I can’t rave enough about this awesome town at the base of the Smoky Mountains in the northwestern corner of North Carolina. It’s been six months since we’ve been and I still smile when I think of our time there.

We’d been wanting to check out Asheville for a long time, and finally decided to make the 7-hour trip for a long weekend over New Year’s. We reserved a cute apartment (complete with a kitty and chickens in the yard) in the West Asheville neighborhood through airbnb, and off we were with a list of a few dozen (!) restaurants, breweries, and galleries to visit!

Asheville packs a lot in a small space, but we managed to eat, drink and explore to our heart’s delight, and left plenty to do for our next visit (hopefully in warmer weather!). When we weren’t eating delicious Spanish tapas made by a chef with El Bulli training or sampling Indian street food that reminded of us our   favorite snacks in New Dehli, we were tasting microbrews and contra-dancing with the locals.

To burn off those calories and check out the local art scene, we spent half a day exploring the River Arts District, which spans along the French Broad River in former industrial buildings and showcases dozens of artists’ work, ranging from pottery to paintings to textiles.

While most people think of the Biltmore mansion when they hear of Asheville, we skipped it because of the hefty price tag. So we did the next best thing, and spent a couple hours at the Grove Park Inn, which hosts a huge gingerbread house competition around Christmas every year. Sunset drinks on their expansive patio weren’t bad either!

Are you somehow still not sold on canceling whatever plans you had this weekend and driving down to Asheville right away?! How about a giant used bookstore with a champagne bar and tons of nooks and crannies to spend your afternoon?!

Asheville has a friendly, down-to-earth feel that has clearly cultivated a creative community of people who love where they live and want to share it with others. We felt welcome everywhere we went and by our fifth day there, I was wishing I was a local too!

While we weren’t able to explore the area’s endless outdoor opportunities– hiking and rafting to name a few– we did end the trip with a dip in the natural hot springs in – wait for it- Hot Springs, North Carolina! There’s nothing quite like renting your own private tub for an hour in a rustic setting and treating yourself to some mineral therapy to confirm the fact that this little corner of the Carolinas is where it’s at!

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 Pro Tips:

Eat and Drink:

• The Admiral – random, delicious, constantly changing menu in what looks to be an old dive bar– there’s a fireplace outside to keep you cosy on a cold winter night, and there’s dancing after 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays (this is hipster heaven)
• Biscuit Heads  – biscuits the size of your heads, served with gravy of your choice, or help yourself to the delicious butter and jam buffet!
• The Bull and Beggar – From the team behind The Admiral- we only had cocktails at this spot in the River Arts District by but wished we could have tasted the food!
• Curate Tapas Bar – grab a seat at the bar and enjoy delicious tapas!
• Cucina 24 – Italian, try the tasting menu
• Chai Pani – Indian street food. Try the Bhel Puri!
• Early Girl Eatery  – Southern/comfort food, go for breakfast
• French Broad Chocolate Lounge – almost any kind of chocolate creation you can imagine, go after dinner for dessert!

Drink:

• Ben’s Tune Up –  small but good draft selection served with a side of Japanese food in beer-garden atmosphere
• The Southern – ask for Connor at the bar
• Wicked Weed – awesome brews and great food. Always crowded.
• Wedge Brewing  – fun brewery in the River Arts District (but beware, there is no food except peanuts!)

Do:

• Walk around the River Arts District
• Peruse a great selection of used books and sip champagne at Battery Park Book Exchange
• Check out the general store-y stuff at Mast General Store
• Grab a huge rocking chair in front of the fire at the Grove Park Inn
• Buy good quality used outdoor gear at Second Gear
• Go contra-dancing or see a show at The Grey Eagle 
• Pick up some local brews to bring home at Bruisin Ales
• Catch a live show at the Westville Pub
• Check out Christopher Mello’s public garden at Westwood Place and Waynesville Avenue
• Pick up some records at Harvest Record Shop
• Soak in your own personal hot tub in Hot Springs, NC