Hi everyone! Happy Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend.
My sister-in-law Danielle and her fiancé Dan came to visit us this past weekend. Dan had never been to Asheville before, so the hubs and I spent the past couple of days showing them around town.
Dan and Danielle arrived mid afternoon Thursday. We started their Asheville tour with a little shopping at Biltmore Park and then we drove over to the Biltmore Estate. With my annual pass, I can get in family members to Antler Hill Village after five. We went to the winery and had a wonderful dinner on the patio.
Friday morning we woke up early and went to one of my favorite quick hikes to take company, Craggy Pinnacle.
We went up to the top to see spectacular views. You can't come to the mountains and not see this!
I can never get enough of this place.
After a quick lunch, we went tubing! The hubs and I had never done this before, but it was a great experience.
Zen Tubing took care of everything and we had a completely relaxing afternoon. You can easily tether your tubes together and there are now drink cooler tubes. How cool is that?
My other sister-in-law Megan joined us for dinner Friday. We had a great night out in downtown Asheville.
We started the evening with a cheese plate at my favorite wine bar Sante. Next up was dinner at The Blackbird and dessert at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge.
What a fun night! And of course, no Friday night in Asheville is complete without stopping by the Drum Circle.
Saturday we spent a big chunk of the day at the new Sierra Nevada Brewery in Mills River, including going on one of their tours. These are the huge copper barrels for beer brewing.
These are the hops they use. They store them in a 40 degree room.
This is how the beer gets bottled.
The finale of the tour is a tasting. I’m honestly not a huge beer fan, but I really appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into it and I enjoy tasting and learning about the different flavors. It’s such a huge part of Asheville’s culture, it’s hard not to get into it a little!
Late Saturday we went back downtown for the Haunted LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour, otherwise known as the purple bus. It's basically a comedy show on wheels that tours around the city.
Our friends Michaela and Nathan joined us. We laughed so hard and it was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend.
Now I may have to sleep for a month to recover from all of this Asheville fun! What a marvelous weekend.
Tomorrow I’m sharing a new yummy zoodle recipe using pistachios! I hope to see you then.
And of course, have a Marvelous Monday! Thanks for the linkup Katie.
Your turn!
What is your favorite thing to show family when they come into town?
Alex Deckard says
Hi Julie,
LaZoom is on my short list. I love taking friends and family to Troy and Sons for the free tour and complimentary samples.
Jess @hellotofit says
I love that you combine exercise with non-exercise things ;). You're such a great host!!
JulieWunder says
Oh yeah! I'll drag anyone on a hike!
Julie says
I love Asheville! I went to the Sierra Nevada Brewery when I was there last month and was impressed. Now I keep getting their beers!
JulieWunder says
Isn't is awesome! I was BLOWN away the first time I went up there b/c we don't have a lot of stuff like that!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I have never been to Ashville but it looks like there is SO much to do!! Looks like a great weekend!
JulieWunder says
It's a really cool place. Always something to do!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I've seen so many great posts about Asheville this week! Looks like a wonderful place for a weekend getaway!
JulieWunder says
Asheville is a fabulous place!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
Whatever that drum circle is - it looks awesome!
JulieWunder says
haha! Friday nights in Asheville people gather round this park with drums and just play all night. It's pretty cool 🙂
Heather@hungryforbalance says
We have been to Asheville a few times, but have never done that hike. It looks like a good one!
You did an awesome job of showing your family a good time!
JulieWunder says
It's a great hike if you want to stay close to town and get a big view for not so long of a hike!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I think being a tourist in your hometown is the greatest. It gives you such a different view of where you live.
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! Great to see you today!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I second Annmarie. You better take me on a hike!
JulieWunder says
Anytime!!!
Danyelle Musselman says
It's always fun to play tourist in your own city! You get to see things you wouldn't go to on your own.
JulieWunder says
Totally! Gives you an excuse to kind of take the week off.
Blane Sherer says
You are one Awesome tour guide ! I am glad that you
had such a fun family extended weekend and I enjoyed
your sharing it with us. Yep, sounds like you may need
to get some rest after all of that ( smile ).
JulieWunder says
Thank you!!!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
looks like a fun weekend! Have a great week!
JulieWunder says
You too!
Jamie says
Such a fun weekend! I went tubing in Dallas and it was so so so much fun... and the floating coolers made everything better : ) Have a fabulous week!
JulieWunder says
Whoever invented floating coolers is a genius!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
What an absolutely perfect weekend in Asheville! I know who to call next time I'm up that way! haha
JulieWunder says
Totally!!! You'd love it!
Jessie says
This sounds like one of the best weekends of your summer. So much fun jam-packed into just a few days! Nothing beats having family & friends join either 🙂
JulieWunder says
Yes! It was kind of epic!!! Thanks Jessie!
Annmarie says
If I ever make it down to Asheville I am totally making you take me on a hike! Looks amazing! 🙂
JulieWunder says
You must!!! 🙂 It's such a cool place.
Dan Steadman says
the mountains..so THAT's what Craggy Pinnacle looks like!! We went on the 4th and it was rainy and foggy..
JulieWunder says
I know!!!!!! That's actually the first time I've been up there that it has been completely sunny too!