Confession: I treat my dog Ollie like he’s a human. I even have a backpack to carry him in when he gets tired. Therefore, it will probably come as no surprise to anyone that I absolutely love taking him places with me. When I found out I had the chance to bring Ollie along to Asheville, North Carolina and stay at Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown – a place known for being extremely dog friendly – I was thrilled to do so.

The Essential Guide to Dog Friendly Asheville

If I were to describe Asheville, North Carolina I would call it a larger version of my hometown Charlottesville, VA - just with more artists and less preppy clothing. There are many reasons why I say this fun southern town reminds me of home; it’s surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are breweries everywhere and the food scene is fantastic. It’s no surprise it’s a destination for many bachelor and bachelorette parties!  

Is Asheville NC Dog Friendly?

This artsy community is also incredibly dog friendly. Ollie was in his element, constantly being stopped and cuddled by people in the street. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of visiting Asheville, as well as see all of the adventures we had during our stay!  

The Best Times to Visit Asheville

While Spring is said to be the best time to visit the Asheville area, the weather is so mild in this city you honestly can’t go wrong any time of year. It’s in a beautiful location and there always seems to be something going on in town, even if the weather isn’t at its best. I will say there were a couple of days on our trip where it was a bit muggy and I had to be on top of keeping Ollie (and myself) hydrated, but overall the weather wasn’t unpleasant. Here is what you can expect of Asheville weather year round:

Summer - While located in the mountains, the summer months can still get a bit humid so hydrating is key. 

Fall - It’s still a bit warm in the early fall so you won’t have to worry about drastically dropping temperatures. Also, being in the mountains you are sure to see lots of beautiful colors when the leaves begin to change.  

Winter – Temperatures certainly won’t match the north in terms of how cold it will be, but the winter months can still be chilly. You’ll definitely want to bundle up a bit and bring layers. With the colder temps, the crowds tend to die down except for at Christmastime, when the Biltmore brings in lots of tourists.  

Spring - Spring is the best time to visit Asheville. Temperatures are nice and mild, making it ideal for hiking and visiting breweries. 

What To Pack For Asheville, NC

When it comes to packing for Asheville, practicality is key. Even if you aren’t taking advantage of the many hiking trails, it’s still a city where you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes are a must. I mostly lived in my classic Converse Chucks and I was glad I did, as the one day I wore sandals I deeply regretted my choice.  

While it was hot when out in the sun, being in the mountains allows for some cool breezes so bringing along a jacket or sweater is a good idea. It is also a pretty casual spot, so I opted more for maxi dresses when dressing for dinner instead of getting dressed up.  

(For more on how to pack - check out my packing list at the end of this post) 

How To Get To Asheville, NC

Asheville is around five and a half hours from Charlottesville, VA so we decided to drive. It’s a very straight shot with plenty of places to stop along the way for when Ollie got a little restless. 

If you prefer to fly, the closest airport is the Asheville Regional Airport located about a 15 minute drive outside of the city. This airport services six different airlines from multiple hubs throughout the United States.  

How To Get Around Asheville, NC

Whichever way you opt to get to Asheville, it’s fairly easy to get around once you are there.  At the airport there are several car rental options, which I definitely recommend booking ahead of time. If car rentals aren’t your thing and you plan on primarily being downtown and walking, Uber & Lyft are also available and easy to use.

Of course, adding a dog to the mix always makes things interesting. Unless they are a service dog, it is ultimately up to the driver of the vehicle whether or not your furry friend and ride. I would recommend messaging your drivers to make sure they are comfortable with having a pet in their car. The worst that can happen is they will say no and you’ll have to find another driver.

Where to Stay: The Dog Friendly Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown

Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown

Go There

I was thrilled to be able to stay at a dog friendly hotel right downtown. Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown is located immediately off of the downtown exit, making it easy to find when you get to Asheville. As it is still downtown but on a less busy street, it is the ideal mix of being where you can easily walk to everything in town without having to deal with too much crowd and noise. If you are looking to venture way from the downtown area, it’s still a convenient spot (only 2.5 miles to The Biltmore).  

If you are driving to Asheville, Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown offers valet parking and I would definitely recommend this as the way to go - parking in Asheville isn’t easy and you’ll end up paying around the same amount for less convenience if you try and find it on your own. The valets at Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown were wonderful and we never had to wait long on the occasions when we wanted to grab our vehicle and venture outside of the downtown area.  

The hotel team was incredibly lovely to Ollie, which made me so happy. Ollie was immediately fussed over in the best way so I felt really happy knowing they are truly dog friendly at Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown and not just allowing dogs on the premises. There is a pet fee of $75 and you’ll have to sign a form, but it’s all very standard.

As far as the room itself, it was exactly what I wanted for a place to recharge. The room was spacious, clean and so comfortable. The walk-in shower was enormous and there was great closet and drawer space so I could unpack and settle in, something I personally really value when I’m traveling. It also passed the Ollie test, as he immediately jumped on the bed and started happily playing.  

If you are traveling with a pet and decide to leave them in the room for a little, Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown does request you crate your dog, but this is standard practice when staying with pets. While we brought his crate with us, Asheville was so dog friendly we ended up just taking Ollie everywhere.  

In addition to the rooms being great, the hotel has all of the amenities you could want. The Wi-Fi is complimentary, the room has hair dryers, an iron and a fridge, and there is a gym on the premises. The restaurant in the lobby, Fifty One Boutique, offers full breakfast for a fee from 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Overall, Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown was the perfect spot for us to stay with Ollie.  

Dog Friendly Things To Do In Asheville, NC

The Biltmore 

Go There 

Everyone told me I had to be sure and see The Biltmore, as it is an Asheville institution. The Biltmore was built by George Washington Vanderbilt and officially opened in 1895. It is also still privately owned and has the distinction of being America’s Largest Home.  

While the house tour is not dog friendly, the gardens are so we were able to bring Ollie. I definitely recommend getting your tickets ahead of time, as they check for them as you drive up. The grounds were beautiful - gorgeous views! - and you can still get a really nice look at the outside of the house on the self-guided garden tour.  

There were a couple of things about touring the gardens I wish I had thought of beforehand. If you aren’t touring the house, you can bring water along with you and hydrating is always a good idea. They have spots where you can purchase water but it would have been lovely to have it already on hand. I also wish I had thought to wear my sneakers. My sandals made the gravel a little unpleasant and I became pretty cranky by the end - completely my own fault and something I easily could have avoided had I used my head.

I had heard the Biltmore Winery was also dog friendly but sadly learned that isn’t the case. However, as I love wine and my husband does not, he kindly stayed outside with Ollie while I did the complimentary tasting. I would recommend making reservations for the tasting ahead of time, as they limit how many they do each day. It was a cool spot to see, as it’s in the site of their former dairy, and they have a wine bar where you can sit outside with your dog so that makes for a nice option.

Of course, while you are in the Biltmore area, don’t forget to check out Biltmore Village. Full of shops, restaurants and breweries, this section of Asheville resembles and old English village and is fun to explore. Just be sure and check on dog friendliness of the restaurants beforehand if you plan on eating in the area.

Down Dog Yoga 

Go There

If you want the opportunity to let your dog off leash while you enjoy a drink, Asheville has a couple of spots where this is offered. We took Ollie to Down Dog Yoga, which is a yoga studio and a bar. While the concept sounds a little crazy it definitely works.   

They have what they call Dogtenders, people who watch your dog during your yoga session while serving as puppy referees in the bar itself. After you partake in yoga, you can grab a drink or you can skip the Namaste all together and go straight for the alcohol.   

Dogs must be at least four months, vaccinated and, if over six months, neutered or spayed. There is a play area where you can keep your dog on leash or you can let them run free. I was honestly nervous to let Ollie off of his, but the Dogtender was so sweet and fantastic at monitoring the dogs it helped set my mind at ease. Ollie had a great time and it tired him out.  

Wagbar  

Go There 

While we didn’t have a chance to try Wagbar, a lot of people told us it is another fun spot for dogs. A reimagined dog park, this is a great option for grabbing food and drink while letting your pup explore and play with other dogs. In addition to having a lot of the same rules in place as Down Dog regarding age and vaccinations, they are also similar in that they do a ton for animal charities. Both are great spots for animal lovers.

River Arts District  

Go There 

As I mentioned earlier, Asheville is a town full of artists. If you are looking to support local artisans, head on over to the River Arts District (RAD) and pick up some lovely souvenirs. RAD consists of a ton of studios in 23 former industrial buildings along the river, making it a uniquely Asheville experience. We spent an afternoon strolling around and seeing some beautiful pieces. As a plus, a majority of the places were welcoming dogs well behaved dogs, though we exercised caution so as not to harm any of the artwork.  

Hiking  

Ollie is still pretty young (only 10 months) and so hiking was the one thing we opted not to do, as we didn’t want to overtire him. However, Asheville is an ideal spot for outdoor activities, especially if you love to hike. The Blue Ridge Parkway has a lot of different types of hikes to offer depending on what you are looking for, so if hiking is your thing (and you don’t have a tiny 12 lb puppy to contend with) I recommend taking advantage.  

Urban Trail 

While wandering around the city, you can learn about your surroundings with the self-guided Urban Walking Tour. The Explore Asheville site offers information about every spot you’ll see along the way and since it’s self-guided you can break it up with stops at breweries, restaurants, and shops. One thing we noticed while exploring the town with Ollie is a lot of locations had signs noting they were dog friendly so it was easy for us to know where we could take him. There is a ton of shopping and restaurants to explore.

Where to Eat & Drink in Asheville

Asheville is a dream city for foodies, as well as for those who enjoy imbibing a bit. From a ton of breweries to a variety of restaurants, there is something for everyone in this city. Of course, the fact that so many spots are dog friendly makes it all the better! Below are some of the great spots we tried.  

Dssolvr 

Go There (located downtown) 

Asheville is known for its craft beer and a majority of their breweries are pet friendly. You could honestly spend your entire trip exploring each one with how prevalent they are. Of the spots we tried, my absolute favorite was Dssolvr. This brewing company has what they call an emphasis on the surreal, so the beers are inventive and fun (my choice was the Cold Caprese Pizza, perfect for a hot summer day) but they also explore other types of alcohols beyond beer, making it ideal for when someone in your group isn’t a beer fan. The space was also huge and open and Ollie absolutely loved it.

Pleb Winery 

Go There (located approximately 2 miles from downtown) 

While Asheville is known more for beer, there are some spots to enjoy wine. We ventured to Pleb Urban Winery (located in the River Arts District) because I’d heard it was a big, open space and dog friendly. Sure enough, it made for a lovely afternoon with Ollie. He curled up immediately and napped while I enjoyed a great orange wine (I talked about orange wine in my last post) called B-sides & Rarities, Vol. 4. It’s a nice option to have if you aren’t feeling like a brewery but still want to imbibe.  

Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne  Bar 

Go There (located downtown) 

What’s better than a bookstore? How about a bookstore serving up champagne and snacks. The night we stopped by this spot they had live music playing, making it feel like we were enjoying a summer evening in Paris. The champagne cocktails and snacks added to the enjoyment. One important thing to note is that, while the outdoor space is dog friendly, if you are looking to explore the books you’ll want to pop on over to Malaprops instead.    

Double D’s 

Go There (located downtown) 

Double D’s is a double decker bus in the heart of downtown Asheville serving coffee and baked goods. It’s absolutely adorable and they have outdoor seating if you want to sit and enjoy your coffee. However, given they are right in the center of things, I opted to take mine to go so I could enjoy a morning stroll around the city. It’s also very Instagrammable if you are looking for a fun photo op. One important thing to note is they only take cash but there are nearby spots with ATMs as noted on their sign.

Hole Doughnuts 

Go There (located approximately 2 miles from downtown) 

I love a good doughnut and Hole makes them to order, guaranteeing fresh deliciousness. Orders are placed online so it’s best to put it in ahead of time but we still got our doughnuts quickly without doing so. The menu is super simple (only a few styles to choose from) but they are absolutely fantastic. I went with the cinnamon sugar and could have eaten two. It’s definitely worth venturing outside of the downtown area to try.  

White Duck Taco Shop 

Go There (located approximately 1.3 miles from downtown)  

While we were visiting the River Arts District, we decided to stop off at White Duck Taco for lunch. This particular location is right along the water and has a ton of outdoor seating. In addition to being a great spot to bring your dog, the tacos were delicious and they had a great variety to choose from. I opted for the Spicy Buffalo Chicken and the Black Bean and it was plenty of food – these tacos are not small! The line was long so that was the only downside.  

Rhubarb 

Go There (located downtown) 

I was really excited to try Rhubarb when I read about it on Eater Carolina’s list of essential Asheville restaurants. Chef and owner John Fleer is James Beard nominated and the food is a clear indication he is deserving of his accolades. Rhubarb is a fantastic farm to table spot. The menu changes regularly to incorporate the freshest ingredients and they list out all of their local purveyors. In addition to being incredibly fresh, the menu is also inventive. From a tomato and peach salad to the most delicious duck, this spot was worth the hype and the outside was dog friendly for Ollie.   

The Admiral 

Go There (located approximately 2.4 miles from downtown) 

Like Rhubarb, Admiral boasts a great, ever changing menu to showcase the best ingredients. The Snapper Crudo was amazing, with a perfect amount of acid and a nice added texture from the roasted corn. I had the Farfalle, which was great, and my husband’s trout was incredible. They were also incredibly sweet to Ollie, making for such a nice dinner experience out on their patio. 

Bouchon 

Go There (located downtown) 

Bouchon was a must on our list, as my husband loves French food. The setting was great, as we were tucked away on their back patio, and the food was delicious. We split the Escargot and then I had the Moules Frites. It was a great final dinner in Asheville for us and a nice romantic spot if you are looking for something a little special while on your trip.  

Early Girl Eatery 

Go There (located downtown) 

We said goodbye to Asheville with lunch at Early Girl because my friend Kyle told me any of their chicken dishes would change my life. The hot chicken sandwich was so delicious (crispy with the right amount of heat) and the mojito salad it’s paired with was the perfect balance. It’s tucked away on Wall Street, making for fantastic people watching, and there was lovely live music being played on the corner. It was the perfect way to bid farewell to this lovely and unique city.  

What About Next Time?

While we had a blast with Ollie, there were a couple of things we didn’t get to explore having him in tow. The next time I go back to Asheville I want to see all of The Biltmore (maybe during the holidays?) and I also would love to check out The Chemist Tasting Room and their cocktail lounge Antidote. It’s supposed to have a very cool speakeasy vibe. 

All in all, Asheville is a charming place with lots of dog lovers and a ton to do. I’m so appreciative to Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown for hosting us and helping us to explore everything Asheville has to offer. I can’t wait to visit again! 

Packing List

As promised, here is my recommended packing list for Asheville:

Until next time, cheers and happy eating!