Our Blog "A Local's Perspective"

Growing up in Asheville has left me with a fine collection of memories. Raking leaves in the fall. Getting sushi and ice cream with my sister, near the campus of UNCA. The first time I saw a movie at Asheville Pizza and Brewing. Raking leaves in the fall, again. And again. And again. Truth be told, there was a lot of raking.  But if you have the pleasure of being a visitor to Asheville, you won’t have to put up with any of that. Unless you want to get hands-on with our fam

I believe travel is one of life’s great joys. See new sights. Taste new things. Meet strange and exciting new people, and come away with a refreshed appreciation for the great mysteries of existence. Travel makes you worldly and better yet, provides a break from the patterns of day-to-day life. For all these benefits, I don’t mind a little planning. Indeed, you could say over the years I’ve been planning trips not just for myself, but for the many others who read this blog.

Asheville’s one of the most scenic places you could imagine and I’m not just saying that for nostalgia’s sake. Over ten million visitors per year can back me up, coming from near, far, and everywhere in between just for a chance to witness our own beautiful slice of nature. If you’re after a primo photo-op, you could rely on happenstance, hitting the shutter when the moment just feels right. Not a bad plan. Or you could comb through my previous articles on Asheville’s best hi

I’ve been on the road a lot recently. Traveling around, seeing the sights. Breathing that fresh air breezing in through my window while I cruise down these mountain roads at safe and responsible speeds. It got me thinking about day trips. As many excellent things as there are to do here in the Paris of the South, sometimes you just got to go out and explore, roam further afield, and see what the rest of WNC has to offer.  Fortunately, this little section of the state is choc

It's summer once again here in Asheville . A time of leisure, fine weather, and long sunlit days , perfect for delving into all the great things to do in the Paris of the South. Hiking’s always been a favorite of mine, of course. Follow that up with a little local ice cream, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a real summer’s day. But that’s not where the fun ends here folks. Summer in Asheville is one of the best times of year to experience the local arts and culture, to r

There’s something in that Blue Ridge air that always just fills you with romance. An idyllic view lies around every corner. The boundless wonders of nature surround Asheville like a blanket of pure concentrated romance-ium.  No wonder then, that the subjects of date-nights, romance, and Valentine's-day specials has come up so often here at Asheville Cottages. And indeed, it's no wonder that I’m the first person my friends turn to when they need help figuring out a killer dat

Its many a year since the first ground was broken in Biltmore Park. Some still remember when this place was nothing but pastureland and scrub. No longer. Now, here in South Asheville, we’ve got one of the finest shopping and dining centers in town, combining downtown-style quality with easy parking and a quieter, less bustling tone. Over my many articles, I know I have touched on Biltmore Park, here and there. Sitting only ten minutes away from the luxurious Asheville Cottag

Many visit Asheville intending to spend most of their time hiking the Blue Ridge , drinking up that invigorating mountain air like landbound trout. And I’m all for some hiking , or kayaking, (even some bivouacking, perhaps) but no visit to Asheville is complete without a tour of our thriving downtown. Chock-full of awesome restaurants, and stylin’ cafes, there’s always a lot going on downtown. But somehow it still retains some of that sleepy, relaxed small-town feel.

Sweets have been on my mind lately. I think it's post-holiday withdrawal. Where has all the hot cocoa gone? Where are my sugar plums and figgy Christmas puddings? In this long, cold stretch of January, those warm days of patisseries and steaming chocolate seem like nothing but a fantasy.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here in Asheville, we’ve got more awesome places for dessert than you can shake a peppermint stick out. And by golly, I’m in the mood for some confectio

Just five days ago I was doing a little last-minute Halloween shopping, when lo and behold, I found myself amidst a wealth of Christmas wreaths and porcelain Santas. What could I make of this? Had I stepped through a time-warp into late December? Was I subject to some sort of science-fiction, mad-scientist mischief? Indeed not. Many have remarked upon this so-called Christmas-creep. Year after year, holiday merchandising descends upon our storefronts earlier and earlier. Curr

Every so often I forget that I’ve written about fall in Asheville before. I go off researching, outlining, planning, putting pen to computer screen. Eventually, inevitably, I awaken from my amnesia, and I realize, horror-stricken, I’m re-doing an article. .. or am I? I compare notes. I cross-reference. I realize that I have, in fact, come up with five fall things to do in Asheville that I haven’t written about before. So vast is this great season, perhaps we’ll never run o

Located just five minutes down the road from Asheville Cottages , the NC Arboretum has long been one of my top spots for getting a little fresh mountain air, without a lengthy (if beautiful) drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Indeed, my family’s been coming to the NC Arboretum for so long, I often forget that many visitors may overlook this hidden natural oasis, and many more may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of trails. What are the must-see sites, on this 434-acre stre

We’re coming to the end of that long summer stretch between July 4th and Halloween, when there’s hardly a holiday in sight, and let me tell you folks, I am feeling it. The metaphorical dogs are barking. My gas: spent. My bones? They're weary alright. If you too share my exhaustion, a trip to Asheville may just be the thing for you. Historically, those with the means and good sense to do so have sojourned to Asheville seeking the healing powers of the quiet life, and fresh mo

These are confusing times. Yesterday, August first, I looked out my window to see a vagrant yellow blob, drifting across the lawn; turns...

Asheville’s South Slope brewing district is one of the most happening places in town, with a dozen local breweries all within walking...

It's the summer solstice. The sun’s shining, the breeze is blowing, and it’s as good a time as ever to visit Asheville, the Paris of the...

Asheville may be best known for its impeccable beer, but a savvy traveler knows that the wonders of fermentation doesn’t end there. The...

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country, winding its way through the mountains in an inspiration marriage...

I may not be a parent, but I was once a kid myself (allegedly). To furnish this article, I had to delve deep into the pools of my memory,...

The French Broad River is a signature Asheville landmark, winding through the city from south to north. It’s the third oldest river on...