The List - Asheville

1 HIKING OFF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
This mountainous view from the Craggy Pinnacle trail (from milepost 364) is just one of many you can access from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the meandering road between Tennessee and Virginia that’s celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Stop by the Folk Art Center (milepost 382), just five miles from downtown Asheville, to pick up an area hiking map. www.blueridgeparkway75.org

2 French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Indulge in Asheville’s version of silky European sipping chocolate: the liquid truffle. This velvety elixir of cream and dark chocolate is laced with lavender honey or cayenne and cinnamon. 10 S Lexington Ave; 828-252-4181; www.frenchbroadchocolates.com

3 Jack of the Wood
Enjoy a toasty Green Man Ales porter and live mountain music played with fiddles, banjos and other instruments (on Wednesdays) at this time-honored pub. 95 Patton Ave; 828-252-5445; www.jackofthewood.com

4 Biltmore Estate
With an 8,000-acre backyard (where you can hike, bike, go horseback riding and more), a winery, an inn and multiple restaurants, the largest private home in the US is well worth a full-day visit. A new area filled with shops, eateries and a folk-art exhibition space is opening this spring. 1 Approach Rd; 800-411-3812; www.biltmore.com

5 Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa
This historic granite-faced hotel has hosted presidents and movie stars since 1913. Easter weekend celebrations include a decorated birdhouse competition and an Easter egg hunt. 290 Macon Ave; 800-438-5800; www.groveparkinn.com

6 Battery Park Champagne Bar and Book Exchange
Used tomes, new art books and leather-bound classics share space with petit syrahs and cavas by the glass or bottle. 1 Battle Sq; 828-252-0020; www.batteryparkbookexchange.com

7 12 Bones Smoke-house
Located in the River Arts District, this lunch-only venue serves hearty barbecue with a variety of sauces (chipotle blueberry, tomatillo, mustard) and sides like mashed sweet taters and jalapeño cheese grits. 3578 Sweeten Creek Rd; 828-687-1395; www.12bones.com

8 The Artisan Bread Bakers’ Festival
This event, sponsored by 13 local bakeries, celebrates the art and craft of bread baking with hands-on workshops, lectures and demonstrations. March 20. 70 Merrimon Ave; 828-683-2902; www.asapconnections.org

9 Shoji Retreat
Renew and rejuvenate yourself at private Japanese-style baths located under a canopy of trees at this indoor-outdoor spa. 96 Avondale Heights Rd; 828-299-0999; www.shojiretreats.com

10 The Bender Gallery
This light-filled gallery is devoted to one-of-a-kind studio glass art by artisans from near and far, such as “Snow Queen Dreams,” a hand-manipulated hot-glass-cane sculpture by Carole Perry. 57 Haywood St; 866-933-5530; www.thebendergallery.com