Foothills Watershed is a brewery, BBQ kitchen and mountain bike park on Catawba River Road in Old Fort, with riding trails, river access and outdoor seating.

Brisket, pulled pork, smash burgers and mac and cheese make a meal after a ride. Butcher Babe Brewing Co. brews on-site; outside alcohol is no longer allowed.

Foothills Watershed

Asheville's food scene is mostly local, and this guide walks it neighborhood by neighborhood. Start with our [Asheville Food Guide](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/242-asheville-food-guide-where-to-eat-asheville-nc) for Michelin picks. For specials by day and happy hours, see the [Dig Deeper guide to deals, specials and free things to do](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/142-deals-specials-free-things-to-do-asheville-nc). Downtown, [Posana](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/34-posana) on Biltmore Avenue builds its menu around local farms, [Bargello](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1883-bargello) makes hand-rolled pasta on Pack Square, [Old Europe Pastries](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1716-old-europe-pastries) has made Hungarian pastries since 1994 and now sits on Broadway, and [Capella on 9](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1369-capella-on-9-rooftop-bar-and-lounge) serves tapas on the roof of the AC Hotel. On the South Slope, [Tiger Bay Cafe](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2068-tiger-bay-cafe) cooks Latin and West Indian food inside Ben's Tune Up, and the [Funkatorium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1134-the-funkatorium) on Coxe Avenue pours sour beer. Haywood Road in West Asheville has [Biscuit Head](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1753-biscuit-head), [Thai Pearl](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1985-thai-pearl-west-asheville), [Finest](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4262-finest) and [Westville Pub](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/118-westville-pub). Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville has [plant](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1574-plant), [Mountain Madre](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1186-mountain-madre), [Mother Ocean Seafood Market](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2187-mother-ocean-seafood-market) and [828 Family Pizzeria](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/962-828-family-pizzeria). In East Asheville, [RendezVous](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1907-rendezvous) serves French bistro food on New Haw Creek Road. [Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1185-rocky-s-hot-chicken-shack-west-avl) fries Nashville-style hot chicken on Patton Avenue in West Asheville and on Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville. For vegan kitchens and meat-free menus, see the [Dig Deeper guide to vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Asheville](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/2-best-vegetarian-food-in-asheville-nc).

Asheville Food and Drink: Restaurants, Specials and Happy Hours

Asheville breweries pour everything from crisp lagers to wild sours, and these taprooms, brewpubs and craft beer bars are worth the trip, downtown and across the mountains. On the South Slope, the [Funkatorium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1134-the-funkatorium) pours sour and funky beers, [Wicked Weed](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1133-wicked-weed-brewing)'s original brewpub anchors Biltmore Avenue, and [Asheville Brewing Company](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/25-asheville-brewing-company) has taprooms on Coxe Avenue and Merrimon Avenue. The River Arts District has [Wedge Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/69-wedge-brewing-co), [New Belgium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4888-new-belgium-brewing) on the French Broad River, [RAD Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2372-the-river-arts-district-brewing-company) and [Ginger's Revenge](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1325-ginger-s-revenge) for gluten-free ginger beer. West Asheville has [Archetype Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1243-archetype-brewing), [One World Brewing West](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/866-one-world-brewing-west) and [Westville Pub](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/118-westville-pub) on Haywood Road. Just north in Woodfin, [Zillicoah](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2015-zillicoah-beer-company) and [Riverside Rhapsody](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2132-riverside-rhapsody-beer-company) sit along Riverside Drive, and [Salt Face Mule](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2481-salt-face-mule-brewing-co) adds 36 holes of mini golf. East Asheville's [Highland Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/45-highland-brewing-company) is the city's first craft brewery, and Black Mountain has [Pisgah Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/886-pisgah-brewing-company) and [Lookout Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4658-lookout-brewing-company). South of town, try [Sweeten Creek Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1329-sweeten-creek-brewing), [Turgua](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1327-turgua-brewing-company) in Fairview, [12 Bones Smokehouse](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2134-12-bones-smokehouse-and-brewing) in Arden, and [Sierra Nevada](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2361-sierra-nevada) and [Mills River Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2255-mills-river-brewing-co) in Mills River. Every brewery below has hours, photos and directions. For picks by food, dogs and live music, more breweries to try and answers to common questions, see our [Dig Deeper guide to Asheville breweries](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/3-beer-and-breweries-in-asheville-nc-tastings-tours-releases-deals-specials).

Breweries in Asheville, NC: Craft Beer and Taproom Guide

Asheville is surrounded by trails, rivers and parks, and a lot of it is close to town. [Asheville Parks & Recreation](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/3370-asheville-parks-recreation) runs more than 50 city parks, plus greenways and a 17,000 square foot skatepark downtown. In East Asheville, the [WNC Nature Center](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1066-wnc-nature-center) has black bears, wolves and river otters on 42 acres. [Jus' Running](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1014-jus-running) on Merrimon Avenue does walk-in shoe fittings and runs Tuesday track workouts. Along the river, the [French Broad River Greenway](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5329-french-broad-river-greenway) and the [Wilma Dykeman Greenway](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5330-wilma-dykeman-greenway) link West Asheville to the River Arts District, and [Asheville Canoe House](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2439-asheville-canoe-house) rents canoes at Hominy Creek River Park. [Richmond Hill Park](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5325-richmond-hill-park) has disc golf and mountain bike trails, the [Asheville Botanical Garden](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2409-asheville-botanical-garden) next to UNC Asheville is free, and [Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5324-beaver-lake-bird-sanctuary) has a boardwalk loop in North Asheville. [Liberty Bicycles](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/894-liberty-bicycles) has fixed and sold bikes since 1980, and the [Adventure Center of Asheville](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/639-adventure-center-of-asheville) runs ziplines five minutes from downtown. Farther out, [Craggy Gardens](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5318-craggy-gardens), [Max Patch](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5320-max-patch) and [Mount Mitchell State Park](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/5319-mount-mitchell-state-park) make good day trips, and the [Hikes & Waterfalls guide](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/109-hikes-waterfalls-near-asheville-nc) has more. Every spot below has hours, photos and directions.

Outdoor Things to Do in Asheville, NC: Trails, Parks and Rivers

Experience Asheville, NC, your gateway to the best live music, vibrant nightlife, premier shopping, and unforgettable things to do. Stroll through bustling markets and unique boutiques for one-of-a-kind finds, or browse Asheville’s eclectic shops for local art, fashion, wellness, and gifts. Savor Asheville’s dynamic food scene, from award-winning restaurants and cozy cafés to innovative food trucks and local favorites. 

Dive into the city’s thriving hemp, CBD, and THCA community with welcoming dispensaries and specialty wellness stores. Whether you’re looking for top bars, relaxing cocktail lounges, a memorable bite, or hidden gems off the beaten path, Asheville offers fresh adventures and experiences every season. Stay updated on the latest events, hotspots, and must-visit places, Asheville is your home for discovery.

Foothills Watershed

What you need to know

Local's Tip

What the locals say

What you need to know

What the locals say