Last month, David and I had a casual weekend in Asheville getaway with our boys to celebrate David’s birthday. Truth be told, I was a bit nervous about bringing the boys with us; however, we had a perfect, casual weekend with them and Asheville makes it really easy to get around with your dogs. It is known as Dog City USA, after all! We did a trip a few years ago to Asheville with them; however, we really didn’t take them everywhere with us. So, here is the itinerary from our weekend in Asheville and the best things to do with your dogs while in town.
A Casual Weekend in Asheville: the Best Things to Do with your Dogs
What to Do
Explore Catawba Falls
I’m not a big hiker, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect for Catawba Falls. I was pleasantly surprised and it was a fun hike to take the boys since they got to go swimming. The trailhead is well marked east of Asheville in Old Fort. The trail is about 3 miles total, and is well shaded. It’s not too steep and there are so many beautiful falls. I highly recommend this hike for the scenery, the exercise, and the adventure.
Stroll the River Arts District
One of our favorite parts of Asheville in the River Arts District. There are so many murals, art galleries, restaurants, breweries, and shops that make it a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Check Out the Breweries
Asheville is known for its breweries and David requested to explore some new-to-us breweries. There were quite a few good ones right around our Air BnB, so add these to your list when you visit Asheville. All of these breweries were incredibly dog friendly and made it easy for our pups to get comfortable on top of having great brews.
Hike Bearwallow Mountain
After hiking Catawba Falls on Saturday morning, I had similar expectations for Bearwallow Mountain. This was a much more strenuous hike than what I anticipated. It’s pretty narrow in parts and steep, but worth it for the 360 view of the mountains in the clearing. The boys really enjoyed this walk and they slept for quite a while once we got them home.
Where to Eat
Have Friday Night Pizza from Pizza Mind
Pizza Mind was recommended to us by my friend Chana and it was delicious! David ordered the Doctor and I ordered the white pizza and would highly recommend. Their fried green beans looked ridiculously good as well!
Grab Breakfast Sandwiches from West End Bakery
We picked up breakfast sandwiches from West End Bakery on our way up to Catawba Falls. They aren’t currently serving food in the restaurant, but their patio is open. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese on wheat bread.
Pick up Lunch from Wayside Village Grill
On our way back from Catawba Falls, we ordered takeout from Wayside Village Grill in Biltmore Village. David ordered the TOP sandwich with sweet potato tots and I ordered the gyro with housemade chips.
Enjoy a Riverside Dinner at Smoky Park Supper Club
Smoky Park Supper Club served up my very favorite meal of the weekend with a gorgeous view. There are so many picnic tables and Adirondack chairs scattered around the yard. This is another restaurant that isn’t offering indoor seating. There are fire pits to keep warm once it cools off. David ordered the smoked brisket sandwich and I got the shrimp po’ boy. We cannot recommend this spot enough!
Stop at Biscuit Head for Breakfast
I have a running list of restaurants and places to try and Biscuit Head is one of the places that has been on there for quite some time. There was a location right near our Air BnB, so on our way out of town, we ordered online and picked it up to go. There were options for outdoor dining and take out, so this worked out nicely and we had a brief wait to get our food. We opted to eat in the car since we had the boys and our luggage already packed. David ordered sausage gravy and a biscuit while I opted for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and a side of pimiento cheese grits.
A Casual Weekend in Asheville: Where to Stay
A Pet-Friendly Private Suite Near Biltmore Village
We stayed in this private suite right near Biltmore Village and the River Arts District. It is a two room suite with a queen bed, full bath, and a gorgeous porch overlooking the mountains. We also appreciated the .5 acre fenced in back yard for Winston and Gizmo. It was a great location and the space was perfect for a weekend getaway.
Remember, if you use this link, you’ll get a discount on your first qualifying booking and I’ll get a little credit to use for a future trip, too!
Shop the Post
Have you spent a weekend in Asheville? Let me know in a comment below!
