Asheville
The drive to Asheville, North Carolina starts out like any other. From Durham, it’s a straight 3.5 hour shot on the highway.
When you are just about 30 minutes out from downtown Asheville, the scenery is unparalleled. In the wintertime, snow-covered trees line the highway, creating a warm pathway, welcoming you into the city. Once you reach downtown, you are greeted by an array of kitschy boutiques, charming coffee shops and breweries. Streets are filled with locals and visitors, both excited to explore the city for the first time or the fiftieth time.
There is something so special about venturing to a new city. Asheville is no different. The city itself offers a kind of comfortable familiarity, with warm shop owners and enthusiastic restaurateurs urging visitors to come inside. The abundance of antique shops and thrift stores makes it feel almost as if you are visiting your grandparents (with no shortage of aged trinkets).
Asheville has a newness to it, too. The bustling River Arts District is filled with up-and-coming artists displaying their work in new galleries. Walk along the French Broad River and you’ll find a surprising amount of murals, sculptures and paintings. Restaurants like White Duck Taco and Cúrate reflect that same novel feeling. The Asheville dining scene is truly representative of the modern dining experience, with many restaurants offering solely small plates and exclusive farm-to-table menus.
And just about 20 minutes from downtown, Asheville transforms into an endearing mountain town with plenty of log cabins and windy roads. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer hiking trails and scenic vistas, offering an escape from the busy city below.