Sometimes, the small school environment can get to be too much. Even at a great school like Davidson, seeing the same people day after day and doing basically the same thing every time you go out can get repetitive. For this monotony, the perfect medicine is a weekend getaway. Grab your best friends or your bae, and hit the road for a perfect weekend in Asheville.
Asheville is an easy two-hour drive from campus, so leaving around 9 or 10 in the morning gives you enough time to find parking and grab a bite to eat in the city. Asheville has a great food scene, especially if you’re into wholesome, fresh, simple southern food with a modern spin. Bonus: all the restaurants seem very accommodating for vegans and vegetarians. A great spot for lunch on the weekends is Chestnut. Their menu offers brunch staples, such as cinnamon rolls, omelets, and waffles with a classy spin.
Next, hop back in the car and set your GPS for the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in the country and sits on almost 11 acres of beautiful land. The house has been turned into a walk-through museum with self-guided tours, and the grounds boast gardens, a greenhouse, a lake, and a functioning farm for visitors to explore. Perhaps the best part of the estate is the flexibility you have with your visit. With the purchase of a ticket, you get access to the whole property, and you’ll find that you feel delightfully unsupervised for most of the time.
After a full afternoon at the Biltmore, you need the perfect place to watch the sunset. The Grove Park Inn offers a stunning view of Asheville and its surrounding mountains in addition to being a beautiful resort. In the winter, the lobby is decorated for the holidays, complete with a hot chocolate store made entirely of gingerbread. Buy a drink, sit down, and enjoy the view.
By now, all the sightseeing has probably worked up your appetite. Head back into the heart of Asheville and put your name on the list at Tupelo Honey Cafe (trust me, no matter how long the wait, it’s worth it). While you’re waiting, you can poke around in the funky shops all along the street. Tupelo Honey Cafe is the epitome of hipster comfort food. Almost everything here is fried, cheesy, and delicious. I recommend the brie grilled cheese and french fries.
As for lodging, Asheville boasts an extensive range of Airbnbs at every price range, which are great for couples and groups. One great, affordable option can be found here.
The next morning, you can head back into the town and visit Double D’s Coffee and Desserts for breakfast. This isn’t your ordinary coffee shop; it’s located in a refashioned double decker bus.
After breakfast, you can either choose to explore Asheville’s arts district or head over to the Blue Ridge Parkway and go on one of the scenic hikes found along the road. The arts district offers demos of glass blowing, pottery making, and much more on the weekends.
The hikes, on the other hand, are some of the best that North Carolina has to offer, and many end with waterfalls.
Asheville is a great city with so much to offer. With its close proximity to campus, it makes for the perfect weekend getaway.
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