The only thing better than visiting Asheville is living there. Here are some of the top reasons locals chose the picturesque mountain town:
That Funky Asheville Vibe…
Asheville has a playful, creative culture that loves all things artisan. Foodies, artists and outdoor enthusiasts began moving in during the mid 1980s and changed the cultural landscape. Today, you’ll find bohemians and well-heeled retirees, almost all of whom are from somewhere else, to welcome you.
Credit: ExploreAsheville.com
Outdoor Dining…
With mountain views and beautiful weather, it’s no wonder that dining al fresco is a favorite Asheville past time. Rooftops, decks, patios and hidden courtyards are a city specialty. For a casual vibe, check out Wicked Weed Brewing’s two courtyards. For an original experience, try Creperie Bouchon that serves Parisian-style delectables with a view. And Mayfel’s courtyard is a local favorite thanks to its Bloody Mary bar.
Credit: Grove Park Inn
Asheville Loves Your Dog…
There’s no need to leave your best friend at home when enjoying Asheville. Many downtown businesses are dog-friend, and several cater to dogs, including the Three Dog Bakery, a dog bakery known for its all-natural biscuits and the Patton Avenue Pet Company and Dog Park that is part pet supply store and part dog park. While there are endless miles of trails for your dog to enjoy, dog parks abound too. Be sure to walk riverside and let your pooch take a dip at the French Broad Dog River Park.
Your Grandkids Will Beg to Visit. So Will Their Parents…
Take a ride down Sliding Rock, a 60-foot smooth rock that dumps you into a natural swimming hole. Duck under one of dozens of the cascading waterfalls in Graveyard Fields, then plunge into the clear mountain water. Whitewater raft down the French Broad River, then zipline through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville has no shortage of outdoor adventures that kids — and adults — love. Mild weather makes hiking, biking, fly fishing and kayaking popular attractions. And for the less adventurous, there are plenty of walkable, short trails featuring beautiful blooms, waterfalls that can be seen from the car and downtown restaurants where panoramic mountain views can be had along with a cocktail.
Credit: ExploreAsheville.com
Opposites Attract…
Asheville is a happy marriage of quirk and luxury. Locals love that both can be found in their town. On the one end, there is The Biltmore Estate, the nation’s largest privately-owned mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II, that offers home/gardens tours and events year-round. Nearby, the historic Omni Grove Park Inn is a local favorite for dining, a subterranean spa, golf and spectacular views. High-end, gated mountain communities also abound.
Credit: Asheville Salt Cave
But near all this luxury lies the downtown quirk: Asheville’s Salt Cave & Spa that provides natural, salt healing, the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, a renovated grocery store where visitors grab a cocktail up front, then meander through room after room of books for sale, and Asheville’s Pinball Museum that pays homage to the arcade era.