Sandy’s guidebook
Food scene
Walk down the hill to Joey's Bagels for morning coffee and bagels or a quick lunch to take on your hike.
29 locals recommend
Joey's New York Bagels
1500 Haywood RdWalk down the hill to Joey's Bagels for morning coffee and bagels or a quick lunch to take on your hike.
Favorites are salmon, goat cheese pizza, and fresh carrot cake. This place gets busy on the weekends so consider making a reservation or arriving before 7pm.
138 locals recommend
West First Wood-Fired
101B 1st Ave WFavorites are salmon, goat cheese pizza, and fresh carrot cake. This place gets busy on the weekends so consider making a reservation or arriving before 7pm.
Delicious specialty doughnuts, fried or grilled chicken, really unusual sides. Chef-owned.
100 locals recommend
HenDough Chicken & Donuts
532 Kanuga RdDelicious specialty doughnuts, fried or grilled chicken, really unusual sides. Chef-owned.
Postero
401 N Main StUpscale dining with a local flair and an ever-changing menu.
Award-winning BBQ, but they also have wood-fired pizze and hamburgers. It's always crowded and a bit loud inside, but you'll know why if you try it!
59 locals recommend
Flat Rock Wood Room
1501 Greenville HwyAward-winning BBQ, but they also have wood-fired pizze and hamburgers. It's always crowded and a bit loud inside, but you'll know why if you try it!
Although the inside of the restaurant is a bit dated, the food is outstanding. Our favorites are Crispy Duck and Pineapple Duck or Chicken. Our daughter also loves the Pad Thai.
19 locals recommend
Thai Spice
220 S King StAlthough the inside of the restaurant is a bit dated, the food is outstanding. Our favorites are Crispy Duck and Pineapple Duck or Chicken. Our daughter also loves the Pad Thai.
MORE wood-fired pizza and 50 beers/ciders on tap, including many locals. The salmon is delicious.
66 locals recommend
Mezzaluna
226 N Main StMORE wood-fired pizza and 50 beers/ciders on tap, including many locals. The salmon is delicious.
Cute ice cream spot at the entrance to Pisgah Forest. You can also rent tubes next door to leisurely float down the Davidson River.
39 locals recommend
Dolly's Dairy Bar & Gift Shop
128 Pisgah HwyCute ice cream spot at the entrance to Pisgah Forest. You can also rent tubes next door to leisurely float down the Davidson River.
Sightseeing
Great spot for families, couples, solo travelers, groups. There's a relatively level trail to walk around the lake or you can wander the property to see the home, a museum display dedicated to Carl Sandburg's work and influence on literature, or Mrs. Sandburg's goat barn. There are also multiple more challenging (intermediate level), but relatively short trails, one of which leads to a beautiful mountain view.
174 locals recommend
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
1800 Little River RdGreat spot for families, couples, solo travelers, groups. There's a relatively level trail to walk around the lake or you can wander the property to see the home, a museum display dedicated to Carl Sandburg's work and influence on literature, or Mrs. Sandburg's goat barn. There are also multiple more challenging (intermediate level), but relatively short trails, one of which leads to a beautiful mountain view.
This is a must-see while you are here. Catch the sunset, which is breathtaking from this view. April through November, you're likely to see a wedding as well!
135 locals recommend
Jump Off Rock
4501 Laurel Park HwyThis is a must-see while you are here. Catch the sunset, which is breathtaking from this view. April through November, you're likely to see a wedding as well!
Bearwallow Mountain
4854 Bearwallow Mountain RdGreat, short trail with a phenomenal payoff view at the top.
Access three waterfalls from the Visitor Center parking lot. Great hiking spot, though busy on weekends during the summer.
100 locals recommend
DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center
89 Buck Forest RdAccess three waterfalls from the Visitor Center parking lot. Great hiking spot, though busy on weekends during the summer.
If you have children over the age of 8 who can swim, you'll want to check out Sliding Rock. Possibly the coldest water in the Southeast, it's always fun to share stories of the trip down. These are memories we have shared with family, friends, international visitors - everyone talks about it years later.
384 locals recommend
Sliding Rock
If you have children over the age of 8 who can swim, you'll want to check out Sliding Rock. Possibly the coldest water in the Southeast, it's always fun to share stories of the trip down. These are memories we have shared with family, friends, international visitors - everyone talks about it years later.
Parking is on the side of the road and a quick walk up the sidewalk leads to this beautiful and popular waterfall.
320 locals recommend
Looking Glass Falls
U.S. 276Parking is on the side of the road and a quick walk up the sidewalk leads to this beautiful and popular waterfall.
Activities
Beautiful place to spend the day hiking and the view at the top is hard to beat. The trail is strenuous, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and just take your time. Sometimes they even have an elevator, though you'll want to check online to make sure it's operational if that's a necessity.
333 locals recommend
Chimney Rock State Park
431 Main StBeautiful place to spend the day hiking and the view at the top is hard to beat. The trail is strenuous, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and just take your time. Sometimes they even have an elevator, though you'll want to check online to make sure it's operational if that's a necessity.
If you have children over the age of 8 who can swim, you'll want to check out Sliding Rock. Possibly the coldest water in the Southeast, it's always fun to share stories of the trip down. These are memories we have shared with family, friends, international visitors - everyone talks about it years later.
384 locals recommend
Sliding Rock
If you have children over the age of 8 who can swim, you'll want to check out Sliding Rock. Possibly the coldest water in the Southeast, it's always fun to share stories of the trip down. These are memories we have shared with family, friends, international visitors - everyone talks about it years later.
Ride Kanuga
1249 Kanuga Lake RdExtensive mountain biking trails and only 6 miles from the house!
Hiking, mountain biking trails, and lakes/water features abound in this local forest. Check out the Visitor Center or look online for trails to match your specific interests.
100 locals recommend
DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center
89 Buck Forest RdHiking, mountain biking trails, and lakes/water features abound in this local forest. Check out the Visitor Center or look online for trails to match your specific interests.
Stop by to get recommendations on hikes for any interest - waterfalls, views, riverside walking. Rangers can recommend trails for any level of difficulty.
35 locals recommend
Pisgah Ranger Station/Visitor Center
1600 Pisgah HwyStop by to get recommendations on hikes for any interest - waterfalls, views, riverside walking. Rangers can recommend trails for any level of difficulty.