There are a lot of hidden gems in Asheville, NC you should definitely know about when you decide to go there.
The summer is hot and humid in the Carolinas and sometimes you just need to get away from the heat, the daily routine, the chores around the house and go up to the mountains.
Asheville is the perfect place to go for a short or a long weekend. No matter how far away you are, it is definitely a great getaway and a must see.
Do you have a RV, Camper or a tent? Then pack your stuff and head up to the mountains.
Here are the best things to do in Asheville, NC:
Campground Lake Powhatan in Pisgah National Forest
Wow, what a great Campsite.
This Campground is located in a National Experimental Forest. It has big lots with a fire place and benches and nice, clean bathrooms.
The sites are pretty easy to pull in and out.
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A lot of bike and hiking trails start right here at the Campground and makes it easy to entertain the kids.
You can let them run around the camping site or let them go for bike rides around the loop.
Or go swimming or fishing in Lake Powhatan with crystal clear water and a dedicated swimming area. There is even a Lifeguard on duty on the weekends.
The Campground is about 10 Miles away from Asheville which makes it easy for exploring.
And being so close to Asheville you should definitely check it out, especially when you are a beer lover.
New Belgium Brewery
Sit outside on the deck, enjoy a freshly brewed beer and watch the people floating by on the lazy river.
Get a bite to eat from the Food Trucks and enjoy the music or play corn hole. It is a nice hangout for a late afternoon and a good way to start the evening.
Right around the corner is the
River Arts District
Go for a stroll and explore the new developed artsy district. Pretty funky, a little hippie, but if you like it a little different you are at the right place.
Have a wood fired Pizza at Fresh West which is really delicious. Sit inside or outside and watch the groundhogs running around.
After dinner walk up the street and have a drink at the Wedge Studios. Definitely a place to go and to check out. Interesting welding objects are displayed and incorporated in the rustic area.
On the weekends you can either watch a play or listen to a band play while you are having a drink or two on the outside deck.
It has a nice and relaxing vibe and if you are hungry, get some delicious food from the food truck.
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Asheville Downtown
After a relaxing day at the campground, check out the shops with handcrafted decor, jewelry, clothes in Downtown Asheville.
It is really a nice walk up and down College Street, have a drink at the Wicked Weed Brewery and then move on to a variety of very delicious restaurants.
You can choose between pricy and also very reasonable but very good restaurants:
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Our favorites are:
- Wicked Weed Brewing Funkatorium
- Curry House
- Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas
- Curate Tapas
If you come with children and you rather want something easy and casual check out
- Mellow Mushroom or
- The White Duck Taco Shop.
No matter what you choose, the food is delicious.
A lot of new Restaurants open up all the time, so it is hard to keep up with them and make suggestions.
Just walk around and see for yourself what kind of food you desire.
Many restaurants serve vegan food and use local produce.
You can taste the difference, good and healthy food is just so much better.
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Pretty cool is
West Asheville.
West Asheville is a nice area with a lot of Bars, Breweries and of course Restaurants.
Check out
- Nine Mile Restaurant, Caribbean Food
- Oyster House
- All Sevens Brewing
No matter what you do, don’t miss out to go to the
Sierra Nevada Brewery.
Have a beer outside in the beer garden, but go inside if you are hungry because inside you get the real food served.
I love the organic food they are offering.
The pizzas, the salads, the chicken wings, burgers, the food is absolutely delicious.
And if you don’t know which beer you like, get a sample rack and try them all.
But wait, there is more:
If you like to print out all my tips, here is a pdf. for you:
8 secret weekend tips Asheville, NC-2
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Besides Food and Beer there is much more to do:
If you want to be active and have some fun, here are my suggestions:
Go ziplining if you want to fly over the forest (expensive) http://naviatat.com
Float on the lazy river for a couple of relaxing hours (but don’t forget sun protection and a hat) . <a href=”http://ashevilleoutdoorcenter.com”>http://ashevilleoutdoorcenter.com
Go to DuPont State Park and climb up the water falls (wear hiking shoes) Go to Hendersonville and stroll around a small town with pretty shops and buy local produce .
Climb up the Chimney Rock in Chimney Rock State Park and enjoy the stunning view of the Devil’s Head balancing rock and a 404 foot waterfall.
Final thoughts about Asheville, NV
There are a many things to do in Asheville and around Asheville if you are a nature freak.
If you love to hike, that’s the place. Hike the Apalachian State Park and choose a trail how far you want to go. Because there are pretty challenging trails you have to be prepared for.
Check out mountain bike trails and ziplining, swim in the river or float on a tube if you want to be lazy.
The kids will have a blast – and you can enjoy a good beer in a beer garden. There are many to choose from.
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Terri says
This looks like an lovely vacation spot. I’d love to go and learn about the history. I’m sure Lake Powhatan has some of Native American history. Pocahontas was a Powhatan.
Asheville certainly seems to have a very cool vibe.
Thanks for sharing these awesome tips!
Conny Karavolias says
Hi Terri, thank you for your reply. Asheville is certainly a great vacation spot, also for children. We love going up to the mountains with the camper. Check it out.