With its majestic mountains, thriving arts scene, culinary delights, and rich history, Asheville has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the cultural meccas of the South. We’re lucky to call the 828 our home, as it is a dream destination for people around the world.
Fall is an unbeatable season to explore our vibrant mountain town—just ask all of the leaf-peepers you’ll pass on the Blue Ridge Parkway! While downtown’s sidewalks overflow with tourists, it’s a great time of year for locals to take advantage of the cooler weather to dine al fresco or attend more outdoor concerts. It won’t be long before the trees around us become a tapestry of color and we’ll be snuggled in our sweaters, sipping our PSLs.
Asheville is one of those special places where every path leads to adventure. While there is certainly value to the city’s most popular activities and attractions, we prefer to escape the fall crowds and embrace the unconventional and out-of-the-ordinary. Below we’ve highlighted some AVL must-sees, as well as some hidden gems to check out this season.
History in the Making
While the tourists check out Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home, you can see artifacts of the past first-hand in our city’s unique shops.
At the Antique Tobacco Barn you can discover unique treasures and vintage finds from past eras. This is a hidden gem for collectors interested in nostalgia of the past. Want more nostalgia and selection? Head just a few miles south towards The Screen Door, a spacious warehouse offering even more fascinating finds for home & garden from more than 100 vendors.
Finally, round out your shopping spree with a stop at the Regeneration Station. Locals tip: Time your visit on a weekend when you can sip while you shop! On the first Sunday of every month, they feature FREE beer from a local brewery and highlight a local non profit.
Sweet Tooths, Unite
There’s no way around it: you can expect the lines to be long at Pack Square’s French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Visitors from around the country flock to this spot to satisfy their sugar cravings with a wide array of gourmet truffles, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. They even have guilt-free treats to accommodate a variety of food sensitivities.
But if you’re looking for some quieter enjoyment, check out their Riverside Drive location to take a factory tour or tasting. Here you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their “Bean to Bar” process, which is a great experience for chocolate lovers of all ages.
Not a chocolate fan? Head over to West Asheville to experience the mouth-watering hand-made doughnuts at Hole. They are known for their freshness, quality and simplicity, focusing on only four core flavors per day. They were recently ranked No. 2 in the nation, so you can expect the lines to be loooong. Locals hack: Order online in advance to cut your wait time down by half!
Hoppy Trails
Asheville proudly holds the title of “Beer City, USA,” having the most breweries per capita of any city in the nation. The biggest names include Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Oskar Blues and Wicked Weed, but there are also dozens of craft micro-breweries offering a diverse range of brews to satisfy every palate. A few of our favorite taprooms:
Asheville breweries can get a bit overcrowded with hardcore beer aficionados, especially during the busy tourist season. If you’re thirsty for a different scene, we recommend Pleb for a unique “urban winery” experience. It’s located right next to the French Broad, so it’s a great spot to pedal or walk to after biking the greenway or strolling the various jewelry, pottery, and painting studios in the River Arts District.
Prefer to partake in the sober-curious movement? The Mule is a new full-service bar and event space from Devil’s Foot Beverage company, specializing in craft sodas and tonics made with only the highest-quality local ingredients. Count us in!
Tourist in Your Own Town
Every week, hundreds of tourists board a big purple bus to embark on a hilarious adventure with LaZoom, a comedy trolley tour that combines laughter, music, and (of course) interesting facts and insights into Asheville’s culture and history.
If you are a local, you may want something a little more specialized. Strap on your boots and join a foraging tour with No Place Like Home where you can learn about all of the wild native edible plants of our region. Relish in nature’s bounty during your hike, and then enjoy a meal featuring your own forest finds. This is an unforgettable experience perfect for local foodies, outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners alike!
Unwind & Unplug
While many visitors flock to the Grove Park Inn Spa, you can have your own 5-star experience at a different underground oasis in town. Immerse yourself in the healing powers of the earth at the Asheville Salt Cave. In their unique microclimate, you can enjoy the ancient therapeutic benefits of Himalayan salt to gain relaxation and restore balance and wellbeing. If you’re lucky, you can time your visit during one of their seasonal sound healing concerts where you can experience the soothing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums. This is a quintessential Asheville experience that can’t be missed.
Want the FULL pampering experience?
Mountain Radiance is Asheville’s favorite full-service medical spa. Led by Dr. Mark Chandler and his team of aesthetic experts, we offer a menu of custom cosmetic treatments including ProCell Microchanneling, Botox®, and Hydrafacial® to enhance your inner confidence and natural beauty. From lasers to facials to pharmaceutical-grade injectables, we can help you look and feel your best from head to toe.
Schedule your personal consultation by calling our office at (828) 622-4511 or contacting us online today.
