Asheville On A Budget

Asheville's recently renovated Pack Square Park is outside of the boundaries of Bele Chere this year, but its worth a visit to cool down.  The park features several cool water features, including a fountain you can walk through to cool off.  And, since its outside of the festival area, it may not be shoulder to shoulder like the rest of downtown.  To give it a try, keep heading east past the Taste of Asheville food court - you can't miss it.

Saving money and actually enjoying Bele Chere can be challenging. Who can resist all the tasty food and beer? The Weinhaus is one option for drinking cheaper though. They always sell bottled beer during Bele Chere, normally for considerably cheaper than the booths around town. They have a nice selection of microbrews and imports, but they normally feature just a few beers during Bele Chere. The Weinhaus is worth a visit any time though.

I work in a an office in downtown Asheville, surrounded by excellent restaurants.  I would love to eat at a different restaurant every day of the week, but that gets very expensive.  There are some restaurants downtown where you can get a good inexpensive meal though.  Mamacita's is one of my favorite inexpensive restaurants downtown.  You can get a veggie, chicken, steak, or fish taco for around $3 - and one taco there is surprisingly filling.  Quesadilla's start at $6, and burrito's are only slightly more.  Be healthy and have a glass of water instead of beer or soda, and that's one very inexpensive meal.  If you haven't been before, give it a try.

All of downtown Asheville becomes one giant party starting the afternoon of Friday the 23th and ending that Sunday night.  Admission is free, while parking, drinks, and food are not.  Lots of local music and arts and crafts, plus some pretty entertaining people watching.  A lot of locals prefer to boycott Bele Chere and avoid the zoo its become, but I for one will be there enjoying it.  Read more about Bele Chere.

Asheville has been going through a bit of a heat wave lately, just like the rest of the East Coast.  We have one decided advantage over most of the East Coast though - we have mountains, forests, and swimming holes to hide out at.  It amazes me that it can be 90 degrees in town, but the water at many swimming holes is still freezing.  Turkey Pen Gap is one of my favorite places during this kind of weather, but I'm not giving away directions.  Just wonder around near the Parkway and you'll find a swimming hole eventually.