jen

My husband and i are thinking about going to asheville for a week in the spring, renting a house in the montford neighborhood. we both enjoy hiking, canoeing, the outdoors but also like restaurants, theatre, movies, live music etc.. I know asheville has all the above, just wondering if there is enough to do for a whole week or if we ought to make it a long weekend instead.

any opinions?

Patrick

One day head down to Flat Rock and Hendersonville. Visit Carl Sandburg's home at Flat Rock, see a matinee or evening performance at Flat Rock Playhouse, which is the state theatre of North Carolina. Enjoy the crafts and little shops of Hendersonville.

Do a drive down to Lake Toxaway and stop there for lunch or go on to Highlands, and drive from there up to Franklin -- a beautiful drive.

Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain are pretty places to enjoy nature and aren't too far, or just go up onto the Skyline Drive and stop and hike or picnic.

And I'm not even mentioning all the things to do in Asheville itself -- including of course the better part of a day at Biltmore.

xxx

Great choice. Plenty to do for a week.

Austin

There's definitely enough to fill a week!

If you're an art lover, or one who appreciates unique and fun shopping, I'd bet that downtown alone could suit you fine, what with all the galleries and fun stores like Malaprop's bookstore. However, if you were to walk the Urban Trail that leads past most of the outdoor public art downtown, and only stopped to browse, that would take up one day.

So, thank goodness there's so much more to see! Just off the top of my head I'm thinking of the NC Arboretum, the botanical gardens, the Nature Center (complete with a zoo of animals native to the WNC mountains), Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Village, and tours of historic neighborhoods like Montford and the emerging arts community in the River District.

Let's see... then you've got your museums, like the Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum, the Asheville Art Museum, and the Estes-Winn Auto Museum, among others... that could probably take up a day if you linger... and especially if you took a jaunt from downtown up to the Grove Park Inn, where the car museum and I think one other are located.

There are more than a few nice towns to take in near Asheville, all of them offering good food and shops, and usually a show or a concert more than worth the drive. In the springtime, there may even be something going on at the Brevard Music Center, so check and see. Otherwise, follow another poster's advice and check in on the Flat Rock Playhouse.

In case you were wondering, the towns you might want to take a look at if Asheville doesn't fill your week (which is unlikely) include Hendersonville, Brevard, Black Mountain, Bat Cave-Chimney Rock-Lake Lure, Saluda, Tryon, and a host of others. There's a LOT to do and see around here.

And I'm sure you're already aware of the outdoor opportunities? Blue Ridge Parkway, the national and state forests (especially Dupont State Forest), Chimney Rock Park, the nature reserves...

Nah... I don't think you'll find yourself with nothing to do if you spend a week. In fact, I'd bet a week wouldn't be nearly enough.

Jennifer

Austin, I know you mean well, but the more wonderful you make Asheville sound the more people are going to want to move here. It's getting crowded enough!

dave

DRIVE SLOW YOU WILL GET A TICKET AND NICE FINE!I learned that quick

Teri

Your going to LOVE it!!!! Please don't miss the Grove Park Inn. You can go and sit in their lobby and have a cocktail or a hot chocholate. Make sure you walk all around & check it out. That's where they do the Ginger Breadhouse competition in Dec. - you may have seen it on Good Morning America. Also- The Biltmore House. I live in Brevard - about 45 minutes away - we have great hiking trails, tubing, and their is a place in the Pisgah National Forest that you can rent horses and go riding in the beautiful Forest. Great trails - my favorite view is from Bald Top Mountain. The downtown area that is my favorite is Black Mountain which is about 15 minutes from Asheville on HWY 40. Make sure you eat at My Fathers Pizza - I think that's the name - their Pizza & Subs are out of this world! My family & I drive over there on beattiful days just to look in their neat shops & have lunch. You'll love it!
Have fun
Teri

Mike Honeycutt

Hello Jen - Standby for shameless plug

UNC Asheville is very close to Montford so be sure to enjoy our botanical gardens. Likewise, you might want to check our calendar of events to see what campus events we'll be having during your visit. www.unca.edu

All the other topics - restaurants, movies, hiking, etc. - are also available, just ask.

Mike Honeycutt

scott

We traveld through Asheville three springs ago and wished we had planned a stop for a day or two. Great town! If you are in Asheville on a Saturday check out the Farmers market.

Chuck

Anyone from Asheville willing to comment on these eateries:

Marketplace for dinner?
Flying Frog for dinner?
Salsa's - possible dinner
Uptown Cafe for breakfast or lunch
Early Girl Eatery for breakfast or lunch

Best Western of Asheville - Biltmore East - OK? Anybody stayed there?

Thanks

danna

Chuck - if you are the Chuck from Chowhound, I know you've read my opinions before, but for others...

Salsa - spectacular - best restaurant in Asheville and surrounding. Should get national recognition IMO.

Marketplace - Haven't been in a few years, but it was pretty good...if you are looking for a more formal, white-table-cloth experience I think you will be pleased.