I’ve been wanting to start a new series where I talk about different places that are great for short weekend getaways (or even longer if you have the time), and I can’t think of a better city to start with than Asheville! If you haven’t been to this charming, artsy city in the mountains of North Carolina yet, you definitely need to check it out. And even if you’ve been quite a few times like I have, there is always something new to explore or a new restaurant to try, because let’s be real, the amazing foodie scene is one of my favorite things about Asheville!

Getting here: 

• If you live within a few hours of Asheville, driving here is well-worth it since no matter where you’re coming from, you’ll be driving through some beautiful mountain ranges.
• If it’s too far of a drive for you, Asheville does have a regional airport (AVL) or you can fly into the much larger Charlotte Douglas international airport (CLT), and then drive the two hours from Charlotte into Asheville.

Where to stay: 

• Whether you want to stay right downtown, or a bit further out in the mountains, Asheville has tons of options for you. If you’re going to splurge on a luxury hotel, you can’t go wrong with The Grove Park Inn for it’s incredible views, spas, restaurants, and more. If you’re looking for a more affordable hotel, Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville is very nice and in a very walkable location.
• I also stayed in the most perfect Airbnb for my bachelorette weekend (thank to my fabulous bridesmaids!) in the mountains overlooking Asheville, but still no more than a ten minute drive to downtown. And this Airbnb also looks pretty great! If you’re going to book an Airbnb, make sure you use my discount code to save $40 off your first booking.

  

• If you’re on a budget, there are a decent number of hostels throughout Asheville like this one that have great reviews. And if you love a good old-fashioned bed and breakfast like I do, I’ve stayed at the Engadine Inn before and absolutely loved it! The breakfast was to-die-for, and they have cabins onsite as well.

What to do:

• Now here’s the fun part, because there is SO much to do in this city! The downtown area is very walkable, and you can easily spend a day just walking through the charming boutiques and art galleries.
• Make sure you visit the Grove Arcade, a really neat indoor and outdoor shopping center and market with such pretty architecture. I love the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar here– because what could be better than browsing books with a glass of wine or champagne in hand?

  

• A visit to Asheville is not complete without walking through the River Arts District and checking out the different artists and their working galleries here, along the French Broad River. There are even art classes and special exhibits and openings that you can do, so see what’s going on while you’ll be visiting!
• If you’re like me and could happily browse through cool antique shops for hours, then you need to check out Screen Door. It is full of treasures, and its incredible bookstore is one of my favorite bookstores ever!
• I think it goes without saying that if you haven’t visited the Biltmore Estate before, you’ve got to visit at least once. It’s pricey, but the house, gardens, and grounds are so stunning that it’s completely worth it. I recommend purchasing the audio tour, especially if it’s your first visit, so that you can learn all of the history behind ‘America’s Largest Home’. Now through October 7, 2018, they also have Chihuly at Biltmore, with a collection of Dale Chihuly’s glass sculptures set up throughout the gardens, and after visiting other Chihuly exhibits before, I know it is incredible.

  

Where to eat:

• Now last, but certainly not least, we need to talk about the best places to eat and drink here, because honestly, you could plan your whole trip around the restaurants and breweries alone! Asheville has become such a foodie city, full of farm-to-table restaurants, cute bakeries, and wine bars galore.
• My absolute favorite restaurant in Asheville is Posana, a farm-to-table restaurant open for dinner nightly, plus brunch on the weekends. It’s menu is seasonal and always delicious, but the best part about it for me in particular, is that everything on the menu is gluten free! The owner’s wife is celiac, so he wanted to create a fabulous dining experience where she could order anything off the menu, and being in the same boat as her, it is MUCH appreciated! My gluten-loving husband can also vouch for the fact that although all of the food is gluten free, it doesn’t taste gluten free.

  

• The best spot for a southern breakfast is without a doubt, Biscuit Head. This Asheville classic was such an instant hit that they now have three locations in total! And I loved seeing that they now offer gluten free biscuits too. What makes them unique (besides their perfect biscuits) is the jam bar, where you can try everything from rosemary jam to banana fosters jam!
• Asheville has quite a few breweries, with a favorite of mine being Lexington Ave Brewery (also known as Lab), which has great food in addition to their delicious beer. Wicked Weed Brewing also has a nice outdoor patio that is dog-friendly, and surprisingly good food for a brewery! Their sunburst trout is fantastic. And Sierra Nevada recently opened a taproom with tours and tastings just outside of Asheville that is fun to check out as well.
• For a sweet treat, make sure you visit French Broad Chocolate Lounge, right in downtown Asheville, for incredible truffles in unique flavors like strawberry balsamic, plus cookies, cakes, and even Liquid Truffle sipping chocolate. This place makes me feel like I’ve died and gone to chocolate heaven!

  

Well there you have it! This is just a small sampling of all that Asheville has to offer, including some of my personal favorites. I love how unique and full of culture this city is, and it just keeps growing. Have you visited Asheville before, and do you love it here as much as I do? If you haven’t already, check out my recent travel tips on visiting beautiful Santorini, the charming island of Mykonos, and all of the history of Athens, Greece, and stay tuned for lots more fun stuff to come!