Sometimes you want to get away but can’t take time off or afford plane tickets.  This happens quite often with our family. We love to travel.  We love to explore. We also don’t like to break the bank. We find ourselves having to reign in our expectations for travel and be realistic about what we can and can’t do. When we get the travel bug but don’t have the time or budget for a long, faraway vacation, we plan a quick weekend trip within driving distance of our home (Atlanta, GA).  One such place is beautiful Asheville, North Carolina! Let me take you through our weekend in Asheville!

Day 1: Friday

We left an hour or so early from work (just early enough to avoid rush hour traffic) and started our drive to Asheville, NC.  We arrived in Asheville, NC close to 8 p.m. To celebrate my husband’s birthday, I researched the best restaurants in Asheville and found Curate, a Spanish tapas restaurant.  It was yummy! Our favorite dish was Rossejat negro, a squid ink paella! Yes, I said it – squid ink. It is much tastier than it sounds. Our daughter wasn’t as convinced but she did crush some clams! Although the restaurant was family friendly, we were eating rather late so it was a little uncomfortable bringing a child but we did it anyways.

We stayed at the Crown Plaza Resort. I had a lot of trouble finding an affordable hotel that also was in a great location. While the Crown Plaza was affordable, do not expect to be able to walk to anything. If we were to return to Asheville, I would suggest renting a home using VRBO to be closer to the action. I couldn’t complain too much though, the hotel was only $100/night.

Day 2: Saturday

In the a.m., we drove over to Grove Arcade – this place was so cool! It was a mixed-use building with restaurants, shops and residences. Every store was incredibly unique – from art, apothecary, jewelry, pottery, etc. It would be a great place to get unique gifts! Every age would love this place! No need to stop for breakfast as this place has a ton of options for food – everyone can pick something different!

• Cost – Free (unless you buy something or eat somewhere, obviously)
• Time – 2+ Hours (depending on if you eat)
• Pros – There is so much to see, and each exhibition is unique.
• Cons – Younger kids may get bored after a while, and you would have to keep an eye out for kids not locked down in stroller (we don’t want any broken glass or smudged paintings).

Right across the street from Grove Arcade is the Asheville Pinball Museum. Don’t let the name fool you – this is not your average museum. You can actually play with the exhibits.

• Cost – $15/Adult and $13 for 10
• Time – 2 Hours (longer if you have a gamer on your hands)
• Pros – So many awesome, nostalgic arcade games.
• Cons – The popular games have a wait. For example, Nintendo 64 and Sega (SEGAAAAAA – I couldn’t resist)), was a bit of a wait but o’ so many memories! Not for super young kids (e.g., babies).

For lunch, we signed up for the “High Roller” walking food tour with Eating Asheville. It was $79/pp and included a visit to at least (6) restaurant/bars and (3) drink pairings. We had a tour guide that would walk us to different restaurants around Nashville. At each stop, we would be served a dish and were provided with the history and/or purpose of the restaurant and the overall food culture of Asheville. The food was diverse, and I left with my tummy full! With all the walking, it was basically a tour of Asheville itself.

For our last night, we ate at The Admiral. It was American food with a menu that changes often. It was scrumptious! Be sure to try one of their cocktails.

Day 3: Sunday

We left early Sunday morning and stopped for some delicious donuts at Hole Donuts. The donuts are made right in front of you!

We had plans to hike and drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, it was VERY cold, and the visibility was low due to lots of fog.

Other Options: 

Urban Trail – This is a self-guided walking tour of Asheville called the Urban Trail. It is a two-hour trek through the city with tops for sculptures, historical monuments, etc. To add to the fun, you can download the audio tours or even scavenger hunts.

River Arts District – If you love art, you have to hit this spot! It’s a collection of various art studios. It also boasts a cinema, restaurants and a coffee shop. Be sure to check the hours in advance.

Biltmore Estate – This is a well-known stop for anyone visiting Asheville. This place is stunning with so much history. The website boasts that “[t]he luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt is a marvel of elegance and charm, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Faithfully preserved and filled with original furnishings and masterpieces of art, no other residence in America offers a more authentic and inspiring view of Gilded Age life while suggesting that the Vanderbilts and their guests are still at home.” There is a ton of stuff to do – restaurant, shopping, winery, hotel, etc. It is especially beautiful over the holidays as the estate is extravagantly decorated for Christmas. However, it can be quite expensive.

Basilica of St. Lawrence – A beautiful Catholic Church completed in 1909. It has the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the country. Self-guided tours are available but be sure to check availability in advance.

Malaprop’s Bookstore – For all you bookworms, check out this independent bookstore founded in 1982. There is even a café – so grab some coffee and get reading!

French Bread Chocolate Lounge – Did someone say chocolate? YUMM. The only reason we didn’t go here is because it is WILDLY popular and there was a long wait! You can shop for treats or a sign up for a Tour and Tasting for a small fee.

Check out the Explore Asheville site for even more ideas!

Have you been to Asheville? What did you love about it!?