Five More Things to do in South Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
These here Asheville Cottages have a lot going for them. Full kitchens. Gas fireplaces. Hot tubs. Grilles. Hot tubs. Heck, if I were staying here, I’d have trouble finding a reason to leave.
Side by side with these amenities, you’ve also got yourself a prime location in south Asheville, within a short drive to a great many awesome things to do, some of which I’ve covered right here.
But here in Asheville, there’s always new restaurants popping up, new attractions opening their doors, plus all the landmarks that I just didn’t have time to address the last time. So here I am rounding up all the best things to do in south Asheville that slipped the net, giving you just that many more options for your visit to the Paris of the South. Something in here’s bound to drag you out of that hot tub, I’m sure.
Out of the hot tub, and into the river, as the old saying goes. The idyllic French Broad winds its way all through all of Asheville, fringed by shaded forest slopes, filled with mountain trout, furtive turtles, and potentially, you and your loved ones, cruising downriver in state-of-the-art relaxation tubes.
My go-to for this classic Ashevillean amusement is Zen Tubing. Luckily for you, their south Asheville landing point is only five minutes away from Asheville Cottages. Simply reserve your spots on their website, drive on down, take their bus upriver, and spend a lazy afternoon soaking in the sun and crystal mountain waters. At the end of it, you’ll be right back where you started; just five minutes back to that aforementioned Asheville Cottages hot tub.
Tubing season typically starts in late May and ends in early September. Personally I’d try to hit this south Asheville amusement at either end of the season (for the mildest weather), but if you do end up going at summer’s height, well, I guess that’s what the water is for.
Be sure to check the forecast for rain though. And if worst comes to worst, you can always take a look at the best rainy day things to do in Asheville.
When I got to rounding up all my favorite south Asheville eateries, I realized nearly all of them were breakfast joints. Is this a reflection on me, or is it a reflection on south Asheville? Have I overlooked some worthy restaurants in my insatiable drive for breakfast fare? Or indeed, could it be that south Asheville calls to me because it has what I crave (bacon, pancakes, scrambled eggs)?
I think it's the latter. Fact is, no matter what breed of breakfast precisely strikes your fancy, south Asheville has you covered.
For a lighter breakfast, perfect for initiating a day on the Blue Ridge Parkway or exploring some of Asheville’s satellite towns, I’ve been getting a lot of mileage out of Biltmore Park’s Mosaic Café. Fair prices, hot coffee, fast service, and delectable breakfast sandwiches. What more could you want?
Well, if the occasion calls for a more upscale breakfast experience, then stick around in Biltmore Park for Another Broken Egg Café. It’s got a chic-yet-casual vibe perfect for impressing the in-laws, plus platters stacked high with decadently-dressed pancakes, seasonal skillet specials, and a full menu of brunch-y cocktails.
Now Broken Egg gets to be a popular place, particularly for weekend brunch, so I typically see a wait of say five to fifteen minutes. It’s all worth it though, once you get your hands on some of their biscuit beignets.
Last, but not least, if a real authentically Ashevillean breakfast is what you want, then look no further than south Asheville’s Biscuit Head. Sprung out of groovy west Asheville, this local franchise specializes, as you might guess, in biscuits. Biscuits and eggs, fried chicken and biscuits, sweet biscuits, savory biscuits, all the biscuit classics, plus a dynamite selection of gravies and jams.
If all that isn't enough reason to start your day of exploring Asheville off bright and early, I don't know what is.
Typically, I'm a proponent of thrifting, but the fact is, sometimes you just can’t find exactly what you’re after in those jumbled and mysterious racks. That’s where Asheville’s Tanger Outlets come in, stocked full of every designer brand from New Balance to Ralph Lauren. And like Zen Tubing, it’s just five minutes away from Asheville Cottages.
Once you’re done shopping up a storm at the Outlets, you’re bound to be hungry. For lunch, I suggest venturing one intersection back down the road, where you’ll find Apollo Flame Bistro. This local favorite specializes in Greek and Italian, and with its plentiful seating, laid-back atmosphere, and dazzling dessert cabinet, it's no wonder Apollo Flame’s stood the test of time. My personal favorites are the gyros, meatball subs, and white pies.
I don’t get down to Rocky’s often enough, but every time I do, I come away impressed. Every southern town worth its salt has got to have something to offer in terms of fried chicken, and here in Asheville, Rocky’s heeds that sacred call.
For around fifteen dollars, you can get yourself two mighty pieces of perfectly fried Nashville-style hot chicken, plus two classic southern barbecue sides. I’m particularly partial to the okra; I understand this is controversial in some circles, but I stand by my choice.
Rocky’s is also the perfect place to grab yourself some Southern soul-food delicacies, ranging from breakout hits like chicken-and-waffles and fried green tomatoes, to the lesser-known delights of Cheerwine sauce and Coca-Cola cake.
If I remember rightly, last time I wrote about south Asheville, I suggested a visit to the Biltmore Estate. That recommendation stands, but if you want to extend your visit to the historic side of Asheville, then be sure to check out Biltmore Village, right on your way back to Asheville Cottages.
Originally built to house the Estate’s construction force, today Biltmore Village is a dreamy little remnant of the turn-of-the-century, populated by upscale apparel stores and Well-Bred Bakery & Café, one of my favorite spots in south Asheville for some afternoon pastries and coffee.
After your done checking out Biltmore Village, it’s only a fifteen minute drive back to Asheville Cottages. Or, if the mood strikes you, you could soldier on to downtown and the South Slope, ten minutes to the north. Either way, be sure to check out Biltmore Village’s All Souls Cathedral, built in 1896 in the Romanesque-revival style, making it one of the oldest buildings in Asheville.
Businesses Mentioned
Zen Tubing (South)
(855)-936-8823
1648 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Mosaic Café
(828)-676-2446
1 Town Square Blvd Suite 150, Asheville, NC 28803
Another Broken Egg Café
(828)-676-2823
27 Schenck Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28803
Biscuit Head (South)
(828)-585-2055
1994 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Tanger Outlets
(828)-667-2308
800 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack
(828)-676-3222
3749 Sweeten Creek Rd, Arden, NC 28704
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