Laura Bernhein
Born in Argentina, Laura is a journalist who's lived in Asheville for 10 years. She loves all things Asheville, from the vast business scene to the beautiful nonprofits, magical people, and marvelous nature. She loves being involved in projects that are the change she wants to see in the world.
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The Best Places to Shop in Downtown Asheville
With an exciting mix of over 200 locally-owned businesses, including top-tier cafés and restaurants, Downtown Asheville offers a super fun shopping experience. The diversity is impressive. You’ll find gems and fossils, quirky vintage items, yummy candy, unique art, handmade jewelry, and your quintessential hippy necessities (because… it’s Asheville!) – no doubt your stroll will end with your hands full of bags. In addition to an outstanding food scene and original shopping experiences, Downtown Asheville is home to fun events and festivals, murals, parks, and historical landmarks, many of which are highlighted on the Asheville Urban Trail you can follow while you shop. The center of Asheville is entirely walkable, and…
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Fun Things to Do as a Solo Traveler in Asheville
Traveling solo is one of my biggest passions. Following my rhythm, getting up late with no other plan than lounging at the beach while in Mexico, strolling the streets under a full moon at 1 am in Granada, or having dessert for dinner in Buenos Aires, I get to do whatever I want, and that’s a real treat. I love traveling with family and friends, but I’ll never stop gifting myself those “honeymoons with myself,” as I call them. Asheville is such a great place for solo travelers! It offers a great combination of places and experiences where you can be alone or mingle with locals to meet new friends…
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The 9 Best Places to Eat Mexican Food in Asheville
What’s not to like about Mexican food? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy a version of it, from the pickiest eater who goes with a simple quesadilla with no toppings (my son falls into this category), to those embracing more intricate flavors like the mole sauces (the mole negro, for example, boasts over 26 ingredients), Mexican food is for everyone. It even accommodates gluten-free and vegetarian diets very well. Mexico’s culinary heritage is exceptional and was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage due to its fusion of indigenous and European influences. This melding of ingredients, flavors, and cultural traditions has birthed the Mexican food scene we love…
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The 15 Best Places to Host a Baby Shower in Asheville
A baby’s arrival is one of life’s most joyful and exciting events – as pregnancy progresses, family, friends, and communities gather with anticipation to shower the expectant parents with love, well-wishes, and gifts as they prepare for this new chapter of their lives. Planning a baby shower is typically a collaborative effort that starts with choosing the perfect place to host the event, which – let’s face it – can be a dreadful process. Climate, parents’ preferences, and budget play a significant role. But I have great news: you can now relax if you are wondering where to host a baby shower in Asheville! I’ve compiled a list of some…
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The Best Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in Asheville
Asheville is an awesome place to raise kids. It offers access to the outdoors and nature, green areas for recreational activities, highly rated schools, and many family-friendly neighborhoods and activities. You’ll have the perfect place to give your kids an adventurous childhood. And for those families with fur babies, Asheville is one of the most dog-friendly towns in the nation! One of my favorite aspects of raising my now-teenagers in Asheville was being able to change from urban to natural scenarios in a short time. We could walk to our neighborhood’s coffee shop for breakfast, stop at the Asheville Museum of Science Downtown before lunch, and then picnic at a…
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14 Gorgeous Glamping Spots Near Asheville
Are you wondering what glamping is? It’s the marriage of glamour and camping. It involves having the best of both worlds – outdoors and comfort – in one lodging experience. Glamping is also a great introduction to the outdoors without sacrificing a good bed, a private bathroom, charming furniture, a sauna, or a hot tub. It’s also not giving in to the mosquitos and other bugs that are often the uninvited guests of camping adventures! You’ll love blending with nature from the deck of your treetop tipi and walking to a fully furnished space to make tea before sleeping in a bed with linen sheets. Or you might find yourself…
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6 Outstanding Dog-Friendly Hotels in Asheville
Asheville is the ideal destination for traveling with your furry friends. With everything from outdoor adventures, bars where pups can play off-leash in a playground with wading pools, and award-winning restaurants featuring dog menus, we have all your pup could want and more! Asheville takes its love for dogs to a new level with the country’s first Dog Welcome Center. Located in the heart of downtown, next to the famous Pinball Museum and by the Grove Arcade, this center is a haven for dog owners. Whether you need snacks, advice on dog-friendly activities and places to eat, or simply a place to rest, they’ve got you covered. Our area is…
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7 Amazing Hotels in Downtown Asheville, NC
Are you ready to visit Asheville and looking for a place to stay? Our city has lodging options for everyone – luxurious boutique hotels like the Omni Grove Park Inn, glamping in vintage campers, domes surrounded by baby goats, and even tree houses. We have incredible Airbnbs, romantic bed and breakfasts, and pet-friendly hotels where your fur babies are treated like royalty. Downtown Asheville is one of the best places to stay if you want to be within walking distance of award-winning restaurants, cafés, breweries, fun boutiques, and historical landmarks. You won’t have a dull moment downtown! The hotels here reflect the city’s eclectic, laid-back spirit. Many hotels feature works…
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The 15 Best Restaurants in Downtown Asheville, NC
Downtown Asheville might be small, but it has the city’s highest concentration of wonderful places to eat. Within a few walkable blocks, you can find James Beard award-winning restaurants, great spots for a quick yet excellent lunch, cozy cafes serving fabulous desserts, and eateries specializing in global flavors to satisfy every craving. Despite the eclectic offerings, all these restaurants embody the laid-back atmosphere of Downtown Asheville. Here, historic buildings and Art Deco architectural gems host a spirited mix of independently owned shops, boutiques, and galleries, creating a lively scene where buskers and pedestrians (and their pet snakes, parrots, and dogs!) mingle on the streets. If you’re wondering where to eat,…
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13 Fun Things to do in Asheville with Kids
Being from Argentina, a culture where kids are included everywhere, I wanted to find such a place in the United States. Asheville not only has lots of family-friendly things to do, but it’s also a very child-friendly town, offering some of the most important things any parent needs to raise a child and to have a fun family vacation: lots of outdoor time possibilities, yummy food, delicious desserts, and an engaging community. Kids are generally masters of living in the present, and when it comes to traveling, they set the rhythm. I’ve traveled with my kids, sometimes for extended periods of time, and I’ve loved rediscovering the world through their…
