Guidebook for Asheville
Essentials
Closest grocery store. They're open until eleven, usually have good fresh produce and a decent organic section. They definitely cover all the basics you'd typically need for standard groceries.
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Ingles Markets
1572 Sand Hill RdClosest grocery store. They're open until eleven, usually have good fresh produce and a decent organic section. They definitely cover all the basics you'd typically need for standard groceries.
If you're looking for a grocer with a bent toward natural and organic, check out Earth Fare. They have a great hot food bar, ocean-fresh fish and local meats, and just about everything you could want.
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Earth Fare
66 Westgate PkwyIf you're looking for a grocer with a bent toward natural and organic, check out Earth Fare. They have a great hot food bar, ocean-fresh fish and local meats, and just about everything you could want.
If you need to get your hair done, look no further - this is the most highly recommended local salon, and I have never walked out anything other than happy. You can also book online, yay technology! www.willowsdream.com
Willow's Dream
64 Broadway StIf you need to get your hair done, look no further - this is the most highly recommended local salon, and I have never walked out anything other than happy. You can also book online, yay technology! www.willowsdream.com
Food Scene
With low tables and floor cushions, the back of this place is a dream for intimate conversations or to work on your laptop. Tons of plugs! They have literally hundreds of teas, and light snacks. http://www.dobrateanc.com
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Dobra Tea
78 N Lexington AveWith low tables and floor cushions, the back of this place is a dream for intimate conversations or to work on your laptop. Tons of plugs! They have literally hundreds of teas, and light snacks. http://www.dobrateanc.com
Moderately priced, great views of the square and talented buskers everywhere, and right in the heart of what's happening downtown. Oh yeah, the food's always good too!
27 locals raden deze aan
The Noodle Shop
3 SW Pack SqModerately priced, great views of the square and talented buskers everywhere, and right in the heart of what's happening downtown. Oh yeah, the food's always good too!
Nice vegetarian restaurant for lunch. Plan for a long meal; they don't cook quickly, but the food is almost always worth it. http://laughingseed.jackofthewood.com
161 locals raden deze aan
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StNice vegetarian restaurant for lunch. Plan for a long meal; they don't cook quickly, but the food is almost always worth it. http://laughingseed.jackofthewood.com
Fabulous pizza joint. Great selection, fresh ingredients, and a convivial and hippy-esque atmosphere. You won't regret it, unless you're lactose intolerant!
81 locals raden deze aan
Mellow Mushroom
50 Broadway StFabulous pizza joint. Great selection, fresh ingredients, and a convivial and hippy-esque atmosphere. You won't regret it, unless you're lactose intolerant!
If you're a chocolate aficionado, you will be in love with this place. Don't ask questions, just go. Trust me. https://frenchbroadchocolates.com
363 locals raden deze aan
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareIf you're a chocolate aficionado, you will be in love with this place. Don't ask questions, just go. Trust me. https://frenchbroadchocolates.com
If you love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, this place is a fantastic find right off Pritchard Park. On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music and belly-dancing. www.jerusalemgardencafe.com
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Jerusalem Garden Café
78 Patton AveIf you love Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, this place is a fantastic find right off Pritchard Park. On Friday and Saturday nights they have live music and belly-dancing. www.jerusalemgardencafe.com
If you love a good burger, you are going to be in heaven at Farm Burger. Local farm-to-table ingredients, constantly updating menu, and frankly the best burgers I've ever had. One location downtown, and a new location on the south side on Hendersonville Road. Forget Five Guys, this place has got it going on. www.farmburger.net
151 locals raden deze aan
Farm Burger Asheville
10 Patton AveIf you love a good burger, you are going to be in heaven at Farm Burger. Local farm-to-table ingredients, constantly updating menu, and frankly the best burgers I've ever had. One location downtown, and a new location on the south side on Hendersonville Road. Forget Five Guys, this place has got it going on. www.farmburger.net
You can find breakfast, savory and sweet crepes fresh-cooked to order here. Delicieuse! And very reasonable prices for generous servings. www.twistedcrepe.com
6 locals raden deze aan
Twisted Crepe
62 Haywood StYou can find breakfast, savory and sweet crepes fresh-cooked to order here. Delicieuse! And very reasonable prices for generous servings. www.twistedcrepe.com
Who wouldn't want to get dessert and coffee on a double-decker bus? People who hate fun, I imagine. Check it out while you're wandering downtown, it will put a smile on your face and happiness in your tummy. www.doubledscoffee.com
40 locals raden deze aan
Double D's Coffee & Desserts
41 Biltmore AveWho wouldn't want to get dessert and coffee on a double-decker bus? People who hate fun, I imagine. Check it out while you're wandering downtown, it will put a smile on your face and happiness in your tummy. www.doubledscoffee.com
For classic New Orleans style cooking with farm-to-table ingredients, I've never regretted sending anyone to Mayfel's. If you're looking for down-home goodness, this is your spot. www.mayfels.net
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Mayfel's
22 College StFor classic New Orleans style cooking with farm-to-table ingredients, I've never regretted sending anyone to Mayfel's. If you're looking for down-home goodness, this is your spot. www.mayfels.net
This is a local chain with three locations (downtown is listed here, but there are locations on the west side and one on the south side also), organic food, great sandwiches, salads, quiches, etc. Good for working or for a quick meal. www.greensagecafe.com
47 locals raden deze aan
Green Sage Cafe Downtown
5 Broadway StThis is a local chain with three locations (downtown is listed here, but there are locations on the west side and one on the south side also), organic food, great sandwiches, salads, quiches, etc. Good for working or for a quick meal. www.greensagecafe.com
Astonishingly good vegan food. Try their cheese plate - no, really, you will be so glad you did.
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Plant
165 Merrimon AveAstonishingly good vegan food. Try their cheese plate - no, really, you will be so glad you did.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is a fun little dive bar for the alternative, punk and metal crowd. Frequent live music, community yard sales, other events. As they say themselves, "An oddities bar for the peculiar children of Asheville." www.ashevilleodditorium.com
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The Odditorium
1045 Haywood RdThis is a fun little dive bar for the alternative, punk and metal crowd. Frequent live music, community yard sales, other events. As they say themselves, "An oddities bar for the peculiar children of Asheville." www.ashevilleodditorium.com
If you're looking for Saturday night Karaoke, this is your place. Not too special otherwise, but rock that mic like you mean it! http://www.wildwingcafe.com
23 locals raden deze aan
Wild Wing Cafe
65 Long Shoals RdIf you're looking for Saturday night Karaoke, this is your place. Not too special otherwise, but rock that mic like you mean it! http://www.wildwingcafe.com
Lex 18 is a moonshine bar and speakeasy with nightly live music and periodic ticketed dinner shows. On the site of Asheville's original speakeasy, it brings the 1920s prohibition era back to life with costumed waitstaff and a romantic atmosphere that can't be beat. This place is always an experience. Closed Mondays. www.lex18avl.com
11 locals raden deze aan
Lex 18
18 N Lexington AveLex 18 is a moonshine bar and speakeasy with nightly live music and periodic ticketed dinner shows. On the site of Asheville's original speakeasy, it brings the 1920s prohibition era back to life with costumed waitstaff and a romantic atmosphere that can't be beat. This place is always an experience. Closed Mondays. www.lex18avl.com
Edgar Allen Poe would have drowned his sorrows happily in the nearly 300 whiskeys, 500+ spirits, and fine victorian atmosphere. You'll like it too. Wear your lace if you're in the mood, you'll fit right in. www.thecrowandquill.com
86 locals raden deze aan
The Crow & Quill
106 N Lexington AveEdgar Allen Poe would have drowned his sorrows happily in the nearly 300 whiskeys, 500+ spirits, and fine victorian atmosphere. You'll like it too. Wear your lace if you're in the mood, you'll fit right in. www.thecrowandquill.com
World class music & performance acts in an intimate standing-room venue. There are a couple high tops up for grabs but you gotta get in early. Multiple bars, and a GIANT ceiling fan keeps the air moving. They also have a movie series in the summer. Definitely worth checking out the gigs playing here while you're in town! www.theorangepeel.net/events/
408 locals raden deze aan
De Sinaasappelschil
101 Biltmore AveWorld class music & performance acts in an intimate standing-room venue. There are a couple high tops up for grabs but you gotta get in early. Multiple bars, and a GIANT ceiling fan keeps the air moving. They also have a movie series in the summer. Definitely worth checking out the gigs playing here while you're in town! www.theorangepeel.net/events/
Arts & Culture
If you enjoy art with a pop culture influence, Zapow never disappoints. The art here is astonishingly affordable, and you'll find some truly unique works and great gifts for folks back home.
ZaPow Gallery
150 Coxe AveIf you enjoy art with a pop culture influence, Zapow never disappoints. The art here is astonishingly affordable, and you'll find some truly unique works and great gifts for folks back home.
A fabulous professional theatre in downtown Asheville. Intimate performance space combined with the highest calibre productions. http://www.ncstage.org
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North Carolina Stage Company
15 Stage LaneA fabulous professional theatre in downtown Asheville. Intimate performance space combined with the highest calibre productions. http://www.ncstage.org
Diana Wortham hosts opera, symphony, theatrical and other live performance events of a national calibre. Check out what's available while you're in town! http://www.dwtheatre.com
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Diana Wortham Theatre
18 Biltmore AveDiana Wortham hosts opera, symphony, theatrical and other live performance events of a national calibre. Check out what's available while you're in town! http://www.dwtheatre.com
Every Friday night from 6-10pm (weather permitting) hundreds of Asheville native and visitors alike gather for a free unique drum circle and dancing experience in Pritchard Park. There is nothing like it, and every visit to Asheville should include a stop by the drum circle.
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Pritchard Park
67 Patton AveEvery Friday night from 6-10pm (weather permitting) hundreds of Asheville native and visitors alike gather for a free unique drum circle and dancing experience in Pritchard Park. There is nothing like it, and every visit to Asheville should include a stop by the drum circle.
Featuring traditional appalachian folk art alongside modern pieces, the Folk Art Center almost always has artists demonstrating their craft. Surrounded by miles of trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a visit to the art center coupled with a hike is a great way to spend a day. www.southernhighlandguild.org/folk-art-center/
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The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyFeaturing traditional appalachian folk art alongside modern pieces, the Folk Art Center almost always has artists demonstrating their craft. Surrounded by miles of trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a visit to the art center coupled with a hike is a great way to spend a day. www.southernhighlandguild.org/folk-art-center/
This gallery features dozens of local artists in a fully restored Woolworth Building where you can still belly up to the soda bar and get a delightful treat. www.woolworthwalk.com
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Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood StThis gallery features dozens of local artists in a fully restored Woolworth Building where you can still belly up to the soda bar and get a delightful treat. www.woolworthwalk.com
Everything Else
If you want a scenic drive, you can't beat the parkway. And if you want some great close hikes, ask me for directions to my favorite trailheads off the parkway. Gorgeous easy/intermediate hikes!
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Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge ParkwayIf you want a scenic drive, you can't beat the parkway. And if you want some great close hikes, ask me for directions to my favorite trailheads off the parkway. Gorgeous easy/intermediate hikes!
It's easy to accidentally overdo it with physical activity on vacation. Dr. Hardin has great hours, is very knowledgeable, and has worked wonders for me with pinched nerves and mis-aligned joints.
Asheville Chiropractors | Dr. Alice Hardin Chiropractic Clinic
91 Mt Carmel RdIt's easy to accidentally overdo it with physical activity on vacation. Dr. Hardin has great hours, is very knowledgeable, and has worked wonders for me with pinched nerves and mis-aligned joints.
This urgent care is the closest to our home, about five minutes away. I've only been there once, but they were pleasant and took care of my stitches carefully and professionally.
10 locals raden deze aan
Mercy Urgent Care West
1201 Patton AveThis urgent care is the closest to our home, about five minutes away. I've only been there once, but they were pleasant and took care of my stitches carefully and professionally.
This laundromat is right nearby in the same shopping center as the Ingles food market, a dollar store, and an Asian buffet. Plenty to do while you wait for your clothes to wash and dry!
Fiesta Laundry
153 Smokey Park HwyThis laundromat is right nearby in the same shopping center as the Ingles food market, a dollar store, and an Asian buffet. Plenty to do while you wait for your clothes to wash and dry!
Shopping
I source my local grass-fed meats here. They also do farm tours, and have special events frequently. Check them out, it's a great way to get to understand where your food comes from!
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Hickory Nut Gap Farm
57 Sugar Hollow RdI source my local grass-fed meats here. They also do farm tours, and have special events frequently. Check them out, it's a great way to get to understand where your food comes from!
This is a great walking neighborhood - tons of local shops, little cafes, fine dining, just about anything you could want!
203 locals raden deze aan
Grove Arcade
1 Page AveThis is a great walking neighborhood - tons of local shops, little cafes, fine dining, just about anything you could want!
This is a unique used bookstore and champagne bar. They serve delightful wines, coffees and gourmet repasts, while providing an intimate and warm atmosphere to tuck into a good book or meet friends. www.batteryparkbookexchange.com
191 locals raden deze aan
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveThis is a unique used bookstore and champagne bar. They serve delightful wines, coffees and gourmet repasts, while providing an intimate and warm atmosphere to tuck into a good book or meet friends. www.batteryparkbookexchange.com
This gigantic flea market is a local and visitor favorite. They say you can find pretty much everything under the sun, and you're right! Bargain-hunters will love this place. http://smileysfleamarkets.com/north-carolina/
9 locals raden deze aan
Smiley's Flea Market
5360 Hendersonville RdThis gigantic flea market is a local and visitor favorite. They say you can find pretty much everything under the sun, and you're right! Bargain-hunters will love this place. http://smileysfleamarkets.com/north-carolina/
Entertainment & Activities
Biltmore is not cheap, so be ready to dig into your pockets if you go here, but it's a gorgeous estate with lots to do for couples or families. http://www.biltmore.com
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Biltmore
1 Lodge StBiltmore is not cheap, so be ready to dig into your pockets if you go here, but it's a gorgeous estate with lots to do for couples or families. http://www.biltmore.com
Dozens of pinball machines from different decades, an 80s style game arcade, and a per-visit price make this one of my favorite places to while away some time on a rainy day or sunday afternoon. www.ashevillepinball.com
210 locals raden deze aan
Asheville Music Hall
31 Patton AveDozens of pinball machines from different decades, an 80s style game arcade, and a per-visit price make this one of my favorite places to while away some time on a rainy day or sunday afternoon. www.ashevillepinball.com
It's not cheap, but Navitat has multiple zip lines and other amazing adventures in the trees. A couple locations, you can buy day packages to take in pretty much everything they offer. Great way to get outdoors and get your adventure on if you want to be guided or to experience something you won't get on a hike. http://www.navitat.com/asheville-nc/
279 locals raden deze aan
Navitat Canopy Adventures
242 Poverty Branch RdIt's not cheap, but Navitat has multiple zip lines and other amazing adventures in the trees. A couple locations, you can buy day packages to take in pretty much everything they offer. Great way to get outdoors and get your adventure on if you want to be guided or to experience something you won't get on a hike. http://www.navitat.com/asheville-nc/