We’re kicking off our summer road trip series — Hit the Road — with an outdoor adventure-themed trip to Asheville, NC. Surrounded by nature, this area is a great destination for experienced adventurers + novice nature seekers alike.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~4.5 hours
Est. population: 93,600
Avg. high in June: 82°
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Asheville is nestled in The Blue Ridge Mountains. | Photo by @laurahackk
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🥾Things to do
Take a hike
Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Trail on foot with one of Asheville’s many hiking trails. Our picks: Craggy Gardens, Looking Glass Rock, John Rock, Sam Knob, Max Patch.
Chasing waterfalls
Hike or drive to one of AVL’s many natural water features like Skinny Dip Falls + Rainbow Falls. If you’re looking for a guided adventure, try a waterfall hike led by Asheville Adventures.
Rock climbing
Give bouldering a try at Rumbling Bald. If you’d rather climb indoors or the weather looks bleak, try to send it at The Riveter or Climbmax.
🍽️ Fuel up after hiking
Ultra Coffeebar
Head to the River Arts District for a cup of Counter Culture Coffee and a bagel. Try this: The “RAD” on an everything bagel.
Biscuit Head
It’s worth the wait in line (arrive early). Try this: The Filthy Animal — a buttermilk biscuit topped with fried chicken, pimento cheese, bacon, and scrambled eggs smothered in gravy.
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The log home has a handcrafted stone fireplace + a large game room. | Photo via VRBO
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🏕️ Cozy campsites + cabins
Treehouses of Serenity, North Asheville
These unique stays are perched on the side of a mountain. There are seven different rentals to choose from + each sleep up to four people. Prices vary depending on selection and date.
Log Cabin, Lake Lure, NC
This private cabin with access to Lake Lure can sleep 10 people with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. For $242 a night, guests can enjoy amenities like a stone fireplace and a large deck with rocking chairs.
Looking for more recommendations? Head to the link below or check out AVLtoday. Plus, stay tuned for the July installment of our Hit the Road series. We’ll be highlighting a 60-mile road trip.
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Think: Somewhere within a 60-mile radius of Lexington.
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Today
- Wolfpen Branch | Thurs., June 30 | 7 p.m. | Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St. | Free | Enjoy a night of Southland Jamboree at this free summer concert series. 🎶
- Campbellsville-Taylor County Fourth of July Celebration | Today-Sun., July 3 | Downtown Campbellsville | Free | Celebrate July 4th in downtown Campbellsville — and don’t miss the fireworks over Miller Park on Saturday, presented by Kroger and Wings & Rings. 🎆 *
Friday
- Summer Nights in Suburbia | Fri., July 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Moondance Amphitheater, 1152 Monarch St. | Free | A free concert featuring music from the Bedford Band + food trucks
- Rags and Riches Homecoming Show | Fri., July 1 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd. | $15 | Don’t miss these local rockstars with special guests Wicked Peace and DJ Forerunner.
Saturday
- ONA Five Year Anniversary | Sat., July 2 | 5 p.m.-1 a.m. | ONA, 108 Church St. | Free, price of purchase | Fun food + drinks, and good music to celebrate five years of this downtown cocktail bar.
Sunday
- Patriotic Concert | Sun., July 3 | 5-9 p.m.| Transylvania University, 300 N. Broadway and Gratz Park, 250 W. Third St. | Free | A Lexington tradition featuring live music from Young at Heart Big Band + the Lexington Philharmonic 🇺🇸
- LEXTalks July | Sun., July 3 | 2-4 p.m. | 317 S. Mill St. | Free | Tour part of Lexington’s oldest house with The Lexington History Museum.
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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Weather
- 93º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain
Closed
- Parkette Drive-In is officially closed. The Lexington restaurant opened in 1951 and has remained in the family for over seven decades. Fans of the iconic Parkette sign have reason for hope — despite the restaurant’s closure, the family is determined to save the sign as a tribute to the restaurant’s legacy. (Richmond Register)
Development
- Lexington Sporting Club is making progress on its new soccer complex. The Urban County Board of Adjustments recently approved the first phase of the development. The plans include a 6,000-seat stadium + 12-field youth sports complex slated for 150 acres between Newtown Pike and Russell Cave Road. ⚽ (WKYT)
Festival
- Lexington will host a new bluegrass festival next summer. The new event, Spirit of the Bluegrass, will be at the Kentucky Horse Park from June 8-10, 2023. Though the organizers are different, the festival will take the timeslot + place of the now-retired Festival of the Bluegrass which closed in 2020. 🎶 (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Health
- Lexington-Fayette County’s commissioner of health has resigned. Dr. Joel McCullough was appointed in December 2021, and his resignation will go into effect on Sat. July 31. No reason was given for his resignation and the health department will conduct a national search for his replacement. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Pets
- Registration is now open for Doggie Paddle, Lexington’s largest pool party for pooches. On Sat., Sept. 10 at the Woodland Aquatic Center in Woodland Park, you can enjoy pet-related vendors while your dog splashes around. Registration is $10+ per dog and proceeds benefit the Lexington Humane Society. 🐶
Real Estate
- A Frankfort-based restaurant — Rick’s White Light Diner — has been listed for sale with The Sievers Co. It is currently Frankfort’s oldest restaurant, and was featured on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” with Guy Fieri in 2010. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Lexingtonian
Sports
- Former University of Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard has been named a WNBA All-Star. After just 18 games for the Atlanta Dream, Rhyne is the first rookie to be voted an all-star since 2018. 🏀 (WKYT)
Seasonal
- Ethereal Brewing’s annual Fourth of Juluah will be this Sun., July 3 at noon. Head over to Ethereal Brewing (1224 Manchester St.) for special beers, barbecue by Chef Sherman, and a dunk tank benefitting The Hops Foundation. 🍺
Drink
- Peach, please. Pivot Brewing has brought back its 50 Shades of Peach cider. This seasonal cider is available on tap or to-go at 1400 Delaware Ave + would make for a great local option for your cooler this weekend.
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Lexington Public Library’s temporary Village Branch is open at 1801 Alexandria Dr., Ste. 136 while the Village Branch is under construction.
The permanent Village Branch will remain at the corner of Versailles Road and Village Drive in the Cardinal Valley Neighborhood, but this temporary spot is open in the meantime. Learn more about the new facility (which includes a total of 30,000 sqft) on the Lexington Public Library’s website.
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Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’ve got a guide to Lexington’s Fourth of July events right here.
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