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Mountain Vacation Highlights (Black Mountain, Montreat and Asheville)

October 18, 2016 by Julie 29 Comments

Our 2016 fall mountain vacation was incredible and I cannot help but feel a little sad that the vacation I’ve been looking forward to for months is over. Post vacation blues are reeeal! I am crossing my fingers that an autumn mountain vacation becomes a tradition in our family.

Fagan Family

Ryan and I first got the idea to rent a big mountain house for a family vacation last year when Chase was just under three months old. A drivable location was key since, as first-time parents, we felt like we needed to bring ALL THE THINGS for our new baby (and we wanted to be able to include Sadie!) and we were thrilled when my parents, sister and brother-in-law said they were interested in joining us. Our 2015 vacation took us to Boone and Banner Elk and we loved it so much and knew we wanted to do something similar this year.

We decided to explore a new area during our 2016 mountain vacation and rented a home in Black Mountain, a small town located east of Asheville. We spent seven days exploring Black Mountain, Montreat and Asheville and Ryan and I left promising each other we’d make it back for a long weekend in the near future because we loved each of the beautiful mountain towns so much.

I tried to keep the blog hoppin’ last week and shared glimpses into a few days of our vacation, including a day trip to the Biltmore Estate, zip lining at Navitat and hiking Upper Catawba Falls but I wanted to share a roundup of a few of our vacation highlights that didn’t make the blog today!

Mountain Vacation Highlights

  • 12 Bones Smokehouse

12Bones BBQ Asheville

12 Bones Asheville

12 Bones came up time and time again when we asked around for Asheville-area restaurant recommendations. It’s a popular barbeque hot spot located in the River Arts District of Asheville and we knew we had to try their famous ribs during our visit. We were told to expect a line out the door, so we were pleasantly surprised to walk right up to the counter without a wait on Thursday afternoon. We ordered an assortment of ribs and sides and polished every bite off our plates. The brown sugar ribs, mashed sweet potatoes and collard greens were my favorite!

  • WNC Nature Center

wnc nature center

WNC Nature Center popped up on our radar thanks to positive Trip Advisor reviews. Chase is also a big-time animal lover, so we thought he’d really enjoy a trip to the Nature Center. It ended up being a home run with our little man (and my whole family)! The Nature Center was affordable ($10 a person and free for Chase) and shady pathways took us around the outdoor facility to see a variety of animals including the most playful and active otters I’ve ever seen, black bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes and more.

Julie Ryan Chase 14 months (Pic from my Instagram)

Another WNC Nature Center highlight? Gem mining!

WNC Nature Center Gem Mining

Ryan purchased a bag of rocks and dirt as a joke for my sister to rummage through because Leslie used to be a big-time rock collector as a little girl. What started out as a bit of a joke ended up quite amusing! The bag was loaded with an assortment of gems and we all had way more fun than we imagined sifting through the rubble for the gems!

  • Buxton Hall Barbeque

Buxton Hall Asheville

Buxton Hall BBQ Asheville

Buxton Hall Barbeque is a relatively new restaurant in Asheville that’s already making quite a name for itself! We loved the atmosphere of the restaurant and the food absolutely lived up to the hype (and so did the cocktails)! We also ordered one of their banana cream pies to go and it was wonderful! Bonus: This place is located right next to Vortex Doughnuts, so grabbing another box of fresh doughtnuts was a no-brainer after our visit to Buxton Hall!

  • Hiking Lookout Mountain in Montreat

Lookout Mountain hike Montreat

Lookout Mountain Trail Montreat

Our final day of vacation was the perfect mix of active and relaxing. We spent the evening at our mountain cabin but during the day we headed into Montreat, a small but beautiful town that is home to Montreat College. (Talk about a gorgeous college campus!) We parked our car at the base of the Lookout Trail which took us up, up, up to the top of Lookout Mountain. It was a short hike to the top but the incline had us huffing and puffing!

The top of Lookout Mountain offers the most incredible expansive mountain views and we all agreed this hike was a trip highlight. We ended up hiking a two mile loop that included Little Lookout and Big Lookout and loved soaking in the breathtaking scenery around us. (Big thank you to blog reader Kristen for recommending this hike and putting it on our radar!)

  • The Dripolator Coffeehouse

Dripolator Black Mountain

What a charming little coffeehouse! We popped into The Dripolator Coffeehouse in Black Mountain for a little pick-me-up on our way back home from our hike up Lookout Mountain and I only wish we would’ve discovered this hot spot sooner because it would’ve definitely been a daily staple for us during our vacation! We ordered an assortment of coffee drinks and smoothies and bought a bunch of their baked goods to enjoy later that evening for dessert that all received rave reviews from my family. (I loved the oatmeal cream pie the most but the carrot cake was also wonderful.) We also ordered a small cup of their Drinking Chocolate after one of the women working at the coffeehouse described it as a cross between hot chocolate and a “drinkable truffle” and it was incredible. A must-try if you’re ever in Black Mountain!

  • Hiking Lower Catawba Falls

Lower Catawba Falls Hike

Catawba Falls Hike

Kona

On Monday, we hiked to Upper Catawba Falls but Ryan and I also managed to sneak away and hike Lower Catawba Falls with the dogs before everyone was awake on Wednesday morning. It was another stunning hike with lots of mini waterfalls to see before we reached the giant waterfall at the end. Sadie and Kona had a blast running around as always and I loved the quiet start to the day with Ryan and two very energetic furry ladies!

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Filed Under: Family, Travel Tagged With: Asheville, Asheville travel, Black Mountain, Black Mountain hiking, family, Montreat, Montreat hiking, North Carolina, travel, vacation, WNC Nature Center

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    October 17, 2016 at 8:09 am

    That cornbread and mac and cheese! YUM! So glad you had such a good vacation!

    Reply
  2. Tracy Schwartz says

    October 17, 2016 at 8:11 am

    Aww so glad you had a wonderful time!

    I like collecting rocks and engraving sayings on them! That gem mining looks awesome!

    Reply
  3. Abby Siler says

    October 17, 2016 at 8:18 am

    I love the pictures of your little one! The mouth open one is great! You look like you all had a blast hiking!! I was like your sister when I was little, I wanted to have a rock collection. I even had a little tumbler to polish rocks with….oh the phases we go through in life!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 17, 2016 at 10:05 am

      Love it!! She also had a rock tumbler! Ha!

      Reply
  4. Brynn says

    October 17, 2016 at 8:39 am

    The vacation looks delicious, active and filled with fun! Love the coffee shop Dripolator!! Asheville is such a gorgeous destination, I hope to return soon!

    Reply
  5. kati says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Looks SO fun! I’d love to do something like this but am too nervous to travel anywhere with our little one (10 1/2 months). I know Chase is a probably a pro at traveling by now but I have to ask–how does he sleep when you guys are away from home? That’s the #1 reason we haven’t stayed overnight anywhere since Max was born.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 17, 2016 at 10:05 am

      I feel like we are pretty lucky because he sleeps really well in his pack ‘n’ play. I just try to replicate his nursery environment and bring along his noise machine (<-- absolutely necessary, especially when we stay with others and are noisy!) -- Naps are a little more touch-and-go but we just try to make sure he gets a solid morning nap in even when we're traveling because he's at the age now when he can handle only one nap a day, which makes things easier since we want to be out and about a lot during vacation! It's definitely hard to step away from the comforts of home with a little one. I hope your first time away with Max goes well whenever you feel the time is right! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Heather @ Polyglot Jot says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Wow you got some great family photos!! Chase is looking so big! <3

    Reply
  7. Patricia @Sweet and Strong says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Great photos! Views from the hikes were so gorgeous, there really aren’t too many views more beautiful than trees in the Fall. And OMG that BBQ! I would make the drive to Asheville just for that!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 17, 2016 at 10:02 am

      it was so tasty!!

      Reply
  8. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:35 am

    What a fun time in Asheville! It looks like you hit a lot of the highlights! It’s such a fun place to live. Glad you and your family had fun.

    Reply
  9. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:37 am

    Looks like you had fun and awesome you could bring the pups!

    Reply
  10. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    October 17, 2016 at 9:55 am

    I totally get the post vacation blues too – it’s definitely a thing. Looks like you guys did a lot of fun stuff while you were there.

    Reply
  11. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth says

    October 17, 2016 at 10:14 am

    I LOVE that idea! It’s nice to not get together only for the holidays or only when you have something you HAVE to do. And love that it’s an adventure that’s just a bit different from the everyday!

    My aunt and uncle live in Asheville during the Summers and make it down to Florida for the Winters and finally just made the seasonal move this weekend. It’s so gorgeous in the fall that it’s definitely a little tough to leave. 🙂

    Glad you guys had such a great time!
    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com

    Reply
  12. Wendy says

    October 17, 2016 at 10:39 am

    Julie! Looks like it was an absolutely amazing trip in every regard– the company, location, activity, and food yum 🙂

    If you don’t mind me asking, what camera/ setting was used to take the third photo in the post (the one of you and Chase in the blue polo)? It’s a stunning capture!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 17, 2016 at 11:20 am

      Thank you, Wendy! It was taken with my sister and brother-in-law’s camera, so I’ll have to ask and get back to you! I wish they could take all my photos for me!

      Reply
  13. Becki says

    October 17, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Julie -so happy you had a wonderful family vacation. Sorry to hear the post vacation blues have hit – time to start researching your next one ? Would you mind sharing the link to the house you rented? If not, what site do you and Ryan use to find rental homes?

    Reply
  14. Kim from MN says

    October 17, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Love these vacation highlights, you guys look like you had such a great time! And man you guys lucked out with some really nice weather! Love it! Now I’m pastry hungry! 🙂 Thanks Julie!

    Reply
  15. Emily says

    October 17, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    All of that barbecue looks great- you have me itching to visit there! Hiking in the fall is the BEST!

    Reply
  16. Ashley@cupcakesncrunches says

    October 17, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    I’m going to be in Asheville in December so I’m taking notes from this post of things to see and do and places to eat! That coffee shop has me all kinds of excited! 🙂 Love all the pictures – especially of the hikes – it looks like such a fun trip!

    Reply
  17. Bethany says

    October 17, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    I’m totally convinced now that my family needs a mountain vacation. Looks like you all had a great time. And I hear you, post- vacation blues are so real.

    Reply
  18. Katrina says

    October 17, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    I’m right with your sister on that one! I remember I even had a rock tumbler! Those things were AWESOME! 😀

    Reply
  19. Amanda M says

    October 17, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    My family and I are going to Hendersonville (right by Asheville) next week, and it has been so fun to see your recap posts before we leave! We planned on hiking a lot and going to the Biltmore. I’ll be sure not to skip the winery 😉

    Reply
  20. Emily says

    October 17, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    I’d love to go to Asheville now since reading your recaps! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Bethany says

    October 17, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    You guys should do the Great Smokey Mountains next week! Pigeon Forge is great for kids! It is one of our favorite vacation spots!

    Reply
  22. Julie says

    October 18, 2016 at 12:18 am

    I lived in Asheville for 6 years and I’m always amazed by its charm! I can’t say enough good things about it and there’s always more and more to see when I go back to visit.

    Reply
  23. Erin D. says

    October 18, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    Are you willing to share where you stayed? I’m searching Airbnb and VRBO, but it’s always nice to have a recommendation! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 19, 2016 at 7:20 am

      Yes!! We stayed at the Skytop Chalet –> https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p4088662 It was a wonderful house but a decent drive from Asheville (35-40 min). It was perfect for us but if you’re looking for a place in the heart of Asheville, it may not be the best fit. We loved it though!!

      Reply
  24. Leiah G says

    October 20, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    Where did you get your cute over the knee boots?? You should tag more if your clothes you are always dressed so cute!!

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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