Things To Do
Chai Pani Asheville
A James Beard Award-winning restaurant that also appears on the 2023 Michelin Guide, this Indian restaurant is a local highlight. Be sure to get in line early to beat the rush when the doors open, as they don't take reservations. It's well worth the wait for the delicious food, excellent cocktails, and wonderful service.
Jargon
We celebrated nine years of our relationship here this winter, and had perhaps one of the best meals of our lives. Truly cannot speak highly enough of the food. Consider Jargon as a great spot for fine dining in Asheville.
Sunny Point Cafe
A great spot that is first-come, first-serve with its own garden on-site, it's a local favorite for brunch. We love the friendly wait-staff and the patio seating, not to mention its unique menu items and vegan options.
Biscuit Head
It's almost impossible to go wrong with a biscuit for breakfast in Asheville, but if you're looking for some over the top, filling, breakfast options, consider this place with a few locations around Asheville.
White Duck Taco Shop, Downtown Location
A fun, casual spot with some of the most creative tacos you will ever encounter. The pork belly taco with the pickled watermelon rind and the chicken tikka masala with crispy chickpeas were both excellent. Whether you're in the mood for Mexican, Chinese, Indian, American, or Greek – or can't decide – this is an excellent option.
Asheville Chocolate
A cool little place with homemade gelato that converted Jon from custard, specifically the cookies and cream flavor. (Vegan sorbettos are also available.) They also have chocolates, coffees, and even offer classes. Located downtown, it's a great place to stop for a refreshing treat as you explore.
The S&W Market
A food hall with a taproom on the mezzanine level located in a renovated historical building, the space offers a handful of wonderful food vendors and the occasional live music. Board games and an outdoor patio complete the space as a fun spot in downtown Asheville.
Grove Arcade & Battery Park Book Exchange
A beautiful shopping center in downtown Asheville, the Grove Arcade makes a great place to escape the heat while taking in a variety of what Asheville has to offer. Definitely check out the Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar for a sparkling cocktail and maybe your next read - a personal favorite of Jon's and Marlette's.
The Biltmore
Easily the most iconic landmark in Asheville, the Biltmore property includes the mansion, gardens, and winery. Make sure you purchase your tickets well in advance to get the time slot you want, so you can enjoy the beauty of the estate on your own time.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
For golf or spa aficionados, consider the Omni as a place to spend some quality time in one of Asheville's more elegant settings.
Marquee (Closed, Read More Below)
The Marquee easily would have been our number one recommendation for visiting Asheville, so despite the fact that it is temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, we wanted to highlight the space to bring attention to this wonderful home for artists in Asheville. Since the storm, many artists have migrated to other galleries around town; so check out our personal favorite: Woolworth Walk (more details below). For any art lovers, please consider visiting the Marquee's website to find a list of artists that you can support directly, if you wish. Additionally, if you would like to consider donating to the restoration efforts in place of a wedding gift, you can find more details at the link provided.
Woolworth Walk
One of several combination gallery-art markets downtown, Woolworth Walk offers a wide selection of works from local artists, and the fun addition of an old-fashioned soda shoppe!
Asheville Pinball Museum
For anyone who loves vintage games or just wants to try something different, this pinball museum allows you to play their games for as long as you like after a modest cover fee. There is also a bar for anyone who simply wishes to cheer on their friend as they watch. Be sure to check their hours, and note they get especially busy on rainy days!
Malaprop's Bookstore
An indie bookstore in downtown Asheville, this place is a great space for any book lovers to grab a quick drink from the cafe and browse for a while. Keep an eye out on their website for any events they may be hosting.
LaZoom Tours
LaZoom tours are a great way to see the city if you're looking for something a little different from the usual tour guide. These fun purple buses offer a comedic or musical (or both!) spin on a typical bus tour. They offer a variety of tour types, so be sure to check out all their offerings.
Beer City Brewery Tours
If you like beer, Asheville may be the city you never knew to visit. In 2022, it ranked as number one in the US for breweries per capita at 27.6 per 100,000 residents. Since we couldn't possibly narrow it down, we thought we'd recommend a brew tour like this one. Led by a knowledgeable local, this tour covers three breweries in about three hours and included guided tastings. But remember, this is just one tour, we recommend researching for others based on your favorites!
The Orange Peel
While you can find music in unexpected corners of Asheville's downtown streets, if you're looking for a more formal venue, The Orange Peel is the quintessential Asheville stop of live performance. As it hosts a wide variety of types of performers, be sure to check out who's playing while you're in town to see if anything is of interest.
Pisgah National Forest
As Asheville is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is no shortage of hikes and adventures. Consider the nearby Pisgah National Forest for some of those adventures, as it is home to waterfalls, zip lines, and hundreds of miles of trails. As with any excursion into the outdoors, be sure you are properly prepared and check that the sites you wish to visit are open, especially after Hurricane Helene.
Blue Ridge Parkway
For anyone with a car, consider the Blue Ridge Parkway as a fun diversion and way to see so much of the natural beauty the Blue Ridge Mountains have to offer. If you are driving into town for the wedding, you may even consider taking the scenic route! The address above is for the nearest parkway entrance to downtown Asheville, and remember to check for any warnings about road closures due to inclement weather.
Sliding Rock
This one is a ways out of town, but for anyone with time to kill (or who might be traveling in and out of the Atlanta airport) consider stopping at this unique waterfall that doubles as a natural waterslide. Situated one hour out of the city, it offers something a little unique for those seeking adventure.