The Perfect Asheville Travel Itinerary, According to a Local Hotelier

Arriving in Asheville gives you a chance to see the vast landscape and mesmerizing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Drop your bags at the Foundry Hotel. With its exposed brick walls and industrial-chic vibe, it pays homage to the site’s roots and holds a special place in the area’s evolution as the former foundry that forged the steel for Biltmore (more info).

Next, get acquainted with the city on an award-winning tour featuring hilarious scripts by LaZoom Comedy Tours (more info), where you’ll encounter off-the-wall characters (including nuns galore). Nationally recognized, this tour operator leads guests through Asheville’s distinctive neighborhoods like Montford (more info), one of Crosby’s favorite areas that he describes as “beautifully historic,” with a side of wit delivered by incredible local actors. Options for this sketch show on wheels also include the spooky side of Asheville, all while enjoying beer or wine from LaZoom’s bar.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite from all the laughs, it’s time to dine at the Market Place (more info). Located along the charming cobblestones of Wall Street in the heart of downtown, this restaurant has been focusing on seasonal, fresh ingredients sourced from local farms since opening in 1979, showcasing what Crosby calls “the bountiful accessibility of Appalachia’s foodways.” Before you retire, end the night with live music or a local DJ at Eulogy (more info), a stylish venue in Asheville’s South Slope brewery district.

At The Foundry’s in-house breakfast spot the Refinery (more info), enjoy classics with a twist like blueberry ricotta fritters and mini waffles. You’ll need the energy afterward because you’ll hit the French Broad River for a water adventure. The third oldest river in the world, there are many ways to enjoy the French Broad River (more info), like tubing or kayaking.

After returning to the city, hit the River Arts District (more info) to explore galleries and admire the works of hundreds of the city’s finest artists. While on your self-guided art walk, stop for a Citrus IPA or AOB Stout from local brewery the Wedge (more info).

Follow your tour with some R&R at Sauna House (more info) before a tapas-style dinner at Cúrate (more info) in the heart of downtown. Finish the night with craft cocktails inspired by the medicinal elixirs of early Appalachian settlers at Sovereign Remedies (more info).

Pack snacks and lace up your hiking shoes early to watch an astounding mountain sunrise on the Craggy Pinnacle trail (more info) in Craggy Gardens (more info). About a 40-minute drive from downtown, the hike is a favorite for sunrise and takes about 20 minutes to reach sweeping vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (With temperatures often cooler at higher elevations than in Asheville’s valley, remember to check the weather before leaving.) Plus, the trip there and back is a wonderful way to enjoy what’s considered “America’s favorite drive” along the Blue Ridge Parkway (more info).

On returning to the city, have brunch at Corner Kitchen (more info) in a charming century-old home in Biltmore Village that’s the parent restaurant of downtown Asheville’s Chestnut (more info). Next, take a trip to Highland Brewery (more info) to enjoy a beer at Asheville’s first legal brewery since prohibition before going back downtown to Lexington Glassworks (more info) to witness expert makers fully immersed in their craft, browse their gallery, and walk away with a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gift. Then meander through the heart of downtown to enjoy botanical-inspired cocktails and soak in the sunset over the city from the rooftop bar at the Restoration Hotel (more info).

You’ll cap off your day with dinner at Jettie Rae’s Oyster House (more info), a restaurant that Crosby loves and notes for its impeccable service. Known for its coastal-inspired menu relying on fresh seafood delivered daily, it was voted Asheville’s top spot for seafood by the local paper Mountain Xpress. Finally, make your way through South Slope’s brewery district, starting at a brewery that specializes in sours and IPAs and is one of Crosby’s favorites, Burial (more info), before heading to Hi-Wire (more info) and ending at Ben’s Tune-Up (more info).

After an early morning on the trails and late-night bar-hopping yesterday, stretch your muscles at goat yoga with Asheville Wellness Tours (more info). Classes take place on local valley farms and offer you a chance to soak in the fresh mountain air during the spring and summer or practice inside a barn by a woodburning stove in the colder months.

Follow that with a from-scratch-made classic breakfast at the Med (more info). Before departing, stroll the shops downtown along Lexington Avenue or in the Grove Arcade (more info) to find a keepsake that will remind you of your time in Asheville for years to come.