AshevilleReal: random stuff
Crazy Plant Lady
Whether you're into orchids, fiddle leaf figs, or nodding trillium (you'll find lots of these in spots around your house!), here's where to go...
House plants galore and so much more. (A whole home-brewery section too.) Quick drive from the house. And walking into this shop always brings a sense of peace.
Fifth Season
4 S Tunnel RdHouse plants galore and so much more. (A whole home-brewery section too.) Quick drive from the house. And walking into this shop always brings a sense of peace.
A beautiful stroll into the world of the native plants of this region. Especially in the spring and summer. Check to make sure they are open. (Because covid.)
194 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Botanical Gardens at Asheville
151 W T. Weaver BoulevardA beautiful stroll into the world of the native plants of this region. Especially in the spring and summer. Check to make sure they are open. (Because covid.)
Probably our biggest garden center with a wide variety of house plants and massive garden center. High quality and pricey.
B. B. Barns The Garden Company
3377 Sweeten Creek RdProbably our biggest garden center with a wide variety of house plants and massive garden center. High quality and pricey.
If I was a store, I would be Flora. Not just an amazing florist, but also a place for plants and arrangements that are simply stunning.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flora
428 B Haywood RdIf I was a store, I would be Flora. Not just an amazing florist, but also a place for plants and arrangements that are simply stunning.
Books
Malaprop's is our legendary locally owned bookstore. Authors - literary, best-selling, and local - often give readings at Malaprop's. More often than not, they stop mid-reading just to tell the audience how lucky we are to have such a special bookstore.
Through the box-store madness and then the Amazon world-take-over, Malaprop's has kept its doors open. And for good reason. They care. They know their literature and their readers, and even the most obscure categories of books can be found here.
(Host trivia: One of my first jobs when I moved to Asheville was in the Malaprop's coffee bar. :) )
133 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StMalaprop's is our legendary locally owned bookstore. Authors - literary, best-selling, and local - often give readings at Malaprop's. More often than not, they stop mid-reading just to tell the audience how lucky we are to have such a special bookstore.
Through the box-store madness and then the Amazon world-take-over, Malaprop's has kept its doors open. And for good reason. They care. They know their literature and their readers, and even the most obscure categories of books can be found here.
(Host trivia: One of my first jobs when I moved to Asheville was in the Malaprop's coffee bar. :) )
Local favorite used book store. The selection is huge. And it's a place where avid readers feel right at home.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Downtown Books & News
67 N Lexington AveLocal favorite used book store. The selection is huge. And it's a place where avid readers feel right at home.
All-in-one wine bar, coffee house, used book store located in the Grove Arcade downtown. Here's your spot to sit and sip and browse through shelves of used books, with a special focus on American and Southern History and the Civil War. Lots of great little cubbies to sit quietly and chat softly with pals too.
191 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveAll-in-one wine bar, coffee house, used book store located in the Grove Arcade downtown. Here's your spot to sit and sip and browse through shelves of used books, with a special focus on American and Southern History and the Civil War. Lots of great little cubbies to sit quietly and chat softly with pals too.
Just a quick drive from the house, Mr. K's is here in East Asheville and offers a huge selection of used books, with lots of contemporary best sellers and novels.
Mr K's Used Books
800 Fairview RdJust a quick drive from the house, Mr. K's is here in East Asheville and offers a huge selection of used books, with lots of contemporary best sellers and novels.
Listen to the Music
I started my career performing music in Asheville, so I would normally know exactly where to point you...but covid has changed the music scene, so please check websites for current shows and policies.
Shindig on the Green happens on Friday evenings in summer at Pack Square Park. It's free. People bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and picnics - and they listen to the sounds of old-time, clogging, bluegrass string bands and they dance. It's pretty fun. Kids will love it. (Check to make sure it's still happening now that covid has messed up everything.)
95 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pack Square
80 Court PlazaShindig on the Green happens on Friday evenings in summer at Pack Square Park. It's free. People bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and picnics - and they listen to the sounds of old-time, clogging, bluegrass string bands and they dance. It's pretty fun. Kids will love it. (Check to make sure it's still happening now that covid has messed up everything.)
Acoustic, folk, songwriters and string bands...the Grey Eagle has it all. Long-time local favorite. Plus a nice place to eat and some great beers on tap.
212 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Grey Eagle
185 Clingman AveAcoustic, folk, songwriters and string bands...the Grey Eagle has it all. Long-time local favorite. Plus a nice place to eat and some great beers on tap.
A beautiful venue in uber-hip West Asheville. Great sound and great national acts. Food is quite good too!
231 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Isis Music Hall
743 Haywood RdA beautiful venue in uber-hip West Asheville. Great sound and great national acts. Food is quite good too!
Acoustic venue, featuring local and national acts.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
White Horse Black Mountain
105 Montreat RdAcoustic venue, featuring local and national acts.
Larger name bands and musicians with more of a rock 'n roll vibe. You will most likely be standing throughout the concert.
408 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore AveLarger name bands and musicians with more of a rock 'n roll vibe. You will most likely be standing throughout the concert.
Dog is Love
For my guests who brought their furry friends along for the ride!
I've never had a dog who liked dog parks, so I'm not an expert here. But Azalea road is right nearby the house, and the dog park has sections for larger dogs and smaller dogs. It's a pretty big space to run and play if your pup is into playing games with other dogs.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Azalea Road Dog Park
498 Azalea Rd EI've never had a dog who liked dog parks, so I'm not an expert here. But Azalea road is right nearby the house, and the dog park has sections for larger dogs and smaller dogs. It's a pretty big space to run and play if your pup is into playing games with other dogs.
MedVet used to be locally-owned REACH. (Just so you are aware that both names seem to come up in searches.) This is Asheville's 24/7 Emergency Vet.
REACH Veterinary Specialists
677 Brevard RdMedVet used to be locally-owned REACH. (Just so you are aware that both names seem to come up in searches.) This is Asheville's 24/7 Emergency Vet.
With two ponds and a flat trail wrapping around both of them, this is a great spot for dog walks - and it's only a 10 minute drive from the house.
LOCAL HINT: If you park at the far end of the lot - and you start that side of the trail, you'll see a small trail crossing a tiny bridge. That trail will take you along the river onto the campus of Warren Wilson college. It's a 2-mile trail that runs by the river. A great dog walk.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Charles D Owen Park
875 Warren Wilson RdWith two ponds and a flat trail wrapping around both of them, this is a great spot for dog walks - and it's only a 10 minute drive from the house.
LOCAL HINT: If you park at the far end of the lot - and you start that side of the trail, you'll see a small trail crossing a tiny bridge. That trail will take you along the river onto the campus of Warren Wilson college. It's a 2-mile trail that runs by the river. A great dog walk.
You can access a trail-head to MST in just a five minute drive from the house. Go to Bull Mountain Road - and there's a parking area on the wooded part of that road. That trail will take you along the Blue Ridge Parkway - and onto the MST.
(You can also just walk on the concrete road up to the water tower and back down if you just want a quick non-trail kinda walk with your doggie.)
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Mountains-to-Sea TrailYou can access a trail-head to MST in just a five minute drive from the house. Go to Bull Mountain Road - and there's a parking area on the wooded part of that road. That trail will take you along the Blue Ridge Parkway - and onto the MST.
(You can also just walk on the concrete road up to the water tower and back down if you just want a quick non-trail kinda walk with your doggie.)
A great pet supply store with stuff you just can't find anywhere else.
Dog Door Behavior Center and Outfitters
1 Battle SquareA great pet supply store with stuff you just can't find anywhere else.
Where to Get Gifts
You could easily just go to the River Arts District to find a gift for everyone on your list. (See my other Guidebook.) But if you want to poke around some fun shops, here are my picks.
Funky junky cutesy kitzchy Asheville-only kind of gifts. The store is filled to the brim with all kinds of glorious trashy fun items.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
L.O.F.T. of Asheville
53 Broadway StFunky junky cutesy kitzchy Asheville-only kind of gifts. The store is filled to the brim with all kinds of glorious trashy fun items.
Rave reviews from all over about the selection of crystals and gems at this downtown treasure.
Cornerstone Minerals
52 N Lexington AveRave reviews from all over about the selection of crystals and gems at this downtown treasure.
Herbs and medicinals and self-care gifts. (Host trivia: The owners of this store were clients of mine. Maia is quite a famous herbalist, with several books to her name.)
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Herbiary
29 N Market StHerbs and medicinals and self-care gifts. (Host trivia: The owners of this store were clients of mine. Maia is quite a famous herbalist, with several books to her name.)
An eclectic mix of cool stuff, crafts, art and experiences for all ages and interests. Tourist favorite.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Asheville Emporium
35 Wall StAn eclectic mix of cool stuff, crafts, art and experiences for all ages and interests. Tourist favorite.
You might need an hour or two to wander the expansive two floors of New Morning. You'll find big and small gifts here - from jewelry to candles to furniture. Many items are locally crafted.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
New Morning Gallery
7 Boston WayYou might need an hour or two to wander the expansive two floors of New Morning. You'll find big and small gifts here - from jewelry to candles to furniture. Many items are locally crafted.
Fun for Kids
Confession: I don't have kids. I'm relying on friends to provide the best places for kid entertainment, adventure and non-boredom during their visit. Here's what they suggest!
Top resource for kid-friendly adventures.
65 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Adventure Center of Asheville
85 Expo DrTop resource for kid-friendly adventures.
Not just for kids, really. But they do love a zip line!
170 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Gorge - A Zipline Canopy Tour
166 Honey Bee DrNot just for kids, really. But they do love a zip line!
Kid favorites are the water table and the fossil dig.
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Asheville Museum of Science
43 Patton AveKid favorites are the water table and the fossil dig.
For a flat-fee, you can play at any of the 35+ machines!
210 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Asheville Music Hall
31 Patton AveFor a flat-fee, you can play at any of the 35+ machines!