asheville, known for its eclectic shops, art galleries, restaurants, and vibrant street performances. Some of our favorites (Emma's) include: Tops for Shoes, LP boutique, EDGE boutique, and Luxe Boutique- Shoutout to Lauren and her family who locally own these shops! Duncan & York- a great gift shop right next to LP boutique. Restaurants: Tupelo Honey- a famous brunch spot that has two locations; one in downtown Asheville, one just outside of the downtown. Biscuit Head- a great true, quick southern biscuit! Laughing Seed Cafe- a downtown lunch/dinner spot (for the vegans and vegetarians) There are so many great restaurants, breweries, and local shops to explore, so make sure that you take the time to walk around explore the morning before our ceremony!
River Arts District
Due to Hurricane Helene, this beautiful part of Asheville is undergoing repair and restoration. The River Arts District is a showcase for mostly local artists in Asheville and western North Carolina. We do not know how well it will be restored by June, but if you are able to support this community, we would greatly appreciate it.
Craft Breweries
Asheville is known for its thriving craft beer scene. Take a brewery tour or make your own brewery trail to sample some of the many breweries and taprooms. Bigger breweries where you can tour the facilities include (but are not limited to) New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and Highland Brewery. There are also guided tours that will take you to popular breweries across Asheville. If you are staying downtown, popular breweries include Wicked Weed, The Funkatorium (for sour beer fans), Green Man, High-Wire, etc.
Live Music Venues
Two of our favorite venues are The Orange Peel (where we saw our first concert together, indoor venue) and Rabbit Rabbit (an outdoor venue in downtown Asheville).