Swannanoa is just 15 minutes East on I-40 from downtown Asheville. It’s anchor is Warren Wilson College, which a private liberal college unique in its focus on sustainability, farming, nature, and service/community values. The college raises free range meat which it sells locally, and also has 25 miles of hiking trails. Thursday nights, the college hosts contra dancing, which is a popular form of folk dance where partners rotate through a chain of other neighbors. It draws hundreds every week and is a blast!
While there is no official downtown, there are still some fun activities and restaurants to enjoy. Walk through the Grovemont Park neighborhood, which includes the library and a sweet park. Stop by Okie Dokie’s Smokehouse, Moments Coffee Bar, or Filo (one of our personal favorites) which is just outside of Swannanoa and has lovingly made sweets and meals!
The Ingles Warehouse is a located in Swannanoa and is the distribution point for the area’s largest grocery chain, which has 197 stores spanning the Southeast.
On your way out of town, between Swannanoa and Black Mountain, drive 5 minutes east, and stop for a local beer and enjoy some music at Pisgah Brewing, which has hosted acts like Phunkle Sam (Grateful Dead Cover), Tash Sultana (incredible one woman electronica), and Dark Star Orchestra (Pink Floyd Cover).
