Three Days in Asheville-A Local’s Perspective
The leaves are turning in Asheville. There’s cool wind and clean air, and it's altogether hard to believe that four weeks ago, the Southeast was gripped by the terror of Hurricane Dorian.
During that storm’s reign of terror, a friend of mine was evacuated from the coast, and as a matter of coincidence, found himself waiting for the storm to blow over in none other than Asheville, the Paris of The South.
I asked him what he did during his brief stay in my excellent homeland. His answer brought me great sorrow: he stayed inside. You might say I write this article to right that wrong. I invite you to read on, and discover how best to spend three days in Asheville.
Start at the heart; that’s what I always say. Assuming that the first of your three days in Asheville is partially encompassed by travel, I’d suggest holding off on sorties until midmorning. At that hour, you should find yourself on approach to downtown.
And next of course comes that subject dreaded by animal and man alike: parking. Downtown hosts countless garages, lots, and curbsides, but traditionally, if I'm on the south side of town I start by looking for a spot at the lot on the corner of south Lexington Avenue and Aston Street. If I'm coming into the north end of downtown: the lot just across from Loretta's Café, on north Lexington.
Barring success at either spot, you can always park in the Pack Square parking garage, just south of the Asheville Art Museum. It can get expensive, but you'll be in a central location, and they practically never run out of spots.
After the car's taken care of, take a walk into Pack Square, right in the middle of downtown. If you're coming from the south, you’ll pass the Bender and Ariel art galleries, as well as the Mast General Store, host to all manner of knick-knacks and classic candies. As the final stop before lunch I suggest Horse + Hero, my favorite downtown gallery, funky, hipsterish, authentic Ashevillean.
For lunch, I recommend Café Bomba, right off Pack Square, for unparalleled people-watching and fortifying Latin-inspired breakfast. Sitting here is limited though, but if you can't find a table, fret not. Central downtown has one of the densest concentrations of amazing restaurants in all of WNC, no matter whether you're feeling burgers, ramen, or Indian street food.
After lunch, you may walk or drive up North Lexington Avenue, past some of Asheville's best clothing stores. Although I am not much of a sock-shopper myself, I am told by more fashionable minds that these boutiques are to die for.
But if shopping's not your style, you may move directly on to the next diversion: Well Played. Turn one-hundred-and-eighty degrees, follow Lexington Avenue down into the South Slope, take a right onto Buxton, and there'll you find it: Asheville's greatest board game café.
With the right company—and some suggestions from the café’s most helpful staff—you’ll be able to hunker down and fill the afternoon with hours of board games you've never heard of, but I'm sure you'll love to play.
If you find the sun’s set by the time you leave Well Played, you can either stay in the South Slope to visit Asheville's endless local breweries, or head back north to Patton Avenue, for dinner options galore.
The second of your three days in Asheville starts brunch at OWL Bakery, in West Asheville.
I was introduced to this unique café by my sister, who appreciates their salads as much as I appreciate their soft-boiled eggs. And don't even get me stared on the main event: pastries crafted with mastermind precision.
Now OWL is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so as a backup, I recommend Biscuit Head, further in to the heart of West Asheville. It's a local favorite; them biscuits never tasted so good.
After brunch, drive on down to Carrier Park, and take a stroll along the French Broad.
Once you’ve satisfied your appetite for fresh air and nature, drive across the river to Lyman Street, your access point for some of the River Arts District's finest galleries and workshops, from Akira Satake Ceramics in Riverview Station, to Marquee near the Grail Moviehouse.
If you require further artistic stimulation, you may venture up Depot Street, or towards any location marked on the District’s official map, found on their website.
Simply moving about the River Arts District is an experience unto itself. The graffiti murals and overgrown warehouses speak volumes of what Asheville has been, and what it has become.
And of all the things to do in Asheville, perusing the River Arts District presents the most photo-ops. If you persist in this aesthetic setting until dinner time, I suggest RosaBees Hawaiian near Marquee or Bull and Beggar, further north.
Asheville proper may be splendid, but no work of man can compare to the boundless beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The third and final of your three days in Asheville must be earmarked for hiking. The best trails lie about an hour out from downtown, and so much of your morning will be spent driving. But fret not: the views on the way are well worth it.
One of my favorite hikes is Black Balsam Knob, south down the Parkway. Underbrush and twisted pine-roots give way to the open, barren grass at Black Balsam's summit. When the wind is quiet up there, its quieter than you’ve ever heard. The air may cold, but after mounting Black Balsam’s rugged, rocky paths, it’s a welcome refreshment.
For an easier, but equally delightful experience, I’d suggest either Graveyard Fields or Skinny Dip Falls; both famous trails, mentioned in previous articles.
For nutrition on your hike, the simplest option would be packing a picnic. However, if you’re feeling lucky, and it’s not too deep into leaf-season you may be able to find lunch at the Pisgah Inn. Even if you don’t eat there, the Inn is worth a stop. It’s the only civilization around for miles, and their vistas are some of the best in the area.
After returning from your hike, I suggest consulting these articles right here to find the site of your final dinner in Asheville, either returning to downtown or the West, or visiting a new place entirely.
No matter where you pick, I guarantee that as your mind wanders over aperitifs, and your contemplate your short time in my hometown, you'll soon resolve to come back.
Businesses Mentioned
Mast General Store Asheville
(828)-232-1883
15 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Horse + Hero
(828)-505-2133
14 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Café Bomba
(828)-254-0209
#1 SW, N Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
Well Played Board Game Café
(828)-412-5788
162 Coxe Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801
OWL Bakery (West)
295 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Biscuit Head (West)
(828)-333-5145
733 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
RosaBees
(828)-417-7212
27 Foundy St #20, Asheville, NC 28801
The Bull and Beggar
(828)-575-9443
37 Paynes Way #007, Asheville, NC 28801
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