At first glance, it might seem odd that Asheville has a big piece of my heart — and that’s because Asheville is, without a doubt, unabashedly, unapologetically… odd. Quirky. Weird. Yes, it has an elegant and refined side, too, but as a more straight arrow myself, it’s not the first place you’d picture our family returning year after year. But we have (clocking our twelfth or so visit a few weeks ago!), and its magic has never waned. I’m excited to share our guide with you, just in time for a fall visit!

WHEN TO GO

We road trip to Asheville every year in the fall, and it is an absolutely lovely time to visit. If you’re hoping to see colorful foliage, schedule your visit at the end of October or beginning of November. (If you’re a little earlier in the fall, be sure to head to the Blue Ridge Parkway – with the higher elevation, the leaf switchover happens sooner!) A summer trip is also a great way to beat the Southern heat.

WHERE TO EAT

We often joke that our biggest puzzle when planning an Asheville trip is coming up with activities to slot between the zillions of meals we want to eat – ha! With an unusually large number of distinguished chefs for such a small town — being nominated for a James Beard award seems more like permission to play than a differentiator here! — readers who love to eat will not be disappointed. Whichever spot you decide on, you’re almost certainly guaranteed happy animals, locally-grown vegetables, and fair wage workers — that’s the Asheville way.

For a classic Southern meal, head to Tupelo Honey Cafe or Early Girl Eatery. As with most AVL restaurants, both often have a long wait, but that just gives you time to pop into a few of downtown’s charming shops — see below! I love the burger on Early Girl’s menu and the chopped egg and avocado sandwich on Tupelo’s — plus, the latter’s complimentary biscuits and jam are heavenly.

For barbecue, try Buxton Hall (in an old roller skating rink!) for Eastern style or 12 Bones (only open on weekdays).

Asheville has a robust roster of ethnic eateries, all with cheeky twists. Chai Pani dishes up Indian street food – my favorite is the chicken tikka roll, and we love getting the bhel puri to start. Bouchon has decadent French food and a delightful little patio to eat it on, and All Souls slings creative pizza in a humble, string-light-lit yard.

Last but in no ways least is White Duck Taco, without which a visit to Asheville is NOT NOT NOT complete. Our favorites include the buffalo chicken and lamb gyro, and their queso is never to be missed. Amen. (They have two Asheville locations; we prefer the River Arts District one because the location by the river is beautiful!)

For all its funk, Asheville of course has options for elegant meals. Katie Button is the queen of class in town, helming two standout tapas options: Nightbell (tapas Appalachian style – we loved the sumac roasted carrots and the smoked duck breast) and Curate (Spanish tapas). We also had a delicious meal around the refined and rugged table of chef John Fleer (formerly of Blackberry Farm) at Rhubarb. Both are perfect for special occasions.

If you’re still hungry after a meal at any of the above (and weren’t enticed by their respective dessert menus!), there are plenty of stand-alone sweet spots. Like any good destination, Asheville has a Kilwins, or there’s the pretty French Broad Chocolate Lounge (don’t miss their menu of drinking chocolates).

Finally, Asheville might shine most brightly in the morning, as evidenced by brunch menus all around town. Our favorites include Biscuit Head (where you can get a gravy flight with your biscuit!), Sunny Point Cafe (with an amazing garden to explore while you wait), and Hole Doughnuts (the cutest little shop that makes crunchy-on-the-outside, airy-on-the-inside donuts to order, an arm’s length in front of you). Warning: expect a wait at all of these spots – but it will be worth it!

WHAT TO DO

Downtown has a number of adorable shops to browse, which comes in handy when you’re waiting for a table. Our favorites include Curio (packed with charm for the littles!) and Asheville Bee Charmer (with a honey tasting bar!). Flora, a coffee/flower shop combo, and Well Played, a board game cafe (!), are on our visit list. I also enjoy poking around in the cavernous stalls of the Antique Tobacco Barn.

I’m probably the last person you should ask for brewery recommendations, but Asheville is well-known as a beer destination and so I’ll give it a shot! :) We loved our visit to New Belgium, which has a beautiful walking trail along the river. Sierra Nevada is supposed to have a great tour, and my sweet tooth would like to visit Urban Orchard, a hard cider tasting room.

The Grove Park Inn is an Asheville institution — the choice of visiting presidents! Even if you’re not staying the night, come to pull up a rocking chair next to the massive fireplaces in the lobby; sip a cocktail and watch the sun set over the mountains from the stone patio; or snag a day pass to the underground, rock-walled spa (only during the week if you’re not a guest!).

Speaking of Asheville institutions… there’s the Biltmore. The basic tour, while not inexpensive, is SO interesting and well done, and the gardens are not to be missed.

We’ve rafted twice with French Broad Adventures and would happily do it again – SUCH a fun activity for a group! The guide banter on the bus ride back is one of my favorite parts :)

Alright – that leaves us with the Blue Ridge Parkway, the spectacular marvel of public works industry and possibly our favorite attraction in Western NC. We’ve traveled it in all sorts of weather, and the view is never less than breathtaking. I hope to write an entire separate guide just for our favorite stops along the Parkway, but here are a few in the meantime: Sliding Rock (a natural water slide!), Craggy Pinnacle (an easy hike through a rhododendron tunnel with a great view at the end), Graveyard Fields, and Linville Falls.

Off the Parkway, we’ve loved visiting Justus Orchard (cider donuts and pick-your-own apples), Catawba Falls (a BEAUTIFUL hike to a lovely waterfall), Black Balsam Knob, Chimney Rock, and the botanical gardens.

WHERE TO STAY

We’ve stayed almost exclusively at Airbnbs on our trips and have been happy with all of them (including this one and this one). A friend has stayed at and loved the Inn on Westwood, and we’ve also stayed at the Aloft once downtown. No matter what you choose, it’s super important to book early for the best selection – we booked our October visit this year in March.

I know this guide only scratches the surface of all that this vibrant, ever-changing city has to offer, so please, if you’re an Asheville fan, leave your favorites in the comments! I’m going to add a few honorable mentions to kick us off. I’d love for the comment section to be a resource for readers just as much as my post! xo!

Previous Asheville posts:
Hiking in Asheville
Antiquing in Asheville
Eating in Asheville
The Blue Ridge Parkway

White Duck Taco photo by Map & Menu. Buxton Hall, Chai Pani, Hole Donuts, and Grove Park Inn photos from respective sources. All other photos personal!

Tonight is the third anniversary of Articles Club!

When Stephanie and I launched our experiment three years ago — by inviting total strangers into our homes, no less — this introvert had no idea what to expect and was more than a little nervous. What a happy surprise and abundant blessing our monthly gatherings (and the ladies who gather) have been to me ever since! More than the articles we read, the gift is in tucking in around a table with ladies who are different in many ways — younger, older, married, single, mamas and not — but all united by their curious minds, care for one another, and interest in our world.

If you’ve ever wanted to start something like this, do it. And if you just want to follow along at home, read on – I’m sharing a few of the articles we read together in the last year! :)

Patriotism
John McCain’s Farewell Letter
Straining to Keep Faith with America

Routines
Lessons Learned from 98 Morning Routines
Routines: Comforting or Confining?
I Tried Seven Different Morning Routines – Here’s What Made Me Happiest

Sustainable Fashion
Why Consumers Forget Unethical Business Practices
Behind a $13 Shirt, a $6-an-Hour Worker
What is Sustainable Fashion and Why is it so Expensive?

Race in America
What Does it Mean to be White
Action Items for New Allies
When White Parents Won’t Integrate Public Schools

Parenting Now
How to Raise an American Adult
Seven Reasons We Hate Free-Range Parenting
12 Rules for Life

The Magic of Summer
How to Celebrate Like the Nordics
Going for a 1970s Summer
Fireworks are our Shining Stars of Summer

Being Stuck
How You Get Unstuck
Why We Feel Stuck in Life and the Secret to Dealing With It
Feeling Less than Grateful? Some People are Just Wired that Way

The Mystery of Personality
Inside the Enneagram
The Combination to Your Team’s Recurring Problem
Personality Tests are Popular, But Do They Capture the Real You?

Beauty
The Truth About Beauty
Aging and My Beauty Dilemma
What Makes a Pretty Face?

Grab Bag :)
My Year of No Shopping
The Best New Year’s Game
You May Want to Marry My Husband

If you’re so inclined, I’d love for you to share an article or essay in the comments that you’re itching to discuss with someone! Maybe you’ll see it show up in next year’s Articles Club recap :)

P.S. How to host an articles club, and what we read our second year

Today’s Marvelous Money topic is narrow in scope, but potentially huge in impact! It’s not something that was on my radar until John introduced the idea, and so I figured it might be the same for some of you. Basically, a Health Savings Account is the most “tax-preferenced” savings vehicle in the U.S. right now, and it’s something you should definitely consider taking advantage of! Let’s chat about why.

Of course, before you can take advantage of an HSA as a savings vehicle, you have to make sure it’s the right fit for you for its primary purpose: as a form of health insurance! That’s something only you can determine, but if you’re of average health, it’s worth considering.

An HSA is used in tandem with a high-deductible health insurance plan. A high-deductible plan means you pay a lower premium — the monthly cost of your insurance — but you are responsible for paying for expenses up to your deductible (currently defined as at least $2,700 for a family) and potentially up to your out-of-pocket maximum (at most, currently, $13,300 for a family). An HSA comes alongside your insurance plan to help you save for these expenses.

There are four main financial benefits of a Health Savings Account:

1. Your contributions are tax-free. Contributions to your HSA are 100% deductible (up to a max of $6,900 for a family in 2018). Because income is taxed after you make HSA contributions, you will be taxed as though you make less money — for example, if you make $50,000 per year and put $5,000 into your HSA, you will be taxed as though you make $45,000, lowering your tax burden.

HSA contributions are actually considered SUPER tax-free, because they are both income tax-free AND payroll tax-free! This all helps to reduce the amount you pay in taxes.

2. Your withdrawals are tax-free. Withdrawals to pay qualified medical expenses, including dental and vision, are never taxed.

3. Your earnings are tax-free. An HSA is an investment account (with the freedom to access mutual funds, stocks, or other vehicles of your choice) with the expectation that the money you invest will grow over time to help you pay medical expenses in the future. If and when it does, and you use it to pay qualified medical expenses, you won’t pay any taxes on it.

4. The money is yours. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), unused money in your HSA isn’t forfeited at the end of the year. It rolls over and continues to grow tax-free year after year.

Basically, an HSA combines ALL of the best tax advantages possible, while giving you the opportunity to save for future expenses you will almost certainly incur — since the average couple retiring at age 65 will spend $280k in medical expenses over the course of their retirement.

And, if at age 65 your HSA investments are super-successful and you have more money socked away in your account than you could ever need for medical expenses? You still have the option of withdrawing the money for any purpose and only paying regular income taxes (as you would with a traditional IRA). If you do so before 65, you’ll pay a hefty penalty.

As you may have guessed, an HSA and high-deductible plan is the health insurance option we’ve chosen for our family! Thanks to John’s employer, we are lucky to have a low out-of-pocket maximum, which makes an HSA pretty much a no-brainer for us. When we first opened the account, we started by contributing the out-of-pocket maximum each year (for us, lower than the IRS limit). Now, we’re able to contribute up to the limit — it’s our second savings priority after making sure we get our 401k employer matches. (Our mortgage savings account is third.) As with all investment accounts, the more we can put in now, the more time it has to grow, and the more we can make our money work for us!

P.S. If your health insurance is through your company, check to see if your employer will contribute to your account – many do!

Friends, I’d love to hear: do you have an HSA? Have you been able to take advantage of it as a savings vehicle?

More Marvelous Money:
The cost of our first year with a baby
Managing money together
26 ways to save money
Our car fund

Gosh, I don’t even really know what to tell you about this month! Perhaps the most exciting thing to say is… IT’S THE MONTH MY SISTER MOVES TO NORTH CAROLINA! Yes! I never in a million years thought I’d get to type that sentence, but here we are. Kate’s husband starts a new job near Charlotte tomorrow, and the rest of the crew will be here, in their new home, before the end of the month. This will be the closest we’ve lived to immediate family since we moved South, and to say we are excited and grateful is an understatement.

Though that is by far the most exciting thing happening in October, it’s certainly not the only one. Between travels, visitors, events, and my return to work (for the biggest CWM week of the year, no less!), there’s a lot going on. I’m here for all of it :)

Exploring after Hurricane Florence

On my calendar this month:
— The NC State Fair (biscuits, goat showmanship, and giant slide, here we come!)
— The sixth annual pumpkins and soup party
— The third anniversary of Articles Club!!
— A trip to Asheville with my younger sister
— Our dear college friend’s wedding in New Hampshire – our first time flying as a family of four!

What I’m loving right now:
— I have made several batches of these power balls since Shep arrived – so delicious, especially with some of the chocolate chips subbed in for cinnamon chips!
— How big of a nerd are you if you watched the Jeopardy! All Star Games live draft? Asking for a friend :) But really, it was so fun — counting down until February!!
— This article was a great reminder of what matters most. I thought the part on beauty was particularly interesting.

What I read in September:
— Sacred Marriage: The first half of this book seemed a little more focused on troubled or difficult marriages, but I appreciated the reminder of the importance of sacrifice and service toward our spouses!
— The Book of Essie: Blew through this one in two days because I couldn’t put it down.

Revisiting my goals for September:
Start every day on my knees in a short prayer, offering my day to God (Did not do this perfectly, but the goal served its purpose and it was so good. I felt it on the days I did it and on the days I did not.)
Sort and price all clothes for my favorite consignment sale
Make an itinerary and reservations for our upcoming trip to Asheville
Bake apple cider scones for June’s teachers on the first day of fall (Sweet girl!)
Cull and edit all 2018 iPhone photos (Done!! The progress is slow but so gratifying!)
Experiment with listing a few things on Poshmark (Done! I even sold something, ha! You can shop the rest here, if you’d like!)
Do something to welcome our new neighbors (We introduced ourselves to them, so I’m counting that as a win :))

October goals:
— Prepare well for returning to work
— Frame new family photos for Shep and June’s rooms
— Host a pumpkin painting workshop, with proceeds going to Hurricane Florence relief (if you’re local and would like to come, register here!)
— Watch Won’t You Be My Neighbor? on Amazon
— Order supplies and finish Halloween costumes
— Take down June’s pelmet and replace with curtains, creating a reading corner
— Order our Christmas cards (using newborn photos!)
— Work on Shep’s baby book and update June’s
— Clean out our coat closet and donate anything we no longer need
— Organize June’s art supplies (they are a HOT MESS right now)

Question for you all: I know this might seem early, but I’m curious whether you’d like to see gift guides on the blog in November? If so, what categories/price points/recipients/etc. would be most helpful for you? Let me know what you think!

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