February 28, 2023
What to do in Asheville, NC on your Destination Mountain Elopement
Congratulations on your upcoming Asheville elopement! You have made the best choice for your intimate wedding ceremony (okay maybe we are biased), but Asheville is such a fun place to visit and we are excited to be a part of your special day.
Asheville is known for its picturesque mountain landscape, cultural attractions, quirky and alternative arts scene, healthy living and yoga, and definitely for delicious cuisine.
As a leading wedding elopement company in Asheville, we want to make your elopement experience unforgettable.
Here’s our guide on what to do in Asheville, NC on your destination elopement.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Asheville is home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country. Plan a hike to see the Blue Ridge Mountains, or stroll through the North Carolina Arboretum to see stunning gardens.
There are tons of waterfalls to explore in the area, including the iconic Looking Glass Falls which you can drive up to, and the picturesque Rainbow Falls. Nothing is cooler than sitting under the falls with the one you love and sharing a wet smooch!
Here are top 60 waterfalls near Asheville to choose from.
The perfect day for a nature lover could look like this:
Wake up and have coffee & breakfast downtown at Mayfel’s for Louisiana-style cooking & pick up lunch to-go from Green Sage Cafe.
Take a mountain hike on the parkway ( we recommend Black Balsam Knob via the Art Loeb Trail) then chase waterfalls at the 60 ft. Looking Glass Falls. Enjoy your packed lunch at the falls.
Visit the shops in nearby Brevard, NC and have dinner at The Square Root.
Drive back to Asheville & relax in your hotel or airbnb after a long day!
Taste Asheville’s Food Scene
Asheville is a foodie’s paradise, and you won’t want to miss out on the culinary delights of the city. From farm-to-table restaurants to street food vendors, Asheville has something for everyone. Make sure to try some of the local favorites like fried chicken, BBQ, and biscuits.
Some of the most popular places to eat in Asheville are:
Chai Pani – indian street food in downtown AVL
Rhubarb– freestyle American Cuisine in downtown
Curate – spanish tapas bar by renowned chef Katie Button in downtown
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack –chicken and waffles in West AVL
Nine Mile – a Caribbean-inspired, vegetarian-friendly restaurant & bar with three locations. A local favorite!
*Please check the hours and current menus of each restaurant for the most up-to-date information. This article was published in February 2023 for reference!
Breweries are also all over the place in Asheville. Check out Highland Brewing or Burial Beer Company.
Here’s a list of some of the best breweries.
Vegan and vegetarians will find some incredible spots to dine as well. For lunch check out Pulp & Sprout in North Asheville for raw vegan foods, juices, and smoothies or go downtown to Rosetta’s Kitchen for hearty vegan comfort food like tempeh wings, greens & cornbread, and buffalo cauliflower.
Head to Simple Cafe in West Asheville for everything from their tempeh reuben to vegan breakfast sandwiches, or Dobra Tea West for toasts, bowls, desserts, and of course tea in this Japanese style tea room. And don’t count out The Trashy Vegan for some good ole vegan junk food like loaded fries, tot burgers, or better yet a gluten-free doughnut burger!
For dinner, locals love the vegan options at Nine Mile (with locations in West, South, and North), downtown vegetarian cafe The Laughing Seed, and the upscale restaurant Plant in North Asheville (be sure to call for reservations). Don’t forget Polanco for tapas and Curate for their vegan options via their tapas/small plates like papas bravas and mushrooms.
Dobra Tea West in W. AVL
Need late night eat options for after your elopement? Here’s our guide!
A Perfect Day in Asheville for the Health Conscious Explorer or/and Vegan Foodie
Start your morning with coffee or matcha at Liberty House Cafe sitting in their gorgeous garden.
Then head next door to Asheville Yoga Center for a morning vinyasa or restorative class.
Walk a few doors down to Pulp & Sprout for lunch in their inviting cafe for raw vegan smoothies, juices, nut mylks, desserts like cheesecake, and small dishes like salads, sandwiches, and kitchari.
Jump in the car, pedal, or walk a few blocks over to Stillpoint Wellness for a saltwater float or/and an Esalen massage.
Refresh back at your hotel or Airbnb and then head over to Laughing Seed Cafe in downtown Asheville for a delicious dinner n’ stroll around AVL’s streets.
Visit Asheville’s Art Scene
Asheville is home to numerous galleries, museums, and art studios. The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, and you can spend hours exploring the various exhibitions and installations. Check out the Asheville Art Museum or take a stroll through the River Arts District to see some local artists at work. Meet Asheville artists as studios are open daily.
An Eclectic Day in Asheville for the Art Lover
Stay in a Unique Accommodation
Asheville has a variety of unique accommodation options that will make your elopement experience even more memorable. You can choose to stay in a cozy cabin in the mountains or a luxurious treehouse in the woods. If you prefer something more traditional, there are plenty of charming bed and breakfasts in the area.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is super popular for being a historic resort with restaurants, shopping, a renowned spa, and epic views of the mountains from their many porches and decks.
Here’s our list of cabins that can also double as your elopement location too!
Take a Relaxing Spa Day
Shoji Spa
After the excitement of your elopement, take time to unwind and relax with a spa day. Asheville has a variety of spas that offer massages, facials, and other treatments. Some spas even offer private couples treatments, making it the perfect way to end your special day.
Two places we immediately recommend are:
Shoji Spa – Japanese inspired with private hot tubs, outdoors in the forest with tea/champagne service and massage available.
The Grove Park Inn Spa – huge indoor spa complete with large swimming pools, cold plunge, hot tubs, steam rooms, outdoor hot tub, sauna and treatments like pedicures, massage, and. You can spend your entire day detoxing and replenishing here.
Go Thrifting + see Live Music!
Shopping for vintage or thrift items is super fun in Asheville. Check out Honey Pot Vintage, and Wildflowers Vintage.
Asheville is a place where dressing outside of the box is totally the norm!
A Perfect Day for a Music-Lover & Vintage Scavenger could be:
Shop during the day then wear your items out at night. Start your evening at an eclectic bars like One World West Brewing, then see a show at a music venue like Asheville Music Hall and Salvage Station – a big riverside venue that has been voted Asheville’s best place to catch live music. Bigger acts appear at The Orange Peel in downtown AVL as well so check the line-up for when you are eloping!
Sometimes there are outdoor festivals in the ampitheater downtown featuring local or well-known music acts. Make sure to check out the schedule of events, like the Shindig on the Green which happens annually celebrating traditional blue grass music.
Visit the Biltmore Estate
Pretty much everyone knows about the huge castle-like mansion and massive property tucked in the Asheville mountains right?
Well, if you don’t know, The Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville. The Biltmore House/main residence is a Châteauesque-style mansion built for George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 1800’s and is the largest privately owned house in the United States, at 178,926 sq. ft of floor space. Still owned by George Vanderbilt’s descendants, it remains one of the most prominent examples of Gilded Age mansions.
When you visit, get tickets to tour the house and check out the gardens, walking trails, sunflower fields (when in season) and their winery and restaurants. You can also stay at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. You can easily spend a whole day or two checking this place out, so enjoy it!
Rooftop Bar Hopping in Downtown Asheville
There are several awesome downtown Asheville rooftop bars with stellar views to choose from.
Grab a drink or dinner and peer out onto the mountain you’re going to marry or look over the land where you wed the day after the ceremony.
Here’s a few we love:
Hemingways – featuring traditional Cuban cuisine
The Montford Rooftop Bar – small bites & cocktails at the top of the Doubletree Hilton
Capella on 9 at the AC Hotel – incredible views of the city and Blue Ridge Parkway plus small plates & hand-crafted cocktails
Pillar Hotel – at the top of Hilton Garden Inn
Need help choosing what time of year to elope in Asheville?
We have guides for each season so you can learn the weather and what to expect each time of year.
How to Prepare for Unpredictable Weather at your Outdoor Elopement
We hope this guide has inspired you to make the most of your Asheville elopement. At our wedding elopement company, we are committed to making your elopement experience unforgettable and undeniably, authentically “you”.
Contact us today to start planning your dream destination elopement in Asheville.
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