15 things we love about Asheville

Nestled in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains is the city of Asheville— a mecca for outdoorspeople, zythophiles, artists, and spiritual gangsters alike. Brew City, U.S.A. is a rightfully-earned monicker for this little city with a big appetite for craft brewing (30+ breweries in total, to be exact) and its progressive, laid-back mountain vibe and thriving culinary, arts, and brewery scene has put it on the map as one of America’s darlings and a top tourist destination of the South.

1. Pisgah National Forest
   Asheville is a hiker’s paradise, and it’s hard to argue the point. With 512,000 acres to wander, exploring Pisgah is well worth the 45-minute jaunt from Asheville. Hike the six-mile John Rock Trail for panoramic vistas and then reward yourself with brewskis from nearby Oskar Blues Brewery in the town of Brevard (fun fact: some say the Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale, was America’s first hand-canned craft beer!)
   
   

   

   

   

   
2. Asheville Glamping
   With two glampsites and your choice of boho tipis, mini-yurts, domes, airstreams or vintage trailers decked out in classic 1970s charm, Asheville Glamping is revolutionizing the art of sleeping in the great outdoors.
   
   

   
3. The Wicked Weed Funkatorium
   $12 will get you an hour-long tour and tasting at the Funkatorium, North America’s leading brewery and taproom specializing in sour beers. Other breweries not to miss: New Belgium, Bhramari Brewing Company, Highland Brewing Company, Catawba Brewery and many more!
   
   

   
4. Foraging
   noun— the acquisition of food by hunting, fishing, or the gathering of plant matter. Channel your inner hunter-gatherer with No Taste Like Home wild food foraging tours.

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5. Biscuit Head
   Where the South’s signature baked delights come oozing with any filling, garnish, or topping imaginable.
   
   
6. Buxton Hall Barbecue
   The best place to put some south in your mouth.
   
7. The Historic Bed and Breakfast & Inns
   Step up your lodging game, take a back in time.
8. Dogs
   This city loves its puppers and you can’t take more than five steps before you run into a furry friend who’s dying to get scratched behind the ears.
   

   
9. Rhubarb
   Farm-to-table is the name of the game in Asheville, and award-winning chef John Fleer serves up delectable dishes in this New American hotspot. (Our other fave dining spots: Tupelo Honey, The Marketplace, Local Provisions, Nightbell and Curate)
10. The Biltmore Estate
    Everyday is #housegoals at George Vanderbilt’s former summer home. A self-guided tour through this 250-room chateaux-style mansion and its stunning 8,000-acre grounds costs a pretty penny, but it’s worth the visit.
    
11. Vortex Doughnuts
    Breakfast never looked so good (maybe because it’s topped with maple syrup and candied bacon).
    
    

    
12. Downtown Asheville Arts District
    If you’re into the artsy fartsy stuff (who isn’t?!).
    
    
13. Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
    Who knew that new book smell paired so well with champagne?
    
14. Sky Bar
    Ride up an antique elevator in Asheville’s Flatiron Building (dating back to 1927) to this unmissable happy hour spot. We can’t decide what looks better: the doormen or the views from the top!
15. Live Music Venues
    Are everywhere. Ben’s Tune-Up, The Mothlight, and The Orange Peel know how to jam.