New job is sending me to Asheville for a whole week. Wife and kids can't make it so I'm going solo. Don't think I've been solo for this long in years. I have a couple of coworkers I can hang with but ideas for places to go, things to eat, etc. I haven't been to Asheville in a decade so my info is probably out of date.

Things I am planning to do:

Sierra Nevada Brewery
12 Bones
Wicked Weed
Orange Peel (Blues Traveler & John 5 will both be there that week so some vastly different options)

Also taking my camera gear so recommendations on places in the area for good photography are greatly appreciated.

1/31/2018 10:34:22 PM

Tupelo Honey downtown

1/31/2018 10:36:54 PM

Downtown is fun for nights, but u need to enjoy the nature. Do the Triple Falls hike in the Dupont Forest. Craggy Gardens is good too. Go explore.

1/31/2018 10:41:17 PM

People watch the weirdos downtown

1/31/2018 10:46:22 PM

Best meal the wife and I had on our honeymoon up there was at a place called Zambra. Tapas so it's of course varying degrees of goodness but had this incredible spring roll with a pomegranate mango sauce that was amazing.

1/31/2018 10:55:57 PM

my favorite burger ever is at the Rankin Vault. the Vault Burger. recommend it to everyone and have yet to let anybody down.

best breakfast spots (in order) are Sunny Pointe, Early Girl, and King Daddy’s.

if you’re there for a week, go to every brewery you can possibly make it to. do both the New Belgium and Sierra Nevada tours.

the Funkatorium is a must, especially if you like sours.

2/1/2018 12:25:17 AM

Quote :

"best breakfast spots (in order) are Sunny Pointe, Early Girl, and King Daddy’s."

You obviously haven't been to Biscuit Head.

2/1/2018 12:43:05 AM

nope

but one of my best friends (who loves food more than any human I’ve ever met) has never recommended it, and he’s been to nearly every restaurant in Asheville

have you been to the three that I recommended?

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 1:05 AM. Reason : .]

2/1/2018 1:02:30 AM

Burial Brewing is good

Get donuts at Hole Donuts, they are insanely good and you can watch em make them in front of you in their weird log cabin

Heard good things about Chai Pani

2/1/2018 1:11:58 AM

Burial ruuuuules

2/1/2018 1:12:32 AM

Which side of town are you staying on?

Food and drink spots mentioned itt are solid, but really the competitiveness among restaraunts in the town means you are really unlikely to strike out. I feel the same way about most of the breweries too (but I'm not very picky about food or beer).

The orange peel on a weeknight is really awesome too, but also check out ISIS, the Grey Eagle, and The mothlight, you might find a cheaper show that could be just as much fun.

There's a pinball museum downtown and a retro-arcade in West AVL that will let you play all day for a flat fee if that interests you (check the hours though).

If you are in town on the 3rd (Norte Dame) or 10th (UNC), Hillman Beer in South AVL should be showing the NCSU games for Wolfpack club/Alumni assoc.

The parkway north to Craggy Gardens or South to Graveyard fields/Black Balsam are the two of the most photogenic high mtn areas in the southeast IMO. Both are easily 45+ min drives, and this time of year you should always be check the NPS website to see if they shut those sections down for ice. The NPS will shut them down if they think there is even a slight chance for ice, it's stupid. I'll post some other options if they come to mind.

2/1/2018 6:35:53 AM

very very very good beer at burial. basically everywhere has good beer.

asheville brewing has v good pizza imo.

2/1/2018 6:46:44 AM

^ +1 on their pizza from what I remember.

I did a food tour up there that was pretty cool. Hit 5 or 6 big restaurants, got a small plate and a drink at each stop. Good way to check out a few different places without filling up.

FWIW I think this was the tour service we used: https://eatingasheville.com/

2/1/2018 7:36:28 AM

Breweries you should check out:
Sierra Nevada - it's a must see, insane
Burial - best beer in Asheville(imo)
One World - hole in the wall with great beer
New Belgium - cool building with a nice view if the weather cooperates.
Twin Leaf - good beer right across the street from the Funkatorium

I'm heading out in early March for a couple of days, and the first 3 are my only "must" stops but hoping to squeeze in a few more or try one of the new ones I haven't hit up before.

2/1/2018 8:11:41 AM

Wow, this blew up! I am staying at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville and work is on UNCA campus.

Any thoughts on Highland Brewing? I have drank quite a bit of that and might be interested in heading to the brewery but if it isn't as impressive as some of the others it can be skipped.

Also any recommendations for good skyline photos of Asheville? I see pics from The Cut that look really great but also it seems pretty illegal and would prefer to not get a ticket or arrested for photography!

2/1/2018 9:39:41 AM

^Renaissance is a great location IMO. Stayed there for a wedding a few years ago, and the ease to get to downtown areas was great. Not sure what room rates are now, but they weren't bad compared to other nearby hotels.

We went to Highland on a brewery tour a while back. I thought it was good, and they're supposedly doing a re-branding. Not sure if that will be unveiled by the time you're there or not. But the main reason I say to go there is because Troy & Sons distillery is literally right next door.

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 9:44 AM. Reason : ]

2/1/2018 9:42:19 AM

Instead of the cut you can try across 240 from it. There is a big apartment complex at the top of the ridge called windswept (I think). Riverview Dr in west asheville might also be a good spot (a lot of private property here too though). Your best bet is probably one of the roof bars - check out skybar (only one I've been to, definitely a good view of the city with mtns in the background), pillar, Or AVL club at 151 (there may be others too).

Also take your camera with you to 12 bones. There is a ton of well done street art/graffiti in the river arts district as well as trains and a ton of other kinda cool old dilapidated shit. Up the street at White Duck tacos is the "Good Vibes" silo/water tower which is also heavily photographed.


I think Highland is cool and their beer is tasty, but I wouldn't make the trip unless they have some music you are interested in. It's kinda far out there, and a lot of times it is dead during the week unless there is music. It's basically a giant warehouse with a nice taproom and some rooftop seating (you might be able to get some good mtn photos from the rooftop???)

You'll be money staying downtown for food and drink. Another spot I've been jonesing to check out is Calypso, St. Lucian food. The dinner menu is a bit expensive, but I've been told you can get a giant bowl of callalou and rice at lunch for a reasonable price.


FYI this is the website to check the parkway:
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Looks like Its closed except commuter sections, there is a chance of precipitation this weekend and next week, so I'm guessing it'll be closed next week too.

2/1/2018 10:05:44 AM

First time I went to Asheville we did a brewery tour where they drove you around, I remember Highland not being downtown, but since you're there for a week, if you like their beer, definitely check it out.

I wouldn't bother with the tour though. It's been several years but I don't recall them having a ton of rare stuff on draft(mainly things you can find readily available in Raleigh), so that's why I'd probably skip it, was my big knock on Green Man too.

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 10:24 AM. Reason : .]

2/1/2018 10:24:10 AM

Pretty good recommendations so far, except for Tupelo Honey, it’s an overrated tourist trap that you can go to in other cities including Raleigh. Little Bee Thai is quite tasty, and close to downtown

2/1/2018 11:42:43 AM

the original is much better, but what you said still applies

2/1/2018 12:03:56 PM

even the original is just ok now.

i'm going to give you one restaurant recommendation. Take or leave it, idc.


Nine Mile. Montford location. you can thank me later

2/1/2018 2:12:53 PM

All Souls Pizza is really good. the Thirsty Monk is a good spot to grab a beer or three

2/1/2018 2:47:52 PM

Quote :

"have you been to the three that I recommended?"

I've been to the first two. Make you a deal. I'll check out King Daddy's next time and you check out Biscuit Head. I suspect we'll both be happy.

Biscuit Head is fairly new, but is at/near the top of all the lists. They have two locations but I always go to the one in West Asheville. Cool shops and what not there too.

https://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/top-8-breakfast-spots-in-asheville/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60742-zfp2-Asheville_North_Carolina.html
https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=breakfast_brunch&find_loc=Asheville%2C+NC

2/1/2018 3:26:49 PM

+1 for Biscuit Head. That shit is fantastic

2/1/2018 3:34:21 PM

Don't go to Tupelo Honey. Plenty of better options available. LIke mentioned above, def check out Biscuit Head for breakfast/brunch.

I remember the pizza being pretty good at Barely's Taproom. Great bar upstairs with a bunch of games too.

Lexington Avenue Brewery has a very cool concert space in the back. Grey Eagle is a great place to see a show too.

Grove Park Inn is always a fun visit, especially in the winter. Grab some drinks in the great hall. Great overlook out back. Don't know if they charge for visitor parking all year or just during special events like the gingerbread house thing, but you can park below near the golf course and it's a nice little walk up.

Like I said earlier definitely do the 3 mile Dupont National Forest hike if the weather is nice. If it's the right part of the year take a suit too as there's a great swimming hole these with a waterfall you can sit behind,
https://www.romanticasheville.com/dupont_waterfalls_trail

Quote :

"the Funkatorium is a must"

Yup, despite the new ownership/partnership/whatever. Get the brussel sprouts, but it's all good. Then walk up to Mast General for shopping.

Thirsty Monk downstairs is a great place to drink Belgian beer if you're into that sort of thing

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 4:01 PM. Reason : Black Mountain is supposed to be a cool place to visit, but haven't had a chance to go myself yet]

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 4:03 PM. Reason : ^ so damn good. they have a great variety of benedict's, and their fried chicken reminds me of Beasleys]

2/1/2018 3:51:27 PM

No mention of Laughing Seed? I went there once, it was ok.

Last time I was there we went to Limones, it was pretty good.

I used to go to Rosetta's a lot for cheaper comfort food.

And there was always the trusty Barley's Taproom (which is a chain, yes)

Biscuit Head was on some cooking show I saw a couple months ago.

2/1/2018 3:53:21 PM

I agree biscuit head is good but can be very crowded for breakfast i would recommend checking out Homegrown been very happy the last couple times in Asheville. Also Hole Doughnuts is a must i would say worth the wait as they are busy but fantastic especially ate there on sight piping hot. Lastly if you have a night to kill check out the Asheville Brewing north of downtown that has a one screen movie theater great way to catch a cheap movie, eat dinner, and drink decent beer.

2/1/2018 6:38:42 PM

Biscuit head can be crowded, but Sunny Pointe is 10x worse for that. My friend from highschool opened up 2 pretty popular asian restaurants, Gan Shan Station in north asheville and Gan Shan West in West asheville. My favorite pizza there is probably 828 Family Pizza (until recently known as Marcos)

2/1/2018 8:05:32 PM

Biscuit head is standing in a line around the block, sunny point is putting your name down and relaxing in the little park thing or walking around and they text you to let you know the wait and when your table ia ready

2/1/2018 8:42:11 PM

True, but it’s still usually 20-30 minutes vs an hour+

2/1/2018 8:54:00 PM

Put your name it a Sunny Pointe, if the wait is 45+ mins you should then walk the 5 blocks to King Daddy's and put your name in there, if that wait is 30+ mins, you should head back toward Sunny Pointe, but if you make it to Tastee Diner and still haven't been texted by Sunny Pointe you should just eat there. Sub in Desoto Lounge for Tastee Diner at your discretion (I've eaten late night at Desoto but that's it, no idea what their brunch is like but I kinda imagine its underwhelming, and it's one of my favorite dives in AVL.)

Also Sunny Pointe serves its entire breakfast menu all day (except specials) so if you go at night the wait is usually 10 mins or less.

2/1/2018 9:13:11 PM

If you're into coffee you should check out Penny Cup. I get all my beans there now.

I also recommend checking out Hillman Beer. We've made acquaintances with the owner who is a fellow NCSU alum and now showing most of the games!

Sunny Point is by far my favorite restaurant but we usually go for late lunch/dinner because I'm not into 2 hour waits. Or getting up early.

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 9:58 PM. Reason : ]

2/1/2018 9:57:44 PM

Quote :

"Biscuit head is standing in a line around the block"

Downtown sure, but not in West Asheville. There might be a 5-10 minute line to order but nothing like downtown

[Edited on February 1, 2018 at 11:12 PM. Reason : And that's a weekend. I'm sure weekdays are fine]

2/1/2018 10:58:56 PM

9 mile in montford. Just do it.

2/2/2018 12:15:14 AM

Suggestions for watching the Super Bowl tonight? Staying at the Renaissance so my coworker recommend Pack's Tavern. I like it being walking distance from my hotel but didn't know if anybody had other recommendations or thoughts on Pack's?

2/4/2018 7:10:47 AM

Pack's is a good place. Probably where I'd have said. Pretty much the only "sports bar" so it'll probably be packed

2/4/2018 7:32:41 AM

Pack’s is probably your best bet downtown. Hillman will be showing the game if you’re interested in driving. I also like Westville for game watches.

2/4/2018 10:42:12 AM

Yup that's a good spot

2/4/2018 11:06:20 AM

Sweet. Thanks for the info. Heading west now. Hope my roads are fine.

2/4/2018 11:16:18 AM

Quote :

"Downtown sure, but not in West Asheville. There might be a 5-10 minute line to order but nothing like downtown"

i've only ever been to the west asheville one, the line wraps down the street

2/4/2018 11:32:13 AM

Guess we've been at different times times of the year

2/4/2018 1:11:46 PM

Quote :

"Pack's is a good place. Probably where I'd have said. Pretty much the only "sports bar" so it'll probably be packed "

Even sports bars don't get packed for the Super Bowl. 99.9% of people watch it at home with friends and/or superbowl parties.

It's probably the least-sports-bar-packed main sporting event.

2/4/2018 1:40:46 PM

Yea place is busy but definitely not packed.

2/4/2018 7:35:37 PM

Oh yah sorry

2/4/2018 8:47:13 PM

It was busy but good. Had a burger/fries and a couple of beers on the back porch right in front of a TV. Windows were down and the heaters made it warmer than inside!

2/4/2018 9:19:29 PM