I went to college about 20 minutes outside of Asheville, North Carolina, it’s a fantastic city filled with history, nature and has quickly become a hot spot for great, local dining.  This upcoming weekend is the Type-A Parent Conference in Asheville and I’m excited for bloggers to explore the city I once called home.  I’m sad I won’t be attending, but we’ve got a celebration going on here at home – it’s my sweet Molly’s 1st birthday on Thursday.

So for all you Type-A attendees, here are some of my favorite places to see while you are in Asheville.

Image courtesy of the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Hungry? There is no shortage of food in Asheville!  Check out the Early Girl Eatery (Vegan and Gluten-Free friendly and a short walk from the hotel!).  The Tupelo Honey Cafe, also located Downtown, is known for using fresh, local ingredients. In the mood for pizza and beer?  Check out Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria – fantastic food and a great selection of beer! Portion sizes are huge, so bring a friend or two!

Biltmore Estate - Image Courtesy of Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Are you a history buff?   Then you’ve gotta check out the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn Resort.  Don’t make the same mistake I did at the Biltmore Estate …. you can’t just go do a “drive-by” of the house.  Yep, I asked the security guard that one day – he scoffed at me.  (Looking back, I don’t blame him.)  Formerly the Vanderbilt Estate, the house alone is four acres, but don’t worry you don’t tour the *entire* house. I recommend planning to spend an entire day at the Estate and upgrade to do the audio tour, it’s a great way to learn about the house itself.  Be sure and check out the winery and leave plenty of time to explore the gardens.

The Grove Park Inn Resort opened in 1913 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Spend time in the main lobby, also known as the Great Hall – it’s a great place for people watching and the 14-foot fireplaces are a “must see”.

Image courtesy of the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Love the outdoors?  If you have time, visit the Blue Ridge Parkway!  When I lived in Western North Carolina, I loved spending my Saturdays cruising the parkway and exploring hiking trails.  Check out this post I did last year about Graveyard Fields and the Pisgah Inn . Those are both my favorite spots along the Parkway.  And just because it’s June, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pack a light jacket.  I visited the Parkway in late April a few years ago and saw snow!

Image Courtesy of Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Have you ever been to Asheville?  What was your favorite thing to see/do/eat there?! If you’re going to Type-A conference this week, enjoy yourself and enjoy exploring Asheville!  I can’t wait to hear all about your experience…and the conference too!

For more information on Asheville, check out the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

** I received no compensation for this post.  Thoughts and opinions here are 100% my own. **