Three Great Adventures For A Day Trip To Asheville
This post may include affiliate links in which we earn a commission, as we are supported by our users. All opinions expressed are always our own and any commissions earned are of no cost to you.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a unique city offering a variety of excursions, activities, and adventures perfect for both a short-day trip, or an relaxing long weekend retreat. As Asheville is only a hop, skip and jump from the Upstate, Charlie and I have ventured into the Asheville area on a number of occasions looking for a new adventure. Despite scouring Google, we frequently had been unable to find local treasures to check out beyond the Biltmore, Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. Each of these are wonderful (and I would recommend you check them out!), however were areas we had explored on previous trips, and therefore lead us to dig a little deeper into the local flair of Asheville.
Based on our searches, I wanted to share a couple of the wonderful finds that we got to experience and hope that you can too.
Check Out French Broad Chocolate
One company that I would highly recommend checking out next time you are in Asheville is French Broad Chocolate. Founded by Dan and Jael Rattigan, the French Broad Chocolate Lounge was founded in downtown Asheville as a coffee shop style lounge that is centered around chocolate. With comfortable seating, you can enjoy the atmosphere and sweet aroma of coffee and chocolate to your hearts content.
If the Lounge is not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth however, I would highly recommend stopping by the French Broad Chocolate Factory and setting up a factory tour. Only $12.00 per adult and $8.00 per child (age 8-12, under 8 are free), their tour explains how cacao is grown, harvested, and transformed into chocolate. Charlie and I had the best time trying cacao nibs from around the world, rating the rich fruit and nut undertones, and seeing the process from start to finish. As a great experience for the whole family, you will leave not only with a stomach full of chocolate, but also with a greater understanding of how each delicacy is made.
Explore the Antique Tobacco Barn
Once you are full of chocolate from the French Broad Chocolate Company, head over to the Antique Tobacco Barn to antique shop to your hearts content. With over 77,000 square feet of warehouse space, the Antique Tobacco Barn showcases aisles and aisles of treasures ranging from furniture, old doors and stained glass windows, to tobacco baskets and trinkets. With a little concession area available as you enter the store, I was blown away by not only the amount of items available here, but also the quality of the pieces that would be amazing to incorporate into any home project. If you love the kinds of unique antique décor and architectural finds that are incorporated into projects on shows like Home Town or Fixer Upper, this is the place to find treasures like these.
Sample Asheville’s Great Food Scene
Modesto Wood Fire Kitchen
Lastly, don’t forget to sample Asheville’s great food scene throughout the city. A tucked away favorite of ours is Modesto Wood Fire Kitchen. Known for their amazing Italian food, Modesto offers delicious food with an intimate atmosphere. With fresh made pasta and fabulous pizza, you will struggle to decide which option to try, but the good news is, that from our experience, you really can’t go wrong.
The Corner Kitchen
Another delicious favorite is The Corner Kitchen. Nestled in the Biltmore Village, the Corner Kitchen offers lunch and dinner in a very quaint environment full of local flair. Whether escaping a cold snowy day with a cup of hot soup or enjoying a warm summer eve with a fried green tomato “blt”, The Corner Kitchen should be added to your list to visit. Likewise, its location in the Biltmore Village is an added bonus for additional shopping and sight-seeing.
Final Thoughts
As these things have been adventures that Charlie and I have enjoyed, I would encourage you to branch out, plan a day and come explore the more hidden gems of Asheville. Take time to escape in the mountains for a time of refreshment and to share a new experience with a loved one. By planning an evening, day or weekend to look forward to, you will not only gain an adventure, but also a sense of purpose in giving back and supporting the local businesses that make this town a special place.
Happy adventuring!
