Living on the east coast, we don’t get the luxury of conveniently experiencing many of the whimsical mountain towns like Aspen, Jackson Hole, or Lake Tahoe. But what we do have is funky and wonderful in its own way. And that’s Asheville. Situated in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has made quite a name for itself as an artistic haven for those looking to escape to some place a little more eclectic while simultaneously experiencing all the outdoors that the mountains have to offer. With an exceptional food and cocktail scene, it’s a great place for a fabulous weekend getaway. I’ve broken out a quick itinerary on how to make the most of your time in this city:
Thursday
Arrive in the mountains just in time for dinner. Luckily, Asheville has its own airport with quite a number of direct flights from many of the major U.S. cities (e.g., New York, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta). It’s also about a 2 hour drive from Charlotte. Downtown Asheville itself is pretty walkable. However, this is a place where you will likely want a car if you want to easily get out to the hiking trails. If you don’t plan on venturing very far into the mountains, then you can get around just using your feet and Uber.
Pre-dinner cocktails: Stop by Antidote at Chemist Spirits for a suave cocktail bar. If you like gin, this is the place to be. They have their own distillery and actually sell bottles.
Next, head on over to Sovereign Remedies for some pre-dinner drinks where they specialize in creative cocktail concoctions. Sip on your favorite drink and soak up the vibes.
After you’re a little boozed up, Uber on over to The Admiral for some food. It’s a little out of the way but the drive is worth the innovative food you’ll encounter. Also, they are very encouraging of walk-ins in case you forget to make a reservation. Some highlights for us included the beef tartare, radicchio salad, trout, and oyster mushrooms. I’d consider it American Fare with an Appalachian twist.
Friday
Time for a hike. After all, you are in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But first, breakfast to fuel up. Stop by The Rhu for a breakfast sandwich you won’t forget. This is from the same people as Asheville’s famous dining establishment, Rhubarb. Can’t go wrong with any of their biscuit sandwiches.
