Consistently creative cuisine — Chestnut offers classics done right with a touch of cutting edge. From house cured meats to perfect mashed potatoes to local steak cooked to a turn to local vegetables fresh from the farmer; it’s not what you do, but how you do it.
WHERE DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE COMES FOR. Creative Cuisine & Craft Cocktails
Since 2012 Chestnut has been making a gustatory impression on Downtown Asheville. Located at 48 Biltmore Avenue Chestnut is in close proximity to some of the city’s favorite venues including the Fine Arts Theater, Diana Wortham Theatre, and The Orange Peel.
Urban Orchard Cider Co. provides two warm and inviting spaces in two unique parts of the Asheville, allowing visitors to experience our one-of-a-kind hard ciders that are made on site. We proudly offer a welcoming atmosphere that fosters creativity, invigorating discussion with friends, or a warm chair to enjoy your cider in one hand and your new favorite book in the other.
In a time where product labels can be difficult to navigate and interrupt, you can be sure that Urban Orchard Ciders are of the purest form. We are dedicated to producing the highest quality craft ciders that we feel good about drinking ourselves. Forget the days of overly sweet ciders, full of artificial sweeteners, aromas, and flavors. We let fresh-pressed apple juice do the job for us. Aging/maturation and a variety of yeast strains are competitive advantages for us and we have found that the extra work delivers us a superior product in the end. Stop by for a visit!
Sunny Point Café is a family owned, independent restaurant serving upscale comfort food from dawn to dark. Whether you want breakfast for dinner or a scrumptious dessert for breakfast we would love to satisfy your craving. We take pride in our made-from-scratch products and farm-to-table approach with our menu selections. At Sunny Point, we like fresh ingredients so much we have our own garden adjacent to the restaurant. During peak growing season, staff works daily in the garden harvesting ingredients for our specials – hard to get much fresher! Feel free to walk through our garden before or after your meal. Our café is small, but we do have a covered outdoor dining area, as well as tables in the garden, so you can dine al fresco most seasons. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the patio. Dinner is served starting at 4:00pm Tuesday-Saturday, and yes, you can order items from our breakfast and lunch menu in the evenings. We are busiest weekend mornings, but have provided plenty of shaded seating so you can relax while waiting for your table. Please note we are unable to seat incomplete parties, thanks for understanding.
A blend of great regional micro brewed beers and bluegrass acts. Both traditional and alternative bluegrass acts represented at this annual event. 1PM – 7 PM.
Experience expertly prepared cuisine that emphasizes estate-raised and local ingredients, with world-class service inspired by the Vanderbilts. White linen tablecloths, fine china, and crystal add to the elegance, along with sweeping views of the estate.
Dinner showcases the season’s finest meats, seafood, and hand-crafted pastas served in a beautifully appointed location perfect for celebrations.
Let the local experts guide you to our favorite “secret spots” along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in our National Forests. Home to 250+ waterfalls and miles of hiking trails, the stunning scenery does not disappoint. Our tours provide a unique blend of storytelling, sightseeing and nature discovery! We visit historical sights and 150-foot waterfalls, and even enjoy wild food foraging on all of our tours. Our aim to provide a soul-nurturing experience in the outdoors is the reason why our guests return to experience these mountains with us, again and again! If you have a half day to spend with us, we recommend the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour so you can capture multiple highlights of western North Carolina, including the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, historic sites and “secret” hidden waterfalls. For those who have just a few hours to spend with us, we recommend the Guided 2-Hour Waterfall Hike. Private Tours, fully customizable, are also available and offer a range of hikes!
Since Auguste Escoffier declared French cuisine the world’s finest in the early 20th century, the influence of the French kitchen has travelled the globe. From Montréal to Morocco to Vietnam, you can tour the world and find French flavors.
Chai Pani literally means “tea and water.” It’s slang in India for going out for a cup of tea, a tasty bite, a snack, or “a little something.” In Downtown Asheville (and now in Downtown Decatur) it means innovative, fun, affordable and delicious Indian cuisine. We’d go so far as to say it’s “mindblasting.”
Some of the best food of any country is its street food, and Chai Pani features chaat – crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy, brightly flavored Indian street snacks. And because there’s nothing more comforting and delicious in any culture than a home cooked meal, Chai Pani also brings you thalis – traditional family meals highlighting India’s amazing culinary diversity.
Long before working and training under some of San Francisco;s most talented chefs. Hugo Ramirez was raised on the intense and varied flavors native to his hometown Mexico City. In fact, he still calls on his mother for the secrets of traditional Mexican dishes, which he reinvents in innovative and surprising ways. At Limones Hugo’s love of Mexican food is combined with his training in French influenced California cuisine.
Hiking Through a Rhododendron Tunnel on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Craggy Gardens offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch far into Tennessee to the west and toward central North Carolina to the east. These views can be enjoyed from the parking area near the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and along nearby hiking trails.
A large picnic area is popular with visitors. On clear nights, Craggy Gardens is also a perfect place for stargazing.
In early summer, Craggy Gardens becomes a mountain-sized bouquet when the rhododendron thickets on the upper heights cover the landscape in pink and purple. A favorite hiking trail, Craggy Pinnacle, leads hikers through a “tunnel” of rhododendron to the summit which offers 360-degree view. This 1.5 mile round trip is an easy walk.
Books, CDs, souvenirs, and a photographic display can be found in the Visitors Center, and restrooms are on premises. There is no food concession.
Hours of Operation
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center: Memorial Day through October
This section of the Parkway is closed in the winter months.
Hours of operation are subject to change. Contact directly for most current information.
Location
Craggy Gardens is approximately 24 miles from Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Craggy Pinnacle parking lot Milepost 364.1
Craggy Gardens picnic grounds Milepost 367.5
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center Milepost 364.6
For more information, contact:
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Milepost 384
Asheville, NC 28803
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center: 828-298-5330
Visitor Information Recorded Message: 828-298-0398
http://www.nps.gov/blri
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.
For more than 30 years…Cultivating Connections between People, Plants and Places…amid a 434-acre public garden, The North Carolina Arboretum is located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest just south of Asheville and adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393. Surrounded and crisscrossed by forested coves and meandering creeks in the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is set in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
The Arboretum was established as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina System by the State General Assembly in 1986, nearly a century after Frederick law Olmsted, the Father of American Landscape Architecture, first envisioned a research arboretum as part of his legacy and plan for George Vanderbilt at Biltmore Estate.
In the heart of downtown Asheville many gather to participate listen and dance to the Asheville Drum Circle. Everyone is welcome to dance, drum, and celebrate with one another. It starts around 6:00 pm and ends at 9:45 pm. The drum circle has been active since 2001. For another authentic yet very different Asheville longtime music event, go to the Shindig on the Green.
Zambra is a charming nod to the tastes and traditions of the Western Mediterranean, offering downtown Asheville a contemporary twist on fine wine and tapas. In between the romantic amber-lit ceiling and smooth stone floor is a festive atmosphere that holds true to our name which means “gypsy dance of celebration.” We’ve carefully selected only the best of local ingredients and exotic Spanish wines to give our guests an unforgettable feast of the senses and a warm celebration of life.
Wai Mauna SUP Tours was founded in 2015 in Asheville, North Carolina, when the founder, Kyle Ellison, moved from his childhood home in Maui to the mountains of North Carolina. Looking for a way to “bring Maui to the Mountains,” he named the new company “Wai Mauna SUP Tours”—a phrase which, in Hawaiian, means “fresh water in the mountains”—and offered guided paddleboard trips on Asheville’s French Broad River.
In 2021, Wai Mauna SUP Tours expanded to Driggs, Idaho, and now offers paddleboard rentals and shuttles on the scenic Teton River, with plans to expand in coming years to a mountain town near you!
Roman’s is an award winning deli located in the heart of Downtown Asheville, NC. We have been selected as one of the top 12 Deli’s in North Carolina & Asheville’s Best Burger. Local draft beer & cider accompanies our menu which is created with numerous local ingredients that are brought fresh to our door daily. We offer made from scratch sandwiches, salads & soups and more. Located in the historic Vanderbilt Apartments building between the Pack Square Library & US Cellular Center. Great views of downtown & the historic Basilica St. Lawrence Church.
We are very proud of being a locally owned & operated family business. Our restaurant was built from top to bottom by our brothers. We have a small dedicated staff that we consider family who are ready to meet you on your next visit.
Thank you for being curious about who we are. We really hope to see you soon!
Experience Jargon’s innovative menu of modern American plates, creative cocktails and desserts in a unique and fabulous setting. We source food from local growers that showcase seasonal offerings and unique ingredients that are blended with artistry and skill by award winning Chef Steven Goff and his crew. Located in a small historic building in the heart of West Asheville, Jargon’s continental social cuisine is inspired by the world around us, unconstrained by borders, and intended to bring folks together to delight in a language we all understand… delicious food. Masterful technique, amazing ingredients and deep relationships with local farmers and food providers all contribute to the dining experience at Jargon. It is our pleasure to wow your palate and surprise you with a culinary delight like no other.
Located just outside of downtown Asheville on 124 acres adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Resort. Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures takes you on a 2-3 hour journey into 150 year old trees overlooking historic downtown Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains on 11 ziplines from several hundred feet to 1200 feet long. Additional adventures at the same location include a treetop adventure park, KidZip, and miles of mountain biking trails offering Asheville’s only one stop complete outdoor adventure center. With over 40 years in the outdoor adventure industry, the family owned business is the most experienced outdoor adventure company in the SE with 3 generations involved in the operation.
Are you looking for adventurous outdoor activities or exciting things to do in downtown Asheville? Well look no further… The Adventure Center of Asheville offers Asheville’s Best Outdoor Adventures, just 5 minutes from downtown. Enjoy expansive views of the Asheville skyline from Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures or hop on one of our top-end mountain bikes and learn the meaning of “flow” on our on-site trail system created and groomed for the KOLO Bike Park. Looking for a unique and exciting challenge? Then head up into the trees at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an elevated obstacle course with five levels of difficulty. Bringing the kids? Check out KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under 10.
The Asheville Outdoor Center has been offering family-friendly calm-water river paddling since 1992. Enjoy a leisurely 7-mile canoe, kayak, SUP, or raft paddle down the French Broad River through the Biltmore Estate property. Please check out our website for more information and call us to make a reservation. Normal business hours Thursday-Sunday 9AM-5PM. We will also be open on Memorial Day and Labor Day. We are closed for the season from November thru March. We are the “Pioneers of the French Broad.” Come visit us!
Come down and enjoy all of the great festivities the AOC has to offer. Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of our picnic tables before or after your trip. We also offer our grounds for a variety of outdoor events.
Our private waterfall & hiking tours are tailored to your skill level. Do you want a long hike? We have them. Are you looking for a big pay-off without to much hiking? We have that too! The best part is, regardless of your physical ability, we can get you away from the tourists and up close & personal with amazing waterfalls. This is more of an adventure then your standard tour. We our open year round & 7 days a week!
Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Grove Arcade is a beautifully preserved historical building in the heart of Downtown Asheville that represents the heart and character of the town. It’s rich history and ornate architecture combined with its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove, Grove Arcade was built to celebrate the city he loved so much. Its rich history, ornate architecture, and eclectic mix of shops and restaurants were designed to offer patrons a full-day immersion into Asheville lifestyle and culture. Learn the fascinating story behind its construction, government takeover, renovation, and finally its grand reopening in 2002.
Allanstand Craft Shop
Established in 1895, Allanstand Craft Shop is nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America. Explore artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more, crafted by the members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, over 400 artists and craftspeople of Southern Appalachia.
AILY CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
March – December
Visitors are invited to watch and interact with Guild artisans demonstrating their craft in the lobby from 10am-4pm. Visit craftguild.org/events or call 828-298-7928 for the schedule.