Asheville, North Carolina isn’t just a mountain town. The city is an outdoor playground comprised of world-class art, cuisine, breweries, and scientific initiatives. It holds names such as ‘Climate City’, USA according to US News & World Report, ‘Beer City’ for having the highest number of breweries per capita in the entire United States, a ‘Foodtopia Society’ delivering world-class cuisine, and was even among Forbe’s ‘Top 15 Coolest Places to Go’.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the most enjoyable car trips that you could ever have - drive along the pristine Blue Ridge Parkway from thousands of feet above elevation with spectacular views. Want to pull over and take a picture? The parkway has plenty of observation areas for photo opportunities, picnics, and even hikes. For more information on the various sites to check out on the parkway, click here.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is an outdoor family adventure for all ages and levels of fitness. The park is filled with beautiful wildflowers, wildlife, kid-activities, hikes, waterfalls, and even has a cafe next to it’s famed ‘Chimney’. For those that want or need to bypass the physical exertion of hiking to the top, the park even offers an elevator for patrons!
After your visit to the park, enjoy a quick stroll through the quaint town filled with gem shops, restaurants overlooking the river, ice cream, and even small carnival rides during the summer!
The North Carolina Arboretum
The Arboretum is home to pristine trails, manicured gardens, and even a Bonsai exhibit! The Arboretm is open all year-around and has plenty of events for all ages, including an amazing ‘Winter Lights’ display that is held towards the end of each year (ticket sell out fast!). The park also has a small cafe and for beer lovers, you’re also permitted to purchase a beer from one of Ashville’s local breweries and take it along with you through your stroll throughout the Arboretum.
Craggy Gardens
Craggy Gardens is approximately 45-minutes away from Asheville, however if you’re looking for spectacular views from the mountain tops, this short trip surely won’t disappoint! The area is conveniently located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and gives visitors great opportunities to take scenic photos without even leaving the parking lot. For those able to, a short hike to the top will make you feel on top of the world!
Sliding Rock
Water slides are fun, but have you ever been down a natural water slide made of rock? Sliding Rock is a great spot to check out on your trip down the parkway throughout the summer months.
Rafting & Tubing
The French Broad river runs straight through Asheville, which gives visitors plenty of opportunity to go rafting, kayaking, tubing, and even paddle boarding on the river. During summer months, plenty of rafters and kayakers don’t only enjoy their trip down the river, but have also made it a habit to stop at New Belgium Brewery - conveniently located on the French Broad River!
New Belgium Brewery
Arguably the best family-friendly brewery in town! What’s better than a park-like atmosphere on a cool summer afternoon, next to the French Broad River, hanging out with family and friends enjoying world-class craft beer? New Belgium is very family-friendly and always filled with families playing soccer and frisbee in the park. Lawn chairs can often be limited on the weekends and patrons have found an easy solution - bring a blanket or your own lawn chairs and enjoy the afternoon! As a note, what seems to surprise some patrons is that New Belgium closes at 8PM and is 100% employee owned.
Sierra Nevada
One of the most amazing breweries in the country. Sierra Nevada is a paradise for beer lovers and comes filled with entertainment for the entire family. The grounds hosts a full-service restaurant, trails, a park-like atmosphere, live music, gardens, and even the game of Bocce (similar to lawn bowling).
Cuisine
There’s no short supply of great food in Asheville. Southern-comfort breakfasts, authenticate coffee shops, and premiere dinning are scattered throughout the city. For a comprehensive guide to dinning throughout the area, be sure to check out the ‘Foodtopia’ Society.
