A Five-Day Itinerary: The Adventurer
Day 1
Browse for gently used sports equipment at Second Gear, a consignment shop near RAD in Westgate shopping center. Then rent some wheels at Asheville E-Bikes to cruise the French Broad River Greenway, linking up with Karen Cragnolin Park. Check the status of the stretch of the Greenway that you plan to bike, as it was heavily impacted by the hurricane. End your day with a beer on the outdoor patio of Catawba Brewing, which often features live music.
Day 2
Set out on a nurturing and invigorating 2-mile yoga hike with Asheville Wellness Tours, or book a deeply relaxing three-hour forest bathing experience with this mind-and-body-focused company. Stop for a falafel bowl or a smoothie at Green Sage Cafe, which has three Asheville locations. Later in the afternoon, take a leisurely sunset drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping perhaps for a short hike. Check nps.gov/blri for the status of Parkway trails and open sections due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Day 3
Link up with a local rock-climbing guide at Guillard Climbing and work your way up either a single-pitch or multi-pitch route. Post-climb, wander the woods and get down in the dirt with the foraging experts from No Taste Like Home. Recap the day’s adventures with a watermelon margarita from the dramatic terrace bar at Montford Rooftop Bar, one of Asheville’s most brilliant sunset viewing spots.
Day 4
Jump in the car and point yourself south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Graveyard Fields. Make the gorgeous trek to Second Falls, where a beautiful waterfall awaits! Be sure to check the trail’s current status before going. Head west through gorgeous country to Weaverville to refuel with a hearty lunch at funky Stoney Knob Cafe, and then stroll the town’s local shops along Main Street. Be sure to stop in at Curtis Wright Outfitters to stock up on fly-fishing gear. Dance the night away at inclusive, late-night bar Banks Ave.
Day 5
Drive out through the serene and scenic countryside of Leicester for a goat yoga session at Franny’s Farm, where you can also explore the industrial hemp production. Head downtown to recharge by sipping on an organic, plant-based smoothie from Pulp and Sprout. Later that evening, laugh and sing your way around town via the LaZoom bus’ Fender Bender Tour, where you’ll “Hoppy On and Hoppy Off” at three local breweries.
