Sleep under the stars in a geodesic dome 2.5 hours from Charlotte

The thought of lying under the stars, up in the mountains of North Carolina and in this crazy snow globe looking dome? Sold.

So I booked a trip for early January. I thought it would be a good way to reset myself for the new year. Plus, it’s only a 2.5 hour drive from Charlotte.

As an adult, there aren’t many experiences that make you feel the wonder and excitement you once felt as a kid but this was definitely one of them.

The moment I stepped into Dome 2, I felt like I was right in the picture that had stopped me dead in my tracks months earlier.

The dome itself is beautiful. It’s nestled up on a hill and offers big time views of Asheville Glamping’s 15-acre property as well as the mountains beyond.

Inside it’s super cozy and stylishly decorated.

Peep the cute air plant.

And the adorable guest book.

Lucky for me, there was a heater in there, which kept it warm and toasty.

The bed even had a heated blanket on it and, no lie, it was one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. Like a cloud.

The dome also has a mini fridge, which was super convenient for snacks and water that I brought along with me.

I opted to eat all my meals out but there’s a grill, if you want to cook.

For an extra $10, you can order a bundle of firewood for the fire pit outside.

The dome has a private bathroom, which kind of looks like an outhouse. But it has a working toilet and shower.

By night, the property is an ideal place for stargazing. I got unlucky and had cloud cover both nights but my dome sure looked cozy in the dark.

Aside from Dome 2, Asheville Glamping offers about a dozen additional sites you can book.

They have Dome 3, which sleeps up to 8 people and has a SLIDE.

They also have revamped, vintage trailers. Like this 1965 Airstream named ‘Rosie’.

All of their sites book up pretty far in advance, especially for weekends. If you want to go during a specific season, plan accordingly.

Nightly prices vary by site. Dome 2 starts at $180 a night and the vintage Airstreams and travel trailers tend to be a little bit cheaper.

Things to do

From restaurants and shops to hiking trails, there’s lots nearby to keep you busy. Here are some spots I visited during my stay.

Twisted Laurel
Situated in Downtown Weaverville, about 10 min. away from Asheville Glamping, this is a nice lunch or dinner spot. They’ve got a huge menu with Greek-inspired fare and tons of local beer on draft.

Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
This place is right off Main St. in downtown Weaverville. Their bacon, egg and cheese croissant rocked my world.

Pisgah National Forest
If you are looking for good places to hike, Pisgah is absolutely beautiful. Looking Glass Trail is a great day hike. Don’t leave without checking out Looking Glass Falls.

Oskar Blues Brewery
Home to Dale’s Pale Ale, this brewery is just over a mile outside of Pisgah. There’s nothing like a nice, cold beer post-hike. I went with a pint of Guns ‘n’ Rosé. Highly recommend.

Downtown Brevard
Brevard is a cute little town outside of Pisgah. It’s lined with small shops and restaurants. A fun place to explore, if you have time.

[Related Agenda guide: 14 must-go places to eat, drink and shop in downtown Brevard, NC]

Chai Pani
Anytime I’m remotely close to Asheville, I have to go to Chai Pani. It’s an Indian street food eatery with a ultra cool vibe. The Butter Chicken and Bhel Puri are a must.

The Rhu
I stopped here for breakfast on my way out of town. It’s kind of hidden but worth finding. I ordered the Toad-the-in-Hole (sweet potato-bacon brioche, farm egg with field green salad) and a caramel latte.

Overall, I can’t recommend the glamping experience enough. It felt refreshing to get out of my day-to-day routine and try something new.

You don’t have to be an avid camper to enjoy it either. That’s the beauty of glamping, you get the best of both worlds.