Located in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is comfortably situated within a valley with rolling hills rising from all sides. As such, Asheville is close to some of the best hiking on the east coast. Just 35 miles from Asheville is the highest peak on the east coast, Mt. Mitchell. This is but one of the many areas where hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains abound. What’s nice about Asheville is that it offers the excitement of a metropolis, yet with outdoor activities within a short distance. Many of the Asheville area’s best hikes are even much closer than Mt. Mitchell, which can take up to an hour and a half to drive to depending on traffic, since the road winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains at 45 MPH.
There are quite a few hikes around the Mt. Mitchell area, despite the fact that many visitors to the landmark just do the scenic overlook. One of the most popular Mt. Mitchell hikes, takes explorers from the highest peak on the east coast, Mt. Mitchell, to the second highest peak at Mt. Craig. It’s more for intermediate hikers, because though it’s only a two-mile round trip, it involves some climbing, though not strenuous. More experienced hikers will enjoy the trail from Black Mountain Campground, a 5.5 mile hike, which climbs over 3,500 feet.
Probably the most well-known hiking trail in the Asheville area is the Mountain to Sea Trail. It can be accessed in as little as 15 minutes from Asheville. It offers many different access points, as the trail runs 17 miles long. Many hikers access it at the Folk Art Center, which is just a few miles outside of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It accommodates all skill levels.
25 miles from downtown Asheville is one of the most scenic trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Gardens. There’s a visitor center and a couple different scenic overlooks that offer 360-degree views across the mountains. There are several different hikes in the vicinity of Craggy Gardens that range in difficulty.
[Photo courtesy of Carolyn N. Connor]
If you know anything about Asheville, then you know that its charming, historic inns and bed and breakfasts are what set it apart as a premier destination in the south. With the exception of the Grove Park Inn and Spa, you simply aren’t going to find luxury resort style accommodations in Asheville. However, what Asheville lacks in luxury, it makes up in charm and southern hospitality that can be found and experienced at one of the many bed and breakfasts around the city. Here are 5 Asheville bed and breakfasts that should be on your list when planning your trip.
1. 1900 Inn on Montford. A hallmark mansion in Asheville, the 1900 Inn on Montford is one of the city’s most popular bed and breakfasts, and difficult to get a room on short notice. Originally designed in 1900, the home has been restored and now stands as one of only a few North Carolina bed and breakfasts to be named an AAA four diamond award winner. Amenities of note include high-speed Internet access, live music on the weekends and the inn welcomes pets.
2. Bent Creek Lodge. This Asheville bed and breakfast is perfect for the travelers that want a retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Bent Creek Lodge is typical of what you might expect from a backcountry lodge deep in the mountains, yet it is convenient to downtown Asheville. Complimentary high-speed Internet access, nearby hiking and spectacular views are some of the highlights.
3. Chestnut Street Inn. Another one of Asheville’s early 1900 restored mansions, the Chestnut Street Inn is conveniently located near downtown. The highlight is the complimentary three-course breakfast that is served each morning. It’s also one of the few area inns that offers in-room massages.
4. Bella Luna Inn. The Bella Luna Inn, located in Black Mountain, may not offer the same grandeur as some of the other bed and breakfasts in Asheville, but it offers a cozy, intimate setting that is perfect for a retreat. The house is small, with only a few rooms, but rooms connect, which are perfect for traveling with a family or a group. It’s within walking distance of Black Mountain’s boutique shops, restaurants and bars.
5. The Biltmore Village Inn. This Asheville bed and breakfast offers one of the best views in the city, with a beautiful 360-degree view of Asheville and the outerlying mountains. The inn is located just a few blocks from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate. Rooms come with private baths, with most of them having whirlpool tubs.
[Photo courtesy of Smart Destinations]
You typically wouldn’t expect to find cheap eats at an Italian restaurant like Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana, but that’s exactly what you’ll find on their lunch menu. Set in downtown Asheville in a historic brick building, Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana is a favorite among both tourists and locals. The highly acclaimed restaurant features authentic Tuscan flavors and cuisine that simply aren’t what you’ll find at many mainstream Italian restaurants. It prides itself on fresh, authentic dishes that bring guests back to try something different on each visit.
Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana has to be one of the few Italian restaurants in the world that has what could be tabbed as a $5 lunch menu. What the Asheville restaurant refers to as “courthouse specials”, these are several cheap entrees, with most of them being $5, although there are a couple, like the tortellini and broccoli, which are a couple dollars more.
My recommendation for this $5 lunch in Asheville comes down to either the BLT sandwich or the quick bite. At the end of the day, the Half Bite takes the trophy because it comes with a few more options. With the BLT, patrons get fresh local tomatoes, organic leaf lettuce and Applewood smoked bacon between toasted bread. Options of a side are either soup or a mixed greens salad. With the quick bite, guests get a sandwich option of either tuna salad, chicken salad or grilled chicken with swiss cheese and choice of soup or side salad. With the quick bite, to stay at $5, guests have to choose the half sandwich. The whole sandwich is $3 more.
Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana $5 lunch is available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and can be ordered to go. It features a convenient location, as it’s close to many of downtown Asheville’s attractions and hotels.
[photo courtesy of alcomike]