Asheville offers an amazing choice of dining options from gourmet worldly presentations to down-home country delights.  Almost all are independently owned.  These are a few of our favorites but we have a host of others to suggest at the lodge.   Nearly all of the restaurants offer casual dining, but reservations are recommended for weekends to ensure you can enjoy your favorite spot.  We’re happy to offer suggestions and make dinner reservations for you during your stay.

Guest Shawn Burns dining in Asheville

• Limones – An all together different world of Mexican/Californian Cuisine, Downtown. 828-252-2327.
• Rezaz – Contemporary Mediterranean Cuisine, Biltmore Village.
  828-277-1510.
• Modesto – Wood fired Italian, Grove Arcade. 828-225-4133.
• Salsa’s – A funky, innovative blend of Caribbean flavors, downtown.
  
• Corner Kitchen - Handcrafted American food with a Southern twist, Biltmore Village, 828-274-2439.
• The Market Place – A bench mark of fine dining in Asheville, Wall Street Downtown, 828-252-4162
• Bistro 1896 – American Cuisine with a twist, Downtown on the square, 828-251-1300.
• Mela – Indian food done right, Lexington, downtown.  828-225-8880.
• Laughing Seed – Eclectic, organic, vegetarian, Wall Street downtown. 828-252-3445.
• Tupelo Honey – Southern cookin’ with an uptown twist, downtown. 828-255-4863.
• Zambra – Unique, Tapas bar and more, downtown. 828-232-1060.
  
  
  
  

From historical to hilarious, sumptuous to spooky Asheville has a fun tour for everyone.

• Asheville Food Tours 828-273-0365
• Trolley Tours of Asheville 828-251-8687
• Great Smokey Mountains Railroad 800-872-4681
• LaZoom Tours 828-225-6932
• Asheville Ghost Tour  828-355-5855
• Asheville Urban Trail
  

Asheville and the Biltmore Village area offer a wide selection of retailers from high-end antiques in the Grove Arcade to funky wear on Lexington.  Retail stores in downtown Asheville reflect the independent nature of the city – you will find few chain stores downtown.

• Mast General Store
  
• The Folk Art Center
  
• Grove Arcade
  
• Biltmore Village Shops
  
• Antique Tobacco Barn

Horseback Riding and Ballooning
Horses and balloons are another way to explore the beauty of the area

• Asheville Hot Air Balloons – One of the most incredible things to do in Asheville, 828-667-9943
  
• Pisgah Forest Riding Stables – In the heart of the Pisgah Forest, near Brevard,
  828-883-8258
  
• Sandy Bottom Trail Rides – 24 miles north of Asheville toward Hot Springs,
  800-959-3513

Llama Trekking
English Mt. Llama Treks – Hot Springs, 828-622-9686

 

Golf - The golf courses in the mountains are especially beautiful

• Broadmoor Links – closest course to us, 866-578-5847
• Etowah Valley – south of us, 800-451-8174
• Reems Creek – near Weaverville, 828-645-4393
• Asheville Municipal Golf Course  828-298-1867

Hiking and Biking
The Asheville area is a mecca for hiking and biking with trails to suit any level.  We’ve been exploring these trails for 25+ years and enjoy helping you find the best sites.  We love to join our guests on rides whenever we can.

Bike Shop

• Liberty Bikes – Asheville’s largest Bike Shop, 828-274-2453
• Carolina Fatz Cycling Center – Nearest Bike Shop to us and Bent Creek Recreation Area, 665-7744
  
• BioWheels Bike Shop – One of Asheville’s Greenest shops, some rentals & demos, 888-881-BIKE
  
• Sycamore Cycles – Adjacent to Pisgah forest, has bike rentals, 828-877-5790
  
• Backcountry Outdoors – adjacent to Pisgah Forest, has bike rentals and hiking gear, 828-884-8670

Outdoor Guides

• Climbmax – climbing wall, hiking and climbing guides, 828-252-9996
  

Trail Information Sites

• Hiking in WNC
• Biking in WNC
• Water Falls in WNC
  
  

Parks and Forrest
The Asheville area has an amazingly vast selection of public lands to explore whether you are hiking, biking, horseback ridings or just driving around

Guest Lois Uthman at the NC Arboretum

• NC Arboretum – The entrance is just ½ mile from our drive. World class Bonsai exhibits to Segway tours. 828-665-2492
• Bent Creek Recreation Area Trail Map – downloadable pdf
  
• Blue Ridge Parkway – We are just a few yards off the Parkway at milepost 393, the Premier Scenic Roadway.
  
• Craggy Gardens – One of the most dramatic spots on the Parkway
• DuPont State Forest – One of our favorite places for biking, hiking, and waterfalls.
  
• WNC Nature Center - a living museum of plants and animals native to the Appalachian region here in Asheville, 828-298-5600
• Mt. Mitchell State Park – highest peak in the east,
  
• Chimney Rock State Park - spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall,
  800-277-9611.

Fishing, Rafting & Canoeing

Guests Pat Yonatis whitewater rafting

From whitewater rafting on the French Broad River to fly fishing for native brook trout on a mountains stream, the Asheville area offers lots of fun on the water.

Outfitters

• Davidson River Outfitters on the Davidson River in Brevard, have private trout waters for trophy size fish.
  828-877-4181, 888-861-0111
• Curtis Wright Outfitters in Biltmore Village are great folks, 828-274-3471
• Hunter Banks on Montford Ave in Asheville 800-227-6732
• Rafting and Canoeing Trips and Rentals
  Asheville Outdoor Center  quietwater river trips float past the Biltmore Estate, and more. 800-849-1970
• Nantahala Outdoor Center One of the originators of whitewater rafting has trips on the French Broad and many others
  800-849-1970
• Wildwater Rafting Ltd 866-319-8870
• Mtn. Adventure Guides/USA Raft rafting, caving, & climbing  866-872-7238
• French Broad Rafting Expedition 880-570-7238

Spas and Massage

A trip to a spa or a massage is an ideal treat for your loved one or to recover from those outdoor activities.

• Jennifer Goodier – Our on call massage therapist specializes in deep tissue massage, we can arrange for a massage in your room. 828-712-2127
• Shoji Retreat – Japanese style outdoor hot tub and massage spa adjacent to the Parkway, 828-299-0999
• The Grove Park Inn Spa – a truly world class spa, 800-438-5800
• Hands on Health – Massage therapy center, 828-506-2899
• Sensibilities – Day Spa 828-687-8760

Guests Jason & Meredith at the Biltmore Estate

Historic Attractions
It is well worth the time to visit the past at any of Asheville’s historic sites.

• Carl Sandburg’s Home
• Thomas Wolfe Memorial
• Vance Birthplace
• Riverside Cemetery
• Biltmore Estate
  

Festivals and Events
Festivals in the Asheville area include the Southeast's largest free street festival, live music festivals, arts festivals and many more

• Downtown After Five – starts June 5,
  
• Shin dig on the green – July 4, 11, 18, Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29, Sept. 5,
  
• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands – July 16-19, Oct. 15-18
  
• Folkmoot, July 16-26,
  
• Bele Chere
  
• Village Art and Craft Fair – August 1st & 2nd
  
• Art Walks – Aug. 7, Oct 2
  
• Asheville Film Festival – Nov. 6-9