Helen's Guidebook
Hiking
Hiking includes all kinds of walks. There are many famous trails and views on the Blue Ridge Parkway but please check before you take off for a day trip as sometimes parts of the Parkway are closed. Sometimes there are views at the end and sometimes the beautiful flora and fauna along the way are the stars of the adventure.
If you can walk 3 miles on the flat, you can do this hike. Download a map to your phone or get a hard copy printed from the internet before you go ( Montreat.org) because internet is sketchy up in Montreat.
14 locals recommend
Lookout Mountain Trail Head
99999 Lookout RdIf you can walk 3 miles on the flat, you can do this hike. Download a map to your phone or get a hard copy printed from the internet before you go ( Montreat.org) because internet is sketchy up in Montreat.
If you can walk 2 miles on the flat you can do this trail. It’s wide and easier for groups to talk while walking.
37 locals recommend
Catawba Falls Trailhead
3074 Catawba River RdIf you can walk 2 miles on the flat you can do this trail. It’s wide and easier for groups to talk while walking.
If you can walk one mile you can do this trail. It’s about one mile down to the overlook with a bench (facing East if you want to see a sunrise). Or you can hike as far as 3:5 miles to the bottom of the hill and back up to Ridgecrest. Mountain Bikers often Bike down the mountain and into Old Fort to Hillman Brewery and back up the mountain for fun! The path is the remnant of highway that used to connect Old Fort to Ridgecrest before I-40 so it is wide and mostly paved .
https://www.romanticasheville.com/point_lookout.htm
9 locals recommend
Point Lookout Trail
Point Lookout TrailIf you can walk one mile you can do this trail. It’s about one mile down to the overlook with a bench (facing East if you want to see a sunrise). Or you can hike as far as 3:5 miles to the bottom of the hill and back up to Ridgecrest. Mountain Bikers often Bike down the mountain and into Old Fort to Hillman Brewery and back up the mountain for fun! The path is the remnant of highway that used to connect Old Fort to Ridgecrest before I-40 so it is wide and mostly paved .
https://www.romanticasheville.com/point_lookout.htm
This is just one place to park to walk or bike a relatively flat paved trail next to the French Broad River. You can also access the trail from Carrier Park or New Belgium Brewery, or The Hominy Creek Trail entrance. The French Broad River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and runs deep and steady through Asheville, flowing South to North! This is where locals walk, picnic, skate or bike ride. Go here if you want to feel like a local…
110 locals recommend
French Broad River Park
508 Riverview DrThis is just one place to park to walk or bike a relatively flat paved trail next to the French Broad River. You can also access the trail from Carrier Park or New Belgium Brewery, or The Hominy Creek Trail entrance. The French Broad River is one of the oldest rivers in the world and runs deep and steady through Asheville, flowing South to North! This is where locals walk, picnic, skate or bike ride. Go here if you want to feel like a local…
Food scene
Our family loves to eat here! They use fresh vegetables and have great Thai flavors. It can be a dress-up or dress-down affair.
42 locals recommend
Thai Basil
227 W State StOur family loves to eat here! They use fresh vegetables and have great Thai flavors. It can be a dress-up or dress-down affair.
Louise's Kitchen
115 Black Mountain Ave
Blue Ridge Biscuit Company
601 W State StThis restaurant has delicious sophisticated pizzas and salads or excellent pasta dishes with a glass of wine.
90 locals recommend
Fresh Wood Fired Pizza and Pasta
100 S Ridgeway AveThis restaurant has delicious sophisticated pizzas and salads or excellent pasta dishes with a glass of wine.
Cousins Cuban Cafe
108 Broadway AvenueBreakfast or Lunch here—YUM!
Everyone can find something to eat here! And the beer connoisseur will find lots of local brews to choose if you don’t want to make two stops for dinner and brews.
123 locals recommend
Trail Head Restaurant & Bar
207 W State StEveryone can find something to eat here! And the beer connoisseur will find lots of local brews to choose if you don’t want to make two stops for dinner and brews.
Open Oven Cafe
102 Church StAll things delicious here and the service is great!
This is the closest restaurant to our house (5 or6 blocks) if you want to walk but not too far. Also, they have amazing baked goods and quiche but limited drink options. I think they assume that mostly people want coffee with their croissants.
26 locals recommend
Four Sisters Bakery
136 N Dougherty StThis is the closest restaurant to our house (5 or6 blocks) if you want to walk but not too far. Also, they have amazing baked goods and quiche but limited drink options. I think they assume that mostly people want coffee with their croissants.
Food/ Drink Scene Asheville
Nine Mile
233 Montford Ave
Farm Burger Asheville
10 Patton Ave
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle St
Capella on 9
10 Broadway St
Chai Pani Asheville
32 Battery Park Ave
Strada Italiano
27 Broadway StReserve an upstairs table for romantic ambience!
Salsa's
6 Patton Ave
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack Square
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside Dr