If you’re lucky enough to have Labor Day off, we hope you’re planning to take it real easy, perhaps with an adult beverage in hand + something delicious cooking over coals.
To make the relaxation easy, we’ve got recs for 6 of the best spots to grill and chill in the Asheville area. And don’t forget to peep our guide to grilling, featuring tips from Luella’s BBQ owner Jeff Miller.
There are about 12 grills underneath the Carrier Park pavilion. | Photo by AVLtoday
Carrier Park | 220 Amboy Rd.
- Carrier has something for everyone, including basketball + volleyball courts, baseball fields, a giant playground, and the famed “Mellowdrome,” which is perfect for skating or biking. Pssst, should any grilling fiasco occur, there’s also the HomeGround Coffee Bar & Deli and Cascade Lounge across the road.
Lake Julian Park | 406 Overlook Road Ext., Arden
- Chillax and bask in gorgeous views, and enjoy amenities like sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a disc golf course + walking trails. Plus, there’s great fishing spots.
Charles D. Owen Park | 875 Warren Wilson Rd., Swannanoa
- An idyllic spot near the Swannanoa River, with fishing ponds, basketball courts, baseball fields, picnic shelters + walking trails.
French Broad River grilling is full of shady trees and views of the river. | Photo by AVLtoday
French Broad River Park | 508 Riverview Dr.
- This spot has a dog park, serene riverside views, and several large pavilions that are perfect for a sizable grilling operation. If you have a hammock, bring it along as well, as there’s a nice selection of trees from which you can suspend.
Craggy Gardens Picnic Area | 3676 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Barnardsville
- If you’re down for an adventurous drive and soaring views, this cool, nestled-in-the-forest picnic locale will not disappoint.
Mount Pisgah Picnic Area | Milepost 407.8, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton
- The rolling mountain views at this picnic and grilling spot are totally worth the drive along the Parkway and the short walk from the parking lot.
Want more options? Find additional parks with grill setups via the City’s Park Finder app. And if you want to make a reservation for a picnic shelter, you can do so here.
Use the buttons below to share this story with your grill squad.
Show
- Animal Collective | Mon., Sept. 6 | 6-10 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 100 Gay St. | $36+ | Join the experimental rock pioneers on their first full band tour. 🎸
- Dave Desmelik | Mon., Sept. 6 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Lobster Trap, 35 Patton Ave. | Free | Get trapped by the authentic sound of the singer-songwriter and instrumentalist while enjoying some yummy lobster. 🎤
- The CORE | Mon., Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St. | Free | Listen to “Asheville's most prodigious” jazz quintet while enjoying cocktails.
Festival
- King Apple Parade | Mon., Sept. 6 | 2:30-5 p.m. | N. Main Street from Five Points to Caswell St., Hendersonville | Free | Watch the closing piece of the North Carolina Apple Festival, which includes professional floats, bands, and so much more. 🍎
Dish
- Burger Night | Mon., Sept. 6 | 4-8 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing, 2A Huntsman Pl. | $10 | Enjoy a delicious double cheeseburger with Foothills Local Meats patty, fries, and a pint of your favorite Hi-Wire flagship or seasonal beer. 🍔
Active
- Burn Boot Camp | Mon., Sept. 6 | 8-10 a.m. | 100 Julian Shoals Dr. | Free | Get in a 45 min workout with a certified personal trainer while having the option of complimentary child watch.
TryThis
- Totally Rad Trivia | Mon., Sept. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. #200 | Free | Test your knowledge on geography and current events with Mitch Fortune.
- Ballad Bingo: Golden Oldies | Mon., Sept. 6 | 6-8 p.m. | Dry Falls Brewing Co., 425 Kanuga Rd., Hendersonville| Free | See how well you know songs from the 50s, 60s, and 70s for your chance to win a Dry Falls gift card.
Sports
- Red, White, and Blue Golf Tournament | Mon., Sept. 6 | 9:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. | Apple Valley Golf Course, 309 Winesap Rd, Lake Lure | $20+ | Celebrate Labor Day by teeing up by Lake Lure. ⛳️
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 80º | Partly cloudy | 30% chance of rain
Coming Soon
- Earth River Records is slated to open in North Asheville on Oct. 15. at 235 Weaverville Rd. The new shop, which will sling vintage vinyl, albums, posters + other music merch, is an initiative from local vinyl purveyor Vinyl Morgan, who has a collection of more than 20,000 records + music memorabilia. 💿
Community
- Local orgs are developing plans for an African American Heritage Trail that highlights stories, landmarks + historic heroes from Asheville’s Black community. Throughout September, you can share feedback on the existing plans, which will be on display at YMI’s Community Impact Center (39 S. Market St.) and available via virtual viewing sessions.
Trending
- The colors of autumn on your mind? According to local experts, it’s estimated that leaves in WNC will reach their peak of yellows + oranges in mid-October. If it remains warm throughout September, the leaves will be less vibrantly colored than usual. 🍁 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Arts
- Ria Young, local playwright and director, has been named Asheville Community Theatre’s inaugural Artistic Partner. Through this yearlong fellowship, Young will direct a full stage production of Transition, a theatrical adaptation of her memoir, Lost in a Game. Young will also launch the Young & Gifted internship for youths of color. 🎟️ (Mountain Xpress)
- The traveling monument titled Harriet Tubman — The Journey to Freedom will be in Sylva this September at Bridge Park (76 Railroad Ave.). This statue stands 9-feet-tall, weighs 2,400-pounds, and depicts Harriet Tubman with a child whom she’s protecting. (Mountain Xpress)
Outdoors
- The 7th annual Get in Gear Fest returns to the area on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with Camp Rockmont as its new location (375 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain). The fest offers opportunities to connect with WNC outdoor industry leaders, as well as gear demos + sales, family activities, classes and clinics, food, beer, and live music. ⚙️
Eat
- S&W Market has launched a new “We Love Locals Day” that will take place every Tuesday, starting Sept. 7. Each vendor will offer a special deal or dish, including $5 pints from Highland Brewing, $1 off Peace Love Tacos, a $5 Farm Dog, and $3 Fried Chicken Salad Sandwiches from Buxton Chicken Palace.
- Shout out to Meherwan Irani, owner of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group, for being featured in the Local Palate for his spice collection, Spicewalla. His spice blends, such as Forestry Camp Smoke Rub, Diaspora Co. Turmeric + Buxton Hall Barbecue Chicken Rub, can now be found in area restaurants across the South and beyond.
Edu
- The $65 application fee is being waived for both undergraduates and graduate students at Western Carolina University for the spring, summer, and fall 2022 semesters. WCU hopes this decision will encourage students of all economic backgrounds to pursue a higher education. 🎓
Award
It was only a few months ago that Chef Dream Kasestatad last visited Asheville to dish out eats as part of his traveling Thai street food pop-up. But after selling out of everything in less than an hour, the celebrated chef has decided to come back for a second round, and this time it’ll be a double-header.
On the evenings of Thurs., Sept. 9 and Fri., Sept. 10, starting around 4 p.m., Dream will be posted in downtown Asheville’s Dissolvr Brewing, serving up Thai specialties until he sells out. Psst, if you want to learn more about Dream’s cross-country cooking excursions, you can check out this short documentary The Noodle Man, available to stream on Amazon Prime. 🍜
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While you're down here, we've got a few more park recs. If the ones above are too full, try Malvern Hills (75 Rumbaugh Pl.), Weaver Park (200 Murdock Ave.), or Murray Hill (123 Bartlett St.).
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