Asheville, NCMostly written by my friend KirkUpdated 2026-03-08Must Go (2)Activities (4)Bars (2)Breweries (5)Hotels (1)Restaurants (1)Must Go Spots(2)PlantMust GoRestaurantsOne of my all-time favorite restaurants—and it's vegan. Located between downtown and the Grove Park Inn, so it's close but probably not walkable from the center.The BiltmoreMust GoActivitiesExpensive, but worth it—especially if you do the audio tour.All PlacesAntidote Cocktail Lounge at ChemistBarsGreat cocktail spot.Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp TaproomBreweriesFantastic venue with great food and amazing drinks. Down the street from Biltmore.Downtown AshevilleActivitiesLoaded with walkable things. Broadway, Lexington, and Patton are the main thoroughfares.Highland Brewing CompanyBreweriesAn OG in Asheville and a great spot.Mount Mitchell State ParkActivitiesTallest peak east of the Mississippi. You can drive nearly the whole way there—maybe a 10-minute paved walk to the summit. Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.PlantMust GoRestaurantsOne of my all-time favorite restaurants—and it's vegan. Located between downtown and the Grove Park Inn, so it's close but probably not walkable from the center.River Arts DistrictActivitiesGreat area, but kind of spread out. There are little pockets you can hit, or be prepared to hop back in the car for short drives between them.Sierra Nevada Taproom & RestaurantBreweriesYes, that Sierra Nevada. A massive brewery and restaurant—seriously impressive and worth the 30-minute drive south of town.Sovereign RemediesBarsGreat cocktails near the center of town, though it was quiet last time I visited.The BiltmoreMust GoActivitiesExpensive, but worth it—especially if you do the audio tour.The Omni Grove Park Inn & SpaHotelsWhether you stay there or not, it's a really neat place to visit and eat.Wedge Brewing CompanyBreweriesTwo locations around town. The Paynes Way spot is in the arts district with only outside seating—funky vibe.Zillicoah Beer Co.BreweriesRiver's edge spot a little north of town.
PlantMust GoRestaurantsOne of my all-time favorite restaurants—and it's vegan. Located between downtown and the Grove Park Inn, so it's close but probably not walkable from the center.
Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp TaproomBreweriesFantastic venue with great food and amazing drinks. Down the street from Biltmore.
Downtown AshevilleActivitiesLoaded with walkable things. Broadway, Lexington, and Patton are the main thoroughfares.
Mount Mitchell State ParkActivitiesTallest peak east of the Mississippi. You can drive nearly the whole way there—maybe a 10-minute paved walk to the summit. Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
PlantMust GoRestaurantsOne of my all-time favorite restaurants—and it's vegan. Located between downtown and the Grove Park Inn, so it's close but probably not walkable from the center.
River Arts DistrictActivitiesGreat area, but kind of spread out. There are little pockets you can hit, or be prepared to hop back in the car for short drives between them.
Sierra Nevada Taproom & RestaurantBreweriesYes, that Sierra Nevada. A massive brewery and restaurant—seriously impressive and worth the 30-minute drive south of town.
Sovereign RemediesBarsGreat cocktails near the center of town, though it was quiet last time I visited.
The Omni Grove Park Inn & SpaHotelsWhether you stay there or not, it's a really neat place to visit and eat.
Wedge Brewing CompanyBreweriesTwo locations around town. The Paynes Way spot is in the arts district with only outside seating—funky vibe.