Asheville, North Carolina is a vibrant and eclectic mountain town that's definitely worth a visit! Downtown Asheville is known for its stunning natural beauty, locally-owned boutiques and art galleries, distinctive restaurants, and exciting entertainment venues. Due to its proximity to the great outdoors, you can explore the surrounding mountains, hike endless trails, or simply stroll around the famous Biltmore House.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll definitely love the local breweries, diners, and world-class restaurants. Visiting breweries is a must when visiting Asheville, but if you’ve already been to all the breweries or if that’s not your scene, here are some of the best alternatives to breweries in Asheville.
What Can You Do in Asheville Besides Visit Breweries?
Looking for something interesting and enjoyable to do in Asheville that doesn’t include breweries? Here are some of Asheville’s best alternatives to breweries:
- Cideries and Meaderies: Asheville is most well-known for its craft beer scene, but cider and meads are growing in popularity. Cider is naturally gluten-free and is essentially fermented apple juice, while mead is wine fermented from honey.
Asheville is home to several cideries and meaderies that specialize in making delicious hard cider and mead from locally-sourced apple and honey farms. A visit to a cidery and meadery can be a great way to experience something new while also supporting local agriculture.
- Wineries: There are several wineries in the Asheville area that produce locally-grown grapes. The wine options here are plentiful and delicious, and even the most devoted wine connoisseur can appreciate the selection. Many vineyards offer tastings and tours, along with visitors are able to learn more about the winemaking process.
The most notable winery in Asheville is Biltmore Winery, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre estate. With a Biltmore admission ticket, you can access the winery and enjoy a complimentary tasting.
- Coffee Shops: Amidst the fresh mountain air and beautiful mountain views, Asheville is the perfect backdrop for a nice cup of hot coffee. In fact, the city has a thriving coffee culture, with a number of independent coffee shops and roasters.
Many of these shops offer locally-roasted beans and a cozy atmosphere, making them a great place to hang out with friends or read a good book.
- Chocolate Shops: Along with its craft breweries, wine bars, and coffee shops, Asheville is known for its dessert scene. Asheville has several chocolatiers that produce high-quality, hand-crafted chocolates using locally-sourced ingredients.
Many of these shops offer tours, tastings, and classes, making them a great option for chocolate lovers. You can likely find truffles, chocolate bars, candied fruits, bonbons, hot cocoa, and so much more.
Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar In Asheville, NC
For those who enjoy live music and a more energetic atmosphere, dueling piano bars like Off The Wagon can be a great alternative to breweries. Off The Wagon has skilled and entertaining musicians who are known for their ability to play a wide variety of music genres as they challenge each other on stage in a friendly musical competition.
The bar offers ample space for patrons to sing and dance to their heart's content, and the drinks are reasonably priced, with a good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
If you’re looking for a unique and entertaining nightlife experience in Asheville, North Carolina, be sure to check out Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar.
