PearlWhite4R
New member
The wife and I are headed from Orlando to Asheville this week. We will be there from Wednesday to Sunday. Any must do's? Any easy trails with nice views that I can take her on to have fun? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Trip to Asheville this week
- Thread starter PearlWhite4R
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txbonds
Senior Member
Visit the Biltmore house but if you have time and funds this looks fun.
Land Rover Experience Driving School | Biltmore
Engineer
New member
If your willing to drive ~45min Hurricane Creek is a great trail. Mild but depending on how recently the forrest service has cleared the branches I can not guarantee you won't get minor trail rash from small branches. With 4x4 you should be fine That said it def an off road trail with a knee deep creek crossing at the start and its right off I-40 by Exit 8( I mean RIGHT OFF, slow down with flashers on to turn off). At the start there are a couple private cabins that have gates, obviously leave the private property alone.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ash....5950581!1m3!2m2!1d-83.02652!2d35.72332?hl=en
*Update (12/30/2014) I just ran hurricane creek and it looks like the forest service has not cleared it recently. The trail was wider then before and I think it could be done with minimal pin striping however I would not recommend with stock tires. I ran it with my lift an 285/70 KM2's and I didn't have any contact with rocks but there are a few places where it would be tight on a stock rig.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ash....5950581!1m3!2m2!1d-83.02652!2d35.72332?hl=en
*Update (12/30/2014) I just ran hurricane creek and it looks like the forest service has not cleared it recently. The trail was wider then before and I think it could be done with minimal pin striping however I would not recommend with stock tires. I ran it with my lift an 285/70 KM2's and I didn't have any contact with rocks but there are a few places where it would be tight on a stock rig.
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Jhalko
New member
Definitely hit the biltmore house, it's worth the cost. Downtown, for pizza and beer I like Barleys, local brews and good pizza, you can get something sweet in the Chocolate fetish which is walking distance on a not freezing night but I think they aren't open late.
The parkway looks open right now, a drive up to mt pisgah is nice and if so motivated you can hike to the top. About three miles round trip with great views but the last bit is moderately steep. Mt Mitchell might be worth the drive on a nice day if the parkway is open that way, pisgah is much closer though.
If the parkway is closed you could go out to chimney rock, just head through fairview on 74 the whole way out and back. Again best on a clear day, but you don't have to be in shape to enjoy the trails there.
All this stuff is paved access, there are tons of gravel roads off the parkway to take more interesting ways up and back with cool stuff to see. I never offroaded other than private land when I lived there.
If your interested I always enjoy some bluegrass, jack of the wood and a couple other places are nice for a beer and local bluegrass.
Enjoy your trip!
The parkway looks open right now, a drive up to mt pisgah is nice and if so motivated you can hike to the top. About three miles round trip with great views but the last bit is moderately steep. Mt Mitchell might be worth the drive on a nice day if the parkway is open that way, pisgah is much closer though.
If the parkway is closed you could go out to chimney rock, just head through fairview on 74 the whole way out and back. Again best on a clear day, but you don't have to be in shape to enjoy the trails there.
All this stuff is paved access, there are tons of gravel roads off the parkway to take more interesting ways up and back with cool stuff to see. I never offroaded other than private land when I lived there.
If your interested I always enjoy some bluegrass, jack of the wood and a couple other places are nice for a beer and local bluegrass.
Enjoy your trip!
Bourbonator
New member
I say go to the Asheville Brewing Co Brew and View. Good beer, good pizza, and good movies.
mikeh74
New member
DuPont forest has some incredible waterfalls and hiking. They shot some of the Hunger Games there too.
NCFS - DuPont State Forest
NCFS - DuPont State Forest
Bourbonator
New member
I don't think New Belgium has even broken ground on their Asheville brewery..
you're correct sir. as soon as it opens i want to check it out. that and sierra nevada's as well.
Jhalko
New member
I wouldn't go out of my way but if you are near brevard go to the oscar blues brewery, just have a DD. they may still have the shuttle from Asheville though.
or we could speed and you'll meet us quickly that way too
Slowgoat
New member
Go to the South slope for some new breweries. Tons and tons of breweries!
There is a brewing Co Op where anyone can show off their recipes and ability. Some really amazing beer there (can't remember the name).
I like Pisgah Brewing, Wicked Weed, Burial, Oskar Blues (in Brevard, far but Pisgah is awesome!! Go tool around in that national forest on the gravel roads!), Highland, and a bunch of others. Lots and lots of good beer here. Go to Thirsty Monk for a starting point. They can guide you around the world with their tap and bottle selection.
Dig a bit and find something that suits you for food, but beware of yelp. You can pay to have your rating improved on that app, so don't believe their recommendations (list by rating only) and you have to read between the lines on the reviews.
Hole doughnuts in W. Asheville.
Check out 12 bones for BBQ.
Go to Sunny Point for Breakfast. It is worth the wait.
Buiscuithead gets mixed reviews, but people eat it up.
9 mile for spicy rasta hippie food that is excellent.
The Hop has an ice cream tasting room, not sure if it is open, across the street from Hole.
Ultimate Ice Cream is excellent, and it is sold around town and at their shops.
The Admiral for casual fine dining (might be hard to get a table though).
King James Public House is killing it in the reviews and everyone loves it.
Bread and coffee at Dough
Ben's tune up for drinks and a cool atmosphere. They tore half the roof off an old garage, and build big bonfires and have a huge christmas tree. Skip the food.
Chocolates and stuff at Karen Donatelli, and French Broad Chocolate Lounge (they just reopened, so may be some growing pains at the new location).
Corner Kitchen is pretty good, and the bakery across the street is good.
You have to go to the Grove Park Inn. They make you pay to get in on the weekends or something this time of year. Call them.
Go in there and get a coffee or a drink (table service on the patio is awesome but pricey!!!) and go sit on the patio. Best view in town. The hotel is an icon. If you can park for free (I think it is Sun-Thu??? Call and ask I guess) it is basically free. Go relax up there on a nice day. The spa is the best in this part of the word, but $$$$.
Mellow Mushroom is a chain. People freak out about it, but if you want pizza, go to Marco's on Merrimon.
Go to these neighborhoods if you have time (no particular order):
River Arts District
West Asheville
Brevard/Pisgah Forest/Dupont
Biltmore (love it, more than you can see in a day or two or three)
Biltmore village (for walking around and taking in the atmosphere on a nice day, good shopping for the ladies).
Downtown:
Go downtown and just walk around and shop. Park in a parking deck, walk from Orange Peel down to almost the interstate, take a left, go downhill to Biltmore and Lexington (walk up and down both if you can), swing over to Thirsty Monk, back past Pritchard Park (crazy drum circle filled with freaky freakys on Fri night) and get over to the Grove Arcade. Pack Square is worth a look. Downtown should take a day to cruise that whole area.
PM me if you need anything here! Have a blast!
There is a brewing Co Op where anyone can show off their recipes and ability. Some really amazing beer there (can't remember the name).
I like Pisgah Brewing, Wicked Weed, Burial, Oskar Blues (in Brevard, far but Pisgah is awesome!! Go tool around in that national forest on the gravel roads!), Highland, and a bunch of others. Lots and lots of good beer here. Go to Thirsty Monk for a starting point. They can guide you around the world with their tap and bottle selection.
Dig a bit and find something that suits you for food, but beware of yelp. You can pay to have your rating improved on that app, so don't believe their recommendations (list by rating only) and you have to read between the lines on the reviews.
Hole doughnuts in W. Asheville.
Check out 12 bones for BBQ.
Go to Sunny Point for Breakfast. It is worth the wait.
Buiscuithead gets mixed reviews, but people eat it up.
9 mile for spicy rasta hippie food that is excellent.
The Hop has an ice cream tasting room, not sure if it is open, across the street from Hole.
Ultimate Ice Cream is excellent, and it is sold around town and at their shops.
The Admiral for casual fine dining (might be hard to get a table though).
King James Public House is killing it in the reviews and everyone loves it.
Bread and coffee at Dough
Ben's tune up for drinks and a cool atmosphere. They tore half the roof off an old garage, and build big bonfires and have a huge christmas tree. Skip the food.
Chocolates and stuff at Karen Donatelli, and French Broad Chocolate Lounge (they just reopened, so may be some growing pains at the new location).
Corner Kitchen is pretty good, and the bakery across the street is good.
You have to go to the Grove Park Inn. They make you pay to get in on the weekends or something this time of year. Call them.
Go in there and get a coffee or a drink (table service on the patio is awesome but pricey!!!) and go sit on the patio. Best view in town. The hotel is an icon. If you can park for free (I think it is Sun-Thu??? Call and ask I guess) it is basically free. Go relax up there on a nice day. The spa is the best in this part of the word, but $$$$.
Mellow Mushroom is a chain. People freak out about it, but if you want pizza, go to Marco's on Merrimon.
Go to these neighborhoods if you have time (no particular order):
River Arts District
West Asheville
Brevard/Pisgah Forest/Dupont
Biltmore (love it, more than you can see in a day or two or three)
Biltmore village (for walking around and taking in the atmosphere on a nice day, good shopping for the ladies).
Downtown:
Go downtown and just walk around and shop. Park in a parking deck, walk from Orange Peel down to almost the interstate, take a left, go downhill to Biltmore and Lexington (walk up and down both if you can), swing over to Thirsty Monk, back past Pritchard Park (crazy drum circle filled with freaky freakys on Fri night) and get over to the Grove Arcade. Pack Square is worth a look. Downtown should take a day to cruise that whole area.
PM me if you need anything here! Have a blast!
93toy
New member
LOL! That's an option too!
PearlWhite4R
New member
You sir have just planned my trip for me haha. I love beer and so does my wife so we will be going to as many breweries as possible. We also visit them when we travel. We also will take what you said about food and hiking/walking around. Thanks for all the info. It is GREATLY appreciated.
Styer
New member
Personally Asheville is too "hippy" for me, great beer though, but Brevard is a truly friendly easy going mountain town.
Brevard is an absolute must. The people there are so friendly. Like you knew them for 20+ years. Eat at Marco's(be sure to make reservations) and definitely stop at BREVARD BREWERY. great little friendly brewery right in downtown historic Brevard. Sit down have a few beers and talk to the locals. Just had my destination wedding in Brevard back in October just as the leaves were turning!
and if you want a nice drive take the Scenic Hwy 276 out of Brevard to the state line which is Caesars Head State park. Take a left at the YMCA camp sign(its just as you hit the state line for South Carolina) and drive all the way back in to the YMCA camp. Then follow the signs for "Pretty Place" or "Fred W Symmes Chapel" you won't be disappointed by the views! Just Google image search "Pretty Place"
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Slowgoat
New member
I'm actually looking to get married there also. Good taste, man!
I second you on the hippy thing. They are annoying. It is kind of funny to us now, but we like almost everything else about the place.
My fiancee and I just give each other "the look" when we see some ridiculous hippy crap going down: "Do you have chocolate soy milk sweetened with evaporated cane syrup? I'm allergic to sugar and gluten" as they stuff their pie hole with a doughnut! I say, "I thougth you were gluten allergic." "Oh, sorry, I'm just gluten sensitive. I say I'm allergic because it is easier."
Facepalm!
Silly dirty toes! I like watching the hippies. It is like going to the zoo!
C
Carolina Roscoe
Guest
Fun times
Dude, I'm from "Relatively close" and this gives me the best plans! Thank you for this information. Wifey is from northern Maine and loves this Asheville vibe. Going to use it asap.
Regards,
Roscoe
:cheers:
Dude, I'm from "Relatively close" and this gives me the best plans! Thank you for this information. Wifey is from northern Maine and loves this Asheville vibe. Going to use it asap.
Regards,
Roscoe
:cheers:
Styer
New member
If I could find a comparable job in Brevard I would move there in a heartbeat. I proposed to my wife at the the top of 276 where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway northwest of Pisgah Forest. On that same trip the lady we had rented a room from said since we got engaged we had to at least go see Pretty Place even if we didn't get married there. We both walked in to Pretty Place, looked at each other, and said YEP! We ended up having our ceremony at Pretty Place and the reception at the Brevard Music Center with Mayberry's(great place for lunch and dinner) catering it all. If you need any names or emails I'd be happy to send em on.
