Things To Do
Downtown
There are almost no bad restaurants downtown, so while we recommend these places, if something else catches your eye we encourage you to try it out! High Five Coffee is our favorite coffee shop downtown; check out Rowan Coffee if you are a real coffee connoisseur. We love Liberty House for breakfast or lunch - be sure to order a sourdough pancake for the table. If you are in need of a breakfast to cure your hangover, or you just want some good diner food, The Med is the place to go. Terra Nova Beer Co has a good selection of beer and our favorite pizza in Asheville. If you need a sweet treat, stop by Sunshine Sammies next door. Huli Sue's and Mehfil are great options for dinner. Asheville Club and The Times Bar are great for before or after dinner drinks, and The Rankin Vault is one of our late night stops; make sure you order some tater tots.
South Slope
With lots of breweries and restaurants, we always find ourselves making our way down to the South Slope of Asheville. Julia loves The Funkatorium for their sour beers, but they also serve regular varieties of beer as well as cocktails, wine, and delicious food. Kyle's favorite brewery is Burial Beer where they have a variety of great beers and a small (but good) food menu. If you're more in the mood for a cocktail, Antidote specializes in craft cocktails in a speakeasy setting. Stop by Mother Cafe South Slope for breakfast or lunch, Chai Pani for Indian food that even conservative eaters would enjoy, or Pie.zaa for a late night extra large slice of pizza.
River Arts District
As the name suggests, this part of Asheville runs along the river. Last year, Hurricane Helene devastated this part of town and many of our favorite spots were gone overnight. However, the area is committed to rebuild and there are still some of our faves going strong. We recommend Baby Bull for a quick lunch or dinner, New Belgium Brewing for beer, and Anoche for tequila based cocktails.
West Asheville
This is the area we have called home for the past two years or so, and we love it. The main road, Haywood, is very walkable. In this area, we recommend Cooperative or Battle Cat for coffee, Hole donuts for a freshly fried donut, and West End Bakery for breakfast pastries. One World Brewing West always has live music going on; and The Golden Pineapple or the Low Down are our favorites for cocktails. If you’re in the mood for wine, check out Bebop Bottle Shop, Leo’s House of Thirst (they have great food too), or Potential New Boyfriend (great vibes, desserts, and non alcoholic options as well!). Some other favorites are Nine Mile for Caribbean fusion, Gan Shan West for authentic Asian food, The Admiral or Jargon for a nicer dinner, and Archetype Brewing for beer.
Live Music
This link provides a full calendar of live music in Asheville, there is always something going on in the summer!
Well Played Board Game Café
A fun little cafe serving food, drinks, and unlimited board games to play. There is a $10 fee per person, but it lasts for the whole day so you can come in the morning, leave, and come back later in the day.
Bent Creek Hiking Area
Located only 20 minutes from Downtown with lots of different trailheads. Perfect for anyone who wants to squeeze in a hike without a long drive. Just google or search in maps Bent Creek Trailhead for a list of trails.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
About 20 min from downtown; they offer tours of their brewery and show you the beer making process. If you would rather just try their beer, they have a taproom, restaurant, and a great outside space to sit and enjoy.
Craggy Gardens Trail
This is a short hike located about 40 min from downtown Asheville. There is a large parking lot with bathrooms and picnic tables. The rhododendrons bloom early to mid June, around the same time as our wedding!
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
If you hike Craggy Gardens, then we suggest making the quick drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway and stop at Craggy Pinnacle. This is another short hike that offers a 360 degree view from the top. There is a large parking lot here as well.
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
This hike is about a 45 min drive from Asheville. There are a couple different trails you can go on; a longer one to the upper falls, an easy 1.5 mile loop, or just walk down to the lower falls. There is a parking lot, but it fills up early, as well as bathrooms.
Mount Mitchell State Park
Mt. Mitchell is an hour drive from Asheville, but it is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. You drive most of the way up to the summit and parking lot, and there is a paved walkway to the summit and observation deck. Make sure you go on a clear day to get the best views!
Catawba Falls
Only about thirty minutes from Asheville, this hiking spot can be very popular, so be sure to get there early. If you do the loop it is around 3.8 miles, and there are over 500 stairs you will have to climb or walk down, depending on which way you go. But don't let that stop you; there are plenty of platforms and shade to catch your breath.