Asheville: “…Like A gorgeous Practical Joke”

When the novelist Henry James visited George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate in early 1905 he described it as “strange, colossal, heartbreaking… in effect, like a gorgeous practical joke.” One may apply the saying to broader Asheville as well: with a litany of breweries, world class hiking, historical relevance and much more, Asheville has something for everyone.
We hope you enjoy.

 

Biltmore Estate. December 9, 2017

Biltmore Estate

You haven’t truly seen Asheville until you’ve seen the Vanderbilt family’s famed 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate. Whether covered in snow in winter or surrounded by blooming flowers in spring time, Biltmore never ceases to impress.

  • Biltmore Winery

  • The Biltmore Inn Dining Room

  • Biltmore House and Gardens

  • The Bass Pond Trail

  • Antler Hill Village

Brewery Hopping

With one of the highest per capita rates of craft beer consumption in the Southeast and hundreds of local brews to sample, it’s no wonder NPR has called Asheville the Napa Valley of Beer. Try to make it to all of them!

  • Hi-Wire Brewing

  • Catawba Brewing

  • Green Man Brewing

  • Thirsty Monk

  • Highland Brewing Co.

  • Sierra Nevada Brewery

  • Wicked Weed Brewery

  • New Belgium Brewing

Sierra Nevada Brewery. May 18, 2019

Mount Pisgah Trail. October 9, 2016

hiking

There are over 3,000 miles of public hiking trails near Asheville. Safe and maintained, trails open to some of the most awe-inspiring vistas. Get out and see! Some of our favorites include:

  • Mount Pisgah Trail (strenuous)

  • Looking Glass Rock (strenuous)

  • Chimney Rock Park (moderate)

  • Craggy Gardens (moderate)

  • Alum Cave Trail (strenuous)

  • Crabtree Falls Trail (moderate)

  • Graveyard Fields (moderate)

  • Pink Beds (easy)

Lake Junaluska

The true reason we fell in love with the mountains and decided to get married here was the tranquility found and memories made at Julie’s grandparents’ home on Lake Junaluska just west of Asheville. We’d love to share it with you.

  • Golf

  • Inspiration Point

  • Lake Walking Trail and Rose Walk

  • Kayak, Canoe & Paddleboard

Lake Junaluska. November 1, 2019

Sur la Table. February 10, 2019

Eating

Let’s be real: no Julie + Charlie website would be complete without a section dedicated to food right? Whether a date night dinner or boozy brunch, Asheville has enough to keep your stomach full for days.

  • Buxton Hall

  • Chestnut

  • Cucina 24

  • Posano

  • Sunny Point Cafe

  • The Inn at Biltmore Dining Room

  • Bouchon

  • Chai Pani

  • Corner Kitchen

  • Curate

  • Rhubarb

  • The Bull & Beggar

For The Kids

Not to be forgotten, activities the whole family can enjoy abound throughout Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Pick strawberries at U-pick farms and orchards

  • Take flight at Sky Zone Asheville’s trampoline park

  • Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in Bryson City

  • See Biltmore on horseback

  • Visit Looking Glass Falls and ride a natural water slide at Sliding Rock

  • Mine for gems at Emerald Village

  • Get on the water at Lake Junaluska

  • Get up close with the animals at the Western North Carolina Nature Center

Pritchard Park, Asheville. November 2, 2019