Blue Ridge Bohemianism
Get Out of the Woods
Still unsure why anyone would want to leave the forest but we've heard people like to "get out" now and then. Here are the top destinations from Amadell.
A quintessential mountain town with a small downtown of local restaurants and homemade goods shops. Directly on the French Broad River, it's one of the few towns that intersects the Appalachian Trail so hikers can cross the bridge - you'll see the AT markers right on the sidewalk and will likely catch a sighting of them in the warmer months! The town is colored by the service of thru-hikers and has a great gear shop.
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Hot Springs
A quintessential mountain town with a small downtown of local restaurants and homemade goods shops. Directly on the French Broad River, it's one of the few towns that intersects the Appalachian Trail so hikers can cross the bridge - you'll see the AT markers right on the sidewalk and will likely catch a sighting of them in the warmer months! The town is colored by the service of thru-hikers and has a great gear shop.
The big city in these parts. A fun and vibrant downtown with gift, clothes, and specialty shops and highly rated unique restaurants - including several world famous chocolate parlors! Art museum, small concert venues, and of course MANY local craft breweries (as well as some national brands). Also has big city services like several Whole Foods and other grocery, pharmacy, etc.
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Asheville
The big city in these parts. A fun and vibrant downtown with gift, clothes, and specialty shops and highly rated unique restaurants - including several world famous chocolate parlors! Art museum, small concert venues, and of course MANY local craft breweries (as well as some national brands). Also has big city services like several Whole Foods and other grocery, pharmacy, etc.
Marginally closer than Asheville, Waynesville has a small downtown all its own with restaurants and a brewery. Local art and other goods shops too. It also is the closest place with major chain services like a full grocery store and pharmacy, etc.
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Waynesville
Marginally closer than Asheville, Waynesville has a small downtown all its own with restaurants and a brewery. Local art and other goods shops too. It also is the closest place with major chain services like a full grocery store and pharmacy, etc.
Get that Woo
Spiritual/"wooey" inclined shopping spots.
Best crystal shop in Asheville. They're wholesalers working direct with some mines abroad so they have a unique selection for prices you won't find anywhere else. Also lots of fossils.
Enter The Earth
1 Page AveBest crystal shop in Asheville. They're wholesalers working direct with some mines abroad so they have a unique selection for prices you won't find anywhere else. Also lots of fossils.
Crystal shop for the big spenders or if you want to behold some amazing gems. Majority of their stock is large and impressive, including an 8ft tall amethyst geode right inside the door.
Points of Light Crystal and Mineral Gallery
391 Merrimon AveCrystal shop for the big spenders or if you want to behold some amazing gems. Majority of their stock is large and impressive, including an 8ft tall amethyst geode right inside the door.
Say hey to Billy and Derek! Local music shop with a fantastic selection of singing bowls, gongs, bells, and lots of djembes. There are occasionally some amazing classes and events held there in the evenings.
Skinny Beats Drum Shop
4 Eagle StSay hey to Billy and Derek! Local music shop with a fantastic selection of singing bowls, gongs, bells, and lots of djembes. There are occasionally some amazing classes and events held there in the evenings.
Go-to all-around spiritual mart. Any accoutrements you need for some meditation, your altar, smudging wand, or a massive crystal scepter... find it here. Sometimes they also have a reader in the back.
Earth Magick
80 N Lexington AveGo-to all-around spiritual mart. Any accoutrements you need for some meditation, your altar, smudging wand, or a massive crystal scepter... find it here. Sometimes they also have a reader in the back.
It's a bit on the kitschy side, but this is the best collection of tarot and divination decks I've every seen. It spans the entire right wall of the shop. There are books to browse the deck and sample cards before you buy. If you're looking for a deck - go here.
Gaea Gifts
61 N Lexington AveIt's a bit on the kitschy side, but this is the best collection of tarot and divination decks I've every seen. It spans the entire right wall of the shop. There are books to browse the deck and sample cards before you buy. If you're looking for a deck - go here.
Do the Woo
Spiritual/"wooey" sorts of activities. Highly recommend picking up an Asheville Xpress to check what events are going on (though we try to always have the latest available to you in the rental).
Amazing practitioners and a very limited menu but an extraordinarily tasty cafe.
Alchemy: Tearoom. Apothecary. Acupuncture
62 Clayton StAmazing practitioners and a very limited menu but an extraordinarily tasty cafe.
Surround yourself with salt including a massive saline fountain! Amazing respiratory health benefits and also one of my favorite places to take a moment to relax/meditate/nap when I have a big day around town. Best to book in advance with them, but if you hit a slow say you jump in on the next session (usually every 30-45min).
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Asheville Salt Cave | Massage & Salt Spa Therapy
16 North Liberty StreetSurround yourself with salt including a massive saline fountain! Amazing respiratory health benefits and also one of my favorite places to take a moment to relax/meditate/nap when I have a big day around town. Best to book in advance with them, but if you hit a slow say you jump in on the next session (usually every 30-45min).
Book a session in a sensory deprivation tank - floating in complete darkness. It will jump start your practice.
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Still Point Wellness
946 Central AveBook a session in a sensory deprivation tank - floating in complete darkness. It will jump start your practice.
Soak in a private tub of natural hot spring mineral water, right on the bank of the French Broad River!
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Hot Springs Resort And Spa
315 Bridge StSoak in a private tub of natural hot spring mineral water, right on the bank of the French Broad River!
Only available to visit by express appointment or for an event/class, but a landmark woo spot of the area.
Southern Dharma Retreat Center
215 Dharma PathOnly available to visit by express appointment or for an event/class, but a landmark woo spot of the area.
Vedic Shiva temple hidden the mountains. Check their website for mediation sessions, yoga, and sometimes festivals.
Sri Somesvara hof
95 Mount Soma BlvdVedic Shiva temple hidden the mountains. Check their website for mediation sessions, yoga, and sometimes festivals.
Asheville Yoga Center
211 S Liberty StYoga all day. Lots of classes, popular with locals.
Nearby Amadell
Careful on this turn! This is very popular with tourists to take a quintessential Appalachian photo here at the old Pink Plemmons store front. Its not operational, but the current owners keep it up. You'll see it in all the art gallery shops in Asheville, undoubtedly.
Luck
Careful on this turn! This is very popular with tourists to take a quintessential Appalachian photo here at the old Pink Plemmons store front. Its not operational, but the current owners keep it up. You'll see it in all the art gallery shops in Asheville, undoubtedly.
Say hi to Jo Ann! This is the best place to get a few groceries, browse some local art (you'll spy Luz's work there!), gas up, and get a bite at the cafe. Also they have free wifi and this is the closest location we know of where most major cell carriers get signal. This is our almost-everyday go-to place.
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Trust General Store & Café
14535 NC-209Say hi to Jo Ann! This is the best place to get a few groceries, browse some local art (you'll spy Luz's work there!), gas up, and get a bite at the cafe. Also they have free wifi and this is the closest location we know of where most major cell carriers get signal. This is our almost-everyday go-to place.
Craving a classic milkshake or a good ole American cheeseburger? Look no further than Dave's! Popular with visiting motorcyclists and attached to the community center.
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Dave’s 209
13075 NC-209Craving a classic milkshake or a good ole American cheeseburger? Look no further than Dave's! Popular with visiting motorcyclists and attached to the community center.
Woo in Nature
This is the most iconic spot on the Appalachian Trail with 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Absolutely stunning! Be adventurous and use a nearby AT access to make a day of it. Or you can drive almost right to it on some very wild back roads for a very short hike with a wide, well trod path - though a good incline. HIGHLY SUGGEST NOT GOING ON A WEEKEND. It gets very crowded, both trying to park on the road and when you get up there.
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Max Patch
Max Patch RoadThis is the most iconic spot on the Appalachian Trail with 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Absolutely stunning! Be adventurous and use a nearby AT access to make a day of it. Or you can drive almost right to it on some very wild back roads for a very short hike with a wide, well trod path - though a good incline. HIGHLY SUGGEST NOT GOING ON A WEEKEND. It gets very crowded, both trying to park on the road and when you get up there.
Shining Rock Wilderness
An iconic area hike.
Nothing more iconic than the AT in these parts. There's a few entry points that you can get to from 209 (notably Max Patch), but its fun to start from (or end in) Hot Springs as it goes directly through town to cross the bridge.
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Appalachian Trail
Appalachian National Scenic TrailNothing more iconic than the AT in these parts. There's a few entry points that you can get to from 209 (notably Max Patch), but its fun to start from (or end in) Hot Springs as it goes directly through town to cross the bridge.
French Broad Adventures
12 Good Adventures LnWhite water rafting, yippee! This one is in NC.
Whitewater just over the border into TN, which is just as close to Amadell.
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Big Bear Whitewater Rafting
3165 Big Creek RdWhitewater just over the border into TN, which is just as close to Amadell.
There are many entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway around the area depending on how far you want to drive. Please review all their rules and guidelines ahead of time, its a special road. There are so many amazing views and hikes off of it I don't even know where to start! Bring a picnic and go explore!
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Blue ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob RdThere are many entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway around the area depending on how far you want to drive. Please review all their rules and guidelines ahead of time, its a special road. There are so many amazing views and hikes off of it I don't even know where to start! Bring a picnic and go explore!
Borgartillaga
Hvað á að taka með
Bring a jacket or sweatshirt
Since we're at a much higher elevation, its not uncommon to have a -20* difference up here in the mountains! Even in the midst summer, it gets chilly enough at night to need another layer.
Samgöngur
Warning for those prone to motion sickness
Highway 209 is notoriously called "The Rattler" for all its twists and turns. It's incredibly fun to drive, but may not be so fun for those who are easily car sick. Best be prepared.