Asheville is a city of poets, confused people on spiritual journeys, hillbillies in overalls, and tourists. The streets are hilly, the mountains are close, and the weather in summer is less hot than the surrounding lowlands. There are several good coffee shops, many restaurants, curio shops, a wig store or two, and tons of street musicians. 

It's fun. Asheville is small, and perfect for a nice stroll. 

1. BASILICA ST. LAWRENCE

We had the good luck to crash a wedding, actually seven weddings. Yes. Seven couples lined up to get married. I guess it does make it cheaper. 

2. HIGH FIVE COFFEE ON RANKIN ST. 

This is usually my first stop. They have an excellent 'el diablo' red pepper latte, and a Cubano with a salty finish to make one float. Because the day was fixing to be warm red pepper seemed a bit overdone, so a Cubano it was. 

Click on the photo below to view the gallery. 

3. THE TWISTED CREPE

The crepe above is one of the better ones I've tasted. It was full of turkey, prosciutto, spinach, tomato, asiago, and cajun romolaude.  Delicious. 

Or you could order the strawberry nutella crepe, which is the choice of love apparently. 

4. THE SPICE AND TEA EXCHANGE

Two words: foodie paradise. They let you smell anything you want, sample things throughout the store, and if you can walk out of here without buying anything you either have the pecuniary discipline of a Frugalwood  - or aren't a foodie. 

5. BATTERY PARK BOOK EXHANGE

The Battery Park is my favorite place in Asheville. It's intoxicating. There are shelves and levels and rooms of books winding between tables, leather chairs and little hidey holes in which to read the books you purchase - and perhaps sip on a coffee or glass of wine. 

Click on the photo below to view the slideshow. 

6. THE MELLOW MUSHROOM

One place we keep going back to time and again, even though it's a chain, is the Mellow Mushroom. The name smacks of hallucinogenic happiness, and I have to admit, the place has a buzzed vibe. Still, the pizza is some of the best I've tasted. We ordered a Sweet Thai that was out of this world, and a mushroom and olive, plus a supreme-style. 

One thing off their menu that I would almost choose above the pizza is their Greek Salad. I go nuts over it. It's got a house made dressing, olives, feta, peppers, onions so sweet they could be candy, cucumbers, and lettuce. It's almost a meal unto itself if you're of the vegetable-loving sort. 

For your Health's Sake, come to this place! I implore you. 

7. PRITCHARD PARK 

This is one of the main hubs of the city. Come here and you will never run out of people watching.

The park is fringed with lots of watering holes and eateries. 

8. FRENCH BROAD CHOCOLATE LOUNGE

This place almost always has a line with good reason. It's not Paris but it's got some pretties and delectables, and the sipping chocolate is lovely. There are many places to sit and it is well run and friendly. 

9. Pack Square Park

Basically right across the street from French Broad Chocolate are park benches, a fountain, and if you're really lucky, someone across the street screaming about legalizing cannabis. It's a fun place to cool hot feet and let the kids play in the water. 

10. ALL THE KITSCH

Last but not least, go for the kitschy ambiance. You will see strange fashions, weird sights, funny curios, and listen to the lyrical beat of spoons beat against the denim of the Blue Ridge Mountains.