Weaverville Things to Do, Restaurants, and More
Located roughly 10 miles North of Asheville, the town of Weaverville is a hidden gem that offers its fair share of restaurants, breweries, galleries, and other exciting places to explore while still giving you the option to check out the city of Asheville just 15 minutes away which boasts its own endless attractions and activities. Below you’ll find our insider guide to maximize your time and make the most of the hospitality and charm of small-town living when passing through or staying in this lovely and picturesque community.
WHERE TO EAT
Begin your day in Weaverville with a cup of coffee from Allgood Coffee, located in the town's original firehouse building. Weaverville's only dedicated coffee shop serves up your usual coffees, sourced from local roasteries, and hosts live music in the afternoons. They serve light fare, like muffins and bagels, so if you're feeling the need for something a little more hearty venture on down to town newcomer, The Yellow Mug. 
The Yellow Mug's brunch is everything you'll ever want. Their plates are large and scrumptious. Try one of their daily specials, like the stuffed french toast, or For those of you who like to imbibe while you brunch, don't worry, the Mug's got you covered. With cocktails and local beers, you can brunch to your heart's content.
If you're looking to do a light lunch or to grab a fantastic pastry, the late-opening Well Bred Café will be your next stop. This delightful bakery was voted "Best Small Town" bakery several years in a row. It has delicious pastries, sandwiches, and cookies the size of your head. Everything is baked a few miles down the road at their industrial bakery. For lunch crunch into a warm smoked turkey and gouda sandwich on a pretzel bun, with a side of one of the best kale salads you’ll ever have. Take your dessert to go and spend your afternoon browsing the small galleries and shops that line downtown.
The Glass Onion focuses on seasonal local fare with an Italian heritage. Their pasta is handmade in-house - if the gnocchi is on the menu your decision is made. For those with a less adventurous taste, their salmon salad is delightful. Their dining space is limited, so reserve ahead of time or get it to go.
With hand-thrown dough made to order The Blue Mountain Pizza is tossing pies all day long. Try a Mountain Extravaganza, a pie with all the toppings, or a Pesto Perfection, a simple classic pesto dish. If pizza isn't your thing, they've got pasta, salads, and quesadillas. At Main Street Grill they’re serving up family-friendly eats at their family-run establishment. Their burgers are the best in the town.
Also located on Main Street, Twisted Laurel’s flagship restaurant offers up Mediterranean/American fusion comfort food and 20+ taps for your enjoyment. While there, be sure to try one of their delicious stone hearth pies or one of their handheld gyros filled with your choice of lamb or chicken, veggies, and refreshing tzatziki sauce. Stoney Knob Cafe is an eclectic and delightful cafe in south Weaverville. Their menu features dishes from near and far, with European, Mediterranean, and Asian influences coming to the plates.
BREWERIES & BARS
Eluvium Brewing, named in honor of NC's initial mountain gold rush, specializes in session ales with some additional special brews. They’ve got an expansive outdoor seating arrangement and a pop-up restaurant by Baa’d Sheep Burritos. Sip a nice lager, dip your chips into some queso, and enjoy your afternoon. Speaking of sheep, Leveller Brewing Co. is a small craft brewery in downtown Weaverville that makes and serves up world-class beer, natural wines, ciders, and elevated snacks. The owners have a small flock of sheep at their farm in Alexander (which are partially fed spent grain from the brewhouse) and sell their yarn and other wool products at the brewery. 
Weaverville's other brewery, Zebulon Artisan Ales, is perfect if you’re in the mood for a brewery that focuses on Belgian and French farmhouse-style ales and attempts to brew something new and unique every time. Their downside is they’re only open from 1 pm-6 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Bring the pups, or don’t, and get some quality time in at Wag Bar. An outdoor space that doubles as a dog park and hang space for humans. With weekly breed meetups, health clinics, gourmet dog food, rotating food trucks, taps, and live music - this place is the best for both worlds.
Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store is Weaverville’s go-to wine experience. The owner is a first-level master sommelier who offers weekly wine tastings and gourmet sandwiches. Pick up a bottle of an old favorite, or let Maggie B’s expert staff guide you to something new.
GREENSPACES & HIKES
An area brimming with natural beauty, Weaverville has something for everyone's outdoor taste. The small Lake Louise Park right outside of downtown has places to fish, a sizable playground, outdoor exercise equipment, and a loop trail. The Main Street Nature Park offers a nice loop through the woods. There are several parks along the French Broad River—Alexander River Park, Walnut Island, and Ledges White Water Park—all with trails and river access. Mountain bikers are even in luck as Alexander Bike Park, with 6 miles of intermediate single-track trails, offers some great options if you choose to bring your bike along.
Cruise up onto the Blue Ridge Parkway from Ox Gap and enjoy beautiful vistas with very little work, or, go for a better view of the mountains by hiking up to one of the nearby peaks. The Mountains-to-Sea trail follows along the parkway in this area, with nearby lead-ins from Rattlesnake Lodge, Tanbark Ridge Tunnel, and Potato Gap. At Rattlesnake Lodge visit the ruins of a manor house that burnt down in 1926. Don’t miss a visit to Craggy Gardens, a lovely bald with a diverse ecosystem and views of Weaverville. The area of Big Ivy, another name for Mountain Laurel, is also brimming with unique hikes. Challenge yourself with the Laurel Gap Trail, a 7-mile point-to-point trail, or take a stroll down to Douglas Falls, a 1-mile round-trip hike.
For any of your outdoor excursion needs, keep Curtis Wright Outfitters in mind. In addition to selling popular outdoor gear and apparel, they also provide exclusive hands-on experiences in fly fishing and the ancient art of falconry. With the fly fishing packages, you can choose between a wade or float trip down the river to fish against the backdrop of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. With falconry, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see and handle the magnificent bird of prey up close.
ARTS & FESTIVALS
The mountains of Western North Carolina are bursting with creativity year-round, and Weaverville is no exception. Home to 3 art galleries and multiple studios, Artisans on Main represents over 40 area artists ranging from furniture to painting to fiber arts. For our fiber arts fellows, a trip to EchoView Farm & Fiber Mill is a must. Crucible Glassworks and Art Gallery, Art Accents Frame Shop and Gallery, and Mangum Pottery Studio and Gallery are also centrally located for your viewing pleasure. This homespun mill crafts ethical fibers and hosts weekly community events.
The Weaverville Art Safari is one of the longest-running studio tours in the Asheville Area. The two-day juried event is a free and self-guided studio tour that typically takes place every spring and fall (usually the last weekend of April and the first weekend of November). The tour offers a unique look at the artists’ pieces in their working environments, and it features artists who specialize in handmade pottery, glass, photography, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, painting, drawing, fiber art, wood art, and more.
Weaverville also hosts an Art in Autumn Festival each September to kick off the fall season. Both events present the perfect opportunity to admire and support local artists across various mediums and get a head start on personalized birthday and holiday shopping!
Looking for additional activity options in the Weaverville area?
- For the freshest groceries and goods, Weaverville Tailgate Market takes place on Wednesdays from 2-5 pm. Pick up local produce, a fragrant bouquet, and a handmade treasure to enjoy back at your vacation home.
- For history buffs, The Vance Birthplace Historic Site is worth a visit to learn about Civil War Governor and post-Reconstruction Senator Zebulon Vance and a great way to learn about North Carolina mountain life on this reconstructed farmstead in Reems Creek Valley.
- For quiet time on the green, Reems Creek Golf Club is your go-to spot if you bring along your clubs or just want to rent some clubs and spend a day on the course.
- For chionophiles, Wolf Ridge Resort is a quick 25-30 minute drive from Weaverville and is a popular site for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
- For thrill-seekers, Navitat Canopy Adventures, one of the finest tree-based adventure companies in the nation, is just a quick 20-minute drive from Weaverville and offers one-of-a-kind treetop tours that allow you to glide atop old-growth trees at heights up to 80 ft!