Asheville suggestions??

[zack_adcock]

I'm going to be in Asheville for a night June 4, coming back from North Carolina and on my way out to festival.  I'm already disappointed to miss the Mumford & Sons / Low Anthem show by only a couple of days, and I'm hoping someone can cheer me up by helping me out finding:

1) A hotel or b&b that doesn't cost a million dollars and isn't too far from "town"

2) Breakfast, dinner, and/or beer suggestions -- last time we went to Barley's and I was happy with the beer selection there.

Thanks to the Ashevillians and other travelers for your advice!

Z

[Debbiefromtucson]

Talk To Dayton and Lalagay

[dayton]

Dayton and Lalagay's top three picks in Asheville:
#1 Jack of the Wood http://jackofthewood.com/
This is our favorite place.  Every Thursday there is a stellar and usually packed bluegrass jam.  Awesome, awesome pickers every time and usually local stars from bands like Town Mountain, Dehlia Low, Natural Bridge, Shannon Whitworth Band show up too.  Plus they own and operate their own brewerey Green Man Ales and this is one of the best beers in town in my opinion.

#2 Wedge Brewery http://wedgebrewing.com/Wedge_Brewing/Welcome/Welcome.html
Asheville was titled beer city of the year 2010 winning over cities like Portland and Boulder and the wedge brewey in my opinion has the absolute best beer ever created.  The Iron Rail IPA and the Golum High Gravity Belgium are not to be missed.  And the Wedge is located in the center of the River Arts districts with many art galleries t o walk around and tour.
 
#3 Westville Pub http://www.westvillepub.com/
In the heart of Westville (a west asheville neighborhood) an old friend of mine, Murph describes the scene as the "New Haight".  If you start at the Westville Pub with a beer you can take a walk on Haywood Rd and run into the hippest bars, coffeeshops, restaraunts, co-ops, markets, hostels, and kind people around.  Super local and chill, the Westville is totally Asheville. 

and if you can make it by June 1st, Sara Jarosz is playing at the Grey eagle that night http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

 Listening to: Old Crow Medicine Show on Prairie Home Companion 5/7/11

[dayton]

as for hotels...

the dowtown inn http://downtowninnandsuites.com/ is the place to stay in town.  its basically similar to an old days inn that is now locally owned and bit nicer... the best rates around and the most central place there is.  this is right across from Jack of the Wood and walking distance from everything there is in the center of downtown, which is where most everything is such as restaraunts, shops, parks, people, music, bars, etc... i checked too and a reservation now for june 4th here is just 77 bucks!

and if you're looking for hostel that's got a good location and friendly people, then here is one in west asheville http://bonpaulandsharkys.com/ the sweet pea's hostel http://sweetpeashostel.com/ is in central downtown and located in the top floors of a building that is also home to a nice brewery, music venue, and restaruant call the LAB (Lexingtion Avenue Brewery).

and as for B&B... I would google "Montford Bed and Breakfast in Asheville".  Montford is an older and very nice neighborhood where there are several bed and breakfasts in beautiful old southern homes.

 Listening to: Garrison Keiler Prairie Home Companion 5/7/11

[UselessJo]

Holy crap! Now I'm going to plan a trip to Asheville!   

 Listening to: Bela & The Flecktones, Sinister Minister

[Auntie Hope]

Holy crap! Now I'm going to plan a trip to Asheville!   

... and I'm right behind you! Great info Dayton! 

Auntie Hope 

[gapple]

Sam Bush will be in Newton, about 60 miles east of Asheville on June 10.  Come join us for some prefest.

http://www.newtonnc.gov/news/default.asp?key=2343


 Listening to: Grace Potter

[gapple]

Check out Grey Eagle, Orange Peel and Pisgah Brewing Company for other music......

[jerryfreak]

All solid advice above.  Here's a few more...

Thirsty Monk (two locations; one in downtown and another in South Asheville) is my favorite beer bar in town (I've never actually been to the South location).  Upstairs they have a nice selection of American brews on tap and downstairs is the Belgian bar (get a beer and hang out downstairs). 

For breakfast, Tupelo Honey  is a must!  They also have locations in downtown and South Asheville.  Be prepared to wait at the downtown location (worth the wait)... the South location is larger and they take reservations (downtown does not). 

Another great breakfast spot is Sunny Point Cafe in West Asheville. 

I've never had anything other than breakfast at those two places, but I'm sure it's all good. 

I second the Wedge and Pisgah Brewing recommendations... I always stop by Pisgah  when we're in the area.  For the best selection of regional beers, Barley's is the place. 

 Listening to: Infamous Stringdusters 10/15/2010

[lalagay]

Ooooooh I can never say enough good things about Asheville!!!
Actually, maybe I should keep quiet so that it stays the best kept secret in NC.... 
Can't resist to help out a fellow festivarian though!
Dayton's already mentioned our favorite places, and I definitely want to second Thirsty Monk for beer tasting (it's more like a wine bar for beer rather than a hangout, what a selection!), and Sunny Point for breakfast in West Asheville: so many breakfasts and never a dissapointing one! 
Early Girl Eatery downtown is also great for breakfast.
The Laughing Seed (above Jack of the Wood) is listed as the best vegetarian in the area.
Barley's do great pizza by the slice.
Clingman Ave coffee shop in the river arts district do the best stuffed bagels EVER! And their coffee is great!
I'd recommend the sweet pea's hostel downtown for a cheap place to stay in the heart of it all.

Enjoy your time in my favorite city