Mary’s guidebook
Food scene close to your apartment
This is the closest restaurant to your apartment and the food is delicious, they also have draft beer. It is family friendly as well.
102 locals recommend
The Local Joint
1185B Charlotte HwyThis is the closest restaurant to your apartment and the food is delicious, they also have draft beer. It is family friendly as well.
Delicious breakfast and healthy options. The dining room is super small, not the best choice if you have small kids. They have good pizza to go.
15 locals recommend
Sky Mountain Pizza
1321 Charlotte HwyDelicious breakfast and healthy options. The dining room is super small, not the best choice if you have small kids. They have good pizza to go.
Piazza
4 Olde Eastwood Village BlvdTasty wood fired pizza and draft beer
Good "diner-like" food, fast service and close to WNC Ag Center and Asheville Airport.
12 locals recommend
Kosta's Kitchen
4055 Hendersonville RdGood "diner-like" food, fast service and close to WNC Ag Center and Asheville Airport.
Blue Sky Café
3987 Hendersonville RdGood little diner, close to WNC Ag Center and Asheville Airport.
Breweries
Whistle Hop Brewing Company
1288 Charlotte HwyUnique little brewery with uniquely flavored beers
Beautiful place and very large dining room, it is family friendly, try the duck fries.
726 locals recommend
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayBeautiful place and very large dining room, it is family friendly, try the duck fries.
This is very popular with tourists. They have a dining room and good food, but it can get very crowded.
478 locals recommend
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveThis is very popular with tourists. They have a dining room and good food, but it can get very crowded.
Well established brewery, but they do not serve food. They usually have food trucks out front.
349 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyWell established brewery, but they do not serve food. They usually have food trucks out front.
This is a new brewery just a few miles from your apartment, outdoor seating is available.
60 locals recommend
Turgua Brewing
3131 Cane Creek RoadThis is a new brewery just a few miles from your apartment, outdoor seating is available.
Bold Rock Hard Cider
72 School House RdNew brewery with plenty of outdoor seating.
My favorite place to have a beer after hiking in or near Brevard, plenty of outdoor seating.
204 locals recommend
Oskar Blues Brewery Taproom - Brevard
342 Mountain Industrial DrMy favorite place to have a beer after hiking in or near Brevard, plenty of outdoor seating.
Sightseeing and Activities
It is an easy hike and families could push a stroller with some effort. The paths are gravel but wide and well kept. The waterfalls are beautiful. It gets crowded on the weekends and parking is limited, get there early.
624 locals recommend
Dupont State Forest
Staton RoadIt is an easy hike and families could push a stroller with some effort. The paths are gravel but wide and well kept. The waterfalls are beautiful. It gets crowded on the weekends and parking is limited, get there early.
Beautiful hike at a minimal cost. Check online before you go, they often shut down parts of the park due to rock slides. This is a very family friendly area and hike.
307 locals recommend
Chimney Rock
Beautiful hike at a minimal cost. Check online before you go, they often shut down parts of the park due to rock slides. This is a very family friendly area and hike.
Beautiful and relaxing car trip with several places to pull over and enjoy the views
757 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayBeautiful and relaxing car trip with several places to pull over and enjoy the views
Scenic drive to the top along the parkway, plenty of short or longer places to hike along the way.
114 locals recommend
Mount Mitchell
Scenic drive to the top along the parkway, plenty of short or longer places to hike along the way.
Some of my favorite places to hike are within Pisgah
National Forest. I have a book with directions and suggestions, or you may be able to find directions online.
Look up John Rock, Cat Gap Loop, and Looking Glass Rock.
280 locals recommend
Pisgah National Forest
Some of my favorite places to hike are within Pisgah
National Forest. I have a book with directions and suggestions, or you may be able to find directions online.
Look up John Rock, Cat Gap Loop, and Looking Glass Rock.
This is a short drive beyond Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, through another tunnel and parking on the left. It is a short hike, but rocky and a little steep to reach the top, the view at the top is spectacular!
26 locals recommend
Craggy Pinnacle Summit
This is a short drive beyond Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, through another tunnel and parking on the left. It is a short hike, but rocky and a little steep to reach the top, the view at the top is spectacular!
This is a family friendly hike but it gets very crowded on the weekend and holidays. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
216 locals recommend
Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrThis is a family friendly hike but it gets very crowded on the weekend and holidays. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
While traveling North on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is the perfect place for visitors looking for a short hike, there are longer hikes as well, with beautiful views. Take a picnic lunch and soak in the views. It can get busy with tourists, but not as crowded as some other popular attractions. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and it was perfect. Family friendly as well!
224 locals recommend
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyWhile traveling North on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is the perfect place for visitors looking for a short hike, there are longer hikes as well, with beautiful views. Take a picnic lunch and soak in the views. It can get busy with tourists, but not as crowded as some other popular attractions. We recently visited on a Sunday afternoon and it was perfect. Family friendly as well!
If the kids need a place to run and have fun, this is a nice park. There are some short trails towards the back of the park.
28 locals recommend
Fletcher Parks & Recreation
85 Howard Gap RdIf the kids need a place to run and have fun, this is a nice park. There are some short trails towards the back of the park.
Amazing place to learn about Appalachian history and its artists. Be sure to stop here if you’re on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
255 locals recommend
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyAmazing place to learn about Appalachian history and its artists. Be sure to stop here if you’re on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Brand new indoor and outdoor recreation arena which includes climbing walls and bike tracks. It is located next to Sierra Nevada brewery.
49 locals recommend
The Riveter
701 Old Fanning Bridge RdBrand new indoor and outdoor recreation arena which includes climbing walls and bike tracks. It is located next to Sierra Nevada brewery.
For the young and the young at heart. This is a very beautiful area in Pisgah National Forest. There are many hiking trails and picnic areas nearby.
384 locals recommend
Sliding Rock
For the young and the young at heart. This is a very beautiful area in Pisgah National Forest. There are many hiking trails and picnic areas nearby.
Zen Tubing
1648 Brevard RdFun activity for the entire family.
Beautiful outdoor place to visit and take a picnic lunch. There are also some trails to hike or bike.
11 locals recommend
Asheville Arboretum
Beautiful outdoor place to visit and take a picnic lunch. There are also some trails to hike or bike.
Launch Trampoline Park Asheville
24 Walden DrBeautiful glass work, fun to walk through and watch artists create pieces. Classes are offered. Walk across to the Wedge afterwards for a beer, or two.
36 locals recommend
North Carolina Glass Center
140 c Roberts St Beautiful glass work, fun to walk through and watch artists create pieces. Classes are offered. Walk across to the Wedge afterwards for a beer, or two.
This trailhead is 11 miles from your apartment and there are a few options for hikers, including Bearwallow Mountain Trail.
11 locals recommend
Trombatore Trailhead
Bearwallow Mountain RoadThis trailhead is 11 miles from your apartment and there are a few options for hikers, including Bearwallow Mountain Trail.
About 9 miles from the apartment. Several options for different levels of hiking.
11 locals recommend
Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trailhead
3836 Gerton HwyAbout 9 miles from the apartment. Several options for different levels of hiking.
Ferguson Peak
A nice hiking trail located near Bearwallow trail.
Florence Nature Preserve
3836 Gerton HwyDittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park
271 NC-9My favorite restaurants in and around Asheville
Local favorite, several menu options. Try the blueberry chipotle ribs.
The South location is closest to your apartment.
91 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse SOUTH
2350 Hendersonville RdLocal favorite, several menu options. Try the blueberry chipotle ribs.
The South location is closest to your apartment.
Excellent food, large dining room and fast service, can be considered a bit pricey.
43 locals recommend
131 MAIN Restaurant
308 Thetford StExcellent food, large dining room and fast service, can be considered a bit pricey.
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveCaribbean inspired cuisine, when they say spicy, believe them.
Three locations, family friendly and mouth watering food. Definitely a cool place to eat.
440 locals recommend
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrThree locations, family friendly and mouth watering food. Definitely a cool place to eat.
Two locations, fantastic food. The South location is closer and easier to access.
305 locals recommend
Tupelo Honey
12 College StTwo locations, fantastic food. The South location is closer and easier to access.
If you are shopping at the outlets or Discount Shoes, this cute little lunch spot is just down the street and they have delicious food.
17 locals recommend
Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen
1854 Brevard RdIf you are shopping at the outlets or Discount Shoes, this cute little lunch spot is just down the street and they have delicious food.
Fabulous food and experience in Biltmore Village which is across from the entrance to the Biltmore House.
155 locals recommend
Corner Kitchen
3 Boston WayFabulous food and experience in Biltmore Village which is across from the entrance to the Biltmore House.
Good food and family friendly, avoid the hot sauce.
69 locals recommend
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack South
3749 Sweeten Creek RdGood food and family friendly, avoid the hot sauce.
Moe's Original Bar B Que
4 Sweeten Creek RdI have to add another BBQ option and this is a good one.
Downtown Asheville. Latin cuisine and reasonably priced. Always crowded, make a reservation.
279 locals recommend
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StDowntown Asheville. Latin cuisine and reasonably priced. Always crowded, make a reservation.
Great place to eat breakfast or brunch if you don’t mind waiting to be seated and parking can be a hassle.
587 locals recommend
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdGreat place to eat breakfast or brunch if you don’t mind waiting to be seated and parking can be a hassle.
Luella's Bar-B-Que - South Asheville
33 Town Square BlvdDelicious BBQ, there are two locations.
Buxton Hall Barbecue
32 Banks AveSavory BBQ in downtown Asheville.
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdThree locations, all equally good!
Shopping
Great place to walk around and visit some shops and nice eateries. Very nice movie theater as well.
64 locals recommend
Biltmore Park
Great place to walk around and visit some shops and nice eateries. Very nice movie theater as well.
If you are visiting the Biltmore House, across from the entrance is Biltmore Village. A nice place to walk around and visit some unique shops. Check out New Morning Gallery if you love art. “Corner Kitchen” is a great place to dine.
225 locals recommend
Biltmore Village
If you are visiting the Biltmore House, across from the entrance is Biltmore Village. A nice place to walk around and visit some unique shops. Check out New Morning Gallery if you love art. “Corner Kitchen” is a great place to dine.
Great shopping experience in downtown Asheville. Children love this store as well.
72 locals recommend
Mast General Store
15 Biltmore AveGreat shopping experience in downtown Asheville. Children love this store as well.
Grove Arcade
1 Page AveUnique specialty shops in downtown Asheville.
Beautiful hand crafted jewelry by local artists. There is something special for everyone in all price ranges.
Mora Jewelry
9 W Walnut StBeautiful hand crafted jewelry by local artists. There is something special for everyone in all price ranges.
Asheville Outlets
800 Brevard RdTons of shoes and boots in every style, European styles as well. Just down the street from the outlets.
14 locals recommend
Discount Shoes
1263 Brevard RdTons of shoes and boots in every style, European styles as well. Just down the street from the outlets.
Cool art shop in downtown Asheville, be sure to head downstairs to look at the handmade furniture.
46 locals recommend
Kress Emporium
19 Patton AveCool art shop in downtown Asheville, be sure to head downstairs to look at the handmade furniture.
Be sure to visit this shop in downtown Asheville if you love art, this shop is unique and local artists are featured.
24 locals recommend
Horse + Hero
14 Patton AveBe sure to visit this shop in downtown Asheville if you love art, this shop is unique and local artists are featured.
Even if you’re not looking to buy, check out this art gallery. It is in Biltmore village, across the street from the Biltmore House entrance.
34 locals recommend
New Morning Gallery
7 Boston WayEven if you’re not looking to buy, check out this art gallery. It is in Biltmore village, across the street from the Biltmore House entrance.