My boyfriend recently surprised me with a three day getaway to Asheville, North Carolina. I had been there once before on a trip with my college soccer team, but we only got to spend maybe an hour downtown. So, you could say Asheville was fairly new to me and it was totally new to him.

About two hours into our drive (it was only three hours in total), besides the obvious signs that said "ASHEVILLE" in giant letters on the highway, I had a feeling that that was where we were going. When we finally arrived, I could not contain my excitement! We had three whole days to ourselves to explore the awesome city. Three days may not seem like a long time and trust me we could have spent longer, but we were able to do so much and experience a city so unlike ours back home.

Asheville is super unique and full of smart town charm and I highly suggest that everyone visit at least once in their lifetime. With that said, here are six things to love about Asheville.

1. The food

Because who doesn't love food? With only three chain restaurants downtown, being Jimmy Johns, Mellow Mushroom and a Japanese steak house, Asheville has such a unique variety of food that there is something for everyone!

2. The beer

Once again, who doesn't love beer? Just kidding, a lot of people don't love beer, BUT if you are someone who does, Asheville is the place to go. Known as the "Beer City USA," Asheville has over 15 breweries, each with their own unique beer selection. As if that wasn't appealing enough, you can tour the city on the Amazing Pubcycle or take a Brews Cruise where you can sample hand-crafted beers from each of Asheville's very own breweries.

3. The Coffee shops

If you're anything like me, you need coffee to function. In Asheville, there is a coffee shop basically every 100 yards. There are small coffee shops that just have basic coffee and pastries to larger coffee shops that serve breakfast and lunch all day. Not a coffee lover? Well, as I said, many of the shops have much more to offer than just coffee. For example, the French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a neat chocolate and desserts shop that happens to sell coffee as well. A MUST TRY is Double D's Coffee and Desserts. Its a big red double decker bus that serves coffee, milkshakes, desserts, and a unique atmosphere.

4. The Hand-made gifts

Asheville has so many little stores all through downtown and the best part is most of the items that you find inside those little stores are all handmade right in North Carolina. There is a such a variety as well. There are all sorts of things such as little toys, paintings, sculptures, clothing, jewelry, and more! Almost all of the jewelry you find in each store is handmade, from jewelry that costs $10 to jewelry that cost $1000! The hand-made gifts in Asheville make it very unique, because you will not find the same thing anywhere else.

5. The Windsor Boutique Hotel

The Windsor Boutique Hotel was by far the most beautiful hotel I have stayed at, with the friendliest and most welcoming staff. The staff at the Windsor went out of their way to provide us with the best stay, from small gestures such as leavings chocolates on our bed to giving us a map of the city and a booklet with the best breweries in town. I have never stayed at any other hotels in Asheville, I would definitely recommend this one. It is a smaller hotel, with only two floors, but each room is like its own little apartment. The best part? You didn't even need a key. The door to the room had a key pad and the code was the last four digits of your phone number.

6. The peace and quiet

Vacation is meant to get away from all your stresses, worries, and noise. Who wants to vacation to a place that is full of noise, distractions, and an abundance of people? I know I don't. Asheville was the perfect getaway. Yes, there were a lot of people there, locals and tourists, but everyone pretty much kept to themselves. It sounds corny, but at times, I felt like it was just my boyfriend and I there because it was so peaceful and quiet. We were able to do our own thing, with no one bothering us and it was great.

Asheville is the cutest small town and it is so unique and different from any other place. The food, beer, coffee shops, gifts, hotel, and peace and quiet are each factors into why Asheville is so charming and so cool, but they aren't the only things. Asheville has so many other great things to offer and it should definitely be on everyone's list of places to visit!