A Post-Holiday Love Affair
***Affiliate Disclosure ***
Land2Shore LLC participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any affiliate partnerships, and all opinions expressed here are our own. Photos of the experiences featured in our blogs are taken by Nico and Kirsten during our adventures.
Every once in a while, Nico and I get the travel bug and like to escape the tropical Florida Keys. For this adventure we were craving mountain scenery with a great food scene and with a quick search on Google Flights we knew we couldn’t pass up a deal of $88 round trip tickets from Key West to Asheville, NC! The only down-side was that the deal was in JANUARY! It would be a gamble indeed as January would be considered “off season” for this Blue Ridge Mountain town. Hiking, outdoor activities and even the area’s biggest tourist attraction … The Biltmore Estate … may be limited or not accessible during our visit. Boy, we couldn’t have been more wrong! Not only did we have great opportunities with those adventures, but we found ourselves falling IN LOVE with Asheville in January! If you’re seeking a cozy retreat away from the bustling crowds, look no further than this enchanting city! Known for its breathtaking mountain views, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming locals, Asheville is the perfect destination to start the year anew.
Friendly Faces
You know that feeling when you land in a location and can instantly feel the vibe of what their city is all about? Asheville’s heartbeat was felt the moment we entered the airport. As Nico headed to the rental car counter conveniently located by the baggage claim area, I was greeted by an airport guest services host that made sure I knew which belt our luggage would be arriving on. As I waited, we talked about things to do in Asheville. This host was full of great advice and the hospitality that this region is known for. Just on time, Nico arrived with our car keys just as our luggage was coming out of baggage claim. He proudly giggled his vacation car keys and told me how nice the lady at Hertz was and that she had upgraded his vehicle free of charge. Happy husband! I’m loving this vacation already!
The heartbeat of Asheville definitely lies in its friendly and warm-hearted locals. Strike up conversations at local coffee shops, engage with artisans in the River Arts District, or simply share a smile with fellow hikers on the trails. Asheville’s community embodies the spirit of Southern hospitality, making visitors feel like they’ve found a home away from home.
No Shortage of Adventure
Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains in January was NOT on our list of things to do when we got to Asheville. In our minds, the lack of greenery and cooler temperatures wasn’t ideal for exploring the mountains. But on a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we found ourselves pulling over several times to take in the gorgeous scenery and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to follow a marked path that promised a 50-ft waterfall view at the end of the trail. What we found as we embarked on a scenic hike was that the crisp air invigorates your senses, and panoramic views await at every turn without the obstruction of greenery. The only downside was that we regretted not bringing our hiking boots!
Discover the River Arts District and Asheville’s Downtown shopping boutiques. Nico and I loved the Boho/Artisan-meets-Mountain Art & Crafts fusion of many of the shops in town. We wandered through eclectic galleries, watch local artisans at work, and found the perfect pieces to bring a bit of Asheville’s artistic flair back home.
Exploring the Biltmore Estate is always a must-do tourist adventure while in Asheville. However, a quick glance at their website enlightened us that the Biltmore Estate’s Christmas Hours ended on January 5th … and we arrived on January 7th! And while admission tickets were a steal at $70/person (versus $110/person during Christmas) we were bummed that we would be missing out on the gorgeous decor that the Biltmore is known for during the holidays. Boy, were we ever wrong! Not only did we not miss out on the stunning Christmas trees, garlands and holiday charm but there was NO crowds! We were free to explore the grounds for 2 days with our tickets and took advantage of our second day after a morning rain had come through the area. We ended up being one of 6 cars in the Biltmore Estates parking lot on this particular afternoon! It was truly magical to feel like we had the whole property to ourselves. We even witnessed a momma bear and her two adorable cubs exploring the grounds during our visit! We’ve definitely become fans of this glimpse into the Gilded Age and though the gardens were bare of their normal vibrant colors we did not feel like we missed out on the Biltmore Estates charm and elegance.
The Incredible Food Scene
Asheville’s culinary scene is a gastronomic journey, even in the post-holiday calm. Standard staples like BBQ and Southern comfort food will be found but also an eclectic variety of fusion restaurants vying for their name in the foodie forums. We originally followed the recommendations given by Infatuation or Asheville Foodies but found that the locals were enthusiastic in their recommendations as well. We can honestly say that we were pleasantly surprised at the level that Asheville is competing on the culinary stage!
Brewery Heaven! Asheville boasts a thriving craft beer scene and for those that love to select their favorite brew like they choose their favorite player on a sports team you will feel like you discovered Meca. Being a self-proclaimed IPA snob, Nico was excited for the chance to “critic” his selections and banter with the bartenders stretching their brewing knowledge with him. And while I’ve never been a huge beer fan, I was thrilled with the variety of Kombuchas and hard ciders to try. My favorite was the Sierra Nevada Brewing’s Strainge Beast Watermelon, Sea Salt, Lime & Mint … SO good!
James Beard Award winning Chefs have found their home in Asheville’s food scene, bringing vibrant flavors and fusions that almost seem out of place in a city that has such a casual mountain village feel. We highly recommend staying in a hotel in Asheville’s Downtown area as it will put many of the area’s best restaurants within walking distance (and helpful after a night of over-indulging). We particularly enjoyed Chai Pani (Indian fusion), Curate Bar de Tapas (Spanish tapas) and 12 Bones BBQ (Southern BBQ)
January in Asheville is a magical escape, where the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains meets the warmth of its people. Whether you’re savoring farm-to-table delicacies, exploring artistic enclaves, or hiking the scenic trails, Asheville offers a post-holiday haven that captures the essence of a true Southern gem. Embrace the charm, relish the flavors, and let Asheville’s welcoming spirit leave an indelible mark on your heart.
