Most people know the one place you have to visit in Asheville, NC is the Biltmore Estate. Indeed, with 8,000 beautiful acres, a luxurious inn, winery and a 250-room French château built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, Biltmore is a must see. But once you’ve seen Biltmore, is it worth returning to Asheville for another visit?
Here are just a few reasons why we believe the answer is a resounding: yes!
The Great Outdoors. Asheville is situated within the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs near Asheville and offers a variety of day hikes to enjoy a section of this 2,175 mile trail. The more daring “thru-hikers” will hike the entire trail, beginning in Georgia, ending in Maine. Check out National Geographic’s documentary on the Appalachian Trail for a thorough overview.
In addition to the AT, Asheville offers a number of parks with a variety of activities. One such nearby place is the Waynesville, NC Park and Recreation Center. With a greenway, disc golf park, multipurpose room, softball, volleyball, pool, tennis and running track it would be tough to run out of things to do here! A stream runs through the disc golf course and the area is dog friendly, which makes for a day of fun for the whole family!
Downtown Life. There is no shortage of cafes and eateries in Asheville, like any other city. What is somewhat unique however, especially for a city in the southeast, is the myriad of options to enjoy organic and locally-sourced food and drinks at restaurants in Asheville. One really great option is Posana Cafe. Beyond the commitment to high quality, freshly made ingredients, even the beers are gluten-free. The food and drink selection is fresh and unique. One beverage fitting the description is the Zen-tini, which includes house-infused Lemongrass Vodka, Ginger Agave, Raw Ginger and Lime Juice, making it perhaps the most perfect drink of the summer. With indoor and outdoor (pet-friendly) dining, Posana serves up perfection in the setting of your choice.
Posana is located on Historic Pack Square, a 6.5 acre park given new life over the last decade thanks to Pack Square Park Conservancy. Pack Square offers a place to relax, visit and enjoy Art in the Park, Shindig on the Green, Greek Festival and many other events throughout the year.
Local art. Asheville is rich with local artists and artisans. A walk through downtown offers original shopping options both in locally-owned stores and from artists selling their handcrafted pieces outside on the sidewalk.
These are but a few of the gems Asheville offers outside of the Biltmore and are alone great reasons to visit this off-beat, funky city and stay a few days! Why do you visit Asheville? What is your favorite thing to do or place to visit?