How to have the Perfect Thanksgiving in Asheville, NC
Posted On Monday, November 3, 2014
**Updated October 2016**
Thanksgiving in the Mountains: Things to do, Places to See
November is a beautiful time of year to visit Asheville. When you made your traveling plans you may have had the brilliant idea to capitalize on your already long Thanksgiving weekend and head out to the mountains of NC, and we want to make sure you have the best experience that the fall season in Asheville can afford you. We all know that Thanksgiving is a day set aside to remember the good things in life, and as the name implies, give thanks for them! A long weekend lazing about your rental, taking long hikes, eating the delicacies of the holidays, and exploring one of the most amazing scenic towns in America is the best way to spend your long weekend. To make sure you get the most out of your time in Asheville this Thanksgiving, read this post... you'll be thankful you did!
If you go out for your Thanksgiving feast...
Finding a restaurant that over a holiday weekend can be a challenge when in Asheville. Fortunately for you, Asheville has some fantastic options for everyone ranging from buffets to formal meals! The Biltmore Estate restaurants are open, and while it may not be the first thing you think of, the estate is usually pretty empty on Thanksgiving and what better way to finish an almost exclusive day at one of North Carolina's most beautiful homes than to eat there? From buffets to formal three course meals, Biltmore has something for everyone! Also in Biltmore Village the Grand Bohemians Hotel's restaurant The Red Stag has a special Thanksgiving menu! The Grove Park Inn also has several dining options open to provide you a variety of experiences to choose from, including: Blue Ridge, Edison, and Vue 1913. The Hilton Hotel Biltmore Park's Roux (in South Asheville) is also open with a Thanksgiving-style buffet, to include local meat and produce as well as gluten-free options. For something a little more laid back without sacrificing your standards for quality Buffalo Nickel in West Asheville may be a great solution for you.
If you're already walking around downtown and driving around to find the perfect place for your Thanksgiving dinner sounds like more effort than any turkey is really worth, don't stress about it! There are some awesome restaurants in downtown Asheville keeping their doors open to help you satisfy whatever craving you have! Storm Rhumn Bar & Bistro, Isa's Bistro, and Pack's Tavern are all having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner! check out their menu's to see which one is the best fit for you! If turkey, pie and all the fixin's just don't sound that good this year, downtown also offers several restaurants whose doors stay open and menus remain the same! Strada Italiano and Carmel's, as well as, the Blackbird Cafe, Bier Garden, and Rosetta's Garden all stay open with their menu's in tact!
To work up an appetite or off the calories...
As wonderful as eating is, there's really only so much of it you can do in a day, even Thanksgiving Day, and in Asheville we have an abundance of activities for you to choose from! As I touched on earlier, Biltmore Estate is open on Thanksgiving day at it's usual price and has the benefit of being mostly empty on Thanksgiving as well as being completely decorated for the holiday season! All of the hiking trails are open on Thanksgiving Day, including those that pass by Asheville's famed waterfalls. For some less intensive hiking, roam around Asheville's Arboretum. Depending on the weather, skiing may open up Thanksgiving weekend as well, making a hot dinner that much more comforting. Both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park will also be open for visitors on Thanksgiving day and offer something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Don't forget to take in the amazing shopping opportunities in downtown Asheville and even on the Biltmore Estate on Black Friday! A plethora of shops provide you with great sales on classy, unique and just down right peculiar Asheville wares. It's a great opportunity to get a jump on your Christmas shopping (or to snag a couple of those things that caught your own eye) as well as being a great way to support local artisans and craftsmen! Black Friday also marks the beginning of the the Christmas season at Diana Wortham Theatre, beginning with Dickens' A Christmas Carol!
Regardless of if you like to stay busy or just relax around your cabin, Asheville has a Thanksgiving weekend you'll love to experience and cherish for years to come. Comment below to let us in on your favorite part of Thanksgiving weekend!
