An Asheville, NC trip report.

[Papa Deuce]

What a cool little town!

We were there from Monday afternoon until Wednesady afternoon. And we easily could have spent 2 - 3 more days there.

It is a strange dichotomy of folks who live there, it seems. The rich, and the hippie types it seems. Very artsy, yet has a certain amount amount of high class folks too, based on one place we ate. Lots of people talking garden clubs and charity events.......

We spent the days all over the place, mostly shopping. Downtown was very enjoyable with all the galleries and boutiques. Lots of very nice places to eat as well. Word of warning though, it seems like Asheville closes up by 7PM or so. In fact, on Monday night we had a hard time finding an open restaurant that we wanted to eat at.

We never even went to Biltmore or Grove Park Inn. Not enough time. We did enjoy Billtmore Village though.

We stayed at a really awesome place that many locals do not even know about. www.willowwinds.com

It is 50 ACRES of wooded property that is contained within a residential neighborhood. There are about 25 cabins on site. It was TRULY BEAUTIFUL. And the people running the place were very helpful and friendly.

We ate at two EXCELLENT places. One was the Southside Cafe on Hendersonville Road. AWESOME food, and great services. Dinner for 2 was $71 plus tip. My wife had one drink. Beautiful presentation of the dishes, and it was DELISCIOUS!

The other place was called the Country Kitchen in Biltomore Village shops. WOW! Not too fancy but the food was incredible! $30 for lunch for 2, including tip.

We had such a great time that we are trying to organize a family reunion there in 2006!

Yay Asheville!!!!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Glad you enjoyed it.
Western NC period closes up early.Thats why I want to move so bad,well that and then the cold and snowy winters.
But WNC will always be my home even if we do move further South.

Try coming in the fall during leaf change,it is Beautiful.

Misty

 

[Papa Deuce]

Glad you enjoyed it.
Western NC period closes up early.Thats why I want to move so bad,well that and then the cold and snowy winters.
But WNC will always be my home even if we do move further South.

Try coming in the fall during leaf change,it is Beautiful.

Misty

We may, just my wife and I. I do know that the whole area is just beautiful, and even though I hate snow, I am sure it is magnificent to look at in the snow.

 

[DVCLiz]

Asheville is just beautiful - and so is Brevard, another town a little further west. My daughter goes to camp near Brevard, and I always look forward to spending a day there when I drop her off. Asheville is loaded with things to do!!

I hope you'll make time for a tour of Biltmore some day - there really aren't words to describe it. We've been during the regular season, during Christmas, and in the fall for the medieval fair they have. All were beautiful!!!

 

[bsnyder]

I hope you'll make time for a tour of Biltmore some day - there really aren't words to describe it. We've been during the regular season, during Christmas, and in the fall for the medieval fair they have. All were beautiful!!!

I'll put in a plug for this too! And definitely DO try to go at Christmas, at night. It's fabulous!

 

[polly p]

We had a family reunion in Ashville last summer. I totally agree. A very artsy town with something else. Downtown was great. My husband's cousin worked for a caterer there. Great Food.

It was a great time. Glad you too had fun on your trip.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Glad you had a good time. I love Asheville. I'll be there in a couple of weeks for a concert. It's not a far drive. I have some family there too. I don't know where my cousin goes, but she stays out all night long.

 

[DaniDownUnder]

I started summer camp at Western Carolina University when I was 13 (and hour west of Asheville). Then my family discovered all the lovely lil towns between WCU and Asheville. When I went to uni, the only place I applied to out of high school was UNC-Asheville. LOVED the area! Ended up graduating from WCU (long story). Now I'm desperately applying for university jobs ANYWHERE in WNC because I'm desperate to move back there.

But just to tide me over, I'm getting married in Asheville (well...Swannanoa, which is practically Asheville) on July 4th.

I loved the OP's comment about the mix of people...you are SOOOO right. Some really 'crusty' people with $$ and lots of hippie/artsy types.

Next time you are in the area, you have GOT to eat dinner at the Grove Park Inn at dusk...you'll get a phenomenal view of sunset over the mountains.... priceless!!!

Oh..and if y'all have any 'get that job' vibes you can send me...I'd appreciate it. I'm hoping like hell to get a couple of interviews while I'm home next month.

 

[LJC1861]

Papa Deuce,

I am SO glad to hear that you had a great time in Asheville. It is a very artsy little city with lots of interesting people. If you are ever here on a Friday night you should check out the drumming circle that performs downtown in Pritchard Park. Between 50-100 drummers bring their african drums and all play. People dance in the open area and it is one of the most unusual and cool things that Asheville has to offer on a Friday night.

I totally agree with your assessment of the Southside Grill....It is a great little restaurant and usually jam packed and hard to get in to.

Linda