Things to Do In Asheville

Since the beginning of the year I have traveled to seven states in five months. Three of the seven are states I've never been to before - New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina. My goal is to visit all 50 states before I'm 50. I've defined visiting as at least spending one night, not just driving through or having a connecting flight. So far Bryan and I have been to 20 states together and I've been to an additional 11. 

Earlier this month we crossed North Carolina off the list with a visit to Asheville, NC. I've heard so many wonderful things about this area so when I found out that I had to travel to Charlotte for work, a mini-trip to Asheville was a must. And double bonus - my 29th birthday and Independent Bookstore Day both fell right in the middle of it all! Special thanks to my friend Beth (here's what a real blog looks like) who armed me with a TON of suggestions of places to go! 

1. Take advantage of Airbnb or any of the inns/B&B's in the Montford Historical District

After making the beautiful two hour drive from Charlotte to Asheville we arrived at the Airbnb we rented which was located in the Montford Historical District. It reminded me of a house that would have been in Stars Hollow. It was a little bit of a hike to downtown Asheville, but completely beautiful.

At night the porch had a pretty string of lights that outlined everything.

2. Enjoy the tapas at Cúrate

Our first of many meals was at Cúrate downtown. We tried a variety of different things, but the most interesting thing we had was dessert. Fried eggplant drizzled in wild mountain honey with rosemary ice cream. Differently delicious. I don't think I have any pictures of the food because it was too dark. And also because I eat faster than I take pictures.

I think this was at 9:30pm - the place was packed!

3. Biscuits for President!

If April was the month of the burrito, May is definitely the month of the biscuit. I had quite a few of these delicious baked goods while in North Carolina. If biscuits were running in 2016 I would totally vote for them. Unless they were running against burritos, but really if that was the case what does it even matter? The world would be a more delicious place. It would literally be the only win-win in political history. I mean, I'm guessing...I slept through a lot of history class.

West End Bakery & Cafe - Veggie sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there are free biscuits at the Tupelo Honey Cafe.

4. Indulge your sweet tooth.

If it's not obvious, I gained 700 pounds on this trip. To be fair, we did a ton of walking. To be honest, it was mainly walking to get more dessert.

Double D's Coffee & Desserts - a double decker bus that serves coffee and desserts (in case you couldn't figure that out)

I'm pretty sure everyone who works in Asheville is in their early 20's. Or homeless. Or both.

Not embarrassed to admit that this is the only reason we took out cash for this trip.

I only made three references to the Knight Bus from Harry Potter, I swear.

It was a million degrees on the bus, so we enjoyed our coffee drinks in the little garden next to the bus.

Time it took to finish the drink: 10 minutes. Time it took me to stop talking with a lisp because my tongue was frozen: about an hour.

In my head I know this place is called French Broad Chocolate Lounge, but I keep referring to this place as French Bread Chocolate.

See what I mean? Everyone is so young here. I've become very observant in my old age.

Bryan was amazed at the salted caramel liquid truffle.

5. Sit at the bar at Wicked Weed Brewery

I swear this is the last food related item on the list. Wicked Weed was the number one place people recommended to us when we said we were visiting Asheville. Bryan enjoyed his beer and I enjoyed the atmosphere and their wasabi and ginger popcorn.

6. Marry someone strong so they can carry all your books. Not that you're not strong enough to hold your own books, but then you'll have two arms to pick out more books instead of one. 

Let me just start off number six by saying that Bryan had already gotten me an amazing birthday present before we left for Asheville. He knew I was obsessed with the Penguin Drop Caps Series and decided to, you know, buy them all for me No big deal.

Best. Husband. Ever.

So you would think after all 26 books I wouldn't need to buy more books, but that's where you're very wrong. I'm sure Bryan thought that this amazing gesture would mean that he wouldn't have to lug my books around Asheville because I wouldn't be getting any books in Asheville.

Disillusioned.

Battery Park Book Exchange at Grove Park Arcade - how could you not go into a bookstore with a giant moose head?

It was a maze of books!

Malaprop's Bookstore 

Such a fun way to spend Independent Book Store Day. And I got a free tote bag!

7. Don't puke in the rental car.

There's a definitely a theme with the trips we've taken in 2015. Eat a lot, drink a lot, buy a lot of books (that Bryan will carry), and then go on a long drive and see some nature. The only difference with this trip is the road we took, Blue Ridge Parkway, is extremely windy and I get motion sick very easily. However, I will say the views at each overlook are beautiful.