When describing historic Weaverville, charming and quaint are two words that immediately come to mind. This hidden gem is conveniently located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, between Asheville and our hometown of Marshall. Stop by, and you’ll discover a delightful, vibrant town to explore. Established as an idyllic resort destination in the 1800s, its tradition of Southern hospitality continues to this day. Stroll on Main Street, and you’ll see what we mean — it feels like you’ve stepped back in time — in a good way. There are outstanding artist studios, restaurants, shops, breweries, and other unique establishments. But no matter which you choose to visit, you’ll experience the panache and warmth of this prosperous community. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Weaverville, here are some of French Broad Crossing residents’ favorites:
Dining in Weaverville
When it comes to dining in Weaverville, there are many outstanding eateries to choose from, but here are a few not-to-miss restaurants to experience:
Glass Onion – This is an independently owned, elevated bar/eatery that serves Italian plates and Sunday brunch in a cozy, casual environment. Enjoy top-quality, local farm-sourced ingredients, including vegetables, fruit, lamb, beef, and more. The expertly prepared cuisine is entirely homemade, including rich stocks, pasta, and desserts. Please don’t forget dessert.
Well Bred Bakery & Cafe – Inside what used to be the town’s drugstore, you’ll find that Well-Bred has recreated the historic style and charm of an old-world bakery. Voted the best bakery in Western North Carolina since 2014, you’ll delight in a wide selection of luscious pastries, artisan bread, fine gourmet foods, breakfast treats, locally roasted coffee, and more. Try one of their signature chocolate eclairs.
Twisted Laurel – Here, you’ll savor Mediterranean-inspired comfort foods like pasta, sandwiches, salads, and stone hearth pizzas. The restaurant offers a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with three dining areas, over 20 taps of local brews, an extensive wine and liquor list, multiple televisions, and two dog-friendly patios. There’s tons of free parking, and it’s open seven days a week.
Stoney Knob Cafe – Family-owned and operated for over 45 years, Stoney Knob Cafe is a unique restaurant often described as whimsical and exotic. The eclectic menu includes American contemporary, Greek, Asian, and European dishes, as well as delicious hors d’oeuvres and southern-style comfort foods. If you’re looking for a hip outdoor patio with live music in the spring and summer, this is the place to be.
Breweries in Weaverville
Sure, nearby Asheville’s brewery scene is renowned. But if you prefer to stay closer to home to avoid traffic and crowds, Weaverville offers a fantastic experience with first-rate craft beers, all conveniently located along Main Street.
Eluvium Brewing Co. – This small brewery is dedicated to producing top-quality, high flavor session beers. You’ll find 10 house beers on tap, but they also serve cider, wine, and alcohol-free drinks. Feel free to belly up to their bar, grab a table, or relax with a pint on their outdoor patio.
Zebulon Artisan Ales – Only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1-6 pm, please plan accordingly so you don’t miss out on the special brews from this small production brewery. Zebulon’s focus is on Belgian and French farmhouse styles, as well as historical, forgotten, and mythological beers. A tour of their facilities is worth scheduling in advance.
Blue Mountain Pizza & Brew Pub – Blue Mountain Pizza offers homemade pizza, handmade ice cream, and, of course, a variety of thirst-quenching craft beers on tap. This is a family-friendly spot to sit, relax, enjoy great food, cold beer, and live music. All of the food is prepared fresh daily, and the pizza dough is hand-thrown, per order. In addition to their small-batch craft beer selection, they’re also famous for their delicious brownie sundaes.
Art Galleries in Weaverville
Weaverville is home to a thriving artist community. You’ll discover studios and galleries brimming with captivating exhibits and unique handmade crafts. Here are some of our favorites:
Miya Gallery – This quaint gallery represents over 40 artists from the surrounding region. On display are works of 2D fine art, fine crafts, as well as handcrafted jewelry. Jewelry is the primary focus, and the gallery is home to studios specializing in impressive, custom jewelry design.
Mangum Pottery – This is both a gallery and a working pottery studio. Step into the gallery, and you’ll see various displays of attractive pitchers, teapots, tableware, hand-built vases, ceramic furniture, and even some banjos. Beyond those handmade wares are craftspeople hard at work. It’s fascinating to see both the art on display and the artists working in their element.
Artisans on Main – Artisans on Main represents over 30 regional artists, culminating in a refined, curated arts and crafts collection. Active, working studios offer a rare glimpse of the creative process for clay, oil painting, lamp-making, and handcrafted aromatherapy candles.
Luminosa Lighting – Contemporary. Rustic. Elegant. Whimsical. These are a few words people use to describe Luminosa’s handmade lamps. Elements used in creating them include handmade papers, stone, clay, metal, wood, and other botanical inclusions. Each extraordinary piece is unique and custom-made at Luminosa Lighting studio.
Crucible Glassworks – This is a hot glass studio just north of downtown Weaverville. It features the glass art of Michael Hatch, a Southern Highlands Guild Member. The glassworks offers hot glass blowing demonstrations, workshops, individual instruction, and a wide assortment of eye-catching pieces for sale, including ornaments and sculptures.
Note: If you’re planning to visit Weaverville in the Fall, be sure to schedule your trip around their Art in Autumn event. It’s a not-to-miss festival that features 114 juried artists and craftspeople, as well as great food and live music.
Shopping in Weaverville
There are several interesting, niche shops to enjoy in and around Weaverville. No matter your interest level, all are fun to experience.
Curtis Wright Outfitters – This is a full-service fly fishing shop, guide service, and outfitter. This family-owned business offers guided fly fishing, falconry, sporting clay, and grouse hunt adventures. They also have a well-stocked shop full of the latest outdoor apparel from Columbia, Patagonia, Royal Robbins, Woolrich, and more.
Maggie B’s Wine and Specialty Store – Maggie B’s is a fantastic wine and specialty food store. They offer an excellent selection of wine and beer by the glass. Plan to visit on Fridays for complimentary wine and beer tastings in an informative, fun, and non-intimidating atmosphere. They also offer meats, cheeses, wine accessories, and various other intriguing items for sale in the shop.
Five Little Monkeys Quilt and Sew – This family-owned shop is your destination if you are interested in sewing, quilting, and other fabric crafts. Inside, you’ll find everything from patterns, books, fabrics, sewing machines, kits, classes, gifts, and more. Five Little Monkeys was chosen by Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler Magazine as one of the top ten shops in the country to visit (Spring/Summer 2020 issue), so don’t miss out.
Honey and The Hive – Yet another family-owned and operated business, this one offers everything you could possibly need or want for beekeeping. But it’s not just for beekeepers. There’s a variety of delectable local honey for sale as well as other bee-related items like beeswax, candles, kitchen goods, shirts, herbal products, books, art, and gifts.
Blue Ridge Daylilies – If you enjoy flowers, particularly daylilies, a stop here is a must. Blue Ridge Daylilies offers Western North Carolina’s largest selection of premium, quality daylilies. They are an official American Daylily Society (ADS) Display Garden. It’s also home to several award-winning ADS cultivars. Peak bloom is typically around July 4, and it’s quite a sight to behold.
Weaverville offers many of the cosmopolitan perks of Asheville but in a more tranquil setting. Understandably, it’s one of the many nearby destinations that our French Broad Crossing homeowners indulge in often. If you’re planning a visit to the Asheville / Weaverville area, why not stop by and visit us? We’d love to show you the pristine beauty of our French Broad Crossing community. You’ll delight in the distinctive homes, first-rate amenities, hiking trails, epic views of the French Broad River, and so much more. If you’re considering making this magical part of Western North Carolina home, contact us for a personal tour today.