Top 20 Asheville Romantic Outings - 2009 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 |
| 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 lucky 7 are free! |
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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. (Buy it.) 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 2009 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 and Linville Falls. 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. |
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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. Three entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are within 50 miles from downtown Asheville: Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee, and Big Creek. Read more in our Smoky Mountain Guide.
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9. Get "Go Blue Ridge" Passes: This is the ultimate attraction pass, featuring pre-paid admission to over 25 of the best attractions and activities in Western North Carolina! Visit as many of the included attractions as you like for one low price and save money over buying tickets directly at the ticket gate. Plus, receive a full-color guidebook to the area. Attractions include Biltmore, Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain, Whitewater Rafting, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, and more! 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. 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. Toast to the Town: Downtown Asheville has an amazing selection of bars, brewpubs, microbreweries, and coffee houses. In fact, Asheville— per capita—has one of the highest rates of craft brew consumption in the Southeast. See our Brew Pub Guide. Downtown is also a haven for coffee and sweet lovers. 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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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 Restaurant Guide to find out about some of our favorites. |
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13. Music & Shows: There are many choices for live music, theatre, dance, opera, and more. Tickets for professional shows, which abound in the summer months, average $60/couple and community theatre $30/couple. Go to our Performing Arts Guide and to our Calendar of Events to see your choices. The Brevard Music Center has 80 performances this summer! |
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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 $65 to $120 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 The Spa at Grove Park: Of all the inspiring natural wonders at your feet, none offers more pure otherworldly escape than The Spa at the famous Grove Park Inn. High stone walls, fireplaces and waterfalls accent the centerpiece, a magical pool area. Reconnect with a couples massage or just float into bliss. Treatments begin around $250/couple.
Click here to their Web site. |
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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.) To live it up even more, book their Vanderbilt Package with three nights, valet parking, daytime estate admission, estate transportation, breakfast daily, dinner daily, one grand royal tea and a two-hour premium guided tour of Biltmore House (package rate varies with time of year). Click here to visit their Web site. |
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