Mary Jo’s Guidebook
Sightseeing
The home of Coon Tree Picnic Area, Looking Glass Falls, Cradle of Forestry, and Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
280 locals recommend
Pisgah National Forest
The home of Coon Tree Picnic Area, Looking Glass Falls, Cradle of Forestry, and Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
Looking Glass Falls
U.S. 276Breathtaking water falls, great swimming spot
Very educational, Fall Festival in early October is wonderful for families
68 locals recommend
Cradle of Forestry in America Heritage Site
11250 Pisgah HwyVery educational, Fall Festival in early October is wonderful for families
Guided tours and activities for the young, very educational
25 locals recommend
Pisgah Center For Wildlife Edu
1401 Fish Hatchery RdGuided tours and activities for the young, very educational
The Riveter
701 Old Fanning Bridge RdNation's premiere indoor climbing gym, bike park, and wellness arena
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WaySpectacular gardens and trails
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
Great hiking and biking trails
Sizable green space featuring a playground, dog park, fishing pier & kayak/canoe launch.
16 locals recommend
Mills River Park
124 Town Center DrSizable green space featuring a playground, dog park, fishing pier & kayak/canoe launch.
Navitat Canopy Adventures
242 Poverty Branch Rdhigh adventure: zip line tree top tours
Biltmore
1 Lodge StA must-see for history lovers!
Built in 1913, this stately golf resort has views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's 2.2 miles from the Asheville Art Museum and 2.6 miles from the University of North Carolina Asheville
573 locals recommend
The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa
290 Macon AveBuilt in 1913, this stately golf resort has views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's 2.2 miles from the Asheville Art Museum and 2.6 miles from the University of North Carolina Asheville
"Everyone should experience a drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway runs from Virginia all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina. Beautiful scenery all the way. Overlooks and amazing vistas the whole way." --TripAdvisor
757 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge Parkway"Everyone should experience a drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway runs from Virginia all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina. Beautiful scenery all the way. Overlooks and amazing vistas the whole way." --TripAdvisor
Historical site in a setting of beautiful native flora and fauna. July is baby goats season! Don't miss it!
174 locals recommend
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
1800 Little River RdHistorical site in a setting of beautiful native flora and fauna. July is baby goats season! Don't miss it!
Food scene
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WayGreat food, drink, and tour of the brewing process
Local ice cream shop with milk products from their own herd of Jersey Cows
12 locals recommend
Mills River Creamery, LLC
4193 Haywood RdLocal ice cream shop with milk products from their own herd of Jersey Cows
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrOne of our favorites!
Nine Mile
233 Montford Avecasual full-service vegetarian-friendly restaurant and bar
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
30 Town Square BlvdConveniently located in Biltmore Park
"Put some South in your mouth!" Breakfast, lunch, and everything in between.
472 locals recommend
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood Rd"Put some South in your mouth!" Breakfast, lunch, and everything in between.
Funky cafe-deli with pizza, wings, subs, salads & desserts, plus beer, wine & a seasonal patio.
14 locals recommend
Manicomio Pizza & Food
27 Biltmore AveFunky cafe-deli with pizza, wings, subs, salads & desserts, plus beer, wine & a seasonal patio.
Zambra
85 W Walnut StTapas in a great atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
Chocolate specialist using carefully sourced beans to create truffles, bars & other sweets.
363 locals recommend
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareChocolate specialist using carefully sourced beans to create truffles, bars & other sweets.
Brick-walled wine bar with handcrafted decor, area-sourced nibbles & local beer, plus live music.
176 locals recommend
5 Walnut Wine Bar
5 W Walnut StBrick-walled wine bar with handcrafted decor, area-sourced nibbles & local beer, plus live music.
Shopping
Great for shopping, walking, and people watching. Nice places to eat: Nine Mile, Brixx Pizza, and fine dining at 131 Main.
72 locals recommend
Biltmore Park Town Square
One Town Square BlvdGreat for shopping, walking, and people watching. Nice places to eat: Nine Mile, Brixx Pizza, and fine dining at 131 Main.
Outdoor shopping with great outlets. Check out the foodcourt as well.
209 locals recommend
Asheville Outlets
800 Brevard RdOutdoor shopping with great outlets. Check out the foodcourt as well.
also known as the Arcade Building or the Asheville Federal Building, a historic commercial and residential building in Asheville, North Carolina, in its downtown historic district.
Features great dining and unique book store
203 locals recommend
Grove Arcade
1 Page Avealso known as the Arcade Building or the Asheville Federal Building, a historic commercial and residential building in Asheville, North Carolina, in its downtown historic district.
Features great dining and unique book store
Traveler advice
Getting around
You will need a car to get around.
Also note: We avoid I-26 as much as possible. If using Waze and they recommend you take it, usually they are right and the traffic is fine, but our suggestion is to look at the routes offered and choose the ones that don’t take you on I-26. Mary Jo avoids I-26 whenever possible. Some better options are the Blue Ridge Parkway or NC Highway 191.