Itinerary for the perfect day trip to Saluda
Saluda, NC is a picture-perfect mountain town located just 40 minutes south of Asheville. It makes for a fun and easy day trip from Asheville (or Greenville, Hendersonville, Lake Lure… any town close by, really!) You can read more about this charming town in our guide to Saluda.
We love visiting and over the years have nailed down our favorite places to eat and shop as well as the best things to do in Saluda. Below is a sample itinerary that we typically do ourselves and recommend to others. It gives you a taste of the best places to eat, a few shops worth visiting and a quick outdoor adventure before heading home.
Stop #1: Breakfast in Saluda, NC
There are so many great restaurants in Saluda, but our top picks for breakfast are either Wakey Monkey or Wildflour Bakery & Cafe. If you go to Wakey Monkey, get the cinnamon roll! And if you end up at Wildflour, don’t miss the grits!
If you have kids in tow, get your breakfast to-go from Wakey Monkey and eat it at the nearby McCreery Park. There’s a great playground there for kids to get energy out and several tables available for a picnic.
Stop #2: Shop and stroll in downtown Saluda
There are so many great local shops in Saluda that are worth a visit. Just make sure to check hours beforehand because several places have weird hours and/or are closed during the winter.
A few of our favorite shops in downtown Saluda include M.A. Pace General Store for a good dose of nostalgia, River Dog Run for local goodies like candles and Heartwood Gallery to admire the work of local artisans.
Stop #3: Lunch in saluda
Lunchtime! We recommend a stop in Azalea Bistro or Purple Onion for lunch. Both are located on Main Street just a few shops down from one another. You’ll find upscale French fare at Azalea and a more laidback menu at the Purple Onion. If it’s nice out, we love the outdoor seating at the Purple Onion!
Another great place for lunch is Wildflour Bakery. It’s not in the main downtown area but it’s just down the road a bit. Our next stop takes you to this area for a bit more browsing at local shops, so you could head over there for lunch if that sounds good.
Stop #4: Gardener’s Cottage and Brass Key
We’d imagine if a Hallmark town sounds lovely to you, then you’d also enjoy browsing at a garden store and an antique shop.
Gardener’s Cottage and Brass Key are located just next to each other and offer such a peaceful shopping moment.
If you need a snack, pop over to Wildflour Bakery for a treat. They have great outdoor seating or you can take it to go.
Stop #5: Pearson’s Falls
Though there are a ton of fun things to do in Saluda, we especially love an adventure at Pearson’s Falls. It’s only 10 minutes from downtown Saluda and offers the perfect amount of nature.
There are over 300 acres at Pearson’s Falls filled with 310 (and counting) species of wildflowers and plants. A well-maintained .25-mile hiking trail leads to a 90-foot waterfall. It’s such a delight no matter the time of year!
Please note: dogs are not allowed at Pearson’s Falls.
Check our guide if you want other ideas for outdoor things to do in Saluda. There’s a ton going on!
Stop #6: Sierra Nevada Brewery
If you are heading back to Asheville, stop at the Sierra Nevada Brewery for great food, drinks and the perfect outdoor setting. It’s right off the interstate on the way back to town. If you’d rather stay in, though, check out our list of the best takeout in Asheville.
