The Moon Kritter Asheville Guidebook
Food scene
This is Ginni’s fav restaurant in town. It’s sooooo yummy. It’s also one of the few places you can’t make reservations so either go a bit early or grab a beer or a Painkiller at the bar and wait.
589 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveThis is Ginni’s fav restaurant in town. It’s sooooo yummy. It’s also one of the few places you can’t make reservations so either go a bit early or grab a beer or a Painkiller at the bar and wait.
Really cool craft cocktails. You feel like you’re somewhere else, a bigger city in a small space. Drinks are amazing.
203 locals recommend
Sovereign Remedies
29 N Market StReally cool craft cocktails. You feel like you’re somewhere else, a bigger city in a small space. Drinks are amazing.
Although it’s in a different location than when I was in high school, it’s still an institution. Interesting flavors and something for everyone. They have ice cream made with hemp milk, cashew milk, regular milk, etc and every flavor you can imagine. So worth the trip.
74 locals recommend
The Hop Ice Cream Cafe
640 Merrimon AveAlthough it’s in a different location than when I was in high school, it’s still an institution. Interesting flavors and something for everyone. They have ice cream made with hemp milk, cashew milk, regular milk, etc and every flavor you can imagine. So worth the trip.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
10 S Pack SquareYUMMY!!!!!!
Ben's Tune Up
195 Hilliard AveStandard Pizza Co.
631 Haywood RdTakeout Pizza
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood RdWatch them being made for you...hot out of the fryer!
Sit outside by the French Broad River and don't forget their homemade margaritas.
440 locals recommend
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrSit outside by the French Broad River and don't forget their homemade margaritas.
HomeGrown
371 Merrimon AveYummy Breakfast
12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
5 Foundy StBeer and BBQ..not fancy, just gooooood.
Huge jelly/jam/condiment bar for your big ol' biscuit. Be prepared to wait in line.
472 locals recommend
Biscuit Head
733 Haywood RdHuge jelly/jam/condiment bar for your big ol' biscuit. Be prepared to wait in line.
The Admiral
400 Haywood RdAdvanced reservations required
Limones Restaurant
15 Eagle StReservations suggested
Jargon
715 Haywood RdJames Beard stuff happening here. Don't miss the house made sangria. Reservations required. Watch Owner and Chef, Katie Button, on her Magnolia Network show, From The Source. Super interesting and features Asheville prominently.
518 locals recommend
Cúrate
13 Biltmore AveJames Beard stuff happening here. Don't miss the house made sangria. Reservations required. Watch Owner and Chef, Katie Button, on her Magnolia Network show, From The Source. Super interesting and features Asheville prominently.
Chestnut
48 Biltmore AveThe Bull and Beggar
37 Paynes WayChai Pani Asheville
22 Battery Park AveAnother James Beard nominee making things happen here.
Plant
165 Merrimon AveReservations suggested. All vegan.
All vegetarian. Yummy world cuisine. Casual. Killer Bloody Mary!
161 locals recommend
Laughing Seed Cafe
40 Wall StAll vegetarian. Yummy world cuisine. Casual. Killer Bloody Mary!
Salsa's
6 Patton AvePosana Restaurant
1 Biltmore AveGood brunch
Zambra
85 W Walnut StSmall plates
The Chocolate Fetish
36 Haywood StMMMMMM, MMMMMMMMMMMM
Daphne at Twisted Laurel
130 College StVoted many times over as best breakfast. Be prepared to wait in line.
587 locals recommend
Sunny Point Café
626 Haywood RdVoted many times over as best breakfast. Be prepared to wait in line.
Green Sage Cafe Merrimon
633A Merrimon AveDelicious breakfast
The Montford Rooftop Bar
199 Haywood StViews
Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar
1 Page AveBooks and champagne bar!
The Dreamer Latte is enough for me but they have lots of delicious coffee, tea, and baked goods. Yummy!!
83 locals recommend
Odd's Cafe
800 Haywood RdThe Dreamer Latte is enough for me but they have lots of delicious coffee, tea, and baked goods. Yummy!!
High Five Coffee
190 Broadway StThree locations
Bebettes: A New Orleans Coffeehouse
1 Page AveChicory anyone?
Trade and Lore
37 Wall StThe Times at S&W
56 Patton AveCoffee or cocktail or both?
Summit Coffee Co.
4 Foundy StBattleCat Coffee Bar
373 Haywood RdIf you need a cake while you're in town, these are the best in the business. The German Chocolate is out of this world! Two days advance ordering and pick it up at the bakery.
24 locals recommend
Short Street Cakes
225 Haywood RdIf you need a cake while you're in town, these are the best in the business. The German Chocolate is out of this world! Two days advance ordering and pick it up at the bakery.
Very small menu but the burgers and the lobster rolls are sooooo good!! Sit outside and enjoy the RAD.
25 locals recommend
Baby Bull
1 Roberts StreetVery small menu but the burgers and the lobster rolls are sooooo good!! Sit outside and enjoy the RAD.
What's old is new again...A beautiful new open food market in a stunning, historical building. Lots of vendors including Highland Brewing Company.
43 locals recommend
The S&W
56 Patton AveWhat's old is new again...A beautiful new open food market in a stunning, historical building. Lots of vendors including Highland Brewing Company.
Neighborhoods
Artsy and industrial vibe. Amazing open studio weekends ( check the schedule) where the artists are working while you wander through. Grab a beer at The Wedge or eat at White Duck Taco and walk along the river and check out the amazing graffiti art, as well.
700 locals recommend
River Arts District
3 River Arts PlArtsy and industrial vibe. Amazing open studio weekends ( check the schedule) where the artists are working while you wander through. Grab a beer at The Wedge or eat at White Duck Taco and walk along the river and check out the amazing graffiti art, as well.
It’s an adventure unto itself. Just park and walk. There’s so much food and beer and so many shops and crazy characters along the way. Just go.
339 locals recommend
Downtown
It’s an adventure unto itself. Just park and walk. There’s so much food and beer and so many shops and crazy characters along the way. Just go.
Old and quaint. When I grew up there, it was called Worst Asheville. It’s come a looooong way with farmers markets, breweries, shops, and restaurants. Can’t spend a whole day there but it’s a great stroll.
214 locals recommend
West Asheville
Old and quaint. When I grew up there, it was called Worst Asheville. It’s come a looooong way with farmers markets, breweries, shops, and restaurants. Can’t spend a whole day there but it’s a great stroll.
Kid Stuff
Fun stuff for kids (specifically younger) and families
My 4 and 7 year olds LOVE this place. It is super clean and they can run themselves ragged. Parents can play with them ( you’ll break a sweat) or watch and lounge while you order anything from a local craft beer to a cup of coffee. Bring socks or they sell them. No reservations needed and no time limits. Worth the admission.
25 locals recommend
Mountain Play Lodge
3389 Sweeten Creek RdMy 4 and 7 year olds LOVE this place. It is super clean and they can run themselves ragged. Parents can play with them ( you’ll break a sweat) or watch and lounge while you order anything from a local craft beer to a cup of coffee. Bring socks or they sell them. No reservations needed and no time limits. Worth the admission.
Just bar food and beer but fantastic deck out back where you can eat while watching the kids play on the small playground or in the creek. Bring a change/towel for the kiddos. Everyone ends up wet but happy.
45 locals recommend
Creekside Taphouse
8 Beverly RdJust bar food and beer but fantastic deck out back where you can eat while watching the kids play on the small playground or in the creek. Bring a change/towel for the kiddos. Everyone ends up wet but happy.
Sooooo fun! The KidZip is incredible for younger kids and the ropes course is fun and super challenging for older kids and adults alike (ask my husband about the black course).
65 locals recommend
Adventure Center of Asheville
85 Expo DrSooooo fun! The KidZip is incredible for younger kids and the ropes course is fun and super challenging for older kids and adults alike (ask my husband about the black course).
Kolo Bike Park
85 Expo DrDeclan's Fav. A retro arcade and bar. Over 21 after 9. One fee for unlimited play.
67 locals recommend
Retrocade
800 Haywood RoadDeclan's Fav. A retro arcade and bar. Over 21 after 9. One fee for unlimited play.
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdSmall but worth it
Wonderful apple orchard with all sorts of extra fun for the kids
32 locals recommend
Jeter Mountain Farm
1126 Jeter Mountain RdWonderful apple orchard with all sorts of extra fun for the kids
Kids make their own pizza. So awesome. Beet and Cauliflower pizza is so yummy. Archtype Brewing is next door. Nice patio.
90 locals recommend
Pizza Mind
285 Haywood RdKids make their own pizza. So awesome. Beet and Cauliflower pizza is so yummy. Archtype Brewing is next door. Nice patio.
Craggy Mountain Line
111 Woodfin AveDo you have a train lover in the family?
Asheville Museum of Science
43 Patton AveHilltop Ice Cream Shop
520 Old US Hwy 74Next door to Whistle Hop Brewery
The Hop West
721 Haywood Rd*see food scene
Hole Doughnuts
168 Haywood Rd*see food scene
Not the brewery part but the mini golf, slide, and train cars, YES! They also feature local soda made by Waynesville Soda Jerks. Hilltop Ice Cream is right next door.
106 locals recommend
Whistle Hop Brewing Company
1288 Charlotte HwyNot the brewery part but the mini golf, slide, and train cars, YES! They also feature local soda made by Waynesville Soda Jerks. Hilltop Ice Cream is right next door.
So fun and a perfect spot for young kids to play at the water's edge. Short easy walk to the falls.
48 locals recommend
Hooker Falls
So fun and a perfect spot for young kids to play at the water's edge. Short easy walk to the falls.
Also known as Cultivate Climbing @cultivateclimbing
28 locals recommend
Climbmax Climbing at the River
173 Amboy RdAlso known as Cultivate Climbing @cultivateclimbing
Sightseeing
It’s beautiful and easy. They have really cool exhibits like the LEGO exhibit. If you visit during the holidays, you must go to Winter Lights. It’s just gorgeous and not crowded because they only sell so many tix a night. Fun for everyone. Get tix early though since almost every night sells out in advance. There are also trails for hiking around the Arboretum.
582 locals recommend
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayIt’s beautiful and easy. They have really cool exhibits like the LEGO exhibit. If you visit during the holidays, you must go to Winter Lights. It’s just gorgeous and not crowded because they only sell so many tix a night. Fun for everyone. Get tix early though since almost every night sells out in advance. There are also trails for hiking around the Arboretum.
Beautiful, mountaintop vistas while sitting on the back of a gorgeous horse. Experienced guides and well trained horses make this fun for everyone. The views are breathtaking when you reach the mountaintop. They stop so you can take pics up there, as well. No age limits.
90 locals recommend
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
1459 Caney Fork RdBeautiful, mountaintop vistas while sitting on the back of a gorgeous horse. Experienced guides and well trained horses make this fun for everyone. The views are breathtaking when you reach the mountaintop. They stop so you can take pics up there, as well. No age limits.
If you’ve never been there, it’s an absolute must see. It’s breathtaking. Take the day and see it all. Christmas is beautiful but very busy and crowded. Fall is gorgeous and in May they have the Festival of Flowers. Those are my picks. Get tickets in advance.
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge StIf you’ve never been there, it’s an absolute must see. It’s breathtaking. Take the day and see it all. Christmas is beautiful but very busy and crowded. Fall is gorgeous and in May they have the Festival of Flowers. Those are my picks. Get tickets in advance.
Asheville Music Hall
31 Patton AveAll pinball all the time.
Declan's Fav. A retro arcade and bar. Over 21 after 9. One fee for unlimited play.
67 locals recommend
Retrocade
800 Haywood RoadDeclan's Fav. A retro arcade and bar. Over 21 after 9. One fee for unlimited play.
Such a great weekend excursion. Jesse Israel's Nursery for beautiful plants as well. Pumpkins....Christmas trees...
85 locals recommend
WNC Farmers Market
570 Brevard RdSuch a great weekend excursion. Jesse Israel's Nursery for beautiful plants as well. Pumpkins....Christmas trees...
Zen Tubing
1648 Brevard Rd4 and up
Malaprop's Bookstore / Cafe
55 Haywood StBookstore and Cafe- Asheville landmark
Sky Tubing
284 Lyman St4 and up
French Broad Outfitters
704 Riverside DrTubing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting
If you loooove plants and like a great price, check this hidden gem. They also carry their own line of CBD products, grown there on site.
Ross Farm (Formerly Jack Young Greenhouses)
91 Holbrook RoadIf you loooove plants and like a great price, check this hidden gem. They also carry their own line of CBD products, grown there on site.
Basilica of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr
97 Haywood StBeautiful history
For a bit more tubing than floating, head to the beautiful area of Cherokee and the clear waters of the Oconaluftee River. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot an elk on the riverbank. Spend a day hanging in Maggie Valley and Cherokee.
10 locals recommend
Cherokee Rapids River Tubing
1681 Acquoni RdFor a bit more tubing than floating, head to the beautiful area of Cherokee and the clear waters of the Oconaluftee River. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot an elk on the riverbank. Spend a day hanging in Maggie Valley and Cherokee.
There’s everything you’d want from an apple orchard including beautiful views. At the top of a mountain, this place is good fun for the whole family. The kids loved the Bee Train, the apple cannon, the bamboo forest, the apple cider donuts, the playground, the frozen apple cider, the animals, and the playground. It was a wonderful day. Pick your own honey crisp, gala, fuji…whatever’s in season. Worth the drive to Zirconia.
85 locals recommend
Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain RdThere’s everything you’d want from an apple orchard including beautiful views. At the top of a mountain, this place is good fun for the whole family. The kids loved the Bee Train, the apple cannon, the bamboo forest, the apple cider donuts, the playground, the frozen apple cider, the animals, and the playground. It was a wonderful day. Pick your own honey crisp, gala, fuji…whatever’s in season. Worth the drive to Zirconia.
Local Art
Amazing display of local artists in one place, with an old school soda fountain to boost. If you want to talk home some local art, this is a great place to look for it.
103 locals recommend
Woolworth Walk
25 Haywood StAmazing display of local artists in one place, with an old school soda fountain to boost. If you want to talk home some local art, this is a great place to look for it.
Lexington Glassworks
81 S Lexington AveGrovewood Village
111 Grovewood RdNew Morning Gallery
7 Boston WayRiver Arts District
3 River Arts PlArt art everywhere art
Blue Spiral 1
38 Biltmore AveHiking
Max Patch
Max Patch RoadLooking Glass Falls
U.S. 276Kid Friendly
This is an easy and magical hike for young children. I’ve done it with 4 and 6 year olds on an overcast day. They loved being up in the clouds.
143 locals recommend
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
3641 Blue Ridge PkwyThis is an easy and magical hike for young children. I’ve done it with 4 and 6 year olds on an overcast day. They loved being up in the clouds.
Rattlesnake Lodge
Blue Ridge ParkwayMt. Pisgah Trailhead, Asheville, NC
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Blue Ridge ParkwaySkinny Dip Falls
Blue Ridge ParkwayOld Mount Mitchell Trail
Old Mount Mitchell TrailLooking Glass Rock Trailhead
Lookout Mountain Trail Head
99999 Lookout RdHooker Falls
Family Friendly with a swimming hole
Bent Creek trailhead
2-1298 491Kid Friendly
Little Bradley Falls Trail
5336 Holbert Cove RdKid Friendly
Pink Beds Trail Loop
U.S. 276Kid Friendly
Breweries
Burial Beer Co
40 Collier AveDavid’s Fav
Wedge Brewing Company
37 Paynes WayGinni's Fav (especially at sunset)
Skip the big one downtown and opt for Wicked Weed West. Finally reopened after COVID, it’s very close to the cabin and you don’t have to kill anybody to get parking. Same great beer, less hassle.
478 locals recommend
Wicked Weed Brewing Pub
91 Biltmore AveSkip the big one downtown and opt for Wicked Weed West. Finally reopened after COVID, it’s very close to the cabin and you don’t have to kill anybody to get parking. Same great beer, less hassle.
The OG of AVL Beer. They were the first. Don’t miss a Highland Cold Mountain if your around for the holidays.
349 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyThe OG of AVL Beer. They were the first. Don’t miss a Highland Cold Mountain if your around for the holidays.
The Funkatorium
147 Coxe AveNoble Cider & Mead Downtown
49 Rankin AveSuper kid friendly and highly organized. Right in the river too.
450 locals recommend
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StSuper kid friendly and highly organized. Right in the river too.
Super kid friendly. Large outdoor area with fire pits and play areas. Lots of outdoor seating. Good food. Usually busy.
726 locals recommend
Sierra Nevada Brewery
100 Sierra Nevada WaySuper kid friendly. Large outdoor area with fire pits and play areas. Lots of outdoor seating. Good food. Usually busy.
Great place for kids too! Hilltop ice cream is right next door as well.
106 locals recommend
Whistle Hop Brewing Company
1288 Charlotte HwyGreat place for kids too! Hilltop ice cream is right next door as well.
Zillicoah Beer Co.
870 Riverside DrHi-Wire Brewing - South Slope
197 Hilliard AvenueDssolvr
63 N Lexington AveArchetype Brewing
265 Haywood RdGreen Man Brewery
27 Buxton AveAsheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe AveHillman Beer
25 Sweeten Creek RdFrench Broad Brewery
101 Fairview RdBoojum Brewing Company Taproom
50 N Main StPisgah Brewing Company
2948 US-70One World Brewing
520 Haywood RdHomeplace Beer Company
321 W Main StBearWaters Brewing Company: Creekside
4352 Soco RdFrog Level Brewing Co
56 Commerce StGinger's Revenge
829 Riverside DrBrewery a with a true ginger beer foundation
Native Brews
1897 Tsali Blvd