Anna's Adventures

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Asheville, North Carolina is one of those places you visit and you just know that you’ll always find a reason to come back. The mountains, the arts, and culinary scene make this a must visit destination for me. It’s also close to other smoky mountain towns, so it’s easy to make a long weekend out of each visit.

where to stay

We’ve stayed on both the outskirts and in the city center of Asheville, North Carolina. You can’t go wrong with either choice and it really just depends on what vibe you’re going for with your trip.

For something in the Downtown area, I recommend staying at the Hotel Arras. This hotel is super nice, and also extremely pet friendly! It’s right in the heart of Downtown Asheville, so you’ll step outside to shops, restaurants, and more.

If you want a place that is more on the quiet side, try staying at The Crowne Plaza. While this isn’t the most luxurious hotel, and it’s kind of dated on the inside, we enjoyed our stay and how close this is located to the Biltmore Estate.

MUST SEE: ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

• The Biltmore Estate – You could seriously spend your whole trip exploring the grounds of the Biltmore estate. The tickets are kind of pricey, but it is worth a visit., especially during Christmas time.
• Biltmore Village – No ticket needed for this! It’s an area located right outside the gates of the Biltmore and it’s full of a bunch of different shops, and restaurants.
• Biltmore Winery – Included in your ticket is a voucher for a free wine tasting. Definitely take advantage of doing this and enjoy the tasting while on property. We ended up purchasing a few bottles of the wine and it was a fun way to remember our trip while we drank them at home.
• River Arts District – Head over to the River Arts District and support the local artists. This area is the perfect place to grab a souvenir from your trip.
• Explore Surrounding Areas: Waynesville, NC, & Maggie Valley, NC.

Must Eat: Asheville, north carolina

If you like southern food with a twist, this might be your new favorite vacation spot!

• Corner Kitchen – One of my favorite neighborhood restaurants of all time. This is a farm to table restaurant with a rotating menu, so I won’t mention just one thing to try but do know that with whatever you order, you’ll taste buds will thank you.
• The S&W Market – If you are looking for fast and casual, this is your spot. This is Asheville’s famous food hall that is filled with different food vendors. They have plenty of seating inside and an outdoor patio.
• Crave Dessert Bar – The perfect place to end the day! They are known for their unique drinks and AMAZING desserts. We loved their bread pudding.
• Tupelo Honey – Traditional southern food with some absolutely delicious fried chicken. You’ve got to order the fried green tomatoes served on grits!