Lydia's Picks for Asheville
Sightseeing
The gardens in the summer are lovely and the decorations around the holidays are of the time period.
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge StThe gardens in the summer are lovely and the decorations around the holidays are of the time period.
$20 per car. The Arboretum has many walking trails beyond the main garden area. There is also a bonsai garden from May - Nov and a model train running on Saturdays from Apr-Oct.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way$20 per car. The Arboretum has many walking trails beyond the main garden area. There is also a bonsai garden from May - Nov and a model train running on Saturdays from Apr-Oct.
Lexington Glassworks
81 S Lexington AveGreat glass making to watch and also to look at.
Horse + Hero
14 Patton AveGreat art shop collective downtown
Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood StLarge art collective in an old Woolworth downtown.
Murals, art shops, artistic graffiti, food, breweries, wine... what more could you want?!
700 locals recommend
River Arts District
3 River Arts PlMurals, art shops, artistic graffiti, food, breweries, wine... what more could you want?!
Palm and Pine
178B Westwood PlCute local plant store
Breweries
One of the OG breweries. Be sure to check out the original located behind the "green mansion"
182 locals recommend
Green Man Brewery
27 Buxton AveOne of the OG breweries. Be sure to check out the original located behind the "green mansion"
Another OG brewery. Get there right when they open or be prepared to stand in line for a minute. You can find all their on-tap beers on Untapped.
331 locals recommend
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveAnother OG brewery. Get there right when they open or be prepared to stand in line for a minute. You can find all their on-tap beers on Untapped.
A West Asheville brewery located next to good pizza (Pizza Mind).
106 locals recommend
Archetype Brewing
265 Haywood RdA West Asheville brewery located next to good pizza (Pizza Mind).
Urban Orchard Cider Co. - West
210 Haywood RdGreat cider options and woman-owned!
If you want bottles to go, this is the best spot to grab local brews to go.
9 locals recommend
Local 604 Bottle Shop
604 Haywood RdIf you want bottles to go, this is the best spot to grab local brews to go.
Wine
Pleb Urban Winery
289 Lyman StAsheville's Urban Winery in the River Arts District (RAD).
Little wine & cocktail bar with a great ambiance inside and out. The name is actually Bottle Riot.
35 locals recommend
District Wine Bar
37 Paynes WayLittle wine & cocktail bar with a great ambiance inside and out. The name is actually Bottle Riot.
Metro Wines
169 Charlotte StGreat place to buy wine by the bottle. Fair price and good selection.
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AvePart wine bar, part book store
Food scene
My fave pizza in Asheville (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options).
90 locals recommend
Pizza Mind
285 Haywood RdMy fave pizza in Asheville (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options).
Farm Burger Asheville
10 Patton AveGood burgers downtown.
Chai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AveIndian street food
Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas
630 Haywood RdThe ramen is delish!
Good fried chicken with various hot flavors. Their wings are the full deal (btw).
137 locals recommend
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
1455 Patton AvenueGood fried chicken with various hot flavors. Their wings are the full deal (btw).
The Hop West
721 Haywood RdAll the icecream (many dairy-free options)
High Five Coffee
190 Broadway StGreat coffee
WNC Farmers Market
570 Brevard RdLarge farmers market
Health + Wellness
Sauna House
230 Short Coxe AvePublic sauna house on the south slope.
Wake Foot Sanctuary
1 Page AveA great foot soak with an add-on foot or neck massage.
Get your yoga on! Walk-ins welcome and mats provided (if needed)
67 locals recommend
Asheville Yoga Center
211 S Liberty StGet your yoga on! Walk-ins welcome and mats provided (if needed)
Zen Tubing
608 Riverside DrRiver tubing
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyQuite a few hiking trails with a great overlook
Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary
1056 Merrimon AvenueGreat little loop (but absolutely no dogs! They fine)
Get your Brunch on
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdGreat breakfast spot, but always a line!
Known for their Spanish style tapas, but I have to say, their brunch is amazing!
518 locals recommend
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveKnown for their Spanish style tapas, but I have to say, their brunch is amazing!
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdOne biscuit is big enough for 2 people!
Tastee Diner
575 Haywood RdCool little diner in West Asheville
City advice
Getting around
Rideshare - Lyft or Asheville Taxi is the way to go
Uber isn't as common in the Asheville area. Lyft isn't always available late at night either. Asheville Taxi (avltaxi on the internets) is available late night.
Getting around
Pay parking in Asheville
There are 2 main apps: Parkmobile & Passport Parking.
The curbside meters downtown are also free on Sundays.
Customs and culture
Mondays/Tuesdays are common days off for businesses
Most businesses have their days off on Monday or Tuesday, so be sure to check on those days.
Customs and culture
Asheville has it's own food delivery services
Check out Takeout Central or Kickbackavl. Takeout central has an app or the website: https://www.takeoutcentral.com/asheville/restaurants/delivery/
Kickback is only online: https://www.kickbackavl.com/
Doordash, postmates, uber eats, etc. do exists, but the delivery is usually longer and doesn't go as well.