Heading down to Asheville, NC in May. Any trip suggestions?

Obviously the Biltmore, Maggie Valley in general is really nice.
I always go up to Boone when I get a chance.

So you're traveling from the north?

The Biltmore is a must. I'd recommend spending an entire day there. It is well worth it. There are plenty of things to do and places to eat while there. Take the guided tour.

Check Asheville's calendar. There is always an event or festival going on.

I hope you are a beer snob! Asheville is one of the best cities in America for beer lovers. They offer "brews cruises" there and I would highly recommend going on one of those.

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is another must. Drive up to Black Mountain and turn around on the Blue Ridge and drive back.

Eat at Zambra, Cucina 24, and Table

biltmore and go tour mount airy (mayberry) take a pic in the cell with Otis and Barney and stop at Aunts Bea's kitchen.

I would stay at the Aloft hotel. Tons of breweries around. Go to the basement of the Wicked Weed brewery, where they serve their more exotic beer offerings. Go see a show at the Orange Peel. Sierra Nevada just built a new brewery outside of town near the airport, haven't been yet but I've seen pictures and it looks cool.

If you're a thrill seeker, there is Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley. It really sucks but they have a roller coaster there that will scare the hell out of you. Not because it is great or anything but because you actually think you are gonna die on the ride due to poor maintenance. It is right on the edge of the mountain and it looked like the only thing holding the ride up was an old 2x4 and a Chinese made come along from Harbor Freight. Brilliant!

Biltmore - take one of the guided tours (I really like the rooftop tour early in the AM, and the 'behind the scenes tour'

Blue Ridge Parkway - go north and you can climb Mount Mitchell, go south and you can dine at the Pisgah View Inn. Lots of great views either direction, but not much in the way of eats near Mt. Mitchell. Plenty of great hiking.

Beer, Beer and More Beer - Asheville is Beer City USA for like the 5th year straight. There is a beer tour that'll take you to several local breweries. Sierra Nevada just opened near the airport. Haven't been, but heard it's pretty cool. If you like beer, you'll like Asheville.

Hiking - just look up "WNC Hiking Trails" on the interwebs. Bent Creek has some nice moderate trails just minutes from downtown.

Fly fishing - you can do some guided fly fishing. Again, the internet is your friend.

Restaurants - must get breakfast at Tupelo Honey, lunch at Early Girl and dinner at Vincenzo's. There's a lot of good eating all over.

It's a pretty nice city to walk around at nite. Avoid the Friday night drum circle at all costs.

Enjoy.

I hope you like the smell of patchouli oil.