Blind Tiger Asheville

Worth getting out of bed for

Here you can get your exploring tips straight from the horse’s (tiger’s?) mouth, with local guides curated by Asheville creatives and luminaries left in each room. These include the founder of the LEAF arts festival, chef Jacob Sessoms, founder of the Wild Bird Research Group, general manager of Wedge Brewing Co, and more. And there’s plenty to prowl close by: have a wizard time at the Pinball Museum, have a Rousseau moment in the botanical gardens, and tour Bonfire of the Vanities author Thomas Wolfe’s magnolia-hued Queen Anne house. Tour studios and score some original artwork (from paintings to pottery, jewelry and sculptures) at the River Arts District (RAD for short) and Downtown Art District; and find more creative souvenirs at shops such as Loft of Asheville, non-profit Ten Thousand Villages, Harvest Records, and Malaprop’s Bookstore (which also has a cute café). Sauna House’s sauna-to-cold-plunge-pool experience has proved very refreshing, as has the city’s rooftop bar tours, albeit in a different way. And, Asheville rounds off its cultural scene at the Orange Peel, an iconic venue for live music, and the riverside Salvage Station.

But as great as Asheville city is, its outdoors might have it beat, with wildflower-strewn, waterfall-revealing trails criss-crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains, climbs to scenic viewpoints at Chimney Rock Park, Wai Mauna SUP Tours along the French Broad River, and other ways to turn the wilds into your playground. While the Biltmore Estate (America’s largest home, built by phenomenally wealthy George Vanderbilt) might be best known for its grand residence and important artworks, its grounds are perfect for a ramble too. And the Blue Ridge Parkway is a hell of a ride, especially in fall when the foliage is aflame with color.

Local restaurants

Asheville’s culinary scene – at the delicious juncture between southern comfort food and fine dining – is so lauded that you might be forgiven for thinking that James Beard awards are handed out as standard. Take cool casual dining spot All Day, Darling, the project of Beard recipient Jacob Sessoms, where days start with fried-chicken biscuit sandwiches with honey and harissa aioli, then move on to quality takes on classic sandwiches and burgers, and imaginative salads. Chai Pani’s accolades stem from its flavorful Indian street food and thalis, and Neng Jr’s has also been awarded for its heartfelt Filipino fare. For trays of smoky-sweet meats, Luella’s Bar-B-Que will leave you loosening your belt, and Plant redresses the balance with its creative vegan menu (wild nettle masala, crispy mushroom mole or lasagna cruda). And with dishes more imaginative than its name, Table is a New American hotspot and another win for Sessoms, serving up swordfish with persimmon, roasted chicken and dumplings, hanger steak, and more seasonal delights.

Local cafés

Liberty House Coffee & Café is beloved for its sourdough pancakes and seasonal espresso flavours, but really all of the breakfast menu will keep you coming back. And if you’re craving true southern delicacies (shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles), Tupelo Honey Café will be delighted to be of service.

Local bars

You won’t make much of a dent in the Crow and Quill’s 600 whiskeys and 1,000 spirits (including rare and out-of-production bottles), but you can certainly try, or at least knock back one of the ‘top-shelf’ cocktails, such as the Super Premium #7 (Old Forester 1920 Craft bourbon, Gran Classico Bitter liqueur, house vermouth, rose water and rose-petal smoke). Sour beers might be an acquired taste, but everyone will love Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium, which specialises in cheek-puckering sips, but has a broader range of drinks and a brilliant roster of live acts. As does Asheville Guitar Bar, whose Sunday house jams pack the place out.