In a city with so many iconic attractions, it can be tricky to find the less-trafficked, more-authentic things to do—you know, the things the locals do.

So, thanks to the help of several highly qualified Asheville residents, here’s a list of unique and authentic activities that are sure to keep you busy and well fed during your stay.

Vietnamese Pho & Bánh Mi

Suggested by Erin McGrady and Caroline Perdue, founders of the blog and Instagram page Authentic Asheville

If you ask Erin McGrady and Caroline Perdue of the blog Authentic Asheville where to eat in Asheville, they’ll readily suggest Wild Ginger Noodle Bar. Located in a shopping plaza on Hendersonville Road, off the beaten path for tourists, Wild Ginger offers pho and bánh mi sandwiches, among other options, that get rave reviews. “Their food, as advertised on their website, is truly made with love,” McGrady says.

McGrady and Perdue utilize their blog and Instagram page to share some of the best hidden gems in the Asheville area, specifically highlighting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ owned restaurants, and Wild Ginger is one of their favorites—not only because of the food “but because of the incredibly humble and hardworking owner, Aileen Tan, and her staff, who go to great lengths to make you feel welcome in their space,” Perdue says.

They recommend starting off with an order of veggie spring rolls, which are served with peanut sauce, and then follow that up with a bánh mi served with a side of prawn crackers and a bowl of Phở Tai, which is their medium-rare eye round steak soup with fresh basil, bean sprouts, cilantro, white/green onions and jalapeños.

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Suggested by Cathy Cleary, outreach coordinator for Bountiful Cities

Cathy Cleary, a local food justice and agriculture advocate, suggests a pair of tours that offer a fascinating look at the history of Asheville’s Black community and the thriving scene for street art.

The first tour she suggests is the Hood Huggers tour, which offers a review of East End Valley Street in downtown Asheville, home to shops and galleries featuring merchandise and art from Black artisans and artists, the YMI Cultural Center, Stephens-Lee Community Center, The Block, and significant architecture. “It’s a side of Asheville that tourists don’t get to see and it’s important history for people to know and acknowledge,” Cleary says.

The second tour, the Mountain Mural Tour, gives guests a look at the more popular samples of urban street art.

A mural on the building of Pleb Urban Winery in the RAD

Farmers Markets, Hikes & Drinks

Suggested by J Chong, chef and owner of J Chong Eats

Chef J Chong sells delicious Cantonese food such as dumplings, wontons and sauces at local farmers markets around Asheville. You may also have seen her on the HBO Max Show “The Big Brunch.”

Out of all of her favorite local things to do, a visit to a farmers market ranks at the top. “You get such an authentic feel of Asheville when visiting a market,” she says.

After stopping by the farmers market, visitors should grab breakfast at Five Points Restaurant, J says, located on the outskirts of the Montford neighborhood. “You really get to see all of the demographics and communities present in this old-school diner.”

If looking for ways to spend the rest of your day, J recommends a hike, with a personal favorite being Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then reward yourself with a refreshing boba from Pop Bubble Tea. For an elevated experience in the evening, J says you should look no further than West Asheville’s Golden Pineapple. “The drinks are fantastic and the bartenders are extremely attentive and kind,” she says.

A bartender mixes drinks at the Golden Pineapple in West Asheville

Unique Dining Experience

Suggested by Luis Martinez, chef, designer and founder of Tequio Foods

According to chef Luis Martinez, the downtown restaurant Cultura provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience that attracts both tourists and locals. Open Thursday through Sunday, Cultura offers innovative dishes, showcasing the most locally sourced and freshest ingredients possible, Martinez says. “It’s a place where visitors can not only savor delicious and innovative dishes but also immerse themselves in the rich cultural and culinary tapestry that defines the vibrant community of Asheville,” Martinez says.

A full house at Cultura in South Slope

Day Trip & Evening in West Asheville

Suggested by Annelise Kopp, known locally as DJ Lil Meow Meow

If looking for a day trip, she suggests making the 45-minute drive over to Sylva, NC, where you can grab lunch at El Mercadito, which serves amazing tacos, and then hike the 4.8-mile out-and-back Blackrock Mountain Trail. After that, get dinner at Dalaya Thai and grab a nightcap at Dark Moon (a cozy wine bar in the back of White Moon Café.)

If looking for an evening adventure within Asheville, Kopp suggests making a reservation at Neng Jr.’s in West Asheville (or try your luck getting on the waitlist) and then grabbing an after-dinner martini at The Low Down next door. Make your way up to The Odd restaurant and bar for a Party Foul drag show as the combination for the perfect night out.