6AM City In-house

Enter: Asheville tour guide mode

Use this holiday itinerary for visiting guests in Asheville, NC
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Great times are on the horizon. | Photo by @davidhousephoto
The holidays are almost here and if you’re hosting out-of-town guests, it’s time to step into the role of “official Asheville tour guide.” We’ve got plenty of recommendations for you to build the perfect itinerary for your visitors and show your folks around like a total pro.

🏙️ Sightseeing

Is it even a trip to Asheville without seeing the Biltmore Estate? You can also take your visitors to The Omni Grove Park Inn for the perfect holiday family photo. And if there are any history buffs in the group, head to the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.

🥘 Eat and drink

If your guests need a caffeine pick-me-up, High Five Coffee, Summit Coffee Co., and Liberty House Coffee and Cafe are all offering a range of seasonal drinks. If you’re looking for a different kind of brew, the Land of the Sky is home to 50+ breweries with Highland Brewing Company and Burial Beer Co. being two local hot spots.

We’ve also got plenty of articles to help you navigate the local food scene. You can’t miss these under-the-radar restaurants that are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Our personal picks include brunch at Abeja’s House Cafe and dinner at Benne on Eagle. Plus, satisfy your holiday sweet tooth at Sunshine Sammies.

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There are 120+ hiking trails in the Blue Ridge Parkway. | Photo by @wncphototours

🎳 Activities

If your visitors are ready for some outdoor fun, grab some local popcorn from Poppy’s Handcrafted Popcorn and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a family-friendly hike. The NC Arboretum is another great way to take in all of the beauty Asheville has to offer.
LODGING RECS + MORE
MB Haynes

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Tuesday, Dec. 20
  • A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas | Tuesday, Dec. 20-Thursday, Dec. 22 | Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock | $45-$65 | Join the merriment of sleigh bells and mistletoe, miracles and Santa Claus, and so much more at this annual holiday show.
  • A John Waters Christmas: It’s A Yuletide Massacre | Tuesday, Dec. 20 | 8 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $50-$125 | The Pope of Trash brings his own depraved brand of comedy to this one of a kind a holiday performance.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
  • Hanukkah Candle Lighting | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 5-5:30 p.m. | JCC Main Courtyard, 236 Charlotte St., Asheville | Free | Join the JCC community in the front courtyard for a half hour of warmth and light —plus a singalong led by JCC music legend Penny White.
  • Beauty Parlor Comedy: Stephen Taylor | Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St., Asheville | $12 | This comedian combines his unique perspective with sweet Southern charm.
Thursday, Dec. 22
  • Making Spirits Bright Holiday Jazz & Blues | Thursday, Dec. 22 | 8:30-10 p.m. | The Main Stage, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $20 | Local blues singer Peggy Ratusz brings smooth and soulful sounds backed by her holiday jazz and blues band.
Friday, Dec. 23
  • A Jazz Piano Christmas with the Bill Bares Trio | Friday, Dec. 23 | 8:30-10 p.m. | The Main Stage, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $20 | Celebrate Christmas Eve with selections from Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
  • Amy Steinberg Holiday Show | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Lounge, 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $30 | This uplifting, soulful performer raises the roof with her joyful noise and spiritual energy.
  • AVL Underground Comedy: Mara Wiles & Kevin O’Brien | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | GiGi’s Underground, 122 College St., Asheville | $15 | These two NYC performers are ready to make you laugh with a wild show.
Saturday, Dec. 24
  • Christmas Cooking Class: Classic Holiday Meal | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr., Asheville | $85 | Learn to prepare roast beef and gravy with a side of Robuchon mashed potatoes — and chocolate truffles for dessert.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
The Biltmore

Spend NYE with 007 and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra
A musical conductor directs band.
Those under the age of 25 can get special pricing discounts on tickets | Photo by Mike Morel
Strut into 2023 with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s NYE performance featuring the music of James Bond. ASO Music Director Darko Butorac and guest vocalists Mikki Sodergren and Jonathan Christopher will lead the audience through iconic scores from Bond flicks like “Goldfinger,” “Skyfall” + more. 🍸

Your mission awaits:
  • What: New Year’s Eve with 007
  • When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.
  • Where: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St.
  • Tickets: $40-85 (prices vary by section)*
SCORE YOUR TICKETS
Asheville Yoga Center

Weather
  • 42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Development
  • A new eight-story Tribute-brand hotel has been proposed for the west side of downtown Asheville. The 94,000-sqft hotel would also include 37,000 sqft of residential space, a restaurant, retail space, and a two-level parking deck. 🛎️(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Civic
  • The City of Asheville Boards & Commissions has openings on its Design Review Committee and Downtown Commission. Applications are due by Monday, Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. Learn more. (Mountain Xpress)
Eat
  • Looking for holiday goodies? Now through Thursday, Dec. 22, Posana is accepting pre-orders for cheddar biscuits, cinnamon rolls, biscotti, cookies, apple cider, and beyond. These treats will be available for pickup on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 🥐
Number
  • $500,000. That’s how much Haywood Street has received to support Asheville’s homeless population. The grant, provided by The United Health Foundation and The National Health Care for the Homeless Council, will enable Haywood Street to expand behavioral health services within its medical respite program.
The Word
  • Folkehøjskole. This Danish word translates to folk high school. These schools helped transform rural Denmark into a vibrant, creative force — and became the model for the John C. Campbell Folk School. Learn more about the school’s rich history.*
Announced
Featured Home
  • Located within the desirable Padgett Place neighborhood, this stunning, newly-constructed 3 BD, 2 BA home offers single-level living with an open floor plan, low-maintenance vinyl plank flooring, a generous primary suite, a large attic space (perfect for additional storage), and mountain views from the front porch + backyard patio. See inside. 👀 *
Learn
  • You know how to order coffee at Summit. But can you order coffee in Italian? Babbel can help AVLtoday readers learn how to order coffee (and other beverages) in Italian, so they’ll be ready for their next trip to Italy. Want to try it out? For a limited time, snag 55% off your subscription. ☕ *

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6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: There’s a million ways to treat yourself this holiday season and I’m throwing one more suggestion into the mix: Rise Above Bakehouse’s take-and-bake cinnamon buns. Perfect for when you’re looking for the magic of a warm bun, without clouds of flour and sugar spilling through your kitchen.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn what Asheville was Googling in 2022, here.
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Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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