We absolutely loved our one hour experience at Capyfriends Cafe!…read more Located on the campus of Nacoochee Adventures you will find a quaint little home that has been converted into a small cafe and Capybara lounge. In the far rear room you will come face to face with these gentle, curious, and extremely large rodents. Even if you are slightly timid of animals, it is very easy to forget what they are because they are so sweet and docile. The first 20 minutes or so we were introduced to four Capy's of differing ages. The youngest was about 4 weeks old and the oldest and largest was about 8 months. All were females. We were given a handful of lettuce and carrots each to feed our furry animal friends. The typical amount of paying guests is between 8-10 people, which keeps the encounter intimate and enjoyable. During the next 40 minutes we were introduced to a new animal about every 10 minutes. The friends who came out to play included: a large Guinea Pig, a tiny Hedgehog, a hilarious Armadillo, a small dog-sized Muntjac Deer and the absolutely adorable Fennec Fox babies. Prior to this encounter I don't ever remember having knowledge of these foxes. But now that I've seen them, I will never forget them. They also offer a one hour long VIP MEET THE BABIES experience and a 30 minute Capybara only experience. Prices vary about $50 between experiences, with the CAPYBARA ONLY experience being the least costly and the VIP BABIES being the most costly. Our CAPYBARA & FRIENDS experience was right in the middle @ $125pp. Any experience is great for the whole family, but I would highly recommend the one hour tours. Our hour went by so quickly and we wanted, no, NEEDED more time with all of these wonderful creatures. Afterwards we spent the remainder of our day exploring the fun little German-inspired town of Helen, GA which also happens to be currently hosting Oktoberfest throughout the month of October. So put on your best Lederhosen and Dirndl and come spend a memorable weekend in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Capybara cafe is a great idea and we had a memorable time…read more The highlight of the experience is (obviously) an ability to interact with the animals (there were 3) which makes up for all other limitations. There were some adult ones and some baby ones - all are cute and as chill as you'd imagine them to be. You get to feed them with veggies and pet them. While the concept is great, the execution can use further refinement. I've imagined it being like a cat cafe (and there is a kiosk where you can get alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which is great). However the ambiance is simply not there as the place reminds of somebody's awkward house. Unlike cat cafe where you can stroll between cats - the capybaras locked in their own room which is only accessible and visible during your designated time slot. The space is underwhelming and needs design. Think of this experience like arranging to meet your favorite celebrity ... at a random chevron gas station down I85 ... it's amazing but also ... weird.

Great cafe with cat themed items and a number of adorable cats. We enjoyed browsing the cat themed…read moreitems while waiting to enter the enclosed cat cafe. Once inside, we were able to go to a few different rooms and play with 12 cats all up for adoption. The cats were sweet, fun, and had a range of personalities. Staff was friendly and welcoming. They had a number of cat themed drinks and cocktails that we enjoyed. Well worth the visit.

We passed Cats at Play Cafe and obviously had to stop in. Luckily they had time available to fit…read moreour party of 2 in for a half hour. I grabbed a meowmosa and looked at the items available for sale before heading in. My husband and I thought that the place was so cute and had so much fun playing with the kittens and cats that were available for adoption.

I came here on a Saturday morning and looked around the store and there's so many cute cat related…read moreitems at a great price compared to the prices of other stores in Downtown Hickory! They also have coffee, tea, and hot chocolate that you can try and also buy and take home! I purchased a cute hello kitty tote bag and some golden milk turmeric powder to try! The best part is that my purchase helps feed the cats. The owner there is a wonderful lady, full of passion for these cats. I never seen anything like it! Head there on a Saturday morning after hitting the farmers market and it's a great way to destress and pet some cute kitties and drink some tea or coffee. Try not to miss it, just walk into the bottega store and walk in and you'll find the stairs to go up!

From the owner: Help Meowt Catawba (AKA Brews & Blessings) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cat rescue based in Newton,…read moreNorth Carolina, dedicated to saving and improving the lives of community cats, foster cats, and cats belonging to low-income families. Through compassionate rescue efforts, medical care, trap-neuter-return (TNR), and thoughtful adoptions, we work tirelessly to reduce suffering and create sustainable solutions for cats in need. We believe every cat—whether feral, abandoned, surrendered, or belonging to a family facing financial hardship—deserves safety, proper medical care, and a chance at a healthy, happy life. At the heart of our organization is our community-focused catfé and education space in Newton, NC. This welcoming hub brings people and cats together, increases visibility for adoptable cats, and serves as a center for lifesaving outreach, community education, and fundraising. The revenue generated through the catfé helps fund medical care, spay/neuter programs, emergency treatments, TNR, adoptions, and other critical rescue operations. To further support our work, we also offer add-on services including cat boarding, grooming, vet tech services, and educational classes, which provide affordable resources for families while ensuring more proceeds go directly back to cats in need.

This was my first time visiting Helen, Georgia. I came here to visit a friend of mine, and we came…read moreto spend the day here. My friend recommended going to this restaurant and I'm so glad that we did. Why you were waiting on a table as the dining room is rather small you can pick up something from their bakery. They had lots of delicious treats. I did have the cheese danish, which was amazing. For lunch, I started with the tomato basil soup probably one of the best I've ever had. I got the grilled ham and Swiss with potato chips. I definitely would recommend this place for breakfast or lunch however be prepared to wait for the good food. Julie was our server and she was very attentive and professional.

Most authentic meal I had in Helen. Wonderful friendly staff, a great to go bakery and deli and a…read moresmall German product shop. Whether it's breakfast or lunch, you can't go wrong.

This is the newest Dollywood restaurant situated in Wildwood Grove. It's a pretty good option for…read moretheme park food. It is similar to Chipotle with options to build a bowl with steak, chicken, or pork. So, it's quicker service - yet better quality. They also had the option to make a bowl with cheese grits as the base (instead of rice). This was unique and tasted very good. Seating was ample and the decor was nice/new. Recommended if you are visiting Dollywood.

The food was fine. Overpriced, but expected from a theme park. That was not the concern. The…read moreservice was terrible. The cashiers seemed a little lost, and the efficiency in which the orders were handled was lacking significantly. I waited over twenty minutes. Then, when finally gathering the gall to ask, I watched in disbelief and horror as one of the guys behind the counter turned to asked about the order; to which his co worker went and started making the order, then. After he started preparing the order, it took no more than 5 minutes. Overall, the experience would've been much more enjoyable if only the service had been attended to without so, so, so much of a lethargic attitude.

Cocktail bar with a turn-of-the-century feel, offering a creative cocktail and coffee menu…read morealongside a small bites menu if you're looking for something light. We stayed on the main floor since the host seated us there, but later realized you can order at the bar and take your drinks up to the rooftop--something I wish we knew earlier. The bartenders were pleasant and laid-back, not pretentious at all. The cocktails were inventive and well-crafted. I went with the Coffee Date and Lord of Misrule--pretty good--but in hindsight, I wish I had tried more of their Fever-Tree and Chemist collaborations, which sounded especially interesting.

Super cute spot to get cocktails in Asheville!…read more The theme is on point - love the old decor, the fireside in the yard, the dark arches as you walk in, and the potion-like menu. You order at the bar and they bring the drinks to you. I ordered the Coffee Date and my boyfriend got the Nothing Compares. Mine was warm and coffee forward, and you can definitely taste the whiskey. The cream on top is nice. Great blend of daytime drink with alcohol.

I've never felt compelled to write a review over an iced oat latte lol, but here I am. I stopped by…read morethis cute little shop on my way out of Asheville and I'm so glad I did. As a barista myself I love checking out coffee shops when I travel and my drink was perfect. It's creamy and balanced. You know the espresso is good when you don't need any sweetener. Thanks High Five. I'll be back.

Stopped by High Five Coffee and ordered the golden tea turmeric latte. It had a nice warming spice…read moreto it and a good turmeric kick that made it feel comforting and flavorful. I did feel like it was missing a deeper cardamom note that could have rounded out the spice profile a bit more. That said, at around $4 it's hard to complain. It's a solid, affordable drink and a nice option if you want something warm and a little different from the usual coffee order.

The Times is easily my favorite bar in Asheville -- truly a five-star, can't-miss spot. On my first…read moretrip back in July, I found myself coming here every night for a drink, and on this work trip I did the exact same thing. That alone should tell you everything you need to know. Their espresso martini is probably the best I've ever had -- perfectly balanced, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. Every bartender here is incredibly knowledgeable. They can make anything you ask for and then walk you through the history and origins of the cocktail like you're getting a mini masterclass with your drink. The bar itself is beautiful, with an impressive selection of spirits and a menu full of creative cocktails featuring ingredient combinations you'd never expect to work together -- but somehow they absolutely do. It's also one of the best places in the city to sit back and people-watch while enjoying a perfectly made drink. Do not skip The Times -- honestly, it's worth going out of your way to stop there.

We came to the Times Bar and Coffee Shop just for a night cap. I got the thai tea specialty drink…read morewith mezcal. It was super good- even if you dont like mezcal you would like this! Service was good, it wasn't very busy so pretty easy to walk up and order. I would have loved to try an espresso martini from here but I didnt want to risk not being able to fall asleep (Im getting old). They have indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor is pretty casual with small tables. Indoor decor is fun, halloween-y, and dark. They have a huge selection of liquor, so everyone will be able to find something they like. Sounds like they change their menu frequently so there is always something new to try.

These were easily some of the best doughnuts I've ever had. If I close my eyes, I can still…read moreremember how good they tasted! We stopped here before visiting the Biltmore, and while parking was a bit of a challenge, it was absolutely worth it. We ended up parking on the street up the hill near some residential homes, but don't let that deter you. One of the coolest parts was being able to watch the doughnuts being made right in front of us. There was a line when we arrived, and we waited about 15 minutes to order and another 10 minutes or so for our doughnuts. Even with the wait, I'd do it all over again. The doughnuts were incredibly fresh, warm, light, and fluffy. Every flavor we tried was delicious, but the vanilla glazed and the toasted almond sesame cinnamon were my favorite. If you're in Asheville, this spot is definitely worth a visit.

My husband and I made a stop at Hole donuts on a Thursday morning for a little sweet treat. Hole is…read morea quaint little shop located within a neighborhood. They do have a small side lot for parking. Order ahead online or at the register when you arrive. We loved the open kitchen concept. Get a front row seat to watch your donuts being made right in front of you. My husband and I got the glaze and cinnamon sugar donuts. Both flavors were excellent! We enjoyed our warm perfect donuts while sitting inside watching other orders being made. They do offer coffee and other beverages. We just helped ourselves to the water station. Staff were beyond friendly and they seemed to genuinely enjoy their job. Thank you Hole for a great morning show and sweet treat. We will be back.

After our brunch in the area, we headed to Double D's for our caffeine dose of the day and it was…read moredelicious as always. Opted for one of the specials they had this time around, the oatmeal cookie latte. Was very tasty and was able to get it iced so perfect to drink on a warm day! Do note that they are cash only!

We are staying at the Aloft hotel and really needed some coffee. Thankfully Double Ds is like 2…read moreminutes down the road for an immediate caffeine pick me up! Super cute that they serve out of a double decker bus. There are about 4 tables you can sit at outside of the bus. No seating inside. Menu has some pretty interesting concoctions, so I was intrigued. They also have a seasonal menu that changes. Prices are super reasonable, which shocked us, but it's cash only! Ugh who carries cash nowadays?? Only downside to this place, which is why I knocked a star off. Atm inside the Aloft charged $4.25 for the atm just FYI. I got a hot creme brulee latte and my husband got a blackberry latte. After you order at the window, they call your name on a speaker and you pick it up inside the bus. My drink was really tasty and smooth. My husband enjoyed his as well and said the blackberry was really strong and pronounced in a good way. I would definitely frequent this place again if I had cash on me. If I didn't, there's so many other coffee places in Asheville that I would probably try somewhere else next time.