Top 20 Asheville Romantic Outings - 2011 Edition |
Also see: Top 10 Holiday Outings | Top 10 Girlfriend Getaways | Top 10 Mancations | Top 20 Green Guide |
Top 10 Art Outings | Top 12 Winter Outings | Top 10 Free Outings | Top 10 for Rainy Day | Top 20 Picnic Spots |
What's New for 2010? | Presidential Getaway to Asheville | Top 25 Summer Festivals | My Asheville | Top 10 Civil War Sites | ABC: Asheville Most Beautiful | Top 10 Thanksgiving Weekend |
| There are many choices for an Asheville romantic outing. We present you a variety of ideas, ranked by cost from free to the most expensive. The first eight are free! By the way, Fodor's travel guide named Asheville as one of their “21 Places We’re Going in 2011”! |
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1. Explore Downtown: During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 spots, including dozens of galleries, antique shops, an old-fashioned general store, local boutiques and a variety of funky shops. The Grove Arcade has been restored to its grandeur when it opened in 1929 as one of the first “malls” in America. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers and great people watching. A creative way to see downtown is the Urban Trail, a self-guided walking tour of 30 sculptures that depict tidbits of local history. At night, enjoy plenty of live music. See the Downtown Asheville Guide. FREE
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2. Discover Lots of Art: Asheville is one of the top arts destinations in the country. Browse dozens of galleries downtown and in Biltmore Village. Visit artist studios in River Arts District. See our Gallery Guide for more. To explore studios tucked in valleys and communities near Asheville, pick up the Craft Heritage Trails book. Watch the artists at work, and buy directly from them. The book features more than 450 stops. Plan your trip around an art event with our Guide to Asheville Art Tours, Festivals & Shows. FREE
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3. Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway: Enjoy a leisurely drive to see nature's beauty while riding the crest of the mountains. You'll find breathtaking overlooks, numerous hiking trails, and great spots for picnics. Drive north for panoramic views at Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell. A drive south takes you through a dozen tunnels (of love!) by the time you stop for lunch at the Pisgah Inn on a 5,000-foot mountaintop. Continue on the Parkway for views of the famous Cold Mountain and Looking Glass Rock. Go to our Blue Ridge Parkway Guide. Discover more Scenic Drives. FREE |
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4. Take a Hike: To really appreciate the natural splendor of our area, get out of the car and explore by foot. There are trails for all fitness levels, from a short woods walks to strenuous hikes to mountain peaks. Our expanded Hiking Guide includes hikes at the highest point east of the Mississippi (Mt. Mitchell) and the best hikes in the Smokies. Many of the hikes are along the Blue Ridge Parkway and are easy to find. Easy in-town hiking includes the NC Arboretum (small fee) and the Botanical Gardens. FREE |
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5. Find Waterfalls: There are many waterfalls in nearby state and federal parks (with no admission fee) to discover. About 40 miles outside of Asheville is Dupont State Forest, where you can take a short hike and see three waterfalls including Triple Falls, where you can picnic on a large flat rock area between the second and third waterfall. Other area “free” waterfalls include Looking Glass Falls, Linville Falls and Gorges State Park. Also see our list of favorite North Carolina Waterfalls near Asheville. FREE |
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6. Attend a Festival: Free outdoor festivals abound. Gather downtown on Saturday nights during July and August for Shindig on the Green, a genuine glimpse into the traditions of Appalachia. The biggest street festival in the South is Bele Chere, held each July. A fun weekly event downtown is the Drumming Circle. Plan your trip around one of the many art walks and tours, including Center City Art Walks, the Village Art and Craft Fair, Weaverville Art Safari and River District Artist Stroll. See our Art Festival Guide and Annual Events Guide. FREE |
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7. Find the Best Views: There are lots of perfect spots to cuddle and enjoy the views of the mountains. Our favorite summit hike is Black Balsam Knob, where you can walk across a treeless mountain with sweeping views all around. Other short hikes with great views include Devil's Courthouse and Craggy Gardens. If you are not up for a hike, watch the sunset over the mountains from the parking area at Waterrock Knob, or take an elevator ride to the top of Chimney Rock. FREE except Chimney Rock |
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8. See the Smokies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Asheville is the most visited national park. There are 520,976 acres to explore. This International Biosphere Reserve is home to rugged mountains (many peaks in excess of 6,000 feet), historic homesteads, and 100,000 different types of plants and animals. Four entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are within 50 miles from downtown Asheville. Read more in our Great Smoky Mountains Guide. FREE
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9. Take a Fun City Tour: This is definitely not your mamma's typical tour bus experience! LaZoom is Asheville's only rolling comedy tour bus with a side-splitting odyssey to favorite neighborhoods and landmarks. Each tour departs from downtown and features a knowledgeable and witty tour guide, a heavy dose of corny jokes, and slapstick characters all along the way, with an innovative and clever blend of fact, fiction, and fun. Haunted and art tours too! Click here to visit their Web site. |
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10. Visit Hot Springs: Relax in natural hot mineral waters that flow from the Earth at a temperature of 100-104 degrees. Go whitewater rafting on the French Broad River. Hike the Appalachian Trail (goes down Main Street!). Stay in a romantic inn. Go horseback riding. Hot Springs is a quaint village nestled in a beautiful valley 35 miles north of Asheville. Click here to visit their Web site. |
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11. Romantic Picnic: How about a picnic on top of a mountain or by a waterfall? Whether it's sandwiches and power bars from a backpack or a wine-and-cheese spread with a gourmet menu, what a great way to create a lasting memory. We have narrowed all of the choices down to our favorites. See our Top 20 Picnic Spots. |
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12. Dine Out: There are many locally-owned restaurants in Asheville with about any taste that you could ask for. In downtown Asheville, there are more than 50 choices. Many of the downtown restaurants feature sidewalk dining. See our Asheville Top 25 Restaurants Guide to find out about some of our favorites. Also check out an amazing selection of bars, brewpubs, microbreweries, and coffee houses. In fact, Asheville have been voted "Beer City USA". See our Beer Pub Guide. Or hang out at one of the dozen coffee shops and/or bakeries for premium java and pastries from all over the world, many organically grown and sold under fair trade agreements. See our Coffee Shops & Bakeries Guide. |
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13. Hot Air Balloon: Soar above the mountains for an adventure to remember for a lifetime. What could be a better way to create a memorable celebration like birthdays and anniversaries (or to engage)? Hot air ballooning is the bucket list thing to do. Flights are near Asheville and depart at sunrise. Be sure to book your trip well in advance to get the date you want. Read and see more about Asheville Hot Air Balloons. |
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14. River Romance: Asheville is one of the best whitewater rafting towns in the U.S.! No experience is necessary. You just need a desire for thrills and getting a little wet. half-day whitewater rafting trip with Wildwater Rafting, or sunset kayak trip on the calm section of river at the Biltmore Estate. Read more on our Whitewater Rafting Guide. |
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15. Spend a Day at Biltmore: Explore the largest private home in the country, created by George Vanderbilt in the late 1800s. See breathtaking landscapes, tour the winery, stroll through formal gardens and enjoy fine dining. With 8,000 acres of beautiful countryside, there are plenty of romantic spots on the estate. General admission ranges from $80 to $150 per couple, depending on the time of year. Take one of the guided tours (extra charge) for a "behind the scenes" look. See our Biltmore Guide or Click here to visit their Web site. |
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16. Stay in a B&B: For a cozy romantic getaway, stay in one of our luxury bed and breakfast inns. Asheville now has more than 50 B&Bs in the area, and we feature the best ones that are professional managed and well appointed with private baths and beautiful furnishings. A one-night stay generally runs $150-$300 and includes a home-cooked breakfast for two. Click here to find the perfect B&B for your next trip. |
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17. Cabin Fever: Snuggle up in a cozy cabin. Choose from a wide variety of sizes and types of cabins and cottages - some in the city of Asheville and others are way out in the country, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. See our Cabins Guide for many options.
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18. Get Rejuvenated at a Spa: Be it a simple weekend of relaxation, a romantic couple’s getaway in the mountains or a chance to improve your health, Asheville is the ultimate destination for those seeking spas and wellness. See our Spa Guide. |
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19. Get Married or Renew Your Vows: What a beautiful and romantic setting to celebrate your love and commitment! If you want to keep it simple with very small group-or just the two of you, stay at one of our bed and breakfast inns. The innkeeper will be glad to help. Check out the local B&Bs or see our Wedding Location Guide for larger ceremonies. |
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20. Most Extravagant Overnight Stay: For the best in spacious luxury and comfort, reserve the William A.V. Cecil Suite at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. Housed in the turret of the hotel, this 1,400-square-foot space offers sweeping vistas, a king-size bedroom, spacious living room, dining area, and wet bar. Nightly rate begins at $1,400. Click here to visit their Web site. |
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