Edition 117: Asheville, North Carolina

A true hidden gem, Asheville is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains just waiting to be discovered. More and more people are won over by the city’s natural splendor and thriving arts scene each year [The Discoverer]( [Asheville, North Carolina] Edition 117 | 3:36 read time [Asheville, North Carolina]( | [@wncphototours]( A true hidden gem, Asheville is tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains just waiting to be discovered. More and more people are won over by the city’s natural splendor and thriving arts scene each year, but it’s no tourist trap — and, considering how strong and distinct its identity is, probably never will be. Which is a good thing: Asheville is the heart of Western North Carolina, and it’s got room for more visitors. Fun Fact: Some believe there are secret tunnels under downtown Asheville, either as part of an abandoned subway system or a liquor-smuggling ring during Prohibition. Asheville, NC, USA N 35.59° / W 82.55° [#shareasheville]( | AdShooter September — October This being the South, Asheville is hot and humid in the summer. Avoid inclement weather by aiming for early autumn, when temperatures and leaves begin to fall — the air will be especially crisp at 2,216 feet. If you’re a leaf-peeper hoping for bright foliage, October is the ideal time to go. [#biltmore]( | [@timwilloughby]( More Like Built More, Am I Right? Dating back to 1895, George Vanderbilt's 178,926 square-foot Gilded Age mansion is still the largest home in the country. [Biltmore]( draws many a visitor to Asheville, not least because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. There are gardens, a winery, and a farmyard full of animals to explore as you make your way around the estate. It’s like stepping into the past for a luxurious day trip. [New Belgium Brewing]( | [@newbelgium_avl]( Hop Around a Brewery There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but at least there's free beer — especially on the [New Belgium Brewing Company]( tour. You can sample several different varietals during the 90-minute experience, which is open to all ages (though only the 21-and-older crowd can partake in the best part, of course). As for lunch, the on-site food trucks provide tasty fare even if they aren’t free. [#riverartsdistrict]( | [@tomorrowsmedia]( A Van Gogh Down by the River Hundreds of artists call Asheville home, namely the [River Arts District](. The increasingly trendy neighborhood has become a hotbed of galleries and venues while you weren't looking, almost like a canvas in and of itself. Working studios are open every day, meaning your preferred medium — whether it be pottery, painting, woodwork, or anything else — is sure to be on display. [WNC Nature Center]( | [@ineffable.images]( Wild Wild West Asheville and its surrounding environs are extremely beautiful. The area’s flora and fauna are celebrated and protected at [Western North Carolina Nature Center]( which aims to keep Asheville wild by caring for more than 60 species: red pandas, grey foxes, black bears, bobcats, even an aquatic salamander known as the hellbender. If you're especially fond of one, you can symbolically adopt it and help take care of a creature that, for one reason or another, wouldn’t be able to survive in the wild. [@parkeroyall]( Parker's Discovery [@parkeroyall]( "The Asheville area, and all of western North Carolina, has been a second home for me my whole life. I could spend lifetimes getting lost in these mountains, searching for hidden waterfalls and grand views with no one else in sight." [Chai Pani]( | [@mikeycremefraiche]( Corner Cuisine It's fitting that one of Asheville's best restaurants is located in a house that dates back to the 1890s. The city itself is an elegant melange of the old and the new, which at the [Corner Kitchen]( means the menu is known to change on a daily basis. One day’s offerings tend to be as delicious as the next, with the likes of grilled Georgia peaches and molasses-glazed chicken making for a tasty night out. And though [Chai Pani]( means “tea and water,” you’ll find much more than that at this Indian joint featuring chaat (street snacks) in addition to traditional fare. [Asheville Glamping]( | [@crazycass37]( If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home by Now Pink on the outside and rustic on the inside, Asheville's oldest bed and breakfast sits on three charming acres. [Cedar Crest Inn]( has been making visitors feel at home for more than three decades, treating everyone who walks through the doors like a guest of honor. With options ranging from the Romeo and Juliet Room to the Serenity Suite, it also offers packages for those planning to visit Biltmore. Those who want to go camping but not really go camping can try [Asheville Glamping]( a more glamorous take on roughing it — whether you want to stay in a treehouse or a dome, it's the outdoors experience for lovers of the great indoors. [#westernnorthcarolina]( | [@blaine_scinta]( Asheville Antlers "Antler Hill Village has many adorable restaurants and shops. Across the street is also the farm where kids can pet the animals, a playground, and sometimes displays of whatever is currently at the house or garden!" – [@lilaandlylaphoto]( 45 RPM "Downtown Asheville has some interesting shops and galleries to check out, including Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar and the Woolworth Walk art gallery. Voltage Records is a great stop for the music fans looking to score some vintage vinyl." – [@alex.j.wieland]( [SUBMIT TO UPCOMING DESTINATIONS!]( How Did We Do? 1 2 3 4 5 [INSTAGRAM]( | [FACEBOOK]( | [TWITTER]( [Email Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( [1550 Wewatta Street, Denver, CO 80202](