Asheville, NC travel help

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsUnited States of America
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
57
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
Explore mentioned cities

New Orleans

Louisiana
New Orleans

Asheville

North Carolina Mountains
Asheville

Mitchell

South Dakota
Mitchell

Brevard

Western North Carolina
Brevard
Show moreShow less
mikepak
mikepak

Hi there,

I am considering making a visit to Asheville in May and as it would be my first time there I was hoping for some tips from frequent visitors or current residents. I will be traveling solo.

The first thing I would love input on is where to stay? I prefer airbnb over hotels. I am not a huge fan of overly touristy areas, preferring to stay in neighborhoods as opposed to downtown. However if it really makes sense to stay downtown I'd be fine doing so. I know I'll have to rent a car while I'm there, but it would be great to be able to walk to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc. to avoid having to drive everywhere.

Next would be suggestions on things to do? I enjoy food, beer, music, museums, etc. I always try and find a balance between visiting like a tourist and living like local. I'm definitely looking forward to getting outdoors as I do not live anywhere near a mountain or have access to any nice hiking trails. I'm hoping to find a nice balance between the city and the outdoors.

Would love some suggestions on where to stay and what to do.

Cheers,
Mike

View last reply
Report
1
QuiviraTrail2
QuiviraTrail2

Mt. Mitchell, which is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River at 6,600 feet, is northeast of Asheville which has been described as the quirkiest town in America. The New York Times had this three years ago:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/10/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-asheville-north-carolina.html

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
Coalclifff
Coalclifff

The NYT article makes it sound very attractive and groovy - but as ever, that newspaper tends to focus on the more upscale accommodation, restaurants, and other attractions.

We enjoyed our visit to Biltmore (gross as it all is), however we found Asheville itself a rather traffic-snarled downtown - but I concede we didn't give it a lot of time - so whatever makes it quirky eluded us.

We can provide a lot of additional texture when you decide your overall shape.
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
mstep
mstep

It's been at least 10 years since I stayed overnight in Asheville. I think if I went back, I'd look for a lodging in Black Mountain, nearby: https://www.exploreblackmountain.com/

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
mrmoto
mrmoto

I frequent Asheville both for business and pleasure, via either my motorcycle or with my wife in a car. When on business I stay downtown, which is fine, hip and trendy scene. With the moto I tend to use Airbnb just outside of town and very close to everything.

When I visit my wife, we ten to rent a cabin about 20-30 minutes away close to the Blue Ridge Parkway for easy drive to pull offs to the hike trail. We love the Mt Pisbah area around the lodge the valley below.

Asheville has a great music/arts and foodie scene, plenty to keep you busy, as well as Brevard which is a artsy scene too...there is alos some nice watefalls and a park to hike just south.

Asheville has gentrified quite a bit in the last 15 years, they even have a Whole Foods...lol, the overall lifestyle feel here mountains, granola, banjo.bluegrass and a pickup and a few dogs.

The Biltmore is a fantastic tour to check out.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60742-Activities-Asheville_North_Carolina.html

https://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/50-things-to-do-in-asheville/

https://www.asheville.com/directory/bd-categories/attractions/

Adventure Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, EU, USA National Parks, enjoying culture, cuisine, motorcycling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, nature, wildlife. Get a Guidebook, and get lost!
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
buckguy
buckguy

General tip------the Southeast of the US, outside of a few places like New Orleans is one of the worst places for solo travelers w/o a car.

Asheville is artsy--although a lot of the stuff is pretty forgettable. They do have some music and theater. Getting out of the center of town to anyplace interesting will be expensive and require a car. You're probably better off renting a car than anything else.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
mrmoto
mrmoto

Good point...you need a car.

Adventure Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, EU, USA National Parks, enjoying culture, cuisine, motorcycling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, nature, wildlife. Get a Guidebook, and get lost!
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
7
mikepak
mikepak
In response to #4

Thank you for all this info, much appreciated!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
8
mikepak
mikepak
In response to #5

I appreciate the tips!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
9
Thorn Tree

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner