Heading up for a training weekend, wondering best area of town to stay. I’ve stayed around Biltmore Mall before which is pretty convenient for the parkway and bent creek, but wondering if something around tunnel road is a nice area for riding up towards Mt. Mitchell, and nightlife. Also, any other recommendations for best places to run?
I grew up in Asheville. Best place to run is Carrier Park on Amboy Road. It’s a great park by the river and fun to run. You can also ride your bike on the Velodrome in the park as well. Tunnel Road is close to downtown so that has it’s perks. Biltmore Mall is farther away from downtown.
I don’t think there is any nightlife on Tunnel Rd unless you are cabbing it.
For low price, no frills, awesome downtown location, the Downtown Inn is the place to be. It is located smack in the middle of the city and a short walk to anything downtown, including 6+ breweries. It’s clean and comfortable (just don’t expect the Ritz) and perfect downtown location. We always stay there when we are planning a night on the town in Asheville. Weekend night in summer will run you $108 (ask for AAA discount as well for another 10% off).
I can’t tell you how the riding is from there but I rather take a short drive to ride in the morning than a DUI police ride in the evening. Running is no problem from the hotel but I don’t know any “best areas” to run.
I wouldn’t recommend staying on Tunnel Rd. if your goal is to ride the Parkway: think strip-malls and traffic. It wouldn’t be a long ride to get there, but you would have to drive to any of the best night life downtown.
For easy access to nightlife, etc, then stay downtown and ride Town Mtn Rd. up to the Parkway.
Can’t recommend specific places to stay, but I’m sure if you look at trip advisor or airbnb you should find something acceptable.
Have you considered staying in Brevard? You are right at the entrance of Pisgah Forrest where you can ride up to the BRP and head East toward Asheville or West toward Black Balsam. Those rides are probably my favorites of all the riding we do here (up Hwy 276). I live in H’ville, about 20 minutes away, and have done weekends there to get away, staying at the ‘Inn at Brevard’ (a great B&B).
Plenty of places to run in Pisgah too.
CJ