RESTAURANTS
Chestnut, (48 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, Tel: 828-575-2667). Creative cuisine and craft cocktails located in Downtown Asheville and close to many of the arts and film centers. www.chestnutasheville.com
The Lobster Trap, 35 Patton Avenue, Asheville, Tel: 828-350-0505. This delectable seafood restaurant practices sustainable fishing techniques. www.thelobstertrap.biz
Pack’s Tavern, (20 South Spruce Street, Asheville, Tel: 828-225-6944), Friendly, casual place where the locals rave about their BBQ. www.packstavern.com
Pisgah Inn Dining, (408 Carolina Ave, Waynesville, Tel: 828-235-8228). Down home Appalachian comfort food with unbeatable views. Try their famous Sorrell’s Creek Farm Whole Mountain Trout, filleted tableside if desired. www.pisgahinn.com
The Well Bread Bakery and Café, (6 Boston Way, Asheville, Tel: 828-774-5307). Laid back and super friendly – great place for lunch. www.wellbredbakery.com
Pack’s Tavern
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Biltmore Village Inn Bed and Breakfast, (119 Dodge Street, Asheville, Tel: 828-274-8707). Starting at $249 a night, it’s luxury and proximity to the Biltmore Estate that sets the Village Inn apart from other accommodations in Asheville. Many rooms have canopy beds and working fireplaces. www.biltmorevillageinn.com
Four Points by Sheraton Asheville, (22 Woodfin Street, Asheville, Tel: 828-253-1851). Conveniently located downtown, many opt for Four Points over the pricier Biltmore. Plus Chop House Restaurant is a local favorite. Rooms range from $145 -$164. www.marriott.com/hotels
Cedar Crest Inn (674 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, Tel: 828-252-1389). $165 – $295 and up. Just a mile east of the River Arts District which houses 125 plus live art studios and four miles north of The Blue Ridge Parkway, Cedar Crest offers 35 years of experience making it the longest running B & B in Asheville. www.cedarcrestinn.com
Grand Bohemian Asheville Autograph Collection, (11 Boston Way, Asheville, Tel: 828-505- 2949). Rooms range from $228 – $ 251 and up. From its Tudor style exterior to lodge-like common areas, the rooms have a touch of class in the Grand Bohemian. www.marriott.com/hotels
The Grove Park Inn, (290 Macon Avenue, Tel: 855-680-3239). A 4-star resort with 513 rooms, prices start at $239 and soar to $1,664 per night. What is guaranteed are phenomenal views, 5 restaurants and during the winter months the National Gingerbread Competition has all entries and winners out on display for the public to enjoy. www.omnihotels.com/hotels/ashevillegrove-park
Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown, (151 Haywood Street, Asheville, Tel: 828-239-0239). Rooms are $183 – $196 and up. A boutique hotel with a great location, within walking distance of downtown restaurants and bars. They offer eclectically designed rooms and its dog friendly! www.ihg.com
KOA. For those wanting to be closer to nature by sleeping in tents, campers, or RVs, there’s the KOA (campgrounds of America). www.koa.com
Misterb&b. Whether it’s a room shared in a house or the entire house itself, you can find accommodations with guaranteed gay friendly hosts. www.misterbandb.com/s/ashevillenc-united-states
Pisgah Inn, (Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 408.6, Tel: 828-235-8228). Clinging to the side of, and the peak of Mount Pisgah, each room faces out towards the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering breathtaking views. The Inn is open seasonally from April 1 through October 31. Also, on the premises is the Pisgah Inn Restaurant. www.pisgahinn.com
REAL ESTATE
Elizabeth Byrd Etheridge at Beverly-Hanks Realtors. Elizabeth is available to assistance with any of your real estate needs. BTW: she was my brother’s broker for his gorgeous mountaintop house. www.beverly-hanks.com
GAY CLUBS AND VENUES
Blue Ridge Pride. Everything you need to know about celebrating gay pride in the Asheville area. www.blueridgepride.org
O. Henry’s, (237 Haywood Street, Tel: 828-254- 1891). The oldest gay bar in all of North Carolina, O’Henry’s began in 1976 as a sandwich shop/café in downtown Asheville. www.ohenrysofasheville.com
Scandals, The Grove House Entertainment Complex (237 Haywood Street). Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 A.M. Scandals offers their legendary drag shows. www.scandalsnightclub.com
The Underground, 237 Haywood Street,Tel: 828- 254-1891. Industrial dance bar in the back of O.Henry’s. www.ohenrysofasheville.com
WINERIES
The Biltmore Winery, 1 Approach Road, Tel: 800- 624-1575. Boasting of being America’s most visited winery! They have over 50 varieties to offer as well as ongoing tastings and food pairings. www.exploreasheville.com
Bryson Wine Train, (45 Mitchell Street, Bryson City, Tel: 800-872-4681). Enjoy a fist class vintage railroad car experience with a 4-course meal and wine pairing. www.gsmr.com/uncorked
