Travel Answers

Hello, everyone:

I've never been to Asheville, NC before, but I'll be visiting most likely from late May to early June (two weeks). I read that the climate in the mountains can change from one hour to the next. Coming from the Florida Keys, I'm not used to cooler weather. Should I pack mostly long sleeved shirts, sweaters and jeans? I have a jacket or two, but not much in terms of layer clothing. Does it get hot as well during this time? I don't want to be too hot either. I plan on doing some hikes.

Thank you for any information you can provide.

Carolyn

where should it be. I have never been to AsheVegas. Looking forward to it, even though its only 36 hours. Staying downtown, so have a preference to eat there, but West Asheville on the way out is not out of the question. For downtown joints EarlyGirl and TupeloHoney get all the press and I suppose rightly so. Also heard about a place "Overeasy" too? Many say head straight for SunnyPoint in west asheville. So I am flummoxed. Normally I try to steer clear of places that are primarily frequented by tourists as I would guess EG and TH are...but maybe thats not a fair guess. And if somethings good.....its good. Anyone familiar that can compare and contrast? Would be a Tuesday AM by the way. cheers

There is a bus from Knoxville (TN) to Asheville (NC) all saturday morning from 8 am?

My family and I will be in Asheville in mid-March. The "average" weather temps are showing between 40 and 60 degrees. That's quite a range! Can anyone tell me what the weather is actually like in mid-March? Also, any ideas on things to do if it's too cold to be outside? We already have the Biltmore on the agenda, but not sure what else there is to do. Are there any cool towns nearby worth a visit? As an FYI: we can't do anything too strenuous as we'll have my 70 year old father with us. Thanking you in advance!!

When is the best time to watch the leaves turn in the Asheville area. We will be there on October 3, 2011 and hope it is not too early. Thank you

Hi I would love to visit Asheville this summer for a few months and wondered if there are any long term volunteering opportunities there for non US citizens or employers that would consider hiring international applicants? I am Irish and would love to live or work or volunteer in America but it seems like an impossible task! If you are a student you can get a J1 Visa but if not its very difficult. I am in my 30s and already have 2 University degrees so no longer a student. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Otherwise it will just be a holiday but would absolutely love a summer job there!

I'll be in Asheville for a weekend in September, and I'm looking for ideas on things to do. Here are my interests: Architecture / walking tour Hiking Independent restaurants History / culture Any and all suggestions welcomed and appreciated. I'm also looking for a unique, reasonable accommodations. Thanks in advance to the great VT community!

I need some suggestion on touring Biltmore House. It look beautiful in web but I want to know whether it is worth to travel with my wife and 2 little kids on a one day visit to this house and antler hill village nearby. I will be travelling from Charlotte. Experiences of other visitors will help me to make a decision.

Will be in Asheville for a few days. I know that NC is smoke free now so smoking at a bar is not permitted but I have someone in my party who is a smoker. So for those of you that live or have traveled to Asheville, are there any bars or restaurants that have patios or other places they accommodate smokers. I am thinking outdoor heaters or tents. Any info is appreciated. Cheers.

I am planning a trip to Asheville, and will be using Marriott points for my hotel. So...I can use the Fairfield, Springhill, Marriott, Renaissance, or Courtyard hotels. There are several in the area...can someone give me background regarding which is the best location (safe, close to attractions)? Also, if you can give insight into which is a nice hotel, that would be great, too. Residence Inn 701 Biltmore Avenue Courtyard One Buckstone Place Springhill Two Buckstone Place Renaissance 31 Woodfin Street Fairfield 11 Rocky Ridge Road Fairfield 31 Airport Park Road, Fletcher Fairfield 568 Painttown Road, Cherokee

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Asheville area in October and spending approximately 8 days. Is there a best time to see fall colors? Considering the many things to do and see we are wondering whether we should base our whole time in Asheville and take day trips or split it between Boone or someplace else? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also any recommendations for restaurants. We are foodies and enjoy new experiences.

Hi! My husband and I will be visiting Asheville the third week of October in anticipation of the birth of our first grandchild!! :) We've never been to Asheville before (daughter recently moved there) and since we're staying a week, we want to do a few things while there. We know about Biltmore of course :) but when we try to look up things to do there, it turns out most of the things listed are 50 miles or more away! Are there things to do close to Asheville? There's a train ride that looked interesting but that was a good ways away also :( Also good restaurants and bead stores (I'm a beader :) ) Thanks for any help you may have to offer! Meenie

Hi! I'll be doing a trip through the Blue Ridge Parkway area in late October, and wonder if anyone had any suggestions for a good meeting place in Asheville? I'll be spending probably 3 days in the Asheville area around the weekend of October 24-26. Thanks! David

Hi all! I'm a vegan from New Zealand and am traveling to NC with my mother later this year, spedning most of our time in Asheville. I have never been to the USA, let alone a smaller city in the south and was wondering how vegan-friendly it is likely to be? I've heard a lot of sterotypes about Southern cooking and its use of animal products. I'm particularly worried about the prevalance of animal fats used for cooking. Is this likely to be an issue and can anyone recommend any good vegetarian/vegan restaurants? Thanks heaps! :)

I WONT TO NOW IF THERE IS SOME REALLY FANCY RESTURANT IN ASHEVILE,NC NEAR THE BILTMORE ESTATES.IF THERE IS CAN YOU SEND ME DIFFERANT TYPES

I would like to get some opinions on where to find the best scenic drives in western North Carolina. I am familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Cherahola Scenic Hwy. I need more info to add to my NCMountainFun.com website.

Me and 3 other adults are going to Asheville, NC August 2007. We are staying in South Carolina Upcountry for a week. We want to visit Asheville one day out of our stay. We want to see "Biltmore Estate" on that day but would like to venture out to " Downtown Asheville" for dinner. Any suggestions? No tourist traps pls. Also since we have just have one day to vist Biltmore- is anybody out there who could tell me how to do it in that amt of time. What shd I really see and not waste my time seeing! Any and all suggestions will be helpful. I would like to hear from people who live there or who have visited there. Thank you.

Hello, My longtime friend and I are planning a weekend reunion, meeting in Asheville. Looking for suggestions regarding best areas to stay that will allow us to walk, sip drinks or beer at cafe restaurant or pub, browse shops featuring work of local folk artists, hear some live folk music, acoustic guitar, etc. Would the Urban Trail be our destination? Or the Arcade Grove?(unable to access website to look at this area) Any other ideas? And can anyone suggest a hotel or B&B located within walking distance to these areas? Moderate priced (maximum150/night). Looking more for a liberal, quaint area rather than urban yuppie, if that makes sense. Not terribly interested in fancy malls, for example. Would prefer a room with two beds which might rule out B&Bs but would like to hear of suggestions anyway. I'm looking into a performance at the Orange Peel one night. Are there hotels near there? Thanks for any and all suggestions.

I'm planning a family reunion along with graduation celebration the dates of May 18, 19 and 20. We're looking for a large cabin/house/lodge with at least four bedrooms and two full bathrooms, cooking facilities, a porch and some land for walking, clean and comfortable. Anywhere within fifteen minutes of the Asheville area would be fine. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks.

I'm moving to Asheville and am interest in your opinions or facts about the Buncombe County Elementary Schools. Our home is in Leicester, NC, just north of downtown Asheville. Any thoughts on public vs. private schools?

Do you know of a decent priced day tour from Charlotte to Biltmore Estates? Thanks.

I'm considering moving to Asheville. I've never been there before, yet I've heard great things about it. I was born and raised in Florida (where I currently reside) and I lived in Ithaca, NY. Ithaca is a beautiful progressive town, yet coooooooooooooold. I feel Asheville would be a great move and a wonderful place to raise my son (and I hear the weather is mild). I ordered a packet through the Chamber of Commerce and I'm disappointed. It seems the housing there is quite expensive. Maybe they just put the more expensive housing in the packet to draw that type of person to Asheville? It's the suburban neighborhoods like "The Oak" or "The Sanctuary" where they cut down almost all the trees I want to escape from. I strive to live as natural as possible, grow most of my own food including sprouting. Heck, even make biodiesel in my garage! I'm just bummed by ths package. Of course, I'll go visit and get a feel for myself. Is there housing there for under100K for a 3 bd/ 2 bath on 1 acre?? I hear W. Asheville. But what towns? Thanks. =)

My husband and I are thinking of moving from Western Ma. to Asheville..we enjoy biking and there is a great rail trail here in Ma. I was wondering what biking trails exist around Asheville? I am not interested in mountain biking just biking on a paved surface, hopefully not where there is traffic.

ASHEVILLE SEEMS SO EXPENSIVE. I WANT TO MOVE FROM HOUSTON TO WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, IS THERE A CHEAPER AREA THAT HAS THE BEAUTY OF THE MOUNTAINS? I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER, WHAT ABOUT JOBS IN THAT AREA? THANKS

I hope that someone who lives in Asheville will answer this. I am moving to Asheville because I like mountains and have no kids or grandkids to move towards like so many retirees. I wonder how easy it is for oldster females to make good friends. I mean friends, not just acquaintances. Is it unrealistic to move to a place where you know no one if you are no longer a spring chicken??! Thanks.

I noticed there have already been a few postings about moving to Asheville however, I may be a bit diff then what I saw on here. A little about me: I have lived in Atlanta for the past 4 yrs before that I roamed around after college living a bit of a gyspy life style. Currently 29 yr old female and thinking of moving to Asheville. I am up in the mtns every weekend b/c I enjoy the outdoors A LOT as well as an avid kayaker in which I have decided why not move up there which seems to be a perfect fit for me. I have visited a few times and spent last weekend up there feeling out the city and have some questions. I understand that Asheville is a small city but can you tell me how is the city life, the night life as well as people being out and about in the evenings, i'm more of a dinner/drinks type of girl more then clubbing it fyi? I def have a LARGE hippy side to me however, I do also enjoy 'some' main stream stuff as well at times, how welcoming is this community? Does the community tend to be you are either this or you are that, you're a straight hippy or you're a main streamer.. black/white type of thing? I am a person who loves an erray of things and would love to find a place w/similar style hince I have not found that in Atlanta. What can I expect to pay for a 1 bedrm lets say 1000 sq ft apt in downtown, are there even places downtown to live? Also, I have noticed it seems like a good bit of Asheville people are coupled up, is there a single scene there as well or are most people here to settle w/their little families leaving it mostly impossible to meet other singles in my age range? Any thoughts/ideas would be great! Thanks!!

I noticed there have already been a few postings about moving to Asheville however, I may be a bit diff then what I saw on here. A little about me: I have lived in Atlanta for the past 4 yrs before that I roamed around after college living a bit of a gyspy life style. Currently 29 yr old female and thinking of moving to Asheville. I am up in the mtns every weekend b/c I enjoy the outdoors A LOT as well as an avid kayaker in which I have decided why not move up there which seems to be a perfect fit for me. I have visited a few times and spent last weekend up there feeling out the city and have some questions. I understand that Asheville is a small city but can you tell me how is the city life, the night life as well as people being out and about in the evenings, i'm more of a dinner/drinks type of girl more then clubbing it fyi? I def have a LARGE hippy side to me however, I do also enjoy 'some' main stream stuff as well at times, how welcoming is this community? Does the community tend to be you are either this or you are that, you're a straight hippy or you're a main streamer.. black/white type of thing? I am a person who loves an erray of things and would love to find a place w/similar style hince I have not found that in Atlanta. What can I expect to pay for a 1 bedrm lets say 1000 sq ft apt in downtown, are there even places downtown to live? Also, I have noticed it seems like a good bit of Asheville people are coupled up, is there a single scene there as well or are most people here to settle w/their little families leaving it mostly impossible to meet other singles in my age range? Any thoughts/ideas would be great! Thanks!!

I noticed there have already been a few postings about moving to Asheville however, I may be a bit diff then what I saw on here. A little about me: I have lived in Atlanta for the past 4 yrs before that I roamed around after college living a bit of a gyspy life style. Currently 29 yr old female and thinking of moving to Asheville. I am up in the mtns every weekend b/c I enjoy the outdoors A LOT as well as an avid kayaker in which I have decided why not move up there which seems to be a perfect fit for me. I have visited a few times and spent last weekend up there feeling out the city and have some questions. I understand that Asheville is a small city but can you tell me how is the city life, the night life as well as people being out and about in the evenings, i'm more of a dinner/drinks type of girl more then clubbing it fyi? I def have a LARGE hippy side to me however, I do also enjoy 'some' main stream stuff as well at times, how welcoming is this community? Does the community tend to be you are either this or you are that, you're a straight hippy or you're a main streamer.. black/white type of thing? I am a person who loves an erray of things and would love to find a place w/similar style hince I have not found that in Atlanta. What can I expect to pay for a 1 bedrm lets say 1000 sq ft apt in downtown, are there even places downtown to live? Also, I have noticed it seems like a good bit of Asheville people are coupled up, is there a single scene there as well or are most people here to settle w/their little families leaving it mostly impossible to meet other singles in my age range? Any thoughts/ideas would be great! Thanks!!

Suggestions for where to stay & things to do (besides Biltmore of course!) in Asheville for a female traveling alone? I'd love to stay at smaller inn or B&B, but am on an extreme budget! Safety is MAJOR factor. Are there any cute country festivals/ fairs during summertime? Trying to go for a little retreat & alone time.

Is there local bus service to this area? Where are the closest chain hotels located nearby? Thanks for the help.