The Dog-Friendly Travel Guide to Asheville, NC

Date: February 8, 2019

Travel

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Asheville, North Carolina does not lack dog-friendly activities, restaurants, and lodging. If you’re looking for a place to travel with your pup where you can enjoy the great outdoors with beautiful scenery and delicious restaurants, look no further than Asheville.

Two hours away from Charlotte, Asheville is one of our favorite places to escape to with Bella and Penny on the weekends. Especially during the spring and falls months because the weather is perfect.

Keep reading for a few of our favorite dog-friendly things to do for when you bring Fido to Asheville!

Pet-Friendly Things To Do in Asheville

Hiking

Ashevil le and the surrounding areas are chock-full of dog-friendly hiking trails leading to cascading waterfalls, and peaks with beautiful views. Here are a few of our favorites:

Old Mitchell Trail and Mount Mitchell High Loop - located within Mount Mitchell State Park, this trail is a four-mile-long trek offering views at the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6,684-feet high. It’s a relatively difficult height based on distance and incline, but dogs are allowed on leash. Since this hike takes a different trail on the way back down, you’ll also make your way to a small waterfall.
Bridal Veil Falls - located in the DuPont State Forest outside of Asheville, this trail leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls. Bridal Veil Falls drops in two series. The first in a freefall from an angular ledge and the second in veil-like sheets. This trail is 4.6 miles round trip and is moderately difficult, and pups are allowed on leash.
Crabtree Falls Trail - located on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville, the Crabtree Falls Trail is 2.7 miles round trip, is moderate in difficulty, dog-friendly provided Fido is on a leash. Crabtree Falls drops more than 70 feet into a deep pool, and the hike winds through fields of wildflowers, clear creeks, and forests.
Carrier Park and the French Broad River Greenway - located in Asheville, the Carrier Park and French Broad River Greenway is a 2.4-mile round trip, easy trail that is pet-friendly. The shaded path winds along the shore of the French Broad River with beautiful views, and it even passes a dog park.
The Biltmore Estate - While dogs are not allowed inside the Biltmore House or any of the buildings, dogs are allowed on the estate grounds. With over 8,000 acres of breathtaking scenery and gardens, you could explore the grounds of Biltmore Estate all day. Plus, there are restaurants in Antler Village with patio seating so your dog can join you when you need to take a break.

Asheville Breweries

Ashevil le is known for its breweries! If you enjoy a cold beer or hard cider, you should stop by one when you’re in town with your pup. A few of our favorites are:

The French Broad River

Running throughout Asheville is the French Broad River. While parts of the river are fast-moving with rapids for whitewater rafting, there are also slower parts of the river as well.

Whether you’re looking for a spot for Fido to splash around and cool off, or you want to get on the river, you should add a visit to the French Broad to your trip itinerary.

If you are looking to get on the water, check out French Broad Outfitters! With SUP boarding, kayaking, and tubing, French Broad Outfitters can hook you up with a couple of hours or a day on the water. And since they’re pet-friendly, your pup can join you!

French Broad Outfitters even has excursions that go through the Biltmore Estate grounds. Just imagine - floating on the French Broad with your pup looking at the beautiful Biltmore Estate in the distance. What could be better?

Tours, Shopping, and More

While in Asheville, be sure to check out the two pet stores in town: Patton Avenue Pet Company West and Three Dog Bakery. Both shops are charming with goodies you and your pup will love.

And when you’re visiting Asheville, don’t forget to take in the sights by foot! Asheville offers a very walkable downtown, and with its happening art and music scene, there’s a lot to see. Plus, you can also wander through Montford Historic District.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Montford Historic District has more than 600 buildings that were built between 1890 and 1920. With architectural influences including Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival, and Queen Anne, the homes are beautiful to see.

And if you’re looking to get off your feet, hop on the Gray Line, Asheville’s most popular sightseeing trolley tour. The trolley will take you throughout Asheville and share the town’s unique history and culture. And as long as your pup is under 25 pounds, he’s welcome to accompany you.

The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants

Asheville has so many dog-friendly dining options. The city is known for its cuisine, so I highly recommend steering clear of chain restaurants while in town. There are just too many family-owned delicious restaurants to try out!

The list below includes our favorite restaurants to take Isabella and Penelope to, but keep in mind that almost any restaurant in Asheville with an outside patio permits dogs on a leash.

Sunny Point Cafe - open breakfast through dinner, Sunny Point Cafe is a family-owned restaurant serving upscale comfort food. Many ingredients come from the Sunny Point Garden adjacent to the restaurant! There’s a covered patio and dogs are welcome.
Posana - if you’re looking for a bit of upscale dining while in Asheville, check out Posana. The menu is comprised of contemporary American fare with a focus on local, seasonable cuisine. The outside patio overlooks Asheville’s Historic Pack Square.
Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar - with one of Asheville’s largest outdoor dining patios, Carmel’s is a great place to bring your pup. Carmel’s offers casual and creative cuisine featuring local farmers, grocers, bakeries, and breweries.
The Market Place - specializing in American farm-to-table cuisine, The Market place is delicious and offers large portions. The patio is dog-friendly.
White Duck Taco Shop - if you’re seeking Mexican inspired dishes, look no further. White Duck Taco Shop has a reputation for being a local favorite. The outdoor seating is all dog-friendly as well.

Bring Fido to These Asheville Hotels

Whether you’re looking to stay at a hotel in downtown Asheville or you’re looking for a mountain cabin or chalet, there are a plethora of pet-friendly lodging options. Here are a few of our favorites:

Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown - if we decide to stay downtown, the Hotel Indigo is where we’re staying. The rooms are pristine, and pet-friendly rooms are located on the second, seventh, and twelfth floors. The pet fee is $75 and two pets up to 80 pounds are welcome. And since it’s in the heart of Asheville, it’s walking distance from all the shops and restaurants in the city.
Aloft Asheville Downtown - the Aloft is also a great downtown hotel within walking distance to most shops and restaurants. It’s pet-friendly without a fee, and there’s even a rooftop dog walk.
The Omni Grove Park Inn - if you’re looking for a super luxurious stay that is pet-friendly, check out the Omni Grove Park Inn. With tons of restaurants, shops, bars, events, and the spa on property, it’s a great place to enjoy - although not all those items are dog-friendly.
Airbnb Cabins - if you’re looking for a cabin outside of Asheville with privacy, the best place to find them is Airbnb. You can select what you’re looking for pet-friendly cabins and also adjust your price point.
The Nacho Mama’s Collective - these chalets are a great place if you’re looking for a resort-style place to stay outside of the city that’s dog-friendly. The cottages are close together, so there is not much privacy, but it’s a great way to experience nature.

Have Questions?

We hope our pet-friendly travel guide to Asheville will be helpful when planning your trip with your pup! If you have any questions about the places we’ve mentioned above, we’d be glad to answer them!

We love exploring Asheville with Isabella and Penelope, and we know you’ll have a great time on your trip!

And if you're looking for other great things to do in the area, check out our travel guide, Bring Fido to Rutherford County.