You know I love a good getaway. But with the blog, the shoppe and everything that comes with them plus a growing staff, I usually don’t find enough time for a proper escape. And I’m not just talking about a little R&R; I’m talking about a trip full of relaxation AND the leisurely exploring the sights and to-do’s. So when Buick recently invited me on a weekend road trip to Asheville, the hubs and I packed the Lacrosse and away we went.
There’s something so freeing about getting in a car and hitting the open road. Especially when that road is full of mountains and gorgeous scenery. The glory in a trip like this is not only in reaching the destination but in the journey itself! And the great thing about Asheville is that it’s truly an easy road trip from Atlanta, clocking in just under four hours. Which was made even easier because of our Buick Lacrosse, which proved to be the perfect road trip friendly sedan offering plenty of room for my 3+ suitcases, picnic basket, blankets, pile of hats and whatever Anthony decided to bring. Yes I’m aware I’m an overpacker.
In heading to Asheville I highly suggest adding in extra time for the drive itself. The route is full of must-stops; think cool mountain towns, really great antique shops, and of course Goats on the Roof. The name says it all; there are literally adorable goats on the roof you can hang with and feed. The possibilities for stops are virtually endless though, especially while passing through Greenville, too. Greenville always tempts me to pop into Grits & Groceries for some good ole comfort food, or even crowd favorite Caviar & Bananas for a gourmet snack.
I was so grateful that we gave ourselves plenty of time to pull over and stop along the way. And by the time we reached Asheville, I was officially in OOO-mode. I had only been to Asheville once before; last time I didn’t get the time to explore at all. Instead I was checking into the Omni Grove Park Inn for some serious unplugging time. So with this visit, I was eager to really take in all that I could, and that meant I had my list of suggestions via Instagram from you all with me!
We stayed, again, at the Omni, which served as a great “home base” for all of our to-do’s. And I think one of my favorite things during the whole trip was actually driving along the Blueridge Parkway; we packed a picnic, stopping off at the lookouts along the way, and reveling in the views and the picture-perfect weather. We literally couldn’t have asked for better weather for the long weekend, I’m telling you. It was sunny and mild during the day, and a brisk chill to the air at night. #swoon
We also visited the Biltmore, which was seriously mind-blowing. I knew it would be impressive, but it was truly gorgeous and awe-inspiring. The landscaping, the gardens, the biking paths, the sunflower field…the 11-mile long estate and all 8,000 acres is the epitome of grandeur and it’s maintained in the most tasteful way. After experiencing it for myself, I realized that you really need an entire day to explore it all. It’s breathtaking.
The Admiral, for dinner, was a much-mentioned recommendation, and it did not disappoint! The vibes were great, and the food was even better. We also hit up Wicked Weed, a beloved brewery where the hubs fell in love with sour beers.
On our last day, we went downtown and enjoyed seeing the farmers market and a local art show. I feel like we ate, and ate, and ate, we made our way to Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar. This was worth all the hype; inside there are thousands of books for perusing while you sip on wine or Champagne. I mean all of my favorite things! And finally, we made it to the Beach Boys concert at the Biltmore. Which, if you’ve been to the estate, you’ll be able to imagine just how magical this was. Overlooking the insanely beautiful grounds and mountains, along with a view of the sunset…it was something special.
Asheville, you were a dream. It was time much-needed, and an escape that was easy, enjoyable, and one that’ll have us back again soon. We found ourselves actually spending a lot of time in the car on this trip, but the car itself was just as beautiful as the scenery. I’ve never enjoyed sipping on coffee and cruising along the parkway as much as I did this weekend. And a place like Asheville offers sights around every bend and corner. A big thank you to Buick for helping to make this idyllic long weekend getaway a reality! Truly, MKR
