Eat, See, Do: Asheville, North Carolina

Eat

Head north of downtown to Jettie Rae’s Oyster House at 143 Charlotte Street for a coastal culinary experience. Start with octopus a la planxa and order a side of blue cheese potato chips! The restaurant is open every day but Monday, with hours from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Visit the Funkatorium at 147 Coxe Avenue on Asheville’s South Slope to check out the first taproom dedicated solely to sour beer. The Funkatorium serves pub food every day of the week, plus flights and draught beers like Dr. Dank Jack Frost, Perzik, and Freak of Nature. This beer destination is open daily of the week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. or midnight.

If you’re ready for a fun, creative meal, head to White Duck Taco Shop. Visitors love the portions and flavors at this unique restaurant! While you won’t be surprised to see tacos on the menu, you’ve probably never seen them paired with these cuisines! Think: Bahn mi tofu, gyro, and Korean beef bulgogi tacos! White Duck Taco Shop has three locations in Asheville: 388 Riverside Drive, 12 Biltmore Avenue, and 16 Miami Circle. All are open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo inside building looking up toward skylight ceiling taken during a last minute stay in Asheville

Once you’re full from noshing at some of North Carolina’s best filling stations, head home to relax on the deck of this well-appointed last minute vacation rental. This last minute stay in Asheville is perched on a hillside overlooking the mighty French Broad River. Then enjoy a soak in the hot tub or challenge fellow travelers to a game of Ping-Pong.

See

Want to check out some unique arts and crafts? Visit Historic Grovewood Village at 111 Grovewood Road, which once housed the woodworking and weaving for Biltmore Industries. Today, it houses working artist studios, the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, and the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum. This is a great stop for people interested in fiber arts and Cadillacs! Please note the museums aren’t open from January through March, but the village and unique gift shop across the street are open year-round with varied seasonal hours. Check the website for open times.

Love architecture? Stop by Biltmore Estate at One Lodge Street, which features the largest privately owned home in America. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the 250-room European-style architectural wonder. Make sure to step outside and marvel at the grounds – designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – which include paths along the French Broad River and beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Open hours at Biltmore Estate vary by season. Check their website for updates before your visit.

The Asheville Pinball Museum at 1 Battle Square is the place to get your game on! You’re sure to find something you like between the 35 pinball machines and 35 classic video games! The nostalgic location is open Wednesday through Monday in the afternoons and evenings with varied hours. Come close to open to ensure your spot – the small museum fills up quickly!

Do

Take around two hours and walk the Asheville Urban Trail, a scavenger hunt with 30 stops that covers 1.7 miles of downtown, sharing cultural, social, historical, and architectural information. Print your map ahead of time, or check out the video for a preview.

Later, take a load off and rest your feet on a LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour! The 90-minute route explores the city, with hilarious guides pointing out important sites along the way, like entertainment venues and the River Arts District. Meet the purple bus at 76 Biltmore Ave, where the distinctive ride will return, making it easy to park your rental car nearby or use ART – Asheville public transit.

Did you know Asheville is an official Bee City? It’s recognized for educating residents and businesses about the importance of pollinators like honey bees! Taste test local honey at Asheville Bee Charmer at 38 Battle Park Avenue or 32 Broadway. Try the sourwood honey featuring honey made with pollen from local sourwood trees! The boutique also carries honey body products, cookbooks, and bee-related merchandise. The locations have varied hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 6 p.m.

Once you’re soaked with the sights and sounds of Asheville, retreat to this plush lodge boasting a gourmet kitchen, a firepit, a game room and nearly 3,000 square feet of lavish living space with some of the best views the Appalachians can offer. 

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