First time in Asheville, NC. What to do?

Definitely make a reservation at Curate. Worth it.

If you head to Biltmore, Try Cedrics Tavern. Several other restaurants and wine tastings too.

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Both were really good, but we honestly enjoyed lunch sandwiches at La Bodega by Cúrate over dinner at Cúrate. We also really liked Chai Pani and Pack's Tavern. For breakfast, ended up at City Bakery a couple times before going on hikes.

Crow & Quill and Imperiál were my two favorite cocktail bars. We went to Antidote after breweries, but wasn't too much of a fan. South Slope is obviously the big area for Asheville's breweries. Sierra Nevada is less than 30 miles from Asheville - probably worth the trip. It's extremely impressive.

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Curate Tapas Bar
This place gets a lot of recommendations on the travel board but I have not been.

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+1 on that. Very similar to tapas bars in Spain. Great vibe.

Not a big fan of downtown per se. And you have choices like Biltmore to go see.

What I do like is what you can do 1-2 hours out of the town.

Go drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Have dinner at the Pisgah Inn. Has my favorite trout dish in the world! Hell, stay there. We have and it's pretty neat.

Go to the Pisgah National Forest. Hike. Visit the trout farm. Go to about my favorite place in the country: Sliding Rock (check for weather conditions, when it's open etc.).

All about a 1 hr. drive or less!

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Sierra Nevada is less than 30 miles from Asheville - probably worth the trip.

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The tour you can take at Sierra Nevada is well done. I recommend it.

Wish OP would give us more about his/her interests, where they're staying, etc. Makes threads like this easier.

OP, go ahead and download the ParkMobile app on your phone if you plan on parking in any surface lot in downtown Asheville.

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Kick a dirty hippy then leave and go someplace cool.

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I was going to suggest bringing a gas mask for the little one so he doesn't get high walking through town.

If yall are into art, there's a great gallery walk through all the old warehouse spaces near the river. If you aren't into art, it will just make you feel dirty.

Chimney Rock is worth a visit. Twisty, slow drive in to the town and then up the mountain. Then climb several hundred steps (or wuss out and take the elevator) to the top for pretty amazing views. At the bottom is a short trail to a waterfall that is where they shot a scene in Last of the Mohicans.

They have a minor league ballpark. Check the schedule for the Tourists.

12 Bones Smokehouse was a great lunch. There is a long line, but it moves pretty quickly. Get you some Cheer Wine from the soft drink station. They even have the diet version. It's apparently a popular soft drink in BBQ places in the Carolinas, and it was a good combo.

White Duck Taco was mentioned. Their stuff is very flavorful, and they offer a variety of tacos. Great place to grab a casual lunch.

Basilica of St. Lawrence is really pretty inside if you are into old churches. Check their schedule; limited visiting times.

Asheville Brewing Company may have been my favorite of the many breweries we hit. Their excellent pizza won points.

We started the visit with a hop on/off Gray Line bus tour. Good way to learn a little about the history and get the lay of the land.


Curate and Bull & Beggar were mentioned. Both were excellent, but I had to book them weeks in advance. Plan accordingly.

Many have said the (Omni) Grove Park Inn, but make sure you go for sunset. Go an hour early so you can get a table, wander around (especially with a little one) and grab a drink or some food. When in the lobby find out who "The Vagabonds" were.

If you like beer, hit Burial Brew Co., especially for IPA's. They also mix art and mythical prose with each can/style of beer. My fave from them is a double IPA called "Tearing Flesh From Bone". Nuff said.