The beauty that North Carolina possesses doesn’t get talked about enough. Often overlooked when it comes to places in the U.S. to visit, but it has a lot to offer that people should know about it. So let’s start with Asheville. An artsy town just two hours from Charlotte, it has a vibe of its own with an abundance of things to do.

When I arrived in Asheville, the first place I stopped (before even checking into my hotel) was the highly-rated Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack. Let me just say— it was so good that I ate there twice during my two-day trip. The chicken on my sandwich had the perfect crispiness and the seasoning on the crinkle fries was chef’s kiss.

After getting the fuel needed to explore Asheville, I headed to America’s largest home, The Biltmore Estate. The jaw-dropping estate was built between 1889-1895 and has an astounding 250 rooms covering 8,000 acres of land.

While walking through the home, it was crazy to think that people actually lived in a house that big. The Rockefellers were definitely a different kind of ‘extra.’ The property also has a winery with a complimentary tasting, restaurants, shops, and gardens open for exploring. The best part— you’re free to roam the estate at your own pace and direction.

Now let’s tap into Asheville’s nature scene. A great resource to find outdoor activities is Explore Asheville. This quaint town has fly fishing, hiking and kayaking just to name a few. I opted for something I’ve never done before and chose fly fishing.

It was hands down the most relaxing thing I’ve done this year. Just being immersed in the water and surrounded by nothing but trees and nature was everything I needed and more. We were knee deep in the water with our instructor for four hours and I could’ve easily stayed longer. That’s how calming it was to be out there fishing. The instructor (Mountain Fly Anglers) provided all of the fishing gear, so you just have to show up early and be ready to learn!

Before leaving Asheville, it was only right that I tried their famous breakfast spot, Biscuit Head. They have three locations so wherever you’re staying, you’re bound to be close to one. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit with freshly squeezed orange juice and my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. I thoroughly enjoyed the made-from-scratch biscuit which also came with three of their homemade jams on the side.

Two restaurants that I highly recommend for dinner are Chestnut and Bone and Broth.

Asheville has a huge selection of restaurants and safe things to do in a covid world. Don’t hesitate to put Asheville on your list of places to visit because it won’t disappoint!

Leave a comment if you’ve visited Asheville before or want to go after reading this post! :)