Erica’s Guidebook
Adventures
A collection of sightseeing, hikes, and other adventures.
HISTORICAL/SIGHTSEEING -
The Biltmore House and surrounding estate is one of the most visited locations in Asheville. It’s one of a kind. Practically a look at early American “royalty”. It is also a gardener’s paradise. The estate is approximately 20 minutes from Treetop Cottage.
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Biltmore
1 Lodge StHISTORICAL/SIGHTSEEING -
The Biltmore House and surrounding estate is one of the most visited locations in Asheville. It’s one of a kind. Practically a look at early American “royalty”. It is also a gardener’s paradise. The estate is approximately 20 minutes from Treetop Cottage.
SIGHTSEEING and/or HIKING - Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard. As the crow flies, the summit is only ten miles away but Appalachian terrain demands an hour drive to the top. The views are breath-taking and the temperatures are always 10-15 degrees cooler. Perfect on a warm summer day.
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Mount Mitchell State Park
2388 NC-128SIGHTSEEING and/or HIKING - Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard. As the crow flies, the summit is only ten miles away but Appalachian terrain demands an hour drive to the top. The views are breath-taking and the temperatures are always 10-15 degrees cooler. Perfect on a warm summer day.
HIKING - Catawba Falls is a local GEM! Beautiful 100+ foot cascading waterfall only 15 minutes from Treetop. It is an easy 1.5 mile hike to the base of the falls. (3 miles round trip). The fall are particularly fantastic after a day or more of rain.
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Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrHIKING - Catawba Falls is a local GEM! Beautiful 100+ foot cascading waterfall only 15 minutes from Treetop. It is an easy 1.5 mile hike to the base of the falls. (3 miles round trip). The fall are particularly fantastic after a day or more of rain.
SIGHTSEEING - If you haven’t spent time driving the Parkway... go! Make it a priority. Beautiful sights and breathtaking views. The Parkway is a National Park stretching from Cherokee, NC to the Shenandoah Valley, VA. It is well maintained and loaded with gorgeous roadside overlooks. You can access the Parkway in Asheville (multiple locations), or a few more remote access points above Old Fort/Marion (if you are more adventurous).
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Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwaySIGHTSEEING - If you haven’t spent time driving the Parkway... go! Make it a priority. Beautiful sights and breathtaking views. The Parkway is a National Park stretching from Cherokee, NC to the Shenandoah Valley, VA. It is well maintained and loaded with gorgeous roadside overlooks. You can access the Parkway in Asheville (multiple locations), or a few more remote access points above Old Fort/Marion (if you are more adventurous).
SIGHTSEEING and/or HIKING - The Craggys are one of our favorite places to frequent. We hike and picnic there regularly. You can clearly see Black Mountain to the south, and the mountains of TN and VA to the north.
Multiple hiking trails that lead to large vistas.
During early July the Craggys have a spectacular Catawba Rhododendron bloom.
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Besucherzentrum Craggy Gardens
364 Blue Ridge PkwySIGHTSEEING and/or HIKING - The Craggys are one of our favorite places to frequent. We hike and picnic there regularly. You can clearly see Black Mountain to the south, and the mountains of TN and VA to the north.
Multiple hiking trails that lead to large vistas.
During early July the Craggys have a spectacular Catawba Rhododendron bloom.
HIKING and SIGHTSEEING - Linville Falls are at the head (north-end) of Linville Gorge. The gorge is one of the deepest gorges on the east coast. Absolutely beautiful. Much to explore in the gorge itself. Travel time to the falls is 1 hour from Treetop.
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Linville Falls
HIKING and SIGHTSEEING - Linville Falls are at the head (north-end) of Linville Gorge. The gorge is one of the deepest gorges on the east coast. Absolutely beautiful. Much to explore in the gorge itself. Travel time to the falls is 1 hour from Treetop.
HIKING - Montreat is only a 12 minute drive from Treetop. The small village was home to the late Billy Graham and hosts Montreat College. Additionally Montreat has some of the best hiking trails in the valley. We recommend the Lookout Trail (short but steep) for its views.
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Montreat
HIKING - Montreat is only a 12 minute drive from Treetop. The small village was home to the late Billy Graham and hosts Montreat College. Additionally Montreat has some of the best hiking trails in the valley. We recommend the Lookout Trail (short but steep) for its views.
HIKING and/or CLIMBING - Depending on where you go in the gorge, we reccomend budgeting an hour or more of travel time. The Gorge is a hikers and climbers paradise. Breathtaking vistas full of stone walls and crags.
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Linville Gorge Wilderness
HIKING and/or CLIMBING - Depending on where you go in the gorge, we reccomend budgeting an hour or more of travel time. The Gorge is a hikers and climbers paradise. Breathtaking vistas full of stone walls and crags.
HIKING - Black Balsam is a bald mountain ridge with 360 degree views. Budget an hour drive taking you past Asheville and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s an Asheville favorite. You can also see the Graveyards Fields (which sit right below Black Balsam).
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Black Balsam Knob
Art Loeb TrailHIKING - Black Balsam is a bald mountain ridge with 360 degree views. Budget an hour drive taking you past Asheville and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s an Asheville favorite. You can also see the Graveyards Fields (which sit right below Black Balsam).
SIGHTSEEING, HIKING, and/or CLIMBING/BOULDERING - Chimney Rock is a 45 minute drive south. It sits in Hickory Nut Gorge, a gorgeous landscape of tall rock walls. The closing scene of Last of the Mohicans was filmed here. The park’s main attraction is the famous “chimney”, but if you enjoy climbing/bouldering the park’s Rumbling Bald section will not disappoint. Best climbed in the fall, winter, and spring. Lots of chiggers during the summer. If you don’t know what those are, consider yourself lucky!
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Chimney Rock State Park
431 Main StSIGHTSEEING, HIKING, and/or CLIMBING/BOULDERING - Chimney Rock is a 45 minute drive south. It sits in Hickory Nut Gorge, a gorgeous landscape of tall rock walls. The closing scene of Last of the Mohicans was filmed here. The park’s main attraction is the famous “chimney”, but if you enjoy climbing/bouldering the park’s Rumbling Bald section will not disappoint. Best climbed in the fall, winter, and spring. Lots of chiggers during the summer. If you don’t know what those are, consider yourself lucky!
SIGHTSEEING and SHOPPING - Biltmore Village was originally named Best, North Carolina. During the construction of the Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt purchased Best. He changed its name and built all of the quaint buildings you see today as housing for his new estate staff. He also built All Souls Cathedral, an Episcopalian church for his staff to have a place to worship. All Souls remains an active faith community today. Vanderbilt’s former staff housing are now an eclectic group of high end shops and restaurants. Including the Corner Kitchen, an Asheville stalwart (and personal lunch date favorite).
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Biltmore Village
SIGHTSEEING and SHOPPING - Biltmore Village was originally named Best, North Carolina. During the construction of the Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt purchased Best. He changed its name and built all of the quaint buildings you see today as housing for his new estate staff. He also built All Souls Cathedral, an Episcopalian church for his staff to have a place to worship. All Souls remains an active faith community today. Vanderbilt’s former staff housing are now an eclectic group of high end shops and restaurants. Including the Corner Kitchen, an Asheville stalwart (and personal lunch date favorite).
SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, FOOD, & CULTURE - Downtown Asheville is always worth a visit. It’s the largest city inside the entire Appalachian Mountain range from Georgia to Maine. Known for its eclectic culture and bohemian atmosphere, Asheville is full of street buskers, extraordinary eateries, micro-breweries, and interesting shops/galleries. Grab a parking spot in the one of the many public parking decks or streets. Go for a walk. It should not disappoint.
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Downtown
SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, FOOD, & CULTURE - Downtown Asheville is always worth a visit. It’s the largest city inside the entire Appalachian Mountain range from Georgia to Maine. Known for its eclectic culture and bohemian atmosphere, Asheville is full of street buskers, extraordinary eateries, micro-breweries, and interesting shops/galleries. Grab a parking spot in the one of the many public parking decks or streets. Go for a walk. It should not disappoint.
HIKING - This is a VERY off the beaten trail spot. Will take a solid 1 hour and 45 minutes to arrive. (30 minutes of which is all gravel forestry road). That said... it is one of the most breathtaking and fun hikes we know of. Unbelievable stone spires and a hiking trail that winds through them. If you are looking for a true wilderness adventure, this could be it. Just know that you are in for a longer drive. And a bumpy one once you leave the pavement. Plan at least 3/4 of a day for The Chimneys.
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The Chimneys
HIKING - This is a VERY off the beaten trail spot. Will take a solid 1 hour and 45 minutes to arrive. (30 minutes of which is all gravel forestry road). That said... it is one of the most breathtaking and fun hikes we know of. Unbelievable stone spires and a hiking trail that winds through them. If you are looking for a true wilderness adventure, this could be it. Just know that you are in for a longer drive. And a bumpy one once you leave the pavement. Plan at least 3/4 of a day for The Chimneys.
Black Mountain Food
Some of our favorite local eats.
Louise's Kitchen
115 Black Mountain AveGreat Black Mountain breakfast spot. Nice lunch menu too!
Excellent breakfast. We love anything including their smoked gouda pimento cheese!
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Open Oven Cafe
102 Church StExcellent breakfast. We love anything including their smoked gouda pimento cheese!
Ole's Guacamoles
401 E State StGreat budget friendly Mexican cuisine.
Veranda Cafe & Gift
119 Cherry StA great soup, salad, and sandwich lunch spot.
Good pub fare, drinks, and space to watch a game.
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Black Mountain Kitchen & Ale House
117-C Cherry StGood pub fare, drinks, and space to watch a game.
Some of the best pizza in Black Mountain. Some would say in the county.
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My Father's Pizza & Pasta
110 Cherry StSome of the best pizza in Black Mountain. Some would say in the county.
Foothills Butcher Bar: Black Mountain
111 Black Mountain AveLocally raised meats.
Asheville Food
Incredible Caribbean cuisine. Located in one of Asheville’s most historic neighborhoods. One of our personal favorites.
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Nine Mile
233 Montford AveIncredible Caribbean cuisine. Located in one of Asheville’s most historic neighborhoods. One of our personal favorites.
Nationally famous ribs. Best sides in the city. Next door to The Wedge brewery. We recommend the blueberry chipotle ribs!
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12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StNationally famous ribs. Best sides in the city. Next door to The Wedge brewery. We recommend the blueberry chipotle ribs!
Multiple locations in AVL. Best tacos in the city.
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White Duck Taco Shop Downtown
12 Biltmore AveMultiple locations in AVL. Best tacos in the city.
2 locations in AVL (south and west). Best fried chicken in our opinion. Various spices.
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Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack South
3749 Sweeten Creek Rd2 locations in AVL (south and west). Best fried chicken in our opinion. Various spices.
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StExcellent food. Modern California/Mexican cooking.
Rhubarb
7 N Pack SquareGreat farm to table fare in the heart of downtown Asheville.
Corner Kitchen
3 Boston WayAmerican eatery in the historic Biltmore Village.
Chestnut
48 Biltmore AveQuality American cuisine.
Barley's Taproom
42 Biltmore AveDowntown AVL’s most frequented pizza/pub.
Excellent food. Period. (May take walk-ins but we recommend calling for a reservation.) The dining room is the old barracks of the US Foresters who built the Blue Ridge Parkway. Building is coupled with Burial Beer’s taproom (downstairs). Easily one of the coolest converted buildings to an restaurant in Asheville.
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Forestry Camp Bar & Restaurant
10 Shady Oak DrExcellent food. Period. (May take walk-ins but we recommend calling for a reservation.) The dining room is the old barracks of the US Foresters who built the Blue Ridge Parkway. Building is coupled with Burial Beer’s taproom (downstairs). Easily one of the coolest converted buildings to an restaurant in Asheville.
Breweries
Asheville boasts one of the highest concentrations of breweries per capita than any other city and surround areas in the USA. Something for every beer drinker to enjoy. Multiple “Brews Cruises” are available in the city,
The brewery that kinda started it all. Excellent variety of different beers, and a fantastic green space for kids to play and roam.
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Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyThe brewery that kinda started it all. Excellent variety of different beers, and a fantastic green space for kids to play and roam.
Black Mountain brewery. Locally famous for their Pale Ale. Live concert series in the summer.
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Pisgah Brewing Company
2948 US-70Black Mountain brewery. Locally famous for their Pale Ale. Live concert series in the summer.
Great space. Good beer. Near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate.
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Hillman Beer
25 Sweeten Creek RdGreat space. Good beer. Near the entrance to the Biltmore Estate.
It’s New Belgium. Enough said. Sit above the French Broad River in Asheville and enjoy a cold drink.
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New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StIt’s New Belgium. Enough said. Sit above the French Broad River in Asheville and enjoy a cold drink.
A newer brewery in AVL with great green space for kids to play.
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Sweeten Creek Brewing
1127 Sweeten Creek RdA newer brewery in AVL with great green space for kids to play.
Great beer in AVL’s River Arts district and right next door to 12 Bones BBQ.
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Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGreat beer in AVL’s River Arts district and right next door to 12 Bones BBQ.
Excellent brew/pub in the heart of downtown AVL. Good food too.
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Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveExcellent brew/pub in the heart of downtown AVL. Good food too.
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveGreat sours.
One of Burial Beer’s taprooms bottom floor. (beer is brewed in an adjacent building on the property). Fantastic beer., famous for their sours. The building is the former barracks and offices of the US Foresters who built the Blue Ridge Parkway. The top floor hosts a full restaurant.
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Forestry Camp Bar & Restaurant
10 Shady Oak DrOne of Burial Beer’s taprooms bottom floor. (beer is brewed in an adjacent building on the property). Fantastic beer., famous for their sours. The building is the former barracks and offices of the US Foresters who built the Blue Ridge Parkway. The top floor hosts a full restaurant.