Tell me about Asheville, NC

[ILikeSloths]

My H and I are thinking about going to Asheville for a weekend in October. I don't know much about the city other than it looks like a beautiful area. I've been browsing Trip Advisor and other websites for things to do but thought I would ask here as well.

What is there to do besides touring the Biltmore (which we aren't very interested in)?

We enjoy hiking, kayaking, other outdoor activities. We definitely plan on hiking so I'd love to hear if anyone has suggestions for trails with great views. We also like wine, scenic drives, history, and relaxing (eta: maybe a couple's massage if anyone has recs for a spa). We're not into shopping much and I can't eat out so I won't need restaurant recs.

[orval]

Biltmore has a winery. I think you can go to it and not the big house. Also, if you like craft beer - there are a ton of breweries that are great. There are a bunch of rafting companies. I like the Nanthala Outdoor Center for raft trips.

[zarapipe]

Yes, the winery at Biltmore is awesome. The Grove Park Inn has a fantastic spa ($$$ though, IMO). I have heard great things about zipline tours at Navitat Zip Line Canopy Adventure.

[Deleted]

My husband and I go to Asheville pretty often for long weekends . DH and I spend a lot of time just walking around downtown. He's not usually the type who likes to shop, but downtown Asheville has quite unique/eclectic shops, so it's fun. Some places to check out:

Woolworth Walk (they have artwork and an old fashioned soda fountain)
Kress Emporium (more art)
Mast General Store - not a big deal, but if you like old time candy like Mary Janes, bottle caps, etc they have big barrels of many different types that you scoop into a basket, and then pay by weight.
Walk through the Grove Arcade. The shops are really kind of like mall shops, but the building is cool.

If you like antiques, there's the Antiques Tobacco Barn (75 Swannanoa River Road.) It's not an upscale type of antique store. It's a big, open warehouse type place and it's pretty dusty, but they have some interesting things.

The spa at the Grove Park is amazing. My husband didn't understand why I kept telling him that he couldn't sleep in too late because he'd want to spend plenty of time at the spa. Then we got there, and he wished we had arrived earlier. You can seriously spend the entire day. There's a spa cafe, too, and you can have lunch right in the spa in your swim suit and robe. Google image search the spa - it's really amazing and sooo relaxing.

[Deleted]

I just read the rest of your post and noticed that you don't like to shop, so I guess my post was really unhelpful Definitely go to the spa at the Grove Park, though! It is seriously amazing.

[cricketwife]

I know that you say that you're not interested in Biltmore but I really think it would be a shame to miss. It's fascnating for so many reasons.

[ILikeSloths]

Thank you for all of the suggestions! We might reconsider taking a tour of the Biltmore.

[M]

I lived in Asheville for about 7 years and can never understand why anyone would want to visit except to see Biltmore haha. There's hardly anything to do there IMO. But here are the few things H and I use to do:

- hiking: I don't remember the names but head into Fairview (East Asheville) and keep going straight on 74. You should hit some really nice trails with water falls. Probably should google it before going though. H and I usually just drive and find something.

- Mount Mitchell: Really pretty this time of year. If you going at the end of October, you might be able to see some snow way up there.

- Grove Park Spa is the best around here

- I agree with Biltmore's Winery. There are some really good restaurants in there too. The Bistro is my favorite and if you're into some fine dining, make a reservation for dinner in the dining room at the Inn. It's also nice to drive around the Estate.

- Barley's if you're into beer. They have 100 local beers on tap, pool tables upstairs, and restaurant down stairs.

- Biltmore Park (in Arden/S. Asheville): There's a few restaurants, a bunch of little neat shops, and is a nice walk. This is probably our favorite area in Asheville.

- Blue Ridge Parkway: Really nice relaxing drive (or biking) for this time of year.