A Weekend in Asheville
Last Spring, we took a little weekend trip to Asheville. The drive was 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta, and we had a mix of rain and sunshine throughout the weekend. Overall, it was a nice little getaway from the city and we had such a fun time with the variety of activities that Asheville has to offer.
Alpaca Farm
Let me preface this by saying, over the years, I’ve accumulated a significant number of facts about alpacas. I spent a year living in Lancaster, PA as a child, and met a real life alpaca during a field trip and was kind of hooked. So, it was fitting that on our way to Asheville, we found a little Alpaca Farm called Venezia Dreams Alpaca Farm. They are located about 20 miles outside of Asheville, and the owner, Starr, is a fantastic host! It rained a little when we arrived, so most of our visit with these gentle, smart, and adorable pack creatures took place in the barn.
DT Asheville
Downtown Asheville is a beautiful place that is filled with great restaurants, unique shops, and beautiful architecture. See my list below for places we visited.
Food/Drinks:
Chai Pani Asheville - Yes, I know that there is one right around the corner from us in Decatur…but Chai Pani is so good that everywhere I see one, I’ll frequent it!
White Duck Taco Shop - Get the pork belly taco and the spicy fried shrimp taco with cucumber and aioli sauce. You’re welcome.
Suwana’s Thai Orchid Restaurant - We were craving some Thai curry and wanted a very hearty meal. This place definitely delivered! Be sure to get the Masaman or Penang curry with a little extra heat.
Urban Orchard Cider Company and Bar - We had a couple of flights and we liked about 90% of them! They also had great bar fries and top-notch cheeseboard selection. The vibe is pretty low key - we ended up staying there for a few hours just snacking and chatting.
One World Brewery - A great underground brewery! Great beer selection and pretzels!
Old Europe Bakery - Whether you’re a believer in desert before a meal or after, be sure to stop by this bakery. The tiramisu is decadent and the spiked hot apple cider is wonderful on a breezy, rainy day.
See/Shop:
Grove Arcade Public Market - A charming 1928 historical building that has been renovated and houses several retailers and restaurants.
Horse + Hero Art Gallery - See the incredible work of local artists and small creative businesses, and pick up a few for your art collection!
River Arts District - Pop in and out of the many art galleries, shops and studios. Asheville is home to a burgeoning and fantastic artist community, so check them out and support local businesses and talent!
East Fork Pottery - Our visit wouldn’t be complete without visiting this place to check out the beautiful, modern pottery from this Asheville-rooted brand!
Old North - A chic boutique with modern and classic styles. There were two pups in the store that we got to pet, too!
Ragtime Vintage - For your vintage treasure hunting pleasure.
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe - Grab yourself a cup of tea and settle into this cozy, independent bookstore.
The Biltmore Estate
If I could do this trip over again, I would spend about 2 days at the Biltmore and really immerse myself in this scenery. We had about 1/2 a day in this trip, so we took a tour of the main house/castle/place of residence, as well as the gardens.
Since we visited the Breakers before, we found ourselves comparing the Biltmore to the Breakers frequently. The Biltmore served as a summer home to the Vanderbilts, so it makes sense that there are more grounds devoted to outdoor activities. There is also a little village area in the estate where you can partake in some retail therapy and a vineyard where you can indulge yourself in some home-grown wine.
In conclusion, I’d give this trip an 8/10. Two points for the rainy weather, otherwise everything else was wonderful. It was a nice little escape from the city that I hope we’ll repeat soon.