Chow Chow Itineraries

No matter your foodie personality, Chow Chow has an array of signature events and hands on seminars that will help you create an ideal Asheville weekend. Whether you prefer to take in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, get a little creative with local artists, sip the area's best craft beverages or just take a deep, cleansing breath, these suggested itinerary can help you to plan your visit. 

For the Outdoorsy Chow Chow-er

• When you arrive: Build in time to hike in mountain forests, cycle the Blue Ridge Parkway, paddle down the French Broad River and tackle some mountain biking trails.
• On Friday: Experience a spread on a multi-generational family farm during the Fairview Farm Trot in one of the area’s most bucolic valleys at Flying Cloud, Looking Glass Creamery, and Hickory Nut Gap Farms in Fairview.
• On Saturday: Wake up, and get energized with morning yoga, followed by breakfast and coffee by a variety of makers at Sips & Sun Salutations. Go foraging with experts—foragers and chefs—on the beautiful Warren Wilson College campus and put together a feast with your findings at Forage + Feast. 
• On Sunday: Gaze at the Blue Ridge while you visit Gaining Ground Farm during Noble Dirt: A Field-to-Fork Brunch. End your day by biking downtown to Pack Square and engage with local artists who are preserving the mountain makers crafts with weaving, glass blowing and blacksmithing in the free demonstrations area in Pack Square. Make the Pickled in the Park Grand Tasting the last stop on your tour!

For the Zen-Focused Chow Chow-er

• When you arrive: Asheville and the mountains of North Carolina have long been associated with wellness and spiritual renewal. Take some deep breaths and enjoy yourself!
• On Friday: Treat yourself to a world of French Broad Chocolate pastries and paired beverages at Cacao, Confections & Cocktails. As you enjoy delicious bites and beverages, tour the facility and learn more about the wonderful health benefits of chocolate.
• On Saturday: Sips & Sun Salutations in Pack Square Park will have you in a state of sheer joy with a morning yoga experience and breakfast from six chefs, including Biscuit Love’s Karl Worley from Nashville. Take advantage of the city’s many spas, salt caves, and foot spas after you make your own Flower Crown in the technique area of Pack Square.
• On Sunday: Enjoy a vegan plant-based feast at The Omni Grove Park Inn featuring six chefs (and more yoga) at the Plant Almighty event. 

For the Libation Chow Chow-er

• When you arrive: Asheville’s reputation as Beer City precedes itself, but makers are making so much more—gin, wine, kombucha, killer coffees, moonshine, brewers’ yeast, organic juices and smoothies, and soothing ancient teas. Be sure to hit the streets and taste and see what all the city has to offer.
• On Thursday: The opening Mountain Top Soiree is at Highland Brewing and will feature live music, over a dozen chefs and mixologists including Gary Crunkleton and Miles Macquarrie.
• On Friday: At Follow the Barrel, you’ll be among the first to try a variety of adult beverages, as well as coffees, that have been aged in barrels until perfection happens.
• On Saturday: Pickled in the Park Grand Tasting offers the best way to do Chow Chow with over 50 vendors, chefs, makers, bartenders and all you can eat and drink (responsibly) for one ticket. Pickled also features demos by Chef Sean Brock and NC Department of Agriculture ambassadors.
• On Sunday: Close out the weekend, at Chow Time Closing Party at Salvage Station that will feature BBQ and fried chicken, paired with a variety of beer, wine, and spirits along with live music.

The Artistic Chow Chow-er

• When you arrive: Head to the River Arts District and get a first-hand look at a variety of artists in their studios working on custom pieces.
• On Friday: Sign up for hands-on experiential workshops and seminars where you’ll watch, make, eat, drink and celebrate.
• On Saturday: The Clay Bake Dinner has you encasing your supper-to-be bird in clay and baking it in one of East Fork Pottery’s kilns. You can also join in the tradition of smashing your clay mug in celebration of the earth with guest chefs Ashley Christiansen and Cheetie Kumar.
• OR: The Blue Ridge Mountains are the birthplace of hand-blown studio glass and at Fire It Up at Lexington Avenue Glassworks, you can watch the process as you dine on a spectrum of fine dishes inspired by colors. Your chef curators are Andrea Reusing from Chapel Hill, Annie Petrie from Louisville and Birmingham’s James Lewis.
• On Sunday: Take a pit stop to the free Makers Market at Pack Square to shop in Chow Chow’s pop up market that features a variety of local and regional makers’ products—such as tables, plate ware, packaged food, plants, and more!

The History Buff Chow Chow-er

• When you arrive: Follow in the footsteps of Asheville women who have played important roles in the vibrancy of this Southern Appalachian city by tracing their steps during a curated stroll along part of Asheville’s Urban Trail.
• On Friday: The Block in downtown Asheville is the city’s original African-American community, and many champions are working to celebrate its history and share its narrative. Take a walking tour, hear from historians and experts and then sample some Appalachian soul food from Chefs Ashleigh Shanti, John Fleer and One Flew South’s Todd Richards at Benne on Eagle during Appalachian Soul Food: A Celebration of the Block. 
• On Saturday: Did you know Biltmore Estate has always practiced sustainable agriculture? Go behind the scenes during Biltmore’s Bounty and get an insiders’ view of the estate’s commitment to responsible agriculture, forestry and land management.

Plan your Chow Chow trip with Explore Asheville's guide to the festival.