A Perfect Day in Black Mountain, NC: Coffee, Shops, Cocktails, & More!
One of our favorite things about being so close to Black Mountain is that it’s the kind of town where you can spend an entire day wandering, eating, shopping, and discovering new spots (all within a few walkable blocks in our historic downtown).
We recently spent a pretty perfect day in our cozy little town, and filmed it along the way! If you're planning a visit (or even if you live nearby and want a fresh way to spend a Saturday), here’s our recommended itinerary.
Start with coffee at Short Sleeves Coffee
Every great day starts with great coffee!
That’s why we recommend kicking off the day at Short Sleeves Coffee. Not quite Black Mountain, but we had to include them because they are so awesome.
This cozy café is known for thoughtful seasonal drinks and excellent coffee. We tried a couple of their seasonal specials, and they absolutely delivered. It’s the perfect spot to ease into the morning before heading into downtown.
Address: 222 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Wander the Downtown Shops
From Short Sleeves, you’ll want to drive into the heart of downtown Black Mountain, where you can easily spend a couple of hours popping in and out of locally owned shops.
We typically park near Open Oven Brunch & Bakery, then walk down State Street. If you are someone who likes a big breakfast, Open Oven is a great place to try out.
Some of our favorites we stopped into (in order of walking):
Black Mountain Home & Accents and Mountain Me are a great starting point. They’re both home and gift shops with a wide variety of goods. (not pictured in our video)
Merry Wine Market is the next stop. A locally owned wine shop with a great selection and the friendliest owner. He’s always happy to tell you all about the different types he has in store & help you pick the perfect bottle.
Common Housefly: a Kitchen Emporium is perfect for anyone who loves cooking or hosting. This shop is packed with kitchen tools, unique spices, cookware, and culinary inspiration.
Town Hardware & General Store is just across the street! A true old-school general store where you’ll find everything from tools to toys to nostalgic candy.
High Hopes Gift Shop is next door to the general store & a true treat. A fun mix of gifts, quirky finds, and locally made goods.
Morning Sky Pottery was our next stop. There are so many other shops you can pop into on your walk down there, be curious! Morning Sky features beautiful handmade pottery and local craftsmanship.
Sassafras on Sutton was our last stop before lunch! A dreamy stop for book lovers with a carefully curated selection. They also have a large variety of toys, puzzles, & games. They even have a “spouse parking area” with comfortable seating, in case your partner would rather relax.
These are just a few stops! There are plenty more shops worth wandering into as you explore downtown.
Lunch at the Foothills Grange
Once you've worked up an appetite, head down the Howachyn Walk toward the Foothills Grange! This is an open gathering space with multiple food options and a lively atmosphere.
We decided to grab lunch from Foothills Meats at the Grange. This spot is well known locally and nationally, it was even featured by Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!
We tried:
the black bean burger with fries
the smoked chicken salad sandwich
and of course, a couple of Bloody Marys
Everything was great! We’ve also heard their poutine, chicken parm sausage, & hot dogs are a must-try.
Afternoon Shopping at Black Mountain Variety
After you have filled up with lunch, you’ll head down the street to Black Mountain Variety.
This new shop is a massive 6,400-square-foot space right downtown, filled with vintage clothing, local artists, and makers from across Western North Carolina.
It grew out of the beloved Black Mountain Vintage shop and now brings together dozens of vendors and creators under one roof. If you like vintage, handmade goods, or discovering something unexpected, you could easily spend a while browsing here.
Afternoon Cocktails at Peri Social House
By now it’s time for a little pick-me-up. Head to Peri Social House for an afternoon cocktail! It is walkable, but we’ll be headed out of the downtown area after this. We’d recommend just driving down to this one.
This cozy cocktail and coffee spot is perfect for an afternoon hang. We went with espresso martinis, which felt like the ideal bridge between coffee and cocktail hour.
Address: 406 West State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711
End the Day with Us at Oak & Grist Distilling Co
After a full day exploring town, there’s only one thing left to do: settle in somewhere relaxing for the evening.
Come hang out with us at Oak & Grist!
Our space is designed for exactly this moment in the day. Grab something to drink and unwind in one of our outdoor areas. We’ve got cocktails, spirit tastings, beer, wine, and NA cocktails!
Whether you want sunshine on the patio, a shady spot with friends, or a laid-back evening drink, we’ve got you covered.
Want to see this whole day in action? Head over to our social media to watch the video version of this itinerary and get a closer look at each stop along the way.