USVI-On-Line

We're pondering a long weekend out there in January.

My wife's 40th birthday celebration continues to get odder and odder.

We were initially planning to go to Aruba.
That was deemed excessively expensive.
then, we decided to go up to NJ and go to Cape May.
That's been deemed somewhat of a hassle...flights, driving, and it will feel like a forced march because we haven't been there since 2005 and miss it too much to do it properly in 2 1/2 days.

So...we turned locally. I think I've narrowed us down to The Grand Bohemian. I can use Marriott points there (I'm cheap!!) but my experience in Asheville is driving out there in September for a 1-day work thing. I stayed outside the city, visited a client, and left.

So...we just want to get away for a few days and do nothing. We'd like to get 2 or 3 nice dinners. What does anyone suggest?

We won't want anything over the top fancy. No fru-fru French food. But, we'd like to dress in something nicer than jeans and enjoy a nice meal.

Other than the Biltmore...which we'd not want to do...what else is there? how walkable of a town is it?

Thanks!

There is a large STJ contingent in the area.
While you are there, look for Tom Leiner playing out and about, he is a great guy and a fabulous musician. I used to sing with him once in a while at the Backyard, when it still existed.

Other than that, I know nothing!

why no Biltmore?
FYI if you are ever coming to Cape May, I stayed at Congress Hall via Priceline for cheap this past June. We are debating going for an overnight the week after Christmas.

Ashville is a great town. Very walkable, nice hikes nearby if the weather permits. Great bars with lots of choices for live music and coffee shops, some nice art galleries. Its been a while since Ive been so I can't be helpful of resturant reccomendations.

mbw1024 wrote:why no Biltmore?

too damned big and I don't want to go wander around looking at old dressers. I want to park my car and not need it all weekend until we leave.

ok, gotcha!

I've heard good things about this place, but haven't been.

http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/


And for something a little fancier, I was gonna suggest the Grove Park Inn but you would have to drive.

http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Din ... ning_Room/

We go to the Grovepark Inn once in awhile as they usually have some great internet specials. The place is amazing and the spa is fantastic. Lots of different places to eat, but we like the Great Hall for it's huge fireplace and bar area. You park and never have to leave. Interesting places to walk around on the property as well. Views are great as you sit above the town of Asheville. Lots of history too. The spa is expensive just to use, but worth it, we'll spend hours there w/o doing any treatments (which are very expensive!) just alternating between all the different water and lounging facilities. Sitting outside in the serpentine pool/jacuzzi with fireplace and a cocktail watching the snow or stars is pretty special. I think it makes for a very, very nice birthday trip and perfect for a couple of days.

GraysonDave wrote:I've heard good things about this place, but haven't been.

http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/


And for something a little fancier, I was gonna suggest the Grove Park Inn but you would have to drive.

http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Din ... ning_Room/

Dave, Did you know that the women who started Tupelo Honey Cafe in Asheville, Owns "Into The Mystic Villa"?? Knows alot about Asheville

Tupelo Honey is a great restuaruant - definitely give it a shot. Then stroll down to Jack of The Wood (pub) and have a few pints.

Yeah, Tupelo's is very good but not fancy. Good breakfast. Biltmore in the fall when the leaves are changing is my favorite place on earth....even beats out St. John. It's all decorated for Christmas, and the colors are incredible. Love the Biltmore....but expensive. Chimney Rock/Lake Lure and Hendersonville, both very close by, are also neat places to visit.

leslieeliz wrote:Yeah, Tupelo's is very good but not fancy. Good breakfast. Biltmore in the fall when the leaves are changing is my favorite place on earth....even beats out St. John. It's all decorated for Christmas, and the colors are incredible. Love the Biltmore....but expensive. Chimney Rock/Lake Lure and Hendersonville, both very close by, are also neat places to visit.

I have always wanted to go there at Christmas. Do you know when they decorate for it?

They start decorating in late October, so if you go then, you get the Christmas decorations AND the gorgeous leaves. However, I don't think it's completely decorated until sometime in early November. There's a restaurant in the winery that's pretty good, too.

Thanks, that's good to know for future planning!

Pip, the winery at Biltmore is definitely worth the trip. Biltmore Village is very walkable. Sitting in the rockers at sunset at Grove Park with a cold drink is amazing. Twenty minutes from Asheville is the awesome little town of Black Mountain, one of my favorite places. Great little stores with local artists, very laid back, bohemian feel. If you go, eat lunch at My Father's Pizza and take a five minute ride to Montreat.