We're Coming to Asheville. What Do You Recommend? (Updated 07/13/2023)

Some of the Catawba Falls

We get phone calls and emails from friends, friends of friends, clients, and blog readers who say, “We are coming to Asheville. What do you recommend?” We have so many choices and so little time! Click on Asheville for a link to a map of downtown Asheville. 

So let's begin ... by watching a short video about Asheville to get a flavor of this town and area!

Beer...don't like beer? Then why are you coming to Asheville?

Understand Asheville is Beer USA. We have more breweries per capita than any other place in the United States. The Asheville Brewers Alliance shows 43 breweries in its membership.

 

If you really want to understand the beer culture in Western North Carolina, check out Anne-Fitten Glenn who hosts the Imbibe Asheville Podcast and author of two books on WNC beers!

The oldest craft brewer in Asheville is Highland Brewing. Wonderful venue inside and out with live music. Great sand volleyball courts! I rate their Asheville IPA as the best in Asheville. 

Sierra Nevada in Mills River is an interesting brewery. Great taproom with great food.

Sierra Nevada, Mills River

New Belgium Brewing opened in May, 2016. No food, but usually a good food truck outside their taproom. Plenty of room to throw a Frisbee. Excellent selection of beer! At least four IPA's on tap and usually another two or three special IPA brews!

Asheville Pizza and Brewing - combines great beers with good pub food.

Other great craft brewers on my list:

The Wedge - excellent Silver Spike IPA.

Catawba Brewing - hike to Catawba Falls and then you'll understand why the beer is so good! 

Green Man - a great place to drink a tasty brew and catch a soccer game!

Hi-Wire - around the corner from Asheville Pizza and Brewing.

Hillman Brewing opened in 2017. It is more of a pub. It has the feel of the old TV show, Cheers. Great selection of craft beers as well as the Rise Above Deli is connected to Hillman. They have an excellent Reuben sandwich to go along with your beer selection. Recently tried the Blood Orange Creamsicle Sour - very tasty and refreshing!

Burial Beer is just around the corner from Green Man in the South Slope area of Asheville. According to UUTAPPD, Burial gets a 4.11/5 rating. My favorite is Surf Wax IPA (an American IPA) with a 6.8% ABV and IBU of 68.

Coffee...let's face it, the day isn't going to happen until there's coffee! Besides, coffee contributes to a longer life!

High Five Brewing - Counter Culture coffee (IMHO...the best!)  

Filo - Counter Culture coffee and sweets

Liberty House Coffee and Cafe - great coffee and healthy food! 

Pennycup Coffee - local coffee roster with four locations.

First, consider taking the Asheville Food Tour!

Stu Helm giving his tourees insight at Rhubarb as well as a tasting!

Stu Helm is Asheville's self-proclaimed foodie! He knows Asheville's food culture from farm to fork including the chefs, the servers and the farmers. He gives his patrons insights on the food as well as history. If you take what you eat seriously, consider including a Asheville Food Tour to your list of "to-do-and-see" while visiting Asheville.
           
Breakfast...got to start the day right!

Vortex Donuts - incredible donuts and incredible coffee from 1000 Faces Coffee -  (right next to Catawba Brewing on Bank Street - this could be a two-for-one-stop!)

Biscuit Head - wonderful comfort breakfast food that will knock your socks off!

Biscuit Head - Don't let the line stop you!

Sunny Point Cafe - they serve an attitude adjustment to get your day started right! Some of the best shrimp and grits I've ever tasted!

Lunch...mid-day refuel!

Naked ribs at 12 Bones (4 stars)

 

12 Bones - even if you don’t care for President Obama, his taste for good 'Que cannot be denied! He’s been to 12 Bones every time he comes to town! Republicans have been known to eat here! Even if you are a vegetarian, the sides will make you want to come back! Note: 12 Bones is only open from 11 AM - 4 PM, M-F in the RAD and 11 AM - 7 PM, Tue-Sat, Arden. There may be be a line no matter when you go. Be patient. It is worth it!

 

Egg salad with gibriche, lettuce and apple served on marble rye bread!

 

Mother is and outstanding bakery, wine shop, cafe. Truly worth a visit! My favorite is pictured above! My mother's egg salad was good, but not nearly this good!
 

Pisgah Inn - food is good. The view (if it’s not foggy) is incredible. Pisgah Inn is up on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville. 

 

Every town has someplace that grills a great burger. In Asheville, go to The Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge!  The Rankin Vault had won The People’s Choice for Best Burger in 2015 and 2016 award, lost it in 2017, and then reclaimed it at the 2018 WNC Battle of the Burger!

Home Grown - the fried chicken … this ain’t KFC … this is good! 

White Duck Taco Shop - Gourmet tacos!

If you want "blue-collar" tacos head to Mamacitas Taqueria! They serve up fresh, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine in a casual setting.


Before Dinner…another chance for attitude and altitude adjustment!

Battery Park Book Exchange

Battery Park Book Exchange - have a glass of wine, a craft beer or latte and browse the used books! Also a great spot to gather with friends and play Scrabble among the books on a rainy afternoon!

Sovereign Remedies - excellent craft cocktails in an interesting setting.

The Top of the Monk - Think of a speakeasy in the 21st century! Members-only, but it only costs $1 to join!

Crow and Quill

Behind this door at 106 Lexington is The Crow and Quill. This contemporary-speak-easy-feeling-adult-libation spot has over 350 whiskeys on its shelves behind its bar! And if you don't drink whiskey or crafted cocktails, they have over 350 other adult beverages! Consider trying a Dark and Stormy Daniels! Do not judge the book by it's cover!

Speaking of great views, the AC Hotel's Capella On 9 has a nearly 360 degree of view of Asheville. Worth a drink and a view!

Antidote

If you get tired of drinking beer in the South Slope area of downtown Asheville, wander into Antidote - the cure for the common cocktail! It is definitely uncommon and uncommonly good! 

The Lucky Catch from the Lobster Trap!

If you'd like to combine an appetizer and a cocktail, stop at The Lobster Trap and order The Lucky Catch Bloody Mary! This has got to be the best Bloody Mary presentation I have ever seen and it tastes equally good! If you stay for dinner, you can't go wrong with the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese or the Maine Lobster roll. Heck, order them both! When are you going to be in Maine?

 

 

Dinner...we are blessed with soooo many incredible restaurants! Here are just a few!


Blue Dream Curry House - an international taste sensation. My favorite is Cosmic Korma.

Smoky Park Supper Club -  Arrive by kayak, inner tube, on foot, or car. This is a unique venue on the French Broad River in the RAD and is built from steel shipping containers! The crafted food and drinks match the unique construction! (Note: Recently ate here and while the food is good, it was too noisy! We had a difficult time talking with others at our table. We'll eat outside next time!)

Nashville, TN is the birthplace of hot chicken. I've had Nashville's Hattie B's Hot Chicken. It's good, BUT Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack here in Asheville beats Hattie B's! Eight levels of heat for your chicken from plain (no heat) to XX-Hot Mount St. Hell No!

Try drinking wine from a Spanish porron at Curate!

If you'd like to visit Spain and are short on time and money, Curate is the next best thing! In fact, Spaniards might want to come to Asheville to see what they are missing! Lots of tapas to choose from and all are wonderful and easy to share with others you are dining with. If you are alone or with just another person, I recommend sitting at the dining bar and watch the interaction of the chefs preparing all things good!

Limones blend Mexican with California cuisine with a French influence and you have Limones!
 
Plant - OK, I'm a carnivore, but this place could get me to become a vegan! EXCELLENT!

Nine Mile - wonderful Caribbean fare. There are two locations. We are partial to the Haywood Rd location. 

There over 70 Food Trucks in Asheville! Here are a couple of favorites...

Melt Your Heart - gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches! 

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ - Delicious BBQ on wheels! 

Bun Intended -  Thai street food (also located in the S&W Market Food Hall.)

Deli Llammma -  Taste the love, y'all!

Gypsy Queen - Lebanese culinary by Chef Suzy who has been cooking since she was a child in her native Lebanon. Try the Chicken Shawarma!

Dessert...save room!

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

French Broad Chocolate Lounge - A MUST DO!  It’s been known to change people’s lives! Note: October 25, 2015 - 10 Best: Chocolate As a Pure Art Form - French Broad Chocolate Lounge...#1! Still the best in 2022!

Sunshine Sammies

 

 

 

 

 

How about a truly delicious homemade ice cream sandwich like none you've ever had? Go to Sunshine Sammies! It began as an ice cream cart in 2013 and has morphed into a storefront at 99 Lexington Ave. OMG good!

Beyond Food...so much to experience!

Watch a great sunset with a beverage in hand from the Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn.

Coming in hot! Don't worry about stopping...automatic braking!

Navitat - do the Blue Ridge Experience - there is one zip-line over 3500 feet long and nearly 500 feet above the forest floor with an incredible view!

Craggy Gardens - hike with a view.

Catawba Falls - easy hike beside a beautiful stream and numerous waterfalls.

Coming through Nantahala Falls, class III/IV rapid

NOC - white water rafting! Rafting on the Nantahala River begins in the late morning as the water from Fontana Reservoir is released. I've been down the Nantahala River several times. It never gets old! Dine on good food at the River's End afterward.

LaZoom - laugh and tour Asheville at the same time! Augusta Wind is my favorite tour guide! She makes me laugh tears! Try the Band and Beer tour! Visit two local craft brewers and listen to great live music as you travel from brewery to brewery.

Sister Harry Mary from LaZoom - one of the cast of characters 
you may meet on your adventure!

The River Arts District (RAD) has 22 buildings with over 200 artists including glass blowers, jewelry designers, painters, sculptors, and potters.

We've got the regular big-screen movie theaters, but we also have Grail Moviehouse. The viewing spaces are more like your home living room on steroids! Wonderful way to watch first-run artsy movies! 

The Fine Arts Theater, a former porn theater back in the day, is also a good venue for independent movies.

If live theater is of interest, check out our favorite, NC Stage. An intimate127-seat, off-broadway style professional equity theatre, producing 4-7 plays per season in Asheville.  NC Stage works with members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, under a Small Professional Theatre Tier 4 Contract. 

I'm a bad influence...taking a good friend to get a tat!

Speaking of art, Asheville has over 30 tattoo parlors and over 100 tattoo artists in the area. For the artistic pain, I recommend Danny Reed at Hot Stuff Tattoo! Danny has been named "Best of WNC" several times!

Olive? Obi Wan?

The WNC Nature Center is a hidden gem! A great place to go to see the native WNC animals, birds, reptiles and farm animals. A favorite is to watch Olive and Obi-Wan, American River Otters play! The Red Pandas are the newest addition in 2019!

TOPS for Shoes - every kind of shoe for everyone!

Hot Springs Spa is the perfect place to escape to in the late fall, winter, or early spring for a soak in natural mineral water. Talk about heaven on earth! About an hour drive, northwest from Asheville in the Western North Carolina mountains.

The Cascade tub is the ultimate in mineral bath experiences!

The Screen Door - eclectic, unusual, whimsical, fun to explore … especially on a rainy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Mast General Store - remember penny candy? Mast has this and so much more! Think of it as a local LL Bean!

Asheville is full of music venues including: The Orange Peel, Grey Eagle, and Salvage Station. Many of the breweries have music as well.

Drum Circle in Pritchard Park, downtown AVL

The Drum Circle - occurs Friday evenings beginning around 5 PM until 10 PM - weather permitting. Bring your drum, dance, or just watch! 

Haywood Street Congregation - the one Christian fellowship where I believe Jesus Christ would show up on Wednesdays at 12:30 PM. Haywood has an incredible Welcome Table on Wednesday and Sundays where sometimes local restaurants serve over 300 people at three seatings.

There are over 50 festivals going on in Western North Carolina every year.

Railroad Earth on center stage

The LEAF Festival occurs twice a year - once in May and then again in October near Black Mountian, NC. This is a three-day event with all kinds of music, crafts, food, and craft beer. If you like to camp, pitch a tent!

When you've done all this and if you still have money ... visit the largest private 250-room home in America, the Biltmore.

Where to stay...

Asheville has the normal hotel chains...Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Sheraton, Holiday Inn...the upscale Indigo Inn and Grand Bohemian Hotel...but if you want different, consider...

Albemarle Inn - bed and breakfast. We stayed at the Albemarle Inn in 2008. It's close to the Grove Park Inn. Excellent!

Sourwood Inn - bed and breakfast.  Wonderful hospitality! The setting is north of Asheville, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Diane and Dan Rogers are resident innkeepers of Pinecrest Bed and Breakfast in the Montford area of Asheville. They've got a "Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame" from TripAdvisor for the past five years in a row!

Have you ever stayed in a yurt? This is glamping! Check out Campfire Lodgings just north of Asheville with a beautiful view of the French Broad River valley. We stayed 2 nights in May 2015. Luxury in the woods ... seriously good! Click on glamping for more possibilities!  

Inside the yurt at Campfire Lodgings...fireplace, AC, bathroom...

We hear good things about Sweet Pea Hostel right in downtown Asheville. Friends have stayed there and gave it big thumbs up! It's on our radar to try! 

 
So to sum it up, take a look at these 17 postcards of Asheville! Got questions? Post a comment and I'll get back to you.

Aren’t You Suppose to be Happy?

Recently, I had a coaching client who took the EQ360 assessment on his emotional intelligence. The EQ360 assesses five behaviors including self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal composite, decision making and stress management based upon 133 responses to statements. From this assessment, the EQ360 has a “Well-Being Indicator” which shows the participant’s happiness scale.

The coaching client’s happiness was in the low range. This became a point of conversation.

The client challenged me, “What makes you happy?” I answered him with a question, “Who are the people you know who are happy?” I followed up with another question. “What is the source of their happiness?”

As he shared his thoughts on the source of happiness of these people he knew, he touched on what I have discovered about happiness and it’s sources.

Personally, I find the happiest people have several of these traits:

• They know their purpose in life and are living it. They are not living a life of someone else’s expectations.

• They love themselves just as they are. They realize they are not perfect and they will never be perfect and they are good with that. They aren’t worried about what others think of them.

• They have low expectations of others. They seem to never be disappointed in others. They suspend judgement and accept people as they are including their imperfections, failures and scars. Yet, they support others and help where they can.

• They seem to have a heaping dose of gratitude and practice living into gratitude daily.

• They get more pleasure from giving than consuming.

• They have reduced complexity in their lives and embrace simplicity.

• They regularly take time for themselves. They have balance in their lives. They work some. They play some. They eat well. They get exercise. They get enough sleep. They make time to do nothing!

“The absence of disease is not health. Here's how we get to health: We need to reverse the formula for happiness and success. I found that most companies and schools follow a formula for success, which is this: If I work harder, I'll be more successful. And if I'm more successful, then I'll be happier. That under girds most of our parenting and managing styles, the way that we motivate our behavior.” Shawn Achor's TED Talk: The happy secret to better work

Do you view “work” as the opposite of happiness? If you see your job or work as a chore rather than a calling, how do you think it will impact your happiness? The two most important days of our lives are the day we are born and the day we discover why. If you haven’t discovered why or are not living your purpose, how do you think it will impact your happiness? Need inspiration to discover this? Listen to Krista Tippett's On Being interview with John Cary on Becoming a Father Restored my Creativity.

Are you on the “hamster wheel” of when I get a raise, a better job, a vacation, a _______ then I will be happy? What are you grateful for right now? Could you be grateful for the simple, ordinary, daily things like turning on the faucet for a glass of cool, clear, safe-to-drink water? Could you be grateful for failure?

Mistakes are feedback! - Billie Jean King

Failures don’t feel good, but they are learning opportunities. Could you be grateful for a headache? Headaches are not pleasant but they can be a realization of how often you are free of headaches and take good health for granted.

Do you make a difference in someone’s life? 

Who are your the five people you are closest in your life? We are the five people we hang with. Are those five people happy? Do you need to make a trade or two among these five? Suggestion. Look and build relationships that inspire and challenge you to be a better person. Look and build relationships that make you laugh.

How complicated is your life? Graham Hill explains how when he simplified his life, owned less, he gained more happiness! I can identify with this. We cut our carbon footprint significantly when we moved to North Carolina. That bumper sticker, “Own less. Live more.” is true!  Watch Hill’s TED Talk, Less Stuff, more happiness to learn more.

Do you want explore happiness? Check out Adam Grant’s, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success

My apologies to all those motivational speakers who promote, "Choose happiness!" We don't choose happiness. Happiness is the result of what we do and how we are with others. What behaviors, what thoughts do you need to change to evoke happiness?

What Is the Most Important Part of Any Job Description?

‘“I remember it perfectly,” says Marc Cuspinera of his first day in 1989. “I couldn’t believe they were making me clean rocks. I’m a cook. I didn’t expect to be doing this. It’s not so great. But I get it. It’s true that all these details add up.”’  The Sorcerer’s Apprentices by Lisa Abend, pages 28-29.

Do you have a job description? Does it spell out to whom you report? Does it have a list of responsibilities and expectations? Does it have a final sentence, one last bullet point… “Other duties as assigned?”

“Other duties as assigned” maybe the most important part of a job description and it maybe the least understood.

As the job interviewer, this is an important point to discuss with a job seeker. Be clear on expectations with the job seeker. Invite others who maybe be part of the interview process to explore this point with the applicant. “Other duties as assigned” conversations give clues to how well the job seeker works with others.

With so many organizations from for-profit to not-for-profit to government running lean, working outside the job description is the norm, rather than the exception.

As a job seeker, give this point some critical thinking. Be clear on expectations. Be aware of your pride and how it might get you into trouble if asked to do “Other duties as assigned.”  If asked to do “Other duties as assigned” and you respond: “That’s not my area.” “I don’t do ________.”  “I didn’t sign-up for this.” “That is beneath my education level.” This could begin your exit from the organization. Remember, the customer is anyone who relies on your work including your boss, your cohorts and those dealing with your organization. How you respond and treat your internal customers has significant impact on how your treat your external customer who actually contributes to your income!

As a job seeker, you may need to redefine and expand your definition of work. You may need to check reality with your perception. You may need to get out of your comfort zone. Flexibility, cohesiveness and collaboration are essential work-life behaviors organizations are looking for in those they hire. It is not productive to try to argue that “Other duties as assigned” are not in one's job description.


Stretch your contentment. While contentment is in the here and now, self-discipline needs to trump contentment. Delay contentment for a greater good and better long-range possibilities. Most of all, its about looking beyond me to we. “Other duties as assigned” is about me to we. It takes a team to succeed and move forward, not an individual. As good as LeBron James was in the 2015 NBA finals, it was a team who won the title.
 
If you do have heartburn over a specific “Other duties as assigned,” then have the courage to talk with your superior about this. Do not go triangulate, complain or gripe with your cohorts about your “Other duties as assigned.” This is not healthy for either you or your organization. Learn when to roll with “Other duties as assigned”  and when to push back. Discover the benefits for you and the organization to perform “Other duties as assigned.” Finally, learn to laugh at the unusual, unexpected “Other duties as assigned.”

“Other duties as assigned” reveals your willingness to sacrifice and become significant. As the father of a U.S. Marine, sacrifice is a given. A Marine recruit knows full well before they step off the bus onto the yellow steps at boot camp “Other duties as assigned” and sacrifice will be a lifestyle. “Other duties as assigned” may not lead to success, but it will lead to significance. Significance is the impact we have on other people’s lives, hopefully positive. 

Recognize that you can also do “Other duties as assigned” on your own without being asked. This form of “Other duties as assigned” might be a random act of kindness or an act of going the extra mile. Watch Netflix's Reed Hasting's encounter of “Other duties as assigned” and the impact it made on him.

Lean into “Other duties as assigned.” It could impact your future beyond your imagination and expectation!

How Are You at “Networking”?

Networking is not what you know, its who you know. Who you know is key to creating a brighter future.

“The key to networking is to stop networking.” Nobody wants to have a ‘networking conversation.’ They are hungry for real conversations and real relationships. It just has to be authentic, genuine and sincere.” Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.

What networkers don’t tell you, is that networking is like your smart phone - a source of  distractions! You have to know what to avoid and focus on what is truly essential.

Your overall goal in networking is to be significant to those you meet. What value do you bring to the conversation? What is the value of knowing you? Your title, your status, your success are about you and do nothing for those you meet.

Here are seven fundamental rules to effective networking.

First rule - dress so as not to draw attention to your appearance, but to the conversation you wish to have with others. This also means fresh breathe, a warm smile, eye contact and good handshake!

Second rule - when you enter the gathering space, don’t wait to be found, go find! This maybe a challenge for some introverts!

Third rule - have a crisp, professionally printed business card on high quality thick card stock with your key contact information and some tag line that summarizes your purpose and hints at the value you may bring to your card’s recipient. Your business card is your one-of-a-kind miniature billboard. It helps create that positive first impression. It needs to be simple, clean and easy to read. If you can’t get this info on one side of a business card, get help! There is lot’s of white space for my contact to jot down information.

Fourth rule - have plenty of business cards ready to handout at all times. I always have cards in the chest pocket of my sport coat or suit. Extra business cards are in my business card case in my sport coat pocket as well as my billfold and briefcase...even more in the glove compartment of my car! Be prepared.

Fifth rule - First, if you have a drink, keep the drink in your left hand so your right hand is ready to shake hands ( as well as not cold and wet!) Networking is not about telling, its all about asking and truly listening with good follow-up questions. This is at the heart of a real conversation and the beginning of a relationship. It is about being interested rather than interesting. People you come in contact with don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Great networkers ask great questions. The questions can be more important than the answers!

If someone shares something, refrain from telling your story on top of theirs. AND make sure you don’t try to one-up or compete with their story! Be secure in yourself. Ask another question about what they have just shared. And by all means, make sure your body language is in sync with your questions! There is nothing worse than asking a question as your eyes stray across the room!

A few of my favorite networking questions are:

- What has surprised or intrigued you about this gathering? Followed up with, ‘That’s interesting! Tell me more!’
- What are you expecting from being at this gathering? (This maybe an opportunity to help make this happen!) Followed up with, ‘That’s interesting! Tell me more!’
- Who would you like to connect with here at this gathering? (You maybe their connection and can help them out!) Followed up with, ‘That’s interesting! Tell me more!’
- What are you looking forward to doing or seeing? (Another opportunity for you to help make this happen!) Followed up with, ‘That’s interesting! Tell me more!’
- What has your interest and attention on the Internet or what you are reading? Followed up with, ‘That’s interesting! Tell me more!’

Notice that none of these questions are:
- What do you do for a living?
- How long have you been at __________?
- How long have you lived in __________?
- Do you know _________? He/she works in HR at your company.
- “I’m looking to ______________. Who do you know that I should be talking to?”

If the "What do you do for a living?" question pops out of your mouth (after all, we are creatures of habit!) follow it up with, "Wow, that sounds interesting!" or "Wow, that sounds hard!" or "Wow, that sounds amazing!" or Wow, that sounds awesome!" or "Wow, that sounds edgy!" This response shows you are interested and can get the person sharing more.

Sixth rule - ask for a business card. Jot down the date and key words about this connection.

Seventh rule - follow up with those you meet at the gathering, immediately. I recommend a handwritten, snail mail note with your business card telling the person you’d like to continue the conversation over coffee or tea. Then follow up with a phone call or email to make an appointment roughly 4 to 5 business days later.

Are there other networking behaviors you would add and recommend?