Asheville happens to be one my favorite cities. My husband and I took our first trip as a couple there and created lifelong memories. We visit Asheville at least once a year since it’s just two hours from Charlotte NC, so we’re quite familiar with the area now. This is how to spend the day in Asheville, NC.
The mountains
You know when you’re reading a book and there’s a part where the girl takes a road trip on a beautiful summer’s day. She has an iced cold drink in her hand, singing her favorite song at the top of her lungs, windows down and the fresh air blows through her curly hair..
That’s the best way to describe how I felt on my way to Asheville.
I always get nostalgic when we drive up the mountains because it reminds me so much of where I’m from, Sabie South Africa. When we drove up to Asheville, just about 20 minutes before we made it to the City, I put my phone down and looked up at the beautiful mountains. It’s looks unreal, like a canvas. Pictures seriously don’t do justice to how amazing it looks in person.
Ukiah Japanese Steakhouse
This was our first stop when we got to Asheville, we were famished. I was so pleased with myself when we left the restaurant because my husband is usually the person that picks the best spots. I did it this time! If you love aesthetics and Japanese food then Ukiah is the place to visit.
We started off with non alcoholic drinks, I had the Stimulation which was a subtly sweet and refreshing drink. Some of the ingredients include sugar cane, vanilla bean and ginger. If you like sweet drinks, get this one. My husband had the Hydration, his was more more minty and cool.
For starters we had crispy squid with salt and black chichimi pepper. Probably some of the best squid I’ve had, it was seasoned so well and the lemon just topped it off. If you love ramen, you have to try it at this restaurant. I had the Spicy Pork BBQ, I can’t explain how delicious the broth was, it had so much flavor in it. It also had cashew nuts which probably sounds strange to have in ramen but it worked! Also what’s ramen without a hard boiled egg right? My husband and I love trying ramen spots to decide which we like best and right now, for me at least Ukiah takes the lead.
The service was great, I was thoroughly pleased with the food and the restaurant overall was amazing.
Little Italy
Downtown Asheville is absolutely beautiful. My husband and I got to really enjoy it this time around because it wasn’t very busy which is quite strange for a Saturday afternoon. I call Downtown little Italy because that’s how I imagine Italy looks like. I’m going to try my best to describe it to you.
Take the time to walk around on a hot summer’s day, there are some buildings that look like ‘ancient’ modernized Rome sites. There are also street performers at every corner, very talented I might add. There was a man playing the violin and he brought me to tears, it was so good. You can’t go wrong with finding restaurants, they’re everywhere and because it’s getting warm outside most restaurants have seating outside which again gives it that Italian feeling.
The locals are super friendly and there’s always something to buy, you can’t leave Asheville empty handed. So we stopped by a few places..
Spice and Tea
I walk in any store that gets my attention, spice and tea happened to be one of them. It was my first time coming here, I told Montel that we needed some some spices and that was enough to convince him to come in with me. I didn’t know that they had tea as well until I got inside (I didn’t read the sign). It smells incredible in there, just different scents of spice and tea. We ended up getting tea instead of spices which probably was not the best idea because we did in fact need spice but their tea won us over. I bought the strawberries cloud white tea and Montel got the Root beer Chai Herbal tea. I obviously tried my tea when I got home, my husband warned me and it unfortunately smelled sweeter than it actually tasted but it was still good nonetheless.
Element tree essentials
This cute tiny store looked aesthetically pleasing so I had to go in to see what was going on. They sell candles but not just any candles…they sell lotion candles! I didn’t even know such a thing existed. You basically light the candle as you normally would and then use the melted wax as lotion. It surprisingly smells really good. They have all kinds of flavors, vanilla bean, grapefruit sorbet, golden amber sweet lemongrass and so much more. Felt a little weird to put on, I think the consistency is a little too thick for me from what I normally use but I just wanted to try it. My husband on the other hand really loves it. So if you love candles and lotion and want a two in one stop by Element tree essentials.
Trade and Lore coffee
We stop by this coffee shop every time we come to Asheville, Trade and Lore coffee, it’s become tradition. I have the same drink every time, iced chai tea in the summer and hot chai in the colder seasons. I promise you it’s some of the best chai you’ll ever have. The best part about coming here during the warmer seasons is that you get to sit outside and enjoy a small portion of beautiful Asheville. It’s a busy street which makes it so much more fun, there’s a popular café right across the coffee shop that I’m yet to try, street performers who keep us entertained and locals just enjoying a beautiful day cycling, jogging or just walking by with a cup of coffee.
Inside the coffee shop is just as great, I love cosy spaces that feel like home and that’s the vibe it gives me. There’s limited seating but when you get a spot it’s definitely worth it. We’ve sat inside only once, it’s always packed when we stop by. Outside is just as great as inside though, you don’t lose.
Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar
This bookstore is so special to me. When my husband and I had first started dating I told him how much I loved to read and enjoyed going to bookstores because they felt like a safe place for me. I loved bookstores then, I still do but don’t go as much anymore. When we came down to Asheville for the first time, it was his birthday so I wanted him to do whatever he wanted. He decided to surprise me instead and took me to this bookstore. He was so proud of himself.
I love this bookstore because there’s so much going on, they have a seating area outside where you can enjoy lunch, there’s a coffee shop vibe inside and books everywhere. We stop by here all the time, it’s usually one of the lasts things we do only because it’s quite a distance from all the other things that we like to do. I would love to one day have time for a glass of wine and charcuterie board with Montel and then buy a book to take home with me afterwards.
Bee Charmer
Any honey flavor that you can think of you can find at this cute little bee store. They have honey in every flavor, my husband and I started a collection. This time we got lavender and vanilla bean flavors. I also bought myself the most beautiful necklace, I happened to spot it as my husband was checking out our items. It’s the cutest necklace I own to date.
This shop has so much more than honey, they have soap, candles, jewelry, sweatshirts and so much more. It’s worth stopping by.
Sunshine Sammies
Sunshine sammie’s is a nice place to stop by on a hot day, their ice cream is delicious! I also tried snickerdoodle cookies for the first time and I am obsessed. It’s a cute spot, aesthetically pleasing with the friendliest staff. Definitely stop by when you get the chance.
I highly recommend going to the mountains especially if you’re a little tired of the city life. Asheville is so beautiful and there’s lots to see. The locals are so friendly and are happy to help or answer any questions you may have for them. One place I would love to visit is Biltmore, the biggest house in America. Go to their wine tasting, maybe have a cute picnic setup. I can’t wait to scratch that off my bucket list.
I love Asheville and hopefully after reading this you fall in love and make plans to visit soon.
xoxo Mrs Lyles
