National Park Road Trip Itinerary: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde

July 19, 2024July 19, 20244 Comments

National parks road trip itinerary, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

I’ve got the perfect national park road trip itinerary if you dream of an epic weekend adventure throughout Colorado and Utah! My husband, Solomon, and I recently hit the road to tackle four parks in three days, and it was the best time.

We’re based in Colorado Springs but moving to Alaska (!!!) soon, so we wanted to take advantage of what time we have left in Colorado by exploring some national parks within driving distance. We somewhat spontaneously decided to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches, Canyonlands, and Mesa Verde in one long weekend.

I already made a short video of our national park adventures (watch it here), but I want to share more details on how we made it happen in case you’re interested in planning a similar road trip.

Day 1: Colorado Springs -> Black Canyon of the Gunnison -> Moab

Solomon and I originally planned on visiting only the Utah national parks (Arches and Canyonlands). Once we hit the road, we realized we could easily add Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde as well! One of my goals before moving from Colorado was to visit all four national parks in the state, and we’ve already explored Rocky Mountain and Great Sand Dunes.

We left Colorado Springs around 8:30 a.m. on a Friday and made it to Black Canyon around 3:30 p.m. Unfortunately, a detour near Gunnison delayed our trip by about an hour, but at least we got to see some pretty views along the way!

Neither of us had expectations for Black Canyon, and it was an incredible surprise. The canyon was genuinely jaw-dropping to see in person, and we stopped at nearly every viewpoint along South Rim Road. Our favorites were Tomichi Point and Sunset View. Of course, pictures don’t do it justice whatsoever.

We spent about an hour and a half in Black Canyon before continuing to Moab, another three hours away. The sun was already setting when we arrived and checked in at HTR Moab Lodge & Cottages. This was the perfect place to spend two nights in Moab. We booked a studio cottage with a queen bed, bunk beds, a kitchenette, and an attached bath—everything you could need! It was also pet-friendly and just minutes from downtown Moab, but quiet and peaceful.

Day 2: Arches -> Moab -> Canyonlands

Day two began with an early 4:00 a.m. wake-up call because our goal was to hike to Delicate Arch for sunrise.

Note: depending on the time of year you visit Arches National Park, you may need to a timed-entry permit to enter the park. Since we arrived before 7:00 a.m., we did not need a reservation.

We arrived at the trailhead a little before 5:00 a.m. and started the hike. When we hit the trail, the parking lot was already beginning to fill up—another reason to get an early start. The hike to Delicate Arch is around three miles roundtrip, with steady elevation gain. There were some steep portions, but we didn’t find it too strenuous and only took one or two quick water breaks.

When we reached Delicate Arch between 5:30 and 5:45, the sun was just starting to peek over the rocks. Lots of people were gathering to watch the sunrise and take turns snapping pictures of the iconic rock formation. We hung out here for about half an hour before meandering back to the parking lot.

After returning to the car, we followed the main road through the park north to see the Fiery Furnace and Devils Garden areas. We briefly hiked around Devils Garden to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch but mostly drove around, admiring the views and stopping at random overlooks that caught our eye.

Pro tip: bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen! This area gets incredibly hot and you don’t want to get dehydrated, hungry, or sunburnt while exploring.

Temperatures were quickly rising, so we stopped to check out the visitor center around 9:30 a.m. before heading back to Moab. We grabbed coffee and breakfast burritos from Nuclear Bean Coffee Co. and returned to our cottage for a quick shower and a power nap.

Around 2:30 p.m., we left the cottage to explore downtown Moab. We started at Lop’s Pop Stop, an adorable coffee and soda stand with an extensive menu of refreshing drinks. We walked around downtown Moaab and shopped for a bit—my favorite spot was Desert Wild.

We wolfed down a late lunch at Trailhead Public House and Eatery after realizing the Island in the Sky Visitor Center at Canyonlands would be closing within the hour. We soon hit the road again and arrived at Canyonlands National Park just before 5:00 p.m.

From the visitor center, we drove south to Grand View Point Overlook, where we stopped to take in the landscape. It definitely lived up to its name! On the way back, we also stopped at Green River Overlook and drove over to Upheaval Dome, though we didn’t get out to hike.

Solomon was interested in exploring Shafer Trail Road, an unpaved 4WD route into the canyon. The road was rough, but our Subaru Outback handled it just fine. After consulting the map, we decided to follow it along the Colorado River to connect with 279, leading us back to Moab.

We spent about two hours on Shafer Trail Road, which was our favorite part of the weekend. Getting off the beaten path in Canyonlands felt like stepping onto the set of a Western film. The canyon and river views were stunning, and we only saw a handful of other cars along the way. You need a 4WD vehicle to tackle the road, but I highly recommend exploring it if possible.

Once we arrived back in Moab shortly before 9:00 p.m., we grabbed “dinner” at Side Hustle Ice Cream Shop (next door to Trailhead). It was the perfect sweet treat to end a full day of adventures, and they didn’t skimp on the sprinkles! We ended the night on the front porch of our cottage, watching the stars begin to peek out over Moab.

Day 3: Moab -> Mesa Verde -> Home

The following day, we slept in a bit and left Moab around 8:30 a.m. On the way out, we grabbed coffee at Cafe Italiano, a downtown food truck. Mesa Verde National Park was only two hours from Moab, so we arrived at the visitor center between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m.

The drive from the visitor center to the Chapin Mesa area (where some cliff dwellings are located) took about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get spots on a ranger tour of the dwellings, so we couldn’t enter them. Seeing them from a distance was cool, but there wasn’t much to do without a tour group.

On our way out of the park, we saw signs for homemade frybread, which Solomon hadn’t tried before. A super friendly couple was making the frybread fresh with locally-milled flour. They recommended trying it with salt and a drizzle of honey, and it was so tasty! The flavor was reminiscent of kettle corn, and it had a soft, pillowy texture.

Our final stop was Telluride for lunch, and we made it back home in time to cook dinner and get a full night’s rest before returning to work the following day.

All in all, this was an incredible trip! I’m so glad we pulled it off and decided to be spontaneous. Canyonlands was our favorite national park on this trip, but I think all of them are worth visiting for different reasons.

Have you been to Black Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, or Mesa Verde? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

5 Best Colorado Christmas Towns

December 14, 2022December 14, 20223 Comments

Can you believe how quickly December is flying by?! With only one weekend left before Christmas, now is the best time to start planning a fun holiday getaway before the holiday madness really kicks in. This guide to the 5 Best Colorado Christmas Towns highlights some of the most charming and festive towns I recommend visiting for a day or weekend this holiday season.

Breckenridge

Image courtesy of www.GoBreck.com

Breckenridge is the first Colorado Christmas town I recommend visiting for the 2022 holidays. Located a little over an hour and half west of Denver, Breckenridge is known for being a super charming mountain town with lots of personality. Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter activities in Breckenridge, but the quaint town also offers snowshoeing, sledding, tubing, shopping, and much more!

Estes Park

Another classic Colorado Christmas town is Estes Park, which is about an hour and a half drive north of Denver. Estes Park is considered the gateway to the Rockies since it’s located just a few minutes from one of the main entrances to Rocky Mountain National Park. Estes Park is the perfect destination for a holiday getaway because of the endless festivities the town plans throughout the winter months. Estes Park is also an outdoor-lovers paradise offering plenty of snow activities.

Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs

Image courtesy of www.Roadtrippers.com

A list of the best Colorado Christmas towns would be incomplete without including the home of the North Pole! Manitou Springs is a small town located just outside of Colorado Springs that is full of Christmas spirit around the holidays. The main street through Manitou is lined with cafes, bars, and shops, and a short drive up Highway 24 will take you to the North Pole amusement park! After exploring Manitou Springs, I recommend making the short drive over to Colorado Springs to continue the festivities. Colorado Springs is home to lots of holiday markets and seasonal pop-ups, as well as some incredible shopping and dining that make it an awesome place to spend an afternoon or an entire day.

Georgetown

Georgetown is a lesser-known Colorado Christmas town that is a seriously underrated holiday destination located less than an hour west of Denver. Georgetown is super charming year-round, but the town especially comes alive around the holidays when the historic buildings and homes are decked out in Christmas decorations. Georgetown also hosts several Christmas markets and events that are well-worth a visit.

Vail

Image courtesy of www.Blog.Vail.com

Last, but certainly not least, on this list of the best Colorado Christmas towns is Vail. Vail is well-known for having some of the best skiing in the country, and this Bavarian-style town is an amazing holiday destination. From a festive 5k to a Christmas market and plenty of opportunities to get out and have some fun in the snow, Vail is hard to beat.

I hope this guide to the 5 Best Colorado Christmas Towns is helpful as we approach the holidays. Let me know in the comments what your favorite Colorado town to visit around Christmas is, and I hope you have an excellent holiday season surrounded by loved ones!

Best Fall Hikes in Georgia

November 2, 2022November 2, 20221 Comment

While fall is slowly turning into winter out here in Colorado, the season is still in full swing down in Georgia and other areas of the Southeast. As a born-and-raised Georgia peach I’ve gone on many fall hikes throughout the state, and these are some of the best for leaf-peeping and enjoying the season!

Blood Mountain

Blood Mountain isn’t just one of the best fall hikes in Georgia, it’s also one of my favorite hikes of all time! The most common route to the summit begins on the Byron Reece Trail before connecting with the Appalachian Trail. You’ll reach the summit after about 2.2 miles of hiking and will be treated to sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains. Fun fact: Blood Mountain is the highest point of the AT in Georgia!

Raven Cliff Falls

Raven Cliff Falls is a great Georgia fall hike if you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve a lot of elevation gain. The hike is a bit longer than Blood Mountain at almost 6 miles roundtrip, but it’s definitely worth the extra distance. You’ll meander through the forest alongside a creek until reaching the waterfall that the trail is named for. Be careful exploring because the rocks will be slippery!

Appalachian Approach Trail

For those seeking an overnight fall hiking adventure, the Appalachian Approach Trail is the perfect option. This trail kills two birds with one stone, as you’ll get to experience the beautiful Amicalola Falls as well as the summit of Springer Mountain. This hike is about 18 miles out-and-back so while you could do it in a day, it’s much more enjoyable as an overnight backpacking trip.

Mount Yonah

Mount Yonah is one of the more challenging hikes on this list of the best Georgia fall hikes, though it’s definitely worth the effort. Mount Yonah is popular for not only hiking but also rock-climbing, and the entire mountain is incredibly picturesque when the leaves are changing. This is another fall hike in Georgia that offers spectacular views from the summit, which you’ll reach after about 2.2 miles of hiking.

Rabun Bald

Rabun Bald is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated hikes in Georgia. At only 3.5 miles roundtrip, this hike is relatively short but still decently challenging with over 1000′ of elevation gain. This is one of the few Georgia hikes that offers 360-degree views from the summit, and they are simply breathtaking.

What are your favorite fall hikes in Georgia? Let me know in the comments!

Top 5 U.S. National Parks (Plus 3 On My Bucket List)

October 29, 20224 Comments

Over the years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to visit 11 of the 63 National Parks that can be found throughout the U.S. While all were unique and interesting in their own way, there were definitely some I loved more than others. This is my ranking of the Top 5 U.S. National Parks that I’ve visited so far. As a bonus, I’m also sharing the top 3 National Parks on my travel bucket list that I haven’t yet been to!

Top 5 U.S. National Parks

5. Badlands

Fun fact: I actually used to live in South Dakota as a kid! I have a lot of family there and still love going back to visit because I think South Dakota is a super underrated state. Similarly, I don’t see too many people talking about Badlands National Park, even though it’s one of my favorites. The landscape is super unique and looks like something you might find on another planet. Plus, the park is full of wildlife ranging from bison and bighorn sheep to prairie dogs.

4. Yellowstone

I would actually love to return to Yellowstone National Park and explore some more because my husband and I only got to spend one day in the park when we visited. Still, Yellowstone is such a classic that I highly recommend everyone take a visit. There’s a huge variety of wildlife and landscapes, and it’s unreal to see the massive hot springs and geysers in person. There’s a reason Yellowstone is one of the most popular National Parks!

3. Olympic

Olympic National Park is one of those places you have to see for yourself to believe. I mean, where else in the U.S. can you spend a day exploring rocky beaches, snow-capped mountains, glacial rivers, and thick rainforests? Olympic National Park is full of biodiversity that makes every visit unique from the last.

2. Grand Teton

In my humble opinion, Grand Teton National Park is probably one of the prettiest areas in the entire country. The mountains look absolutely unreal in person, and the whole park feels wild and rugged. Grand Teton is another park I’d love to return to and spend more time exploring because there’s so much to see and do!

1. Mount Rainier

Of all the National Parks I’ve gotten to visit so far, Mount Rainier National Park is undoubtedly my favorite. Seeing Mount Rainier up close and personal is an amazing experience, and you truly can’t fathom its grandeur until you’re seeing it with your own eyes. Plus, Mount Rainier National Park is where I saw my first wild bear! The whole park feels so magical and is absolutely stunning year-round.

Top 3 U.S. National Parks Bucket List

3. Glacier

Glacier National Park in Montana is one National Park I’ve been wanting to visit for years. The mountains look insanely dramatic and I’ve heard the park is absolutely full of wildlife. Plus, I’d love to pay a visit to RightOnTrek’s EDGE Backpacking Gear Rental Facility that just opened this year. I love that RightOnTrek works to make the outdoors accessible for as many people as possible. And, they make delicious backpacking meals!

2. Yosemite

As someone who loves both hiking and rock-climbing, Yosemite National Park sounds like an absolute dream. I’ve seen so many documentaries about Yosemite and I would love to pay the park a visit in the next couple years. I’ve actually never been to California, so I hope to make a trip out of it and explore a few different areas throughout the state!

1. Gates of the Arctic

Image courtesy of Travel Alaska

Alaska seems to be one of the last truly wild places left in the U.S., and I would absolutely love to spend some time exploring Gates of the Arctic National Park. The wilderness of Alaska looks intimidating but also incredibly beautiful, and I definitely plan on taking a trip to the state – hopefully, sooner rather than later!

What’s your favorite U.S. National Park, and which one would you like to visit next? Let me know in the comments!

Crater Lake – Maroon Bells

October 16, 2022October 16, 20224 Comments

Maroon Bells is an iconic wilderness area in Colorado that is home to some of the most photographed mountains in North America. I’ve wanted to visit Maroon Bells since moving to Colorado in 2020, and my husband and I finally got the chance to go the second weekend of October.

From May to October, peak season at Maroon Bells, you need a reservation to enter the wilderness area. You can either get a reservation to drive into Maroon Bells and park there yourself, or a reservation to park in Aspen and take the shuttle. We weren’t able to snag a parking reservation but we did book a spot on an 11am Saturday shuttle.

Maroon Bells is about 3.5-4 hours from Colorado Springs, so we got up bright and early to make our way to Aspen. We arrived in Aspen early enough to spend about an hour grabbing coffee and exploring the town a bit. There was a farmer’s market going on which we strolled through, and we also popped into a couple shops. We ended up parking in the garage at Aspen Highlands Village which was pretty expensive but very convenient. The shuttle system was very straightforward, and soon we were pulling up to one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen in person.

We decided to take the less than 4 mile out-and-back trail to Crater Lake. The trail begins gradually ascending through a gorgeous aspen grove before heading into a forested area. The trail gets pretty rocky for the last half mile or so to the lake, but is fairly easy with less than 700′ of elevation gain in total.

Crater Lake was very low when we visited given the time of year, but the views were absolutely stunning. We stopped to eat some PB&J’s before heading back down the trail to the visitor’s center. We had to wait for the return shuttle for about 10 minutes which wasn’t bad at all.

I’m so glad we took the time to visit Maroon Bells, and I’d love to return and explore it even more. Have you visited this beautiful wilderness area yet?

Crags Trail + Fern’s Diner Review

October 9, 2022October 9, 20223 Comments

The aspens are still beautifully vibrant here in Colorado, so last weekend my husband and I decided to check out the Crags Trail. The weather was supposed to be chilly and misty, but the trail is only a little over an hour from our house, and we figured it might be less crowded because of the conditions. We began the hike around 8:30am – there were a handful of other cars in the parking lot when we arrived, but we didn’t see anyone until two miles in or so.

The trail begins with a moderately steep ascent through the forest before giving way to open meadows. The trail leads you through what feels like a gentle valley with rock formations and forested hills on either side. We actually saw a family of three moose about 1.5 miles in! This stretch of the trail is mostly flat and a nice break after the initial push.

The last half mile or so quickly ascends through another forested area before reaching a rocky outlook. The views were a bit obstructed by clouds when we visited, but were still incredibly beautiful with the changing leaves. In total, the trail is roughly 5 miles in length with 800+ feet of elevation gain, making it moderately challenging but thoroughly enjoyable.

On the drive back to Colorado Springs we stopped at Fern’s Diner in Cascade so I could pick up a vegan lunch. I tried the 80’s burger – a Beyond burger topped with fried onions and blue cheese crumbles (all vegan!) – with tots, and a cup of green chili. All of it was incredibly delicious, and the diner itself was super cute. I definitely plan to return to try the breakfast menu!

Colorado Fall Activities

October 5, 2022October 5, 20224 Comments

Fall is in full swing here in Colorado and I wanted to share some ideas for fun seasonal activities to do throughout the state before winter kicks in!

Leaf-Peeping

A signature Colorado fall activity is leaf-peeping, or venturing out to admire the changing leaves. Aspens in particular can be found all throughout the state and turn vibrant shades of yellow and orange in the fall. You can enjoy leaf-peeping by going on a hike (check out my 2022 and 2021 leaf-peeping blogs for ideas) or taking a drive along a scenic road, such such as Guanella Pass (more ideas here).

Scenic Train Ride

Another fantastic way to enjoy the changing leaves in Colorado is by embarking on a scenic train ride. There are tons of train ride options tht range from short, family-friendly rides to longer adventures that take you all across the state. Popular fall train ride options include the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Royal Gorge Railroad, but you can find more here.

Haunted Towns and Roads

If you want to tap into your spooky side, consider visiting one of Colorado’s many ghost towns or (allegedly) haunted roads. From Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs to the abandoned town of St. Elmo near Buena Vista, there are all kinds of spooky places to explore in Colorado, and many have very rich and fascinating histories. Check out this Colorado Ghost Towns guide to plan your visit!

Fall Festivals

There are all kinds of fall festivals throughout Colorado that offer fun and unique activities for the whole family. Whether you want to pick some pumpkins and apples or sample a variety of beer and wine, there’s a Colorado fall festival out there for everybody to enjoy. You can find a full list of this year’s fall festivals on the official State of Colorado website.

What are your favorite fall activities in Colorado?

Rogers Pass + Leaf Peeping

September 28, 2022September 28, 20226 Comments

Fall is in full swing here in Colorado so my husband and I ventured up to the mountains to go on a hike and do some leaf peeping along the way as well. We settled on Rogers Pass, a 5-mile out-and-back hike located just 45 minutes outside of Winter Park. With less than 1000 feet of elevation gain, this hike is very moderate and great for hikers of all experience levels.

The trailhead for Rogers Pass is located along CR-80, a very rough road with lots of rocks and holes. We made it up just fine in our Subaru Outback, but make sure you drive slow and watch where you’re going! The drive up was beautiful thanks to all the aspens that were changing colors. One really cool feature about this hike is the historic train trestle located at the trailhead.

The hike begins with a gradual ascent up through the forest before soon emerging above the treeline. Along the way, you’ll be treated to beautiful views of Winter Park and Fraser. The rest of the hike consists of several meandering switchbacks up a grassy ridge which eventually gives way to stunning views of James Peak.

At 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the end of the trail, though you could continue on to James Peak if you wanted to. We explored for a bit at the top, which was incredibly windy, before making our way back down the trail to the car.

This hike is not very popular so you won’t have to worry about battling crowds – we were the only ones there when we arrived around 9am on a Saturday! I think the Rogers Pass hike is super underrated, and it’s one of my favorite easy hikes in the state.

Black Balsam Knob – North Carolina

September 25, 2022September 25, 20221 Comment

Black Balsam Knob is a beautiful mountain bald located along the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina. At just 1.5 miles round trip and less than 400 feet of elevation gain, it’s an easy and scenic hike perfect for hikers of all experience levels.

The trailhead to Black Balsam Knob is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, by milepost 420. The hike begins with a gradual ascent through the forest, which quickly gives way to a more rocky and exposed landscape. You’ll find yourself atop the first of several mountain balds that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains (when the weather is clear, unlike the day we visited unfortunately).

Continue along a gentle saddle up to the next bald, which is Black Balsam Knob. You’ll reach the summit at about 3/4 of a mile. Take your time enjoying the beautiful views before turning around and heading back down the trail to the parking area.

The hike to Black Balsam Knob is short and sweet, making it a great option for beginner hikers or folks visiting from out of town. What’s your favorite hike in North Carolina?

How to Spend a Weekend in Asheville

September 21, 2022February 22, 20261 Comment

Over Labor Day weekend, my husband and I traveled down to Asheville, NC to visit some friends who live in the area. I had been to Asheville a handful of times before but my husband had never been, so we were really excited to explore the city together! Here are my top recommendations for how to spend a weekend in Asheville.

Grab a Drink at Sierra Nevada Brewery

Our first night in town our friends took us to Sierra Nevada Brewery, technically in the nearby town of Fletcher. The taproom is absolutely massive, featuring an indoor dining room, outdoor kitchen/bar, garden, and an outdoor stage for live music. The whole space was really laidback and fun to explore, and even though it was busy, the property was large enough that it never felt crowded. I tried an Oktoberfest beer which was delicious! Asheville is definitely known for its breweries, and Sierra Nevada is one of the best.

Hike to Black Balsam Knob

Our first full morning in Asheville we set off for the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike up to Black Balsam Knob. The weather was very chilly, windy, and rainy – which we weren’t super prepared for – but we still had a blast! The hike follows the Art Loeb Trail up to Black Balsam Knob, a beautiful mountain bald with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. The hike is short, sweet, and scenic, perfect for visitors from out of town! I plan to write up a whole blog post with more info about this hike, so stay tuned.

Enjoy Some Amazing Food

Asheville has a surprisingly amazing food scene, and we definitely ate good on our trip. Even though I didn’t take many pictures of the meals we enjoyed, every single one of them was delicious! For breakfast, we enjoyed some biscuits at Biscuit Head, a super popular spot that offers all kinds of biscuit platters and sandwiches. Lunch one day was at Laughing Seed Cafe, a delicious vegetarian-friendly spot in downtown Asheville where I got some amazing (albeit a bit ugly) loaded fries. Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack was also a great lunch spot that even offers vegan chicken! Finally, we also enjoyed some tasty tacos from White Duck Taco Shop, which features fun menu items like Greek and Korean-inspired tacos.

Spend an Evening Bar-Hopping

Though Asheville is better known for its breweries, the downtown area is also home to some awesome and unique bars. The first stop on our evening of bar-hopping was Citizen Vinyl, a record store/cafe/bar that also prints its own records! I got a gin and citrus cocktail which was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed the art deco-inspired interior.

Next up was Top of the Monk, an intimate rooftop bar with a casual, unfussy vibe. I tried a tropical drink with toasted coconut (which was lit on fire right in front me!) and even though it wasn’t my favorite drink of the night, the fun, laidback atmosphere more than made up for it.

Our last stop was Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar, a small cocktail bar situated inside a bookstore! This was definitely my favorite bar of the night, and the sangria I ordered was absolutely delicious. We all had fun sipping on champagne and wine and browsing the extensive collection of books.

Visit Biltmore

One of the most popular attractions in Asheville is the Biltmore Estate, the largest home in the country which was built by the legendary Vanderbilt family. I have actually toured Biltmore before but Solomon had never been, so we wanted to at least stop by for him to see the property. We didn’t go inside the house this time, but we did get to explore the gardens and conservatory which were beautiful. There is a lot to see and do on the Biltmore property, and it’s definitely worth a trip if you’ve never been.

Explore the River Arts District

Last, but certainly not least, was the River Arts District (RAD), a super artsy and quirky neighborhood of Asheville. RAD is full of art galleries, studios, vintage shops, and some great food and drink spots. We grabbed a beer at Wedge Brewery before checking out some thrift stores and then ended our visit with a trip to Summit Coffee, where I got a delicious iced maple latte.

Asheville is an amazing weekend destination in the Southeast. With amazing food, drinks, hiking, shopping, and so much more, there’s really something for everyone to enjoy. Huge thanks to Grant and Callan for hosting us and showing us around this awesome city!