kellygates

My husband and I are traveling to Asheville, NC October 17 - 21 for vacation. We are flying into and out from Greenville/Spartenburg because the airfare was considerably cheaper and driving up, so we will have a car. We have never been to Asheville before and we are looking to spend a few days enjoying the fall colors. We are traveling from Jacksonville, Florida- early 30's, no children traveling. We would like to stay in a bed and breakfast walking-distance to the downtown area. We'll want to visit the Biltmore, but we also really want to pick apples, do a few short hikes in the mountains, visit any breweries and/or neat restaurants downtown, see the most scenic mountain/fall color drives and just soak up as much fall season beauty/fun as possible.

We would love any suggestions on places to see, stay, eat, etc.!

Gretchen

Apple picking would be around Hendersonville just south of Asheville.
Visit the big farmers market also.

kellygates

Thank you! Is there a particular orchard that would be the best to visit?

brdcollie

The best pick-your-own orchard in the area is Skytop http://www.skytoporchard.com/ outside of Flatrock, for views, apple varieties, and overall experience. It's about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Asheville, but you could combine it with a stop at Carl Sandburg's house, Connemara, and hiking in Dupont State Forest. It's great that you'll be visiting during the week. All tourist attractions will still be busy, but weekends will be a zoo that time of year. The B&B's nearest to downtown will be in the Montford neighborhood. Some of the best ones are; The Cumberland, Black Walnut, Lion and Rose, Wright Inn and others. These are walkable, but there are other options closer to downtown including, VRBO apartments, and excellent hotels. Search my postings on Fodor's for recommendations on restaurants, breweries, cocktail bars and entertainment.

kellygates

Thank you so much brdcollie!

PurpleVelvet

This website has lots of Asheville info: https://www.romanticasheville.com/bedandbreakfast.html

We live in the area so no experience with places to stay. There are several boutique hotels downtown you may want to consider.

You can also stay on Biltmore Estate--2 hotels. Cedric's Restaurant is one of our faves on property.

Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway-- lots of hiking trails, too.

Apples-- we stay away from most of the orchards in the area-- too many pesticides for us. We're into organics. Tough to find.

One of the best farmers markets in the area is on the UNC campus. Real farmers. Real food. More info here on that one and others: https://www.romanticasheville.com/local_food.htm

Enjoy your stay-- makes sure you have a mobile charger/ car charger for your phones. You're going to want to take lots of pics!