Black Mountain has a way of easing you into mountain time.
It’s creative without trying too hard, outdoorsy without feeling extreme, and walkable in the kind of way that makes you forget what day it is. Think of this Black Mountain itinerary as a gentle arc: arrive curious, wander widely, and leave feeling like you’ve unlocked a little mountain secret.
Your Black Mountain story begins with a slow arrival. If you’re in early, swing by Beradu for snacks and provisions, or grab something ready-to-go from Annie’s Culinary Garden—perfect for trail days ahead. Stretch your legs with a stroll around Tomahawk Lake Park, where locals walk dogs, families picnic, and the mountains quietly frame it all.
Check in at Peri Social House, a stylish, centrally located home base that feels more like staying with a very well-designed friend than a traditional hotel.
For your first evening, keep things simple and delicious. Choose between the cozy Italian comfort of Tuscan Table or the lively, eclectic vibe at Que Sera. Cap the night with a drink at The Station or head back to Peri, where the bar keeps the social energy going just a little longer.
Fuel up with coffee and baked goods at Recess Coffee or a hearty breakfast at Louise’s Kitchen. Then stop by Take a Hike Outfitters for any last-minute gear, or grab your pup a treat for the trail from Bone-a-fide Pet Bakery.
Your main event: Catawba Falls offers stunning beauty thanks to a series of cascades that, together, are 100 feet tall. Prefer something gentler? A walk around Tomahawk Lake Park delivers mountain views without the elevation gain.
Head back to downtown Black Mountain for lunch at Taco Billy for tacos with a cult following or Berliner Kindl for German fare.
Back in town, choose your own version of “sporty.” Play a round on the back nine at Black Mountain Golf Course, or try disc golf at Veterans Park.
Dinner brings you back into comfort mode—The Trailhead for Southern classics or Ole’s Guacamoles for casual Mexican. Finish with something sweet from The Hop or Kilwins.
Grab a coffee at Peri Social House, then head to Open Oven for something warm and flaky.
Spend the morning browsing Black Mountain Vintage and the surrounding cluster of shops, including Common Housefly, a toy store for foodies and Enchanted Oak, with locally made jewelry, soaps, and small-batch treasures that capture the town’s handmade spirit. Don't miss Town Hardware, an old-fashioned general store where cast-iron cookware, vintage toys, gardening supplies, books, and old-school candies sit side by side—part hardware shop, part time machine. If it’s a Saturday between April and November, the Black Mountain Tailgate Market adds fresh produce, baked goods, and live local energy to the mix.
For lunch, try Veranda Café for a warm bowl of its cult-favorite Hungarian mushroom soup, or wander over to Cousins Cuban Café for Cuban comfort food that adds a little spice to your afternoon. Pro tip: arrive early during summer and fall.
Continue exploring Black Mountain's shops. Don’t miss Sassafras, Europa, Chifferobe and the wonderfully eclectic Curiosity Shoppe—each one feels like a tiny portal into Black Mountain’s creative personality.
Slow-roll into the evening with dinner at The Grange or Hell or High Water. End the night with a pint at Black Mountain Brewing or Lookout Brewing, where the crowd is equal parts locals and people who wish they were.
Pack a picnic lunch from your visit to Annie's Cafe or Beradu for a day of adventure. Start your morning at Short Sleeves Coffee, then head west toward Swannanoa. If you’re feeling crafty, Cherry Tree Beads is a colorful stop for DIY inspiration. Grab a snack at Blunt Pretzels, then check at the Folk Art Center at the intersection of Highway 70 and the Blue Ridge Parkway in East Asheville.
Head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where overlooks feel cinematic and time feels optional. Stop at one of the many overlooks for your picnic lunch (we love Tanbark Ridge overlook for its grassy area, great for picnics!) For a moderate one-mile hike with great views, try Craggy Pinnacle Trail.
For dinner, pizza is the move: Good Company Pizza in Swannanoa, or back in Black Mountain at My Father’s Pizza, Fresh Pizza, or Pepperoni’s. Finish with live music or a drink at Pisgah Brewing, or something stronger at Oak & Grist Distilling.
Start your final day with pastries from Four Sisters or a hearty biscuit at Blue Ridge Biscuit Company. Lean into Black Mountain’s creative side with a pottery class at Cariku, or browse local galleries like Seven Sisters and Mountain Nest.
Lunch at The Pure & Proper or Black Mountain Bistro keeps things local and relaxed. Then try something hands-on at NC Glass Center, where molten glass becomes functional art right in front of you.
Before you go, grab a cupcake from Hey Hey Cupcake, then check out Red House, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, or The Old Depot—final proof that this town runs on creativity as much as coffee.
End your trip with a farewell dinner at Trillium Table or the classic Bev’s Steak House, then one last drink back at Peri Social House.
Before you hit the road, give yourself one final taste of mountain time. Grab coffee or pastries at one of Black Mountain’s many beloved spots—Peri Social House, Dripolator, Dynamite Roasting Co., Four Sisters, Recess Coffee, Short Sleeves Coffee, or The Laundry Collective—and linger just a little longer than you planned.
Take a final stroll through town, pick up any last-minute gifts or treats, and let the mountains send you off properly.