June 14, 2026

194. Asheville, North Carolina -

Show Notes
Transcript

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

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Hey, we made it to Ashville, North Carolina. Nestled in

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the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ashville is a city that combines

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the charm of Southern hospitality with a touch of bohemian spirit.

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It's the kind of place where you can hike a

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mountain trail in the morning and explore an art gallery

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in the afternoon. If you're into great food, live music,

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and craft beer, you're in for treat. So let's dive

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right into what you can do, see and eat while

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you're here. First up, you've got to check out the

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Biltmore Estate, built by George Washington, Vanderbilt, the second it's

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the largest privately owned home in the United States. You

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can spend a whole day here. Start with a tour

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of the house itself. It's a bit like stepping back

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in time with its grand rooms and intricate architecture. You'll

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see some amazing art pieces and furnishings. Don't forget to

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head outside and stroll through the gardens, especially if you're

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here in spring or summer. The colors are just brilliant.

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The estate also has a winery, so you might want

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to end your visit with a wine tasting. It's a

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little on the fancier side, but it's Ashville, and you'll

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find that even the upscale stuff has a laid back vibe.

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When you're ready for lunch, Downtown Ashville is brimming with

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options for something casual but delicious. Head over White Duck

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Taco Shop. This place is a local favorite for a reason.

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You've got to try their Bangkok shrimp taco or the

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lamb Gyrotaco. They have vegetarian options too, so everyone can

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find something they'll love. The vibe is relaxed and it's

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great for a quick, satisfying bite before you head off

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to explore more. Now. Ashville is known for its thriving

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arts scene, and the River Arts District is he must visit.

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It's an industrial area that's been transformed into artists' studios

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and galleries. Just wander around, pop into any studios that

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catch your eye, and maybe even chat with the artists.

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They're usually happy to talk about their work and the

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process behind it if you see something you like. Many

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artists sell directly from their studios, so you could pick

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up a unique souvenir. After soaking in the arts, it

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might be time for a little nature. One of the

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great things about Ashville is how close it is to

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amazing outdoor spaces. Pack a water bottle and head out

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to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as America's favorite drive,

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it offers some of the most picturesque views you can imagine.

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There are plenty of spots along the way where you

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can pull over, stretch your legs, and take some photos.

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If you're up for a bit of hiking, the Craggy

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Garden's Trail is a popular choice. It's not too challenging,

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but the views from the top are rewarding. You'll feel

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like you're on top of the world, with rolling hills

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stretching out as far as the eye can see. Back

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in town, you might want to take a leisurely stroll

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through the Ashville Botanical Gardens. It's free to enter and

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you can see a variety of native plants. It's a

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peaceful spot, perfect if you need a break from the

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hustle and bustle. Take a moment to just sit and

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listen to the birds, or wander along the creek that

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runs through the gardens. It's one of those places where

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you can relax and recharge without having to spend a dime.

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As the day winds down, it's time to think about dinner.

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For taste of Southern comfort food, head over to Tupelo Honey.

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They do a killer fried chicken and their biscuits are legendary. Seriously,

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do not skip the biscuits if you're looking for something different.

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Their shrimp and grits are a classic dish done right.

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The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and it's a great

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way to wrap up a day of exploring. But hold on.

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The night is still young and Ashville's nightlife has plenty

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to offer. The city is almost as famous for its

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music scene as it is for its beer. If you're

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into live music, check out the Orange Peel. It's a

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well known venue that hosts a variety of acts, from

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big names to up and coming local bands. Even if

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you don't know the band playing that night, the energy

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of the crowd and the quality of the music make

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for a great night out. Speaking of beer, Ashville is

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often called beer City USA. There are more breweries per

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capita here than almost anywhere else in the country. A

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great place to start is Wicked Weed Brewing. They have

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a wide range of beers, from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts,

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so you'll find something that suits your taste, and if

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beer isn't your thing, many breweries also have cider or

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even non alcoholic options like kombucha. If you're looking for

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something a bit more low key, Ashville's speakeasy scene is intriguing,

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try getting into the hidden bar called the Crow and Quill.

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It's got a cozy, vintage vibe with a great selection

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of spirits and a cocktail menu that feels both classic

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and creative. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time,

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and it's a perfect spot to end the evening. Day

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two in Ashville might start with a hearty breakfast at

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Biscuit Head. This place takes Southern breakfast staples to another level.

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Their biscuits are massive, and you can top them with

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gravy fried chicken or even pulled poor. They also have

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a self served jambar with unlimited toppings, which is as

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fun as it sounds. It's a busy spot, but the

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line moves quickly and it's worth the wait. Once you've

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fueled up. A visit to the North Carolina Arboretum is

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a great way to spend your morning. It's not too

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far from downtown and the grounds are beautifully maintained. Whether

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you're interested in plants, or just want to enjoy a

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nice walk. There's something for everyone here. They have some

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great Bonzei exhibits, and the hiking trails are well marked

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and easy to navigate. If you're into history and a

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little bit of mystery, consider a ghost tour. Ashville has

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its share of haunted tails, and taking a guided tour

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through the city's streets in the evening can be both

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fun and chilling. The guides are great storytellers, mixing historical

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facts with spooky legends. It's a unique way to learn

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about the city's past while getting a few goosebumps along

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the way. For lunch, you might want to try Twelve

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Bones Smokehouse. It's a bit hidden, but the locals know

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it well. They're known for their ribs, which fall off

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the bone and melt in your mouth. They also have

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some delicious sides like kalapeno cheese grits and smoked potato salad.

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It's the kind of place where you might end up

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chatting with the person next to you about how good

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the food is, and that's part of the charm. In

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the afternoon, consider visiting the Thomas Wolf Memorial. It's the

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childhood home of the famous author and offers a fascinating

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glimpse into his life and work. The tour is informative,

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and even if you're not familiar with his books, it's

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interesting to see the home and learn about this piece

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of Ashville's literary history. If you've got kids with you,

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or you're just a fan of interactive museums, the Asheville

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Museum of Science is worth a visit. It's not huge,

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but it's packed with fun exhibits that cover everything from

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geology to astronomy. You can even pan for gems, which

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is a hit with the little ones. It's a great

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way to spend an afternoon, especially if the weather isn't cooperating.

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And speaking of weather, Ashville is one of those cities

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where it can feel like you've hit several seasons in

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one day. Dressing in layers is a smart move, especially

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if you're planning to be outside a lot. The mornings

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can be cool, but it warms up nicely by midday

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and you might find yourself peeling off a sweater or

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two for dinner. If you're in the mood for Italian,

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head to Kutina twenty four. It's a bit of scale,

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but the pasta is homemade and the flavors are remarkable.

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Try the tagliaatell A bolognies or the wood fired pizzas.

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The menu changes seasonally, which means you're getting the freshest

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ingredients available. The setting is cozy, with an open kitchen

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that adds an extra touch to the dining experience. After dinner,

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maybe take a stroll down Lexington Avenue. It's a great

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way to soak up the local vibe. You'll find an

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eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and street performers. It's a

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lively area perfect for people watching and just enjoying the

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energy of the city at night. If you haven't had

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your fill of Ashville's craft beer scene, consider finishing off

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at Burial Beer Cow. This place is known for its

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creative bruise and funky atmosphere. They've got a great outdoor

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seating area where you can relax and reflect on your

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adventures in Ashville. Before you wrap up your trip, consider

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taking a morning walk at the beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary.

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It's a peaceful spot that's ideal for a leisurely stroll,

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especially if you're a bird enthusiast. Keep your eyes peeled

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and you might spot some of the local wildlife. It's

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a nice way to start the day on a calm

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note and appreciate a bit of nature before heading back

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into town for the last few stops. Thinking about Breck again,

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Early Girl Eatery is another spot you shouldn't miss. They

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focus on farm to table Southern comfort food and have

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some fantastic breakfast options. Their sweet potato pancakes are a

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standout and pair perfectly with a cup of local coffee.

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As you wind down your Ashville adventure, a stop at

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the Ashville Pinball Museum is a quirky and fun way

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to end your trip. It's not just a museum, it's

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a playable collection of vintage pinball machines and classic arcade games.

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You pay a flat fee and can play as much

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as you like. It's a blast from the past and

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a playful way to wrap up your visit. Ashville really

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offers a bit of everything, from its vibrant art scene

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to the breathtaking nature that surrounds it. It's a place

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where you can feel at home, whether you're sitting in

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a cozy cafe, hiking a mountain trail, or chatting with

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locals at a brewery. The city spirit is infectious, and

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it's hard not to fall in love with its laid

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back charm and vibrant community. I'm Johnny Mack and Travel

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is Back. Follow Travel is Back wherever you listen to podcasts,

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and find all two hundred plus destinations in our back

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Catalog

194. Asheville, North Carolina -

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