Tyler & Sean
Things To Do
Black Balsam Knob
About an hour drive from downtown, this is a relatively easy hike that leads to a grassy "balds" summit with 360 views. Try and drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there, if you can - the drive will be stunning with the leaves! Just put "Black Balsam Knob" into your GPS and it will take you to one of the trailheads to access - we recommend starting on the Art Loeb trailhead.
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
One of Tyler's all-time favorite places. An entry point into the Pisgah National Forest, this is a huge network of trails outfitted for bikers, hikers, and general nature enthusiasts. You can spend as little or as long as you want walking through, and the trails are very well marked/easy to walk on. Keep your eyes and ears pealed for mountain bikers, and be sure to step aside to let them pass! If you want to try your hand at mountain biking, there is a bike rental shop about 10 minutes down the road called MustAsheville Bikes (and many more nearby).
Whistle Hop Brewing Company
Retrofitted out of an old train car, this brewery is one of the more unique ones out there. Play one of their many free games (including a full putt putt golf course) while sipping on some awesome brews and checking out the beautiful mountain views across the street!
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
Another easy and relatively short hike accessible off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (make sure to put the Fryingpan trailhead into your GPS). There's a lookout tower at the top that you can climb all the way up on for some crazy views of the Blue Ridge mountains. Let us know if you make it all the way up to the top of the tower - we're too chicken to do it!
Drive Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville's busiest time of the year is during Fall because of its spectacular leaf-peeping, and driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the absolute best ways to experience some vibrant colors and exceptional scenic overlooks. You'll be sure to "Fall" in love with Asheville this way (...sorry).
Biltmore Estate
Built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895 and (to this day) the largest privately-owned home in the United States, the Biltmore is unlike any place else. Book a tour to see its expansive grounds, admire the architecture, and learn about a significant piece of Asheville lore. Other things to do at the Biltmore include their award-winning winery on site that does complimentary wine tastings, as well as rotating art exhibits on the property that you can purchase tickets to see. You can even stay here as your accommodations for the weekend if you really want to do it up!
Hillman Beer
A favorite brewery of ours. Try and sit out back at a table overlooking the creek!
Highland Brewing Company
Asheville's first brewery! Besides basically every beer being excellent, they have an awesome meadow area with a disc golf course. They also have a downtown location that's walkable from the hotel where we have our block, located in a cool indoor food market.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
This is one of their primary taprooms and is a sight to behold. They have food, a back area with an amphitheater and live music usually playing, and a ton of draft pours that they don't sell in retail. It's a beautiful space to hang and chill for a few hours.
Antidote at Chemist Spirits
A great cocktail bar with a fantastic front patio, unique multi-level interior, and stunning roof deck with an outdoor fireplace. Wicked Weed Funkatorium and Green Man Brewery are also very popular, and are right next door to Antidote.
Luminosa
An amazing italian restaurant downtown, located on the lobby floor of the Flat Iron Hotel. There is a great speakeasy in the basement of the hotel for drinks after dinner!
Asheville Pinball Museum
Right in the center of downtown Asheville, this is a local oddity hallmark. Besides admiring the vast and expansive collection, you can actually pay to play on the machines ($17 for unlimited play - not bad!).
VISUALS Rooftop Bar
This is a cool rooftop space dedicated to wines and cocktails (if beers aren't your thing :) ). It's located on top of one of Asheville's best music halls, Eulogy.
Post 25 Kitchen and Lounge
A little bit outside of downtown Asheville, but worth the drive if you're in the area - our absolute favorite restaurant in the greater AVL area. Get the greek nachos!
Luella's Bar-B-Que
Can't come to the North Carolina and not get barbecue - this is the best in the area, no questions.
Penny Cup Coffee Co.
Great place for a quick cup of coffee and some breakfast in downtown.
The Market Place
An awesome spot to post up for drinks and light bites. Located on a very cool side street in town that's worth walking around!
Cúrate Bar de Tapas
An amazing tapas spot right in the center of downtown.