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| In GDL at the Luchas! |
We'd really love for you to get out and see the town,
experience its charm and meet its endearing weirdos, so do a little research
before arriving to have an idea of what you'd like to see and do. If your imagination isn't working well,
never fear, because it wasn't really by chance that Asheville has been voted
Beer City USA for the past 3 years.
In addition to your surfing on Trip Advisor, feel free to consider:
For The Sporty:
Hiking: Large Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway close
during wintertime limiting the number of hiking spots you can get to, but it
does mean you can walk/bike anywhere on it without worrying about traffic.
Out in Brevard (about a 30 min drive south of town and get-away-town-of-choice
for Steve Martin), two of my all time favorites stay accessible year round:
John's Rock & Looking Glass Rock.
Locally, along the Parkway you can usually still access
hiking around the Folk Art Center—one trail has lovely views as you hike the
ridge around Chunn's Cove. Also, closer to downtown, take Town Mountain Road up
to where it meets the parkway to find the trailhead for Rattlesnake Lodge.
CF:
CrossFit Asheville is located in West Asheville and is
hands down one of the greatest gym communities on the planet (double blinded,
case controlled scientific fact). Check out their web page for more info on
drop-in visits and holiday schedules.
Spas: (I'm a firm believer in Spas = Sports, and reservations
are recommended)
Shoji Spa is a Japanese style spa tucked into the mountains
where you can lounge in hot tubs in the snow, drink some green tea, and get a
massage with your sweetie.
Sensibilities is one of the oldest and BEST day spas
downtown.
Facials and massages
here are amazing.
The Sunday Drivers:
Black Mountain is a sweet little town 15 miles north of
Asheville with loads of little shops, great coffee, and delicious chocolate.
Hot Springs is about an hour drive through the mountains
that has a great little 'spa' where the tubs are filled directly with water
from the Springs. It's best
visited in the evening with some friends and a bottle of bubbly.
A winding drive out towards Weaverville that cuts back up Ox
Creek to Town Mountain road is beautiful and fun if you've upgraded your rental
car.
The Refined:
Galleries:
Downtown is stuffed with Galleries Blue Spiral is a perennial favorite
River Arts District is a neighborhood of old buildings just West of Downtown filled with artist work-spaces and galleries
The Kidlets:
Pack Square Park
Carrier Park
The Grove Park Inn's Gingerbread House Exhibit is up 'til just after the New Year
The Shoppy: My favorites are found all along Lexington Avenue,
Wall Street, Haywood Street, and the Grove Arcade.
For the Ladies: Tops for Shoes, Minx Boutique on Lexington,
and Makeup in the Grove Arcade.
For the Gents: Old North
State on Merrimon Ave.
RAD: Art Walks are Scheduled year round, though our holiday time may not follow the normal schedule.
The Musically Inclined and Curious:
Only in Asheville: LaZoom Bus Tours
