Uncorked Asheville is your go-to online travel blog for events, news, restaurant reviews, things to do, and more in and around the Asheville, North Carolina area.
Burgers, Bookstores, & One Town That Really Needs Your Visit
|
Good Morning Reader, The weather in Asheville has been gorgeous, and not even our raging allergies can keep us inside lately. Keep reading to see all that we are loving and doing in Asheville, including updated itineraries for visiting Marshall and for our fellow book lovers. π What To Love In Asheville This MonthThe Angeleno latte at ButterPunk & a GF burger at Hail Mary βοΈ ButterPunk - Fun biscuit & coffee cafe in the River Arts District; while here, drop into Pink Dog Creative, filled with local art. I bought a sweet bird print from Terry Thirion. π Hail Mary - Where else can you sit at a Britney Spears table with one of WNCβs best burgers? This quirky West Asheville joint is worth the kitschy hype. Asheville Botanical Garden and a River Arts District mural across from ButterPunk on Depot Street π¦ββ¬ Asheville Botanical Garden - This free garden is home to birds, wild flowers, and nature trails. Enjoy picnic areas with on-site restrooms following Visitor Center hours. π’ Beaver Lake - Parking has been a bit busy here lately, but it's a gorgeous lake (private but open to the public) and bird sanctuary with just over a 2-mile perimeter trail. If you have a dog, you will need a permit. Pho at Typhoon Noodle & New Belgium beer by the French Broad River π Typhoon Noodle - This South Asheville counter service Asian restaurant has delicious bubble tea, pho, and traditional Szechuan noodles. Great for the entire fam. πΊ New Belgium Brewery - With this beautiful weather, we cannot resist sitting outside in West Asheville, looking out at the French Broad River with a beer. Outside seating is perfect with Fido. Club sub from Del Vecchios & an iced latte from OWL π₯ͺ Del Vecchios - With North & South Asheville locations, think pizza, subs, pasta, and paninis. My sub was HUGE. I could have gotten 4 meals out of it. π₯ OWL Bakery - With North & West Asheville locations, imagine all things pastries, bread, and coffee. I love their homemade coffee syrups. Personally, I recommend parking on Kimberly Ave., looking at the gorgeous homes ($$$), and walking from there. π Tom and I also took day trips to Travelers Rest (see below for our updated bookshop article; I always donate books to As The Page Turns, and they have a new location) AND Marshall. While I'm still updating Marshall and Hot Springs content, our overall town guide is ready for you. β¨ β€οΈβπ©Ή Where To Day Trip This Spring: The Town With So Much Heart, MarshallJust 30 minutes northwest of Asheville, Marshall, NC is one of those Western North Carolina towns that stays off the radar. However, Marshallβs quaint downtown is filled with craft beer, great food, and funky shops. Itβs pretty hippie chill, and I love it. If you are visiting Marshall as a day trip from Asheville, Iβd start with a coffee, tea, or a smoothie from Zuma or On Your Bike. Stroll Downtown Marshall, dipping in and out of niche shops. Grab lunch at Zadieβs along the French Broad River, and end with a local craft beer from Mad Co. Brew House. Order a to-go pizza for dinner, and pick up a few groceries β like wine and beer for that pizza β at Madison Natural Foods. Of course, you can always swap in a hike on the Laurel River Trail anywhere in your day.
π₯ P.S. We also have a short insider YouTube video on where to eat and drink in Marshall. π What To Do Right Now: Explore Literary AshevilleIt's no secret that Asheville is a great place for book lovers and literary travelers with plenty of unforgettable indie bookshops, Shakespeare under the stars, and both waterfall hiking trails and an abandoned town that doubled as Hunger Games sets. Intrigued? Read Uncorked Asheville's two updated literary guides: π Asheville For Book Lovers - See where Katniss nearly stepped on Peetaβs face, and toast to a day well spent with a champagne literary cocktail. Learn how George Vanderbilt started a Goodreads account before his time, and have tea and sandwiches in a literary-themed cafe. π Bookstores You Can't Miss In The Asheville Area - Did you know that one of these Asheville bookstores used to be a location to auction off livestock? I won't lie: two of my favorite bookstores in the area are actually in the Upstate... π₯ Where To Eat Right Now: Asheville's Best Asian RestaurantsWho makes the best pho, Pad Thai, soup dumplings, Filipino comfort food, and Indian street snacks in Asheville? As locals who eat out a lot, Tom and I have spicy opinions. Tom and I keep coming back to Master BBQ, Wild Ginger, Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, Bee Thai Kitchen, and Neng Jr.βs - but honestly, this list could keep going. Along with the above YouTube short, our Asian food guide is perfect for delivery nights in or an unforgettable dinner out.
ποΈ What To Read & Watch This Month On The Uncorked LibrarianIf you're building your reading stack after that Asheville bookstore guide, our sister site - The Uncorked Librarian - has you covered. A few favorites this month worth bookmarking for the couch later... π΄ Food Fiction Books to Devour - You might recognize Luminosa's bone marrow tater tots above... I love foodie fiction - and um, real-life nonfiction food?! These books are especially great if you enjoy cooking shows (are you watching CΓΊrate's Katie Button compete on America's Culinary Cup?), mysteries, and coffee. Read one of these while eating your way through Asheville. π§π» Fiction Books Set In Massachusetts - Think: A luxury Nantucket hotel, a Cape Cod family cottage, a wealthy Western MA boarding school, the grounds of the Salem Witch Trials, and a Cambridge brownstone with secrets... Did you know Allegiant has budget-friendly flights from Asheville to Boston? π Friendship Movies We Can't Resist - Some things belong together like a glass of wine and a good movie. Your best friend and snuggly blankets with furbabies on the couch... we have just the movie list for you. π€ Dark Romance Movies - Find dark love stories featuring misread situations and jealousy. Turn into a lobster if you donβt find your match... Many of these are book-to-movie adaptations, perfect to pair with your AVL bookstore shopping. ποΈ Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Asheville April & May EventsMore to enjoy this spring in Asheville:
Phew...If this feels like a lot, that's because it is - and honestly, I'm tired just looking at it. π Since Helene, keeping Uncorked Asheville accurate has been one of the most time-consuming things I've ever taken on. Closures, reopenings, changed hours, new spots worth adding - it's a constantly moving target, and I want to get it right for you. If any of this saved you time or helped you plan something you're excited about, a small tip via Stripe means the world and keeps this going. No pressure, but it is deeply appreciated. π Plus, we have more coming your way.
|
Uncorked Asheville
Uncorked Asheville is your go-to online travel blog for events, news, restaurant reviews, things to do, and more in and around the Asheville, North Carolina area.