A Totally Terrific, Trippy-Dippy Town for the Weekend

Hotel Indigo

Hotel | "A Chain Boutique "

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On my second trip to Asheville, I chose my hotel based on three things alone: location, location, location. I was running the Asheville Half Marathon, and I wanted to be able to stroll to the start and limp from the finish back to my hotel room. Therefore, I took a look at the Hotel Indigo. Owned by the same folks who own Holiday Inn, this is a boutique brand, but I'd never stayed at one before. In the end, I found out I'd made an excellent choice and not just because of the race. First things, first: How was the location? Park your car in the hotel's secured parking deck and leave it whenever you want to do anything downtown. The Hotel Indigo is within close walking di...Read More

On my second trip to Asheville, I chose my hotel based on three things alone: location, location, location. I was running the Asheville Half Marathon, and I wanted to be able to stroll to the start and limp from the finish back to my hotel room. Therefore, I took a look at the Hotel Indigo. Owned by the same folks who own Holiday Inn, this is a boutique brand, but I'd never stayed at one before. In the end, I found out I'd made an excellent choice and not just because of the race.

First things, first: How was the location?
Park your car in the hotel's secured parking deck and leave it whenever you want to do anything downtown. The Hotel Indigo is within close walking distance to restaurants and attractions alike. This is especially convenient at night when parking on the street is difficult.

What was the room like?
Huge! I was very pleased with our room. I was traveling with a friend, so we got two queen beds. The space was warm and inviting with hardwood floors and a nice view from the window of distant mountains. We were able to spread out without bumping into each other at all. In the large bathroom, the shower was fabulous. It had a tiled bench built inside it, which is a great feature. I enjoyed the Aveda products on the counter. In reality, our room practically felt like a suite. With lots of work to complete while on this mini-vacation, I also appreciated the free access to wireless in the room. There was a nice work space where I set up my laptop. Perhaps the fact that I was exhausted after a full day made my bed feel especially comfortable at night, but I sank into the wonderful mattress and appreciated the number of pillows. In the morning, we made cups of coffee with the Keurig coffee maker. At night, I enjoyed the option of tea.

What extra features were here?
There was a nice cafe downstairs in the lobby. As brightly decorated in limes and pinks as the rooms, this was an inviting space for a morning muffin. All of the baked goods are made fresh, on-site, and I liked the bowl of soup I got here after my race.

Service?
The staff were friendly and efficient. When my friend and I hobbled in after our run, the people at the front desk asked about our times. When I discovered I'd left some toiletries behind at home and inquired where I might buy replacements, I was given everything I needed in travel sizes. Check-in was a breeze, and our stay could not have been more pleasant.

Cost?
This was a little more expensive than some of the other hotels I considered, but I got a good rate on-line by prepaying for the nights we were there. Still over $200/night, that wasn't so bad when split with a friend, and I thought the cost was worth every penny. I'd certainly stay here again. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 26, 2025

Hotel Indigo
151 Haywood Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
(888) 517-0151

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Renaissance Asheville

Hotel | "A Comfortable Place"

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We chose to stay at the Renaissance because the beds tend to be more comfortable than some other brands, and the location can't be beat if you are spending time downtown. Next to the Thomas Wolfe Historic House, we were within walking distance to most everything we wanted to visit. This was great at night when we knew everyone could have an extra beer and not worry about driving. Additionally, while we didn't go to the Biltmore on this trip, there is even a trolley tour that stops at the Renaissance so you can hop on this (for a fee) and get a ride out to the mansion if you don't want to drive. A little more expensive than some of the other hotel brands in the area, the Renaissance is part of the ...Read More

We chose to stay at the Renaissance because the beds tend to be more comfortable than some other brands, and the location can't be beat if you are spending time downtown. Next to the Thomas Wolfe Historic House, we were within walking distance to most everything we wanted to visit. This was great at night when we knew everyone could have an extra beer and not worry about driving. Additionally, while we didn't go to the Biltmore on this trip, there is even a trolley tour that stops at the Renaissance so you can hop on this (for a fee) and get a ride out to the mansion if you don't want to drive. A little more expensive than some of the other hotel brands in the area, the Renaissance is part of the Marriott family.

Was our room comfortable?
Yes. The king size bed took up a lot of space, but the room was still functional with a small desk that had a plug in panel/data port for laptops. The flatscreen television had cable and pay-per-view. The bathroom was stocked with Aveda products. (I love the rosemary mint shampoo.) We had a couple of extra chairs and a small table where you could drink a cup of coffee. There was a small coffee machine in the room as well, but it only made one cup of coffee at a time. This was fine; however, my husband and I both wanted a cup of caffeinated coffee and only one caffeinated filter was available on our first morning in Asheville. Upon request, housekeeping provided a second caffeinated filter for our second morning as we don't understand the point of decaf. All the other expected in-room amenities like ironing board, a large closet, and hair dryer were there. We had a very comfortable stay.

Other amenities?
The hotel has a swimming pool, exercise center, gift shop, restaurant and lounge. Free parking. Pick up service from the airport for a fee.

How was the service in general?
The front desk staff was very helpful and cordial. They provided us with multiple maps as we lost ours in various restaurants around town. They were also happy to give suggestions. The barman loaned us wine glasses when we took a bottle up to our room. Despite full occupancy, check in was smooth and easy, and they allowed us to check in early as soon as a room was cleaned.

Bottom line?
I'd stay here again. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 2, 2025

Renaissance Asheville
31 Woodfin Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
828-252-8211

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Grey Eagle (The)

Attraction | "Music or Dancing"

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The Grey Eagle books good music. You can go here to listen to some live tunes many nights of the week. Visit their website to see who is on the schedule. However, you might also go here for an interesting experience that is pure Asheville: contra dancing. What is contra dancing?Originally English "country dancing" that the French called contredans, think about any BBC special you've ever seen with women in dresses, shaking their bustles, trading partners on a ballroom floor. Of course, "BBC" may make this dance sound boring, but keep reading. It's not. It's a hoot, actually. If you're not into watching old movies based on Jane Austen books so don't k...Read More

The Grey Eagle books good music. You can go here to listen to some live tunes many nights of the week. Visit their website to see who is on the schedule. However, you might also go here for an interesting experience that is pure Asheville: contra dancing.

What is contra dancing?
Originally English "country dancing" that the French called contredans, think about any BBC special you've ever seen with women in dresses, shaking their bustles, trading partners on a ballroom floor. Of course, "BBC" may make this dance sound boring, but keep reading. It's not. It's a hoot, actually.

If you're not into watching old movies based on Jane Austen books so don't know what I'm on about, think back instead to that one term in junior high school when you blushed your way through square dancing instead of volleyball. (Yeah, you said it was corny then, but you secretly loved it when Dan the Man, the cute kid in your algebra class, had to do-si-do with you around the dance floor.)

Contra dancing is faster and more complex than American square dancing, but there are similar elements. One of the joys of it is that you mingle with pretty much everyone else in the crowd, and you work up quite a sweat. The musicians who lead contra with their fiddles and guitars and accordions are first rate. In fact, they were amazing. This is a unique experience, and if you go, you'll have a lot of fun.

But what if you've never gone contra dancing before?
I can't say I've spent a lot of time learning how to contra dance. While our friends had been once before, my husband and I had never experienced such a thing. However, this is where you'll find the real beauty of Asheville. People here are friendly and kind. When you're absolutely lost in the contra line, someone will help you figure out what you're supposed to do. Make sure you TELL them you're new though. The Grey Eagle hosts the best contra dancing in the South East, so these people are regulars, and they're good. Some of the dances are really complicated. But if you ask for help, someone will be twirling you around like a spinning top before you know it.

Is there any cost associated with contra?
There was a small cover charge of $6 per adult the night we went dancing. There is a bar in the Grey Eagle if you want some beverages as well as a small cafe. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 2, 2025

Grey Eagle (The)
185 Clingman Avenue
Asheville, North Carolina
(828) 232-5800

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Three Asheville Attractions for FREE

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If you're short on cash during your visit, no worries. You don't have to go to the Biltmore to have a good time. There's plenty to see in Asheville that won't cost you much money. 1. You're right by the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers hundreds of miles of gorgeous scenery and hiking. Of course, you're not going to be able to go the full length of this road, but you can hop in your car and go for a very pleasant drive, stopping at viewpoints along the way or with the plan to park and hike in the woods. We enjoyed a short drive through tunnels, along the curving road, and I could imagine just how brilliant this would be in the autumn when the leaves are on fire. 2....Read More

If you're short on cash during your visit, no worries. You don't have to go to the Biltmore to have a good time. There's plenty to see in Asheville that won't cost you much money.

1. You're right by the Blue Ridge Parkway, which offers hundreds of miles of gorgeous scenery and hiking. Of course, you're not going to be able to go the full length of this road, but you can hop in your car and go for a very pleasant drive, stopping at viewpoints along the way or with the plan to park and hike in the woods. We enjoyed a short drive through tunnels, along the curving road, and I could imagine just how brilliant this would be in the autumn when the leaves are on fire.

2. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial House is located in the heart of the city at 52 N. Market Street next to the Renaissance Hotel. Faulkner was a fan of Wolfe's, and he is another important American writer from the South. His first and probably most famous novel, Look Homeward, Angel is set in Asheville and features many real landmarks such as the home though it's named "Dixieland" in the book of fiction. You can tour this home for $1 (!!!!) every day of the week except Monday. Unfortunately for us, we stopped by too close to closing on Sunday afternoon and could not go inside. However, if you happen to be here when the museum is closed, there is another option that will give you a brief overview of the home's history. There's a cell phone number posted beside the house sign that lets you call a narrator who offers a recorded overview of the significance of the house. There is no charge for this other than regular cell phone charges for the call.

(I ended up touring this attraction on my second trip to Asheville, and this was a wonderful thing to do. The tour is a little under an hour, so it gives you a good feel for the author as well as the boarding house. My friend who was with me was not familiar at all with Wolfe, but she liked seeing things like the cherry pitter in the old-fashioned kitchen. There's something for folks interested in architecture/history and literature alike.)

3. The Basilica of St. Lawrence located at 97 Haywood Street is a gorgeous church to see on the inside and worth a visit. A living Roman Catholic church, it is not a museum. However, if you have any interest in architecture or religion, it's worth a look. Notice the exterior is in the Spanish Renaissance style. You can go on-line and get information about the interior before you visit so that you can look for special features. Of course, one needs to be respectful of times when mass is in session, but we were able to go into the church on a Sunday between services. The stained glass windows are gorgeous. Most of these were made in Munich, Germany. The oval shaped ceiling is an amazing thing to see. You can make a contribution if you'd like to help with preservation of this building, but entrance is absolutely free. We lingered here for about twenty minutes. There is a gift shop inside as well though it was closed on our visit. It goes without saying that if you are a Christian--especially a Catholic--you would be welcome to worship here as well during your visit. Read Less

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Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

Attraction | "A Writer's House"

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First, I should say the Sandburg home is not actually in Asheville. Rather, it's a short drive (30 minutes) away from Asheville in Flat Rock, so you'll need a car to visit this site.Second, I am not as familiar with Sandburg's work as I am with many other writers. He did not move to the South until he was in his sixties. His wife was an accomplished woman in her own right, and she needed land to expand a prize winning goat herd. She chose to buy a house in North Carolina, so the whole family--including three grown children and two grandkids--packed up and moved. Third, we were inspired to go to the house more for a folk music festival on Memorial Day than for the house it...Read More

First, I should say the Sandburg home is not actually in Asheville. Rather, it's a short drive (30 minutes) away from Asheville in Flat Rock, so you'll need a car to visit this site.

Second, I am not as familiar with Sandburg's work as I am with many other writers. He did not move to the South until he was in his sixties. His wife was an accomplished woman in her own right, and she needed land to expand a prize winning goat herd. She chose to buy a house in North Carolina, so the whole family--including three grown children and two grandkids--packed up and moved.

Third, we were inspired to go to the house more for a folk music festival on Memorial Day than for the house itself, but I was very happy we took the time to learn a little bit more about one of America's authors.

What is there to do at the Sandburg House?
Lots! The first thing to do is a tour of the home. We were led by a retired teacher who gave an excellent presentation on the family in each room. Since I knew only the very basics--Sandburg was a poet who also wrote children's books--most of the information given was new to me though it was obvious a couple of people in our group were big fans. For instance, I didn't know Sandburg won a pulitzer prize. He came from a family of Swedish immigrants but was in love with the American Dream and only identified himself as an American. He got his first job at the age of 11 cleaning out spittoons for 25 cents a week. He was forty before he was established as a writer. All that said, I loved hearing about Mrs. Sandburg as well. She was the valedictorian of her university class, spoke five languages, and was the daughter of immigrants from Luxembourg. An accomplished farmer, she ran the Sandburg household so that her husband was always free to write. She and Carl's courtship was one mostly of letters as they lived in different places before they were married.
Their marriage was a successful, happy partnership, and I always find such stories inspiring. One major thing the Sandburg's had in common? A love of learning and books. There are approximately 12,000 books from their collection stored on shelves in the Sandburg home.

After a house tour, you can walk over to where the descendants of Mrs. Sandburg's goats still live. We got to see several kids who were only three weeks old. There are also chickens. If you have human kids in your party, this is a good place for them.

If you're up for it, you can hike around the grounds here. They are gorgeous and access is free.

Check for events at the Sandburg house. Carl Sandburg was an avid musician and a contributor to our American folk music heritage. Sometimes live music is available on the site. Despite a rainy grey day, the music festival that first drew us to the house was not canceled. Musicians set up in a covered area that was once a garage and entertained us. It's my understanding such events here are fairly common.

Opening Hours and other Particulars:
The site is open seven days a week, all year long, except on Christmas Day, from 9-5. House tours (around 30 minutes long) also happen daily though the guides typically take a break at 12 PM for lunch unless it's a heavy holiday weekend. A ticket to tour the house is $5 for adults, less for children and seniors. You do have to walk up a staircase, so keep this in mind if you have any physical challenges that might impact your visit. Entrance to all the grounds is free. There are parking lots in front of the site as well, then it's a short walk onto the site. It's a steep climb up to the house from the bottom of the grounds, but if you have knee problems, there is a shuttle that can take you up the drive. The National Park Service advises budgeting two hours for a typical visit.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 2, 2025

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Asheville, North Carolina 28731
(828) 693-4178

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Woolworth Walk

Attraction | "Shopping for Art in Asheville"

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Asheville has lots of interesting galleries to explore. There's American folk art, pottery, furniture. Some of this is very pricey. Some of it is also very good. It was fun to just wander through different galleries. However, if you want to see a lot of different items---at all price points---in one place, you might like to go to Woolworth Walk. Here you'll find two stories of stalls where artists and craftsmen have their wares on display. There's everything from paintings to photography to ceramics to jewelry to clothes to woodwork. I especially liked some lovely cutting boards threaded through with different stains. These were half the price here than in another store where I al...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 2, 2025

Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood St.
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
(828) 254-9234

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The Fine Arts Theatre

Attraction | "Art Films in Asheville"

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I love the movies, and I love little art house theaters. In a town like Asheville where tie-die shirts are still in style, subtitles just seem to be part of the scene. So in that in-between afternoon time when we had already visited one attraction--yet it was too early to go out for dinner--we decided to go to a show at the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore. What sorts of films were on offer?Well, we were attracted by the marquee advertising Exit through the Gift Shop, a "documentary" looking at street art and involving Britain's infamous street artist Banksy. Hil-ar-i-ous. However, by the time you're in Asheville, Bansky will probably be putting his mark...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 1, 2025

The Fine Arts Theatre
36 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
+1 828 232 0257

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Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe

Restaurant | "Green Eggs?"

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The Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe was our chose for breakfast because it was close to our hotel and open early, but anyone who is interested in the "green" movement might like to eat here. What is the Green Sage like?The cafe is set up a little bit like a Starbucks cafe in that you come in the door and go through a line to order your coffee. However,unlike Starbucks, while yummy pastries are on display beneath a glass case, real food is served here to the hungry. I'm talking stacks of blueberry pancakes and French toast. Me? I had to have the granola, fresh fruit, and vanilla yogurt concoction. I couldn't help it. Granola fit the place. What's so ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 1, 2025

Green Sage Coffeehouse and Cafe
5 Broadway Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
(828) 252-4450

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Bistro 1896

Restaurant | "Music on the Square"

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Truth be told, we chose to eat in this restaurant because we were eavesdropping on people in the elevator in our hotel raving about their meal. They said their food was reasonable and good. Sold!!! We decided to try the place out for lunch. Where is the Bistro 1896 located?Look for the monolith statue erected to a former North Carolina governor named VANCE in the center of a square. You'll find the cafe right there, across the street, smack dab in the middle of the action. Find the street musician on the corner. He/she is most likely in front of the Bistro. This seemed to be a very popular piece of concrete for entertainers to sing as we rarely passed here withou...Read More

Truth be told, we chose to eat in this restaurant because we were eavesdropping on people in the elevator in our hotel raving about their meal. They said their food was reasonable and good. Sold!!! We decided to try the place out for lunch.

Where is the Bistro 1896 located?
Look for the monolith statue erected to a former North Carolina governor named VANCE in the center of a square. You'll find the cafe right there, across the street, smack dab in the middle of the action. Find the street musician on the corner. He/she is most likely in front of the Bistro. This seemed to be a very popular piece of concrete for entertainers to sing as we rarely passed here without seeing someone acting like this curb was their stage. If you like live music, enjoy it by eating outside underneath the awning. We liked listening to a bluesy singer with a harmonica for most of our meal. If you'd rather a bit more quiet, go inside to a table in one of the brightly painted dining areas. One of these rooms has chubby cherubs flying across the ceiling.

What was the food like?
We were all struck by the size of the menu. There were a lot a choices for a small cafe, and they all looked great. I had a parmesan encrusted trout served atop cheese grits whereas my husband went for grouper quesadillas. If fish isn't your speed, no worries. You could have everything from a smoked chicken salad to pasta. Our meals were gorgeously presented and delicious. We topped our lunch off with an amazing Creme Brulee served with fresh strawberries.

How was the service?
Our waitress was a doll. She was quick and efficient, and I loved how she pronounced quesadilla with an "l" sound when confirming my husband's order. She made good suggestions and kept our water glasses filled on a warm day without being intrusive.

Bottom line?
Well, the moral to this story is it's good to listen to strangers on elevators. With most lunch entrees hovering around $8, lunch was quite reasonable at an excellent quality. I really enjoyed eating here.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 1, 2025

Bistro 1896
7 Pack Square
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
+1 828 251 1300

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Kathmandu Cafe

Restaurant | "Dinner in Pink"

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On our last night in Asheville, we got a late start finding a place to eat. This can be dangerous. Asheville isn't for night owls. I guess people go to bed early so they can get up and go hiking. As far as dining goes, the town is pretty much shut down by 10 PM. We walked into the Kathmandu Cafe at 9:56. The dining room, which is painted pepto pink, was almost empty barring a couple snuggled together at a cozy table in one corner. Yet the hostess checked with the kitchen to make sure they hadn't broken down the oven for the evening and showed us with a smile to a table. We greatly appreciated the restaurant's pleasant willingness to serve us so close to closing. Our waitress was equally frien...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 1, 2025

Kathmandu Cafe
90 Patton Ave
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
(828) 252-1080

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Bouchon

Restaurant | "Bouchon: French Comfort Food"

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Wanting a nice place to celebrate the fact that we'd just run thirteen miles, my friend and I took a recommendation from the staff in the Hotel Indigo to indulge ourselves at Bouchon. Apparently, Michel Bandouin, the owner/chef, is from France and really knows how to whip up "French Comfort Food." Sold! Walking to Bouchon for an early dinner, we hoped we wouldn't have to wait for long. (They don't take reservations.) If you get there on a crowded night, they do have a small area outside where you can sip your wine and enjoy the atmosphere. With the main restaurant housed in a butter-walled, narrow space, I was reminded of restaurants in New York. The host reminded ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 26, 2025

Bouchon
62 North Lexington Avenue
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
8283501140

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Tupelo Honey Cafe

Restaurant | "A good breakfast venue"

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Tupelo Honey is one of the most popular places to eat in Asheville. You are guaranteed to have to wait for any meal you choose to eat here. Southerners both, my friend and I decided we'd like to have breakfast here more than dinner. After all, we know our biscuits. What is the cafe like?Small and quaint, you can look to one side and see the cooks busy as bees in the kitchen. With hardwood floors and walls the color of sunshine, this has a homey feel that is nice in the mornings. The waitstaff is typical Asheville, a friendly crew who all look like they play folksy guitar in their spare time. Per the business of the place, service is fast and efficient. H...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 26, 2025

Tupelo Honey Cafe
12 College St.
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
(828) 255-4863

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