Dubbed the “Land of the Sky,” Asheville, North Carolina is an underrated town full of amazing food, craft beer, and gorgeous nature. It holds tight to its roots as a small mountain town while also being a liberal enclave in the conservative South. Here’s our quick tip guide to visiting Asheville, NC.
Where to eat
The vegan scene in Asheville is top notch and it’s been named one of the top cities in the U.S. for vegan food. From pizza and wings to cajun-inspired cuisine, to a nice, fancy dinner, you’re sure to find something that will please everyone. A few of our favorites include the cheese plate, fried plantains, and fancy drinks at Plant for a nice night out on the town, while a huge BBQ pizza and beer hits the spot while watching the big game at Asheville Brewing Company.
Breweries
Asheville has been named “Beer City USA” and it’s no wonder, since it has the most breweries per capita in the entire US. The craft beer scene in this town draws visitors from all over the world and rightly so. The best way to hit up multiple breweries is to do a walking tour, since many of the breweries are a short walk in between locations. Don’t miss the free brewery tour at Green Man Brewing Co. and head out of the city a little ways to Hendersonville to visit Sanctuary Brewing Co. where your purchase helps to save farmed animals.
What To Do
Biltmore Estate
One of Asheville’s most renowned landmarks is the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest privately owned house in the US built by George Vanderbilt in 1895. While it’s a bit pricey to enter the estate, $55 per person, the gorgeous grounds and beautiful architecture, dubbed “America’s Versailles,” will provide hours of exploration. You can even do a free wine tasting from wine grown right on the grounds.
River Arts District
Asheville has a vibrant and quirky artist community where you can explore the River Arts District, nicknamed RAD. What were was once abandoned warehouses along the river, are now the home to a bustling artist community.
The Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders both Tennessee and North Carolina and is the most visited national park in the US. About an hour from Asheville, you can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway with stunning vistas at every turn and definitely one of the most gorgeous drives in the US or you can take a hike along the Appalachian Trail.
When to visit
The weather in Asheville is amazing year round with mild winters and summers, but the best time to visit is in the Fall when the leaves are changing and the foliage is at its height. The weather will still be manageable before the winter brings snow to the area and you simply can’t beat the mountains in the fall.
Where to stay
Wilson’s Riverfront RV Park is located just minutes from downtown Asheville and is situated right on the French Broad Riverfront. The French Broad River is the world’s third-oldest river, predating the Appalachian Mountains. Many of the sites back up onto the river, which offers many water activities in the summer months including kayaking, tubing, and stand up paddle boarding. The park itself isn’t very big, doesn’t have any amenities, and is located right off of the highway, but you can’t beat the proximity to all the action in Asheville, the beautiful view of the river, and the affordable price tag.
Rent the perfect RV today and go see the town of Asheville, NC. for yourself. Some of the top RV rentals in North Carolina can be found on Outdoorsy.
