Woodhaven-5 Minutes to Center Asheville-Secluded Mountain Cove

"Has typically been the last weekend in July providing hot, steamy (because it often rains) weather. This outdoor festival closes most of downtown Asheville for a gigantic walking tour of five outdoor stages with music, dancing and entertainment throughout the weekend. National, regional and local acts are free. Street vendors and entertainers for the 200K people who show up for this fun festival. Park away from downtown and take a shuttle bus in; it's worth the price of the ride. "

"The nice thing about the Trolley tours is you can get on and off all day and they will provide more than a basic explanation of Asheville. "

"Also know as "The big Purple Bus" , most LaZoom comedy tours stop at Asheville microbreweries, for both watering and de-watering. The tour guides are top flight comedians who evoke laughter non-stop. Maybe locals will get more of the "in" jokes but be prepared to laugh non-stop for the one liners and sight gags that abound. "

"Among architect Douglas Ellington's art deco masterpieces is the First Baptist Church located just off I-240 and Charlotte St. It's domed, tile roof and interior are magnificent as are it's acoustics. "

"The original located near the French Broad River in the River Arts District has little atmosphere but great food, especially the sides. A "must" if you like bbq. Obama's fav for bbq. "

"Great food at moderate prices; the Obama's have a history of eating here when they are in town. "

"A tapas bar that has great food but small portions; expensive but highly recommended!"

"Located in West Asheville at the corner of Haywood Rd. & State St. probably one of the best places in WNC for breakfast. Very busy, very limited parking, likely to have to wait but great food! "

"At least two locations, (1) Downtown; Broadway & College, (2) Hendersonville Rd. in a shopping center. Good coffee, sandwiches, and other light fare. Moderate prices and self service. "

"One of Asheville's many micro-breweries has excellent pizzas, outdoor and indoor seating. Fine spot to people watch and enjoy good, local beer. "

"The Asheville Tourists are a class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Team. They play from late April to Sept 1st. in a beautifully restored McCormick Field when they're in town for $5/adult ticket (single games) and $8 for double headers. Thirsty Thursday are dollar beer night and there are always promotions going on. Most single games are twilight and a great way to end a day."

"If you've never mustered the courage to complete reading "Look Homeward Angel" this may help you. "The old Kentucky Home' boarding house Thomas Wolfe's mother ran while he grew up gives one a good idea of what life was like in the early 20th century in Asheville. "

"While the Book Exchange is an interesting place to get a glass of wine and peruse used books, it's the building where its located, the Grove Arcade Building that is the absolute real attraction here. The "sky-scraper" 18 story apt. building was never completed due to Grove's death and the depression but wow what a start. "

"Best known and probably the best restaurant in Asheville. Reservations a must. "

"A small but neat restaurant that specializes only in crepes. Fast service, reasonable prices. Downtown on Haywood St. across from the Main Library. "

"A particularly fine spot for Eggs Benedict (any of their 5 versions), also don't miss their calamari (appetizer). Lunch is reasonable; dinner expensive."

"A masterpiece of English country architecture built by G.W. Vanderbuilt for his daughters wedding. Located in historic Biltmore Village it uplifts the whole area. "

"Asheville's first sky-scraper this slender tower still graces the skyline off Pack Square. Complete with gargoyles and a tower that once held a rotating beacon when it was built in the teens it now houses attorney and financial offices now."

"The Blue Ridge Parkway bisects the Pisgah National Forest to Asheville's south and west. Camping areas, hiking, trout streams, mountain biking, historic logging sites and more, the heart of the Pisgah National Forest was once owned by G. W. Vanderbuilt and donated to the government for tax purposes. It's amazing to think that at one time the Vanderbuilt's owned everything they could see from Biltmore House and a great deal beyond it. "

"Beaucatcher Tunnel was dug in the teens to relieve the traffic bottle-neck that sent all traffic from the east of Asheville through Biltmore Village. The two lane tunnel through Beaucatcher Mtn. (so-named because that's where Asheville maidens went to "spark") created it's own traffic bottle-neck from the 1950's until the late 80's when I-240 was completed through the "open-cut" in the mountain. "

"Mentioned in our review of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it will help orient you for day or multi-day trips on the Parkway."

"Another fine Asheville Restaurant, just off Biltmore Ave. by the Fine Arts Theater, a bit expensive. "

"Located in the arcade of the Haywood Park Hotel, it's a fun spot for beer and food. "

"Great spot for shopping and some good deals on clothing and shoes. A somewhat updated version of an old country general store (what it started out as). "

"One of Asheville's older, fine dining establishments. Now on Wall St. good food and service. "

"The heart of Asheville's downtown with Vance Monument, a fountain, great views of the City/County Plaza across from the Pack Place Museums (Art, Geology & Theater). "

"Several locations around town. Reliable service but food quality highly variable depending on who's cooking that day. Resonable prices. "

"Another of Chef Hector Diaz's fine restaurants. This one located in the Grove Arcade offers both indoor and outdoor eating and neuveaux Spanish cuisine."

"An Asheville microbrewery and fixture of South Biltmore Ave. A great spot to wet you whistle and eat. Reasonable. "

"The Highland Brewery off Charlotte Hwy. is a fun spot to sample the range of Highland brews. "

"Located off Pack Square adjacent to City Hall, this new tavern is comfortable, serves good food at reasonable prices and has great atmosphere. "

"Another of Asheville's fine microbreweries. Located on Asheville's "south slope". "

"Located on South Biltmore has good atmosphere but food is slap dash in preparation and over-priced for what you get. "

"An interesting middle eastern Cafe in the heart of Asheville. Belly dancers on weekend evenings and good mid eastern food."

"Located way out Hendersonville Rd., Frankie Bones has excellent Italian Food and decent atmosphere despite the fact it's located in shopping center. "

"This is the place for "down home country cooking." Located next to the WNC Farmer's Market which provides the fresh seasonal vegie's for cooking. Reasonalbe and plentiful food. "

"Located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the N.C. 181 exit the Arboretum is a diamond in the rough. A must visit place with hiking trails, a formal garden and horticultural exhibitions. "

"Another great Asheville microbrewery. "

"Located in Biltmore Village, a fine spot to eat good Mexican food. "

"Great local restaurant located on North Merrimon Ave. about 4-5 miles from downtown. Good food at good prices currently open for dinner only"

"An excellent place for breakfast on the east Asheville "strip". Locally owned, good lunch specials at a reasonable price. "

"Probably second only to 12 Bones in renown, but it's gaining. Great BBQ. Located on North Merrimon about 3 miles out of downtown. "

"Beautiful old cemetery, holds the remains of many of Asheville's early movers and shakers including Thomas Wolfe (& his family), O'Henry, and others from Civil War Veterans to early 1950's. "

"On the Blue Ridge Parkway near the exit for US 70 east, the Folk Art Center has beautiful displays of Southern Appalachian Arts and Crafts. A real must see for anyone interested in quilting, furniture making, pottery. Items from local artisans available for purchase. "

"Now located in the Biltmore Square Mall, the Health Adventure is a great children's museum. Perfect for a rainy day with the kids. "

"Two locations, the original on Biltmore Ave. just south of I-40 has great, Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine. Fast service, bountiful portions and quite reasonalble. "

"We've never been disappointed in our meals at Rezaz. Lunch is a more reasonable meal than the dinner menu but the food is always outstanding. "

"Nice atmosphere but seems expensive for okay food. "

"If you like chocolate at all, don't go here. You'll never leave. They have their own cocoa suppliers and they know what they're doing. Absolute heaven for chocolate lovers. Always packed, be prepared to wait; it's worth it. "

"Beautiful art gallery on south Biltmore Ave. "

"Another of Asheville's premiere microbreweries."

"Another great Asheville microbrewery, located downtown, on South Broadway."

"Many locals swear by this downtown shoe outlet. If they don't have it; good luck finding it. "

"Well worth the cost if you can schedule the walking tour in. You'll get a sense of Asheville's history and where it's going. Wear comfortable shoes!"

"For anyone interested in the hx. of Black Mountain College an experiment in higher education remarkable for its professors (including Bucky Fuller, Einstein, and many other well known and controversial thinkers) and its students. "

"Recently expanded into larger quarters, one of the three occupants of Pack Place, has an excellent collection. "

"An amazing collection of minerals, displays the local geology of the Southern Appalachians. Great for kids who are into collecting. "

"In my opinion the best vegetarian restaurant in Asheville. Reasonable, well prepared, great food. "

"Located behind the Grove Park Hotel, they have a beautiful collection of pictures and southern arts and crafts for sale. The Grovewood Cafe is a fine place for lunch or dinner (albeit a bit expensive). The Grovewood Museum, next door to the Gallery has a collection of old cars worth seeing. "