Asheville’s most significant honor is to be known as “Dog City, USA.” This city loves dogs and welcomes them (almost) everywhere. There are lovely dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars (including a dog playground with a bar for humans!), and breweries to hang out with your best friend while exploring our fantastic food and beverage scene. Of course, the city’s green areas and surroundings make it an ideal place for the family’s furry members to join you on your trip! Also, most stores allow well-behaved dogs on leashes, and plenty of walkable neighborhoods will let you take your friend for a stroll. Did you know that our city features the first Dog…

Did you know that “Dog City, USA” is one of Asheville’s most prestigious titles? A quick Google search will show you that our city has been chosen multiple times as one of the friendliest towns in the United States. Of course, that level of care, service, and hospitality had to include being welcoming of man’s best friends: doggies! I couldn’t agree more with photographer and writer Roger Caras when he said, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” Traveling is not the same without them, and while some destinations are not suitable for their needs, Asheville is the perfect place for dogs to enjoy themselves…

Asheville is such an excellent place to set the mood for love. I’ve spent most of my time here as a single person, but I find myself falling in love daily with the mountains, the flowers, the leaves, the pale winter skies, and the wonderful community full of exciting businesses, art, and projects. I can’t imagine a better place to celebrate love in all its forms. Only you and your partner can decide when it’s the perfect time to ritualize your union, and there are places to get married in Asheville all year round. But, of course, there is a wedding season from May to November, with peaks in May…

It’s one thing to look in a new furniture magazine and decide that you must have the whole ensemble – the room will look nice, but you didn’t get to exercise much of your creative design prowess. The real challenge is finding items piecemeal, the way people often do when shopping in antique stores. The thrill of visiting a bunch of shops in Asheville and picking out the one gem of a piece that will tie a room together really cannot be beat! What’s even nicer is that many of the best antique stores in Asheville are easy to get to and full of treasures waiting for the right owner.…

If you’re visiting Asheville or even moving here, you’re likely to be impressed with our many beverage options. From beer and coffee to kombucha and ginger beer, we have plenty for those who want to partake in the local drinks.  An interesting fact, however, is that we’re also a place that is fiercely local and loyal to our other brands, and if you know you’ve got a need for a gift basket coming up, you’ll do well to check out the options here.  While this is far from an exhaustive list of local Asheville brands, finding a way to try some of these can be a fun little scavenger hunt…

There are all kinds of amazing shows in Asheville, from improv comedy and dance performances to theater and live music. But I’d say the most impressive show of all is put on by the mountainsides themselves in October, when the leaves flare red, orange, and yellow and become an incredible backdrop.  If you thought this was the best time to visit Asheville, you would have good company: lots of people drive to the mountains this time of year specifically to take in the natural splendor of autumn. The good news is that once you’re here, there are lots of fun things to do in town, even when you’ve gotten your…

Asheville in February is a transitional time between the winter and the spring. Hence, the weather can be very unpredictable. We have frigid days (some of the coldest days of the year can happen during February) and some days when nature teases us about the beautiful spring yet to come.  The daffodils, snow crocus, and winter aconite on the ground make it even more confusing (and pretty!). I love seeing the first splashes of color and the brighter shades of green. February is the month of Valentine’s Day, a celebration that’s thankfully turning into a day to celebrate love in all forms: friendships between humans, friendships between pets and humans,…

I love Asheville in December. Although I’m not a big holiday person (my motto is: every day is a holiday!), I do enjoy joyful activities and beautiful light displays. December is a great month to visit Asheville – it’s festive, there are many things to do, and the winter weather is gentle.  The average temperature is 50°F/31°F, but I’ve had a Christmas wearing a t-shirt and seeing a powerful thunderstorm and another magical white Christmas in 2020 (the year we needed to end the year with a beautiful surprise!). So, if you’re planning to visit Asheville in December, dress in layers. December means different things to different people. For some,…

I once read that “when someone falls in love with your flowers and not your roots, they don’t know what to do when winter comes” (Anonymous). Popular wisdom always encrypts some truth. Loving the seasons of the year and the seasons of your life is a crucial element to happiness! Asheville in January is very special and has a sweet intimacy. The introvert in me (I also have a very loud extrovert who shows up in spring!) loves the quieter streets of downtown, the less crowded restaurants, and the beautiful light in the winter afternoons.  If you want a less touristy and more authentic experience, January is one of the…

If you think that fall in the mountains is just the best, you’re in good company – many would agree that the best time to visit Asheville is in the autumn. Many of the things to do in Asheville in September are the same as the rest of the year, but with the addition of temperate weather, incredible colorful leaves on the trees, and crisp, cool nights perfect for a little backyard fire pit session and a relaxing drink.  However, just because you visit during the beginning of autumn doesn’t stop you from trying everything else the city has to offer beyond fall-related activities – there are just so many…