This past weekend Dustin and I headed to Asheville for our good friend’s 30th birthday! I absolutely adore this city. It is actually the first place Dustin and I ever traveled together (that wasn’t for a wedding). I love it so much I even celebrated my bachelorette party in this fun, mountain town. The food, the beer, and the culture of Asheville give it the coolest vibe. I decided to put together some of my favorite things about Asheville as a travel guide for anyone who hasn’t been there.
Restaurants
White Duck Taco: This place is great for lunch. It’s more than just your average taco place. Their salsa trio and queso are delicious!!
Their tacos are made fresh and taste amazing. The menu changes frequently, but there are a few staples on the menu. Dustin and I ordered (from left to right) Thai peanut chicken, Korean beef, Bangkok shrimp, and the fish taco. I highly recommend them all.
Buxton Hall BBQ: Holy smokes (see what I did there), this barbecue is GOOD. Their dinner menu has a great mix of southern favorites and bbq classics. We started with their hushpuppies and steamed mussels and both were delicious. We wanted to try their tomato pie, but it was sold out for the night… an indication to me that it is probably awesome. I ordered their Original Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich that is topped with American cheese, pimento cheese, white bbq sauce, and their homemade pickles. This is definitely not something I could eat on a regular basis but WOW, was it good. Another cool thing about this place is they have a daily boozy slushy. While we were there it was a bourbon, CheerWine mix, and I had to try it.
Red Stag Grill: This restaurant is a little pricey, but totally worth the money! It is located in the Bohemian hotel and Dustin and I went there on our first trip to Asheville. We had some amazing fried green tomatoes for an appetizer along with some delicious cocktails. Dustin ordered an elk tenderloin that was out of this world.
Carmel’s: I went to Carmel’s while in Asheville for my bachelorette party and it did not disappoint. They had a private back room that was perfect for our party of 8. The service was great and the food was delicious. We ordered the BBQ pork poutine and it was divine.
Double Dee’s Coffee and Desserts: So this is not actually a restaurant. It is an old double decker bus converted into a coffee and dessert bar. It’s also right in the middle of downtown Asheville.
Dustin got a Dirty Chai Latte that was amazing!
Breweries
Sierra Nevada: I’ll be honest, last weekend when I heard we were driving 30 minutes outside the city to go to just another brewery I wasn’t thrilled. However, when we arrived at Sierra Nevada I was blown away. Just driving onto the grounds I felt like I was going to a botanical garden. This place was beautiful! The brewery itself is HUGE and there is tons to do even if you don’t want to take an official tour. We headed to the Taproom where we played corn hole and ordered a few beers while waiting for our table.
We were seated outside, which was awesome because the weather was perfect. The outside of the Taproom overlooks the amphitheater and gardens on the property.
The food was also incredible and served tapas style. We shared almost everything on the menu for the table and there was nothing that I wouldn’t order again.
Wicked Weed: This brewery is an Asheville staple. The beer is so good and the atmosphere is inviting. In the winter they have fire pits and heaters, and in the summer they have corn hole and tons of outdoor tables. They also have a tapas menu and their nachos are tasty.
Funkatorium: This is a sister brewery to Wicked Weed. The name perfectly describes the beer, it’s funky. Their flights let you try a little of everything and they change with the seasons. When Dustin and I went the first time we had a Milk and Cookies Stout and when I went with the girls we had Cherry Tarts. The menu is vast and there is something for everyone.
Attractions
The Biltmore: This is by far one of Asheville’s biggest attractions. The Biltmore is GORGEOUS. Once on the grounds, the winery offers free tastings. This was probably my favorite part. The wine was wonderful and it was perfect for a girls day.
The gardens are incredible and also free to walk around once on the property. They are huge and absolutely beautiful. I have never actually done the house tour, but I think that’s on my list for my next trip!
The Grove Park Inn: While I have never stayed at the Grove Park Inn, I have gone there for sunset cocktails. I highly recommend this. The setting is gorgeous and you have a beautiful view of the city as the sun sets. They have a great wine list and cocktail menu.
Hiking: There are tons of hiking trails around the Asheville area. Many of the trails are off the Blue Ridge Parkway so you also get a killer view on your drive there. I would recommend hiking in the spring, because we went in the winter and it’s just not as pretty with all the leaves gone. Click here to find a trail that best fits your needs.
Battery Park Book Exchange: This. Place. Is. Awesome. It’s a library turned bar that has the coolest vibe. All of their cocktails are named after authors or famous characters. I highly recommend this place to have a drink before or after dinner.
I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for Asheville! I’d love to hear if you take any of my advice or if you love something in Asheville that I didn’t mention.
