Asheville

Downtown Asheville

The city of Asheville [1] is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina. Asheville boasts pleasant year-round weather and serves as the county seat of Buncombe County. The city has a population of approximately 74,000 and is the largest city in Western North Carolina, the ninth largest city in the State.

Understand

Asheville is known as a liberal, artsy community. Asheville has been described as "Paris of the South," "Santa Fe of the East," "New Age Mecca," and "Land of the Sky." It's a city that Self magazine proclaimed America’s "Happiest City," and one which Rolling Stone magazine dubbed "America’s New Freak Capital." Money magazine has called Asheville one of the "Best Places to Retire," and AARP cites it as one of the "Best Places to Reinvent Your Life." PETA lists Asheville as "America's Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small City."

Climate

Asheville
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       2.6     47 28       3.1     50 30       4     57 35       3.3     68 45       2.9     76 53       3.5     82 60       3.4     84 63       4     83 62       3.1     77 56       2.7     68 45       2.6     57 35       2.7     48 29 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       66     8 −2       79     10 −1       102     14 2       84     20 7       74     24 12       89     28 16       86     29 17       102     28 17       79     25 13       69     20 7       66     14 2       69     9 −2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Asheville has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Year-round, the average relative humidity in the morning is 90% and in the afternoon is 58%. Summers are mild and afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon. In the fall (peaking in October), the area is very popular with "leaf lookers", people who visit Asheville and the surrounding mountains to see the area's splendid foliage. Winters are generally mild and major snow storms are rare- usually the area receives multiple snow flurries averaging an inch or two at a time, normally melting off in a day or two.

Get in

By plane

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) [2] offers jet and commuter service on US Airways, Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, and Northwest Airlines and has direct flights from Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Newark, NJ, and Raleigh/Durham. It is located fifteen miles south of Asheville in the nearby town of Fletcher. Ground transportation and major rental car companies are available at the airport terminal.

Flights into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) [3] located in Greenville, South Carolina, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) [4] located in Charlotte, North Carolina, or McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) [5] located in Knoxville, Tennessee, are typically cheaper than flying directly to Asheville. Greenville is about a 1.5 hour drive, Charlotte and Knoxville are both about 2 hour drives.

By train

The closest Amtrak train station to Asheville is in Greenville, South Carolina or Spartanburg, South Carolina.

By car

Asheville is located at the junction of Interstate 26 and Interstate 40, with an I-240 connector that passes through downtown. Mountainous, curvy, and scenic sections of highway are found along the interstates in all four directions while traveling into Asheville. The Asheville area is also served by 10 US and state highways. The Blue Ridge Parkway has four accesses in the Asheville area at US 25, US 70, US 74 & NC 191.

By bus

Asheville is serviced by Greyhound Bus [6]. The station is located at 2 Tunnel Road, telephone +1 828 253-8451.

Get around

By car

A car is definitely your best bet. Street parking is metered Monday through Saturday, 8AM–6PM at $1.00 per hour. Street parking is free on Sundays, evenings and official city holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas). In addition to street and garage parking, there are several surface lots throughout downtown.

There are three parking decks, accessible 24 hours a day. Attendants are on duty 10AM–7PM Monday through Friday.

• Civic Center Garage - First hour free & $0.50 per hour thereafter. Daily Max of $4.00. After hours rate is $1.00 per exit.
• Rankin Avenue Garage - First hour free & $0.75 per hour thereafter. Daily Max of $6.00. After hours rate is $1.00 per exit.
• Wall Street Garage - First hour free & $0.75 per hour thereafter. Daily Max of $6.00. After hours rate is $2.00 per exit.

By taxi

• Airport Limousine & Taxi Service, +1 828 253-3311
• Beaver Lake Cab Co, +1 828 252-1913
• Jolly Taxi, +1 828 253-1411
• Metro Cab, +1 828 254-1155
• New Blue Bird Taxi Co, +1 828 258-8331
• Red Cab Co, +1 828 232-1112
• Yellow Cab Co, +1 828 252-1913
• Your Cab, +1 828 259-9904

By bike

Bike rentals are available at BioWheels, 81 Coxe Ave, +1 828 236-BIKE, [7]. Self-guided tour routes, maps and guidebooks are available for bicycle rides on the area forest lands, on the Blue Ridge Parkway and around downtown Asheville.

All buses in the Asheville Transit System are equipped with bike racks.

By bus

Asheville Transit [8] provides bus service that is regular outside of downtown but slow; inside downtown coverage is spotty and walking is almost always faster. Buses run from 6AM-11:30PM Monday through Saturday. Routes radiate from the Transit Center, located downtown at 49 Coxe Avenue next to the U.S. Post Office. Bus fare is $1.00 for adults and $0.50 for seniors and handicapped individuals. A "fare-free" zone exists in the downtown area containing almost all of the businesses, restaurants and attractions of downtown. Riders can take any bus in the system within the Free Zone at no charge.

See

Architecture

Asheville is nationally renowned for its unique architecture, especially downtown and around the Biltmore Estate. The city suffered greatly during the Great Depression, and consequently little development happened during the time. This actually had a positive effect, as the city's famous Art Deco Architecture of the Roaring 20's was saved from destruction. Therefore, today, Asheville's boasts the nations most complete collection of Art Deco structures. Other architectural styles, of course, are present in abundance throughout the city; from the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building "Skyscraper" to the Modern BB&T Tower.

Buncombe County Courthouse

• <see name="Battery Park Hotel" alt="" address="1 Battle Sq" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A 14-story building faced with brick, limestone and terra cotta trim with a Mission Revival style roof, erected in 1924.</see>
• <see name="The Biltmore Estate" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="1-800-624-1575" email="" fax="" url="http://www.biltmore.com" hours="" price="Adults $25-$59, Youth price half-admission, Children 9 and under are free">A French Renaissance-inspired chateau; with over 250 rooms, it is the largest single family home in the U.S. and the largest privately-owned house in the world, just a few minutes outside the city and should be on any visitor's itinerary. Basic admission includes access to the fabulous gardens, stables, expansive hiking trails, vineyards and self-guided house tour.</see>
• <see name="Buncombe County Courthouse" alt="" address="60 Court Sq" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-F 8AM-6PM" price="">Completed in 1928, the outside features complex setbacks, window groupings and overlay of Neo-Classical Revival ornamentation. The Neo-Classical interior lobby contains a sweeping marble staircase, bronze and glass screens, a coffered ceiling with ornate plasterwork and a mosaic tile floor.</see>
• <see name="The City Building" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=ashevillecityhall-asheville-nc-usa" hours="" price="">Designed by Art Deco architect Douglas Ellington and constructed out of Georgia Pink marble, brick, and terra cotta. The roof is the logo of the City of Asheville.</see>

Asheville City Hall

• <see name="Drhumor Building" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">The Drhumor (pronounced "drummer") is a boldly detailed, Romanesque Revival style building constructed in 1895.</see>
• <see name="1926 Flat Iron Building" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A uniquely triangular shaped building bordering Wall Street and Battery Park Avenue.</see>
• <see name="Grove Arcade" alt="" address="1 Page Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.grovearcade.com/" hours="M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">Commissioned by Dr. E. W. Grove, the Grove Arcade is an elaborate Tudoresque building occupying an entire city block. It is particularly worth noting, as it was, when it was built in 1927 by architect Charles N. Parker, one of the nation's most unique and interesting buildings. On each side of this city landmark, four giant arches allow entrance into the building. On the main side facing the equally impressive Victorian Battery Park Hotel, are two monumental gryphons, guarding the entrance into the expansive interior, which features oak shopfronts, spiral staircases, and opulence around every corner. Today, it serves as as an influential public market with several restaurants, vendors, and mountain craft shops.</see>
• <see name="Grove Park Inn" alt="" address="290 Macon Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.groveparkinn.com/" hours="" price="">Completed in 1913, this historic resort hotel is an important example of the Arts and Crafts style.</see>
• <see name="Jackson Building" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=jacksonbuilding-asheville-nc-usa" hours="" price="">A Neo-Gothic style skyscraper complete with gargoyles and a bell tower.</see>
• <see name="Masonic Temple" alt="" address="80 Broadway St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Features robust brickwork and a tall portico of paired Ionic columns. A three-story, blind arched window is on its Woodfin Street side.</see>
• <see name="S & W building" alt="" address="52-58 Patton Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Another Art Deco masterpiece designed by architect Douglas Ellington.</see>
• <see name="Thomas Wolfe House" alt="" address="48 Spruce St" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-8304" email="" fax="" url="http://www.wolfememorial.com/" hours="Tu-Sa 9AM-12PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="">A sprawling frame Queen Anne-influenced house immortalized in the epic autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe.</see>
• <see name="Vance Monument" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=222991" hours="" price="">Stands about 10 stories high, in the middle of Pack Square, Asheville's version of Times Square, Place de la Concorde and Piccadilly Circus. It is the heart of both downtown and the entire city.</see>
• <see name="YMI Building" alt="" address="at the corner of South Market and Eagle St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Sa 10AM-5PM" price="">A simplified English Tudor Cottage style with pebble-dashed walls, red brick quoin trim, multi-pane windows and hipped roofs.</see>

Churches:

File:Front to Basilica of St. Lawrence Asheville NC.jpg

Basilica of St. Lawrence

• <see name="Basilica of St. Lawrence" alt="" address="97 Haywood St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.saintlawrencebasilica.org/" hours="" price="">Designed and built in 1905, the Basilica is on the National Register of Historic Places and was elevated in status to a Minor Basilica in 1993 by Pope John Paul II. Features the largest freestanding elliptical dome in North America. This place is gorgeous and a must-see.</see>
• <see name="Central United Methodist Church" alt="" address="27 Church St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Erected in 1902, the imposing limestone church presents Romanesque Revival style massing and forms, but the detailing more closely reflects the Gothic Revival style. A five-bay loggia, set between two pinnacled towers, fronts the large, gable-roofed auditorium.</see>
• <see name="First Baptist Church" alt="" address="5 Oak St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">In Art Deco/Romantic style, Douglas Ellington's first big commission in Asheville. A beautiful distinctive dome with a copper cupola cap.</see>
• <see name="First Presbyterian Church" alt="" address="40 Church St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.fpcasheville.org/" hours="" price="">Commissioned in 1884, the Gothic Revival style brick nave and tower feature deep-corbelled cornices, hood-molded windows and blind arcading at the eaves.</see>
• <see name="Mt. Zion Baptist Church" alt="" address="47 Eagle St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A redbrick late Victorian Gothic church featuring a tin-shingled roof where three towers are topped by ornamental sheet-metal finials. A large number of Art Glass windows ornament the towers and walls. Built in 1919.</see>
• <see name="St. Matthias Episcopal Church" alt="" address="1 Dundee St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A Gothic-style building with a gable roof nave. The brick walls are laid with a darker shade of headers presenting a horizontal texture to the building's surface on every face. The interior contains a rich display of well maintained dark woodwork fashioned in various Gothic motifs. The pulpit, lectern, altar and other furnishings are all original to the church and are decorated with trefoil arch panels, quatrefoil incisions and other Gothic elements.</see>
• <see name="Trinity Episcopal Church" alt="" address="60 Church St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.trinityasheville.org/" hours="" price="">Designed in 1912, the Tudor Gothic Revival style brick building with granite trim features a simple, gable-roofed sanctuary with transepts and a short corner tower.</see>

Art galleries

• <see name="16 Patton" alt="" address="16 Patton Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 236-2889" email="" fax="" url="http://www.16patton.com" hours="Tu-Sa 11AM-6PM" price="">Features original contemporary fine art by southeastern artists including paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics and fine craft.</see>
• <see name="American Folk Art & Framing" alt="" address="64 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 281-2134" email="" fax="" url="http://www.amerifolk.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">Represents southern folk and visionary artists, as well as regional potters who adhere to the folk pottery traditions.</see>
• <see name="Appalachian Craft Center" alt="" address="10 N Spruce St" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-8499" email="" fax="" url="http://www.appalachiancraftcenter.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-5PM" price="">Authentic mountain handicrafts including pottery, face jugs, quilts, mountain-made toys and handmade rugs.</see>
• <see name="Ariel Gallery" alt="" address="46 Haywood St" directions="" phone="+1 828 236-2660" email="" fax="" url="http://www.arielcraftgallery.com" hours="Tu-Su" price="">A contemporary craft cooperative featuring handmade work of renowned local artists. Original works in clay, fiber, furniture, glass, metal, jewelry and book arts.</see>
• <see name="Asheville Area Front Gallery" alt="" address="11 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillearts.com/" hours="M-F 10AM-5PM and some Sa 12PM-5PM" price="">Owned and operated by the Asheville Area Arts Council, provides exhibition space for established and emerging local artists.</see>
• <see name="Asheville Gallery of Art" alt="" address="16 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 251-5796" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-5PM" price="">A partnership of 29 professional, regional artists offering original two-dimensional works from representational to abstract.</see>
• <see name="Bella Vista Art Gallery" alt="" address="14 Lodge St" directions="in Biltmore Village" phone="+1 828 768-0246" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bellavistaart.com/" hours="M 10AM-6PM, T 12PM-6PM, W 10AM-6PM, Th 12PM-6PM, F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM" price=""></see>
• <see name="The Bender Gallery" alt="" address="57 Haywood St" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-6625" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thebendergallery.com" hours="M-Th 10:30AM-7PM, F-Sa 10:30AM-8PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">Premier studio glass gallery featuring a variety of glass disciplines by regional and national artists.</see>
• <see name="Black Mountain College Museum & Art Center" alt="" address="56 Broadway St" directions="" phone="+1 828 350-8484" email="" fax="" url="http://www.blackmountaincollege.org" hours="W-Sa 12PM-4PM" price="">Explores the history and legacy of Black Mountain College.</see>
• <see name="Blue Spiral 1" alt="" address="38 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 251-0202" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bluespiral1.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-6PM and Su April-October 12-5PM" price="">Presents contemporary Southeastern fine art and crafts.</see>
• <see name="BoBo Gallery" alt="" address="22 Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-3426" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bobogallery.com/" hours="" price=""></see>
• <see name="Crucible Glassworks" alt="" address="106 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 236-0920" email="" fax="" url="http://crucibleglassworks.com/" hours="" price="">Handmade glass art.</see>
• <see name="The Fine Arts League of Asheville" alt="" address="25 Rankin Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-5050" email="" fax="" url="http://www.fineartsleague.org" hours="" price="">(Closed; will re-open in September 2007). Realist artists and features figure drawings, portraits, landscapes and still lifes.</see>
• <see name="Flood Gallery" alt="" address="109 Roberts St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.floodgallery.org/" hours="" price="">Seeks out art that is provocative, challenging, daring, relevant, and important.</see>
• <see name="Gallery Minerva" alt="" address="12 Church St" directions="" phone="+1 828 255-8850" email="" fax="" url="http://www.galleryminerva.com" hours="M-Th 11AM-6PM, F-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price=""></see>
• <see name="Grove Arcade Arts and Heritage Gallery" alt="" address="1 Page Ave" directions="in the Grove Arcade, Suite 115" phone="+1 828 255-0775" email="" fax="" url="http://www.grovearcade.com/index.php?cat=20&page=50" hours="M–Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">Features regional crafts with an emphasis on wood, jewelry, fiber and clay as well as a selection of Cherokee crafts.</see>
• <see name="The Haen Gallery" alt="" address="52 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-8577" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thehaengallery.com" hours="Daily 11AM-7PM" price=""></see>
• <see name="Jewels That Dance" alt="" address="63 Haywood St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-5088" email="" fax="" url="http://www.jewelsthatdance.com" hours="M-Sa 10:30AM-6PM and Su in December 1PM-5PM" price="">Premier jewelry gallery and working studio. Featuring contemporary and classic fine jewelry.</see>
• <see name="Kress Emporium" alt="" address="19 Patton Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 281-2252" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thekressemporium.com" hours="M-Th 11AM-6PM, F-Sa 11AM-7PM, and Su in season 12PM-5PM" price="">Featuring more than 100 distinguished artists and craftspeople, all showcased in the historic Kress Building.</see>
• <see name="K2" alt="" address="59 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 250-0500" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">The Kress Emporium's sister gallery.</see>
• <see name="Larson Porcelain & Design" alt="" address="1 Page Ave" directions="in the Grove Arcade, Suite 140" phone="+1 828 350-7707" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Heirloom quality porcelain by artist-potters Julie and Tyrone Larson.</see>
• <see name="Merrimon Galleries" alt="" address="365 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-6036" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Classic and contemporary oils, photography and sculpture.</see>
• <see name="Mountain Made" alt="" address="1 Page Ave" directions="in the Grove Arcade, Suite 123" phone="+1 828 350-0307" email="" fax="" url="http://www.mtnmade.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-5PM" price="">Featuring the work of over 80 Western North Carolina artisans.</see>
• <see name="Odyssey Gallery" alt="" address="238 Clingman Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 285-9700" email="" fax="" url="" hours="F 10AM-4PM or by appointment" price="">Features functional and sculptural work by national ceramic artists.</see>
• <see name="Olga Dorenko Fine Art Gallery" alt="" address="1 Battle Sq" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-4148" email="" fax="" url="http://theolgadorenkofineartgallery.com/" hours="Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM" price="">Features work from Russian born artist.</see>
• <see name="Overstrom Studio" alt="" address="35 Wall St" directions="" phone="+1 828 258-1761" email="" fax="" url="http://www.overstrom.com" hours="Tu-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 12PM-4PM" price="">The working studio, gallery, and loft of internationally recognized jewelry designers Michael Overstrom and Susan Overstrom.</see>
• <see name="Pura Vida" alt="" address="39-B Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 439-5451" email="" fax="" url="http://www.pura-vida-asheville.com" hours="" price=""></see>
• <see name="Red Square Gallery of Russian Art & Culture" alt="" address="7 Rankin Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-8777" email="" fax="" url="http://www.redsquareart.com" hours="Tu-Sa 11AM-7PM" price="">Work by Russian artists.</see>
• <see name="Satellite Gallery" alt="" address="55 Broadway St" directions="" phone="+1 828 505-2225" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thesatellitegallery.com" hours="Tu-Su 11AM-6PM" price=""></see>
• <see name="Studio Chavarria" alt="" address="84 Walnut St" directions="" phone="+1 828 236-9191" email="" fax="" url="http://www.studiochavarria.com/" hours="Tu-Sa 9AM-6PM by appointment only" price="">An exclusive members-only salon and gallery of fine art.</see>
• <see name="Vadim Bora Gallery & Studio" alt="" address="30 1/2 Battery Park Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-7959" email="" fax="" url="http://www.vadimborastudio.com" hours="M-F 10AM-6PM" price="">European salon style gallery features works from international artists hand-picked by painter, sculptor, and owner Vadim Bora.</see>
• <see name="Vitrum Gallerie" alt="" address="10 Lodge St" directions="" phone="+1 828 274-9900" email="" fax="" url="http://vitrumgallerie.abdstudios.com/" hours="M, W-Su 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="">Contemporary glass art.</see>
• <see name="Woolworth Walk" alt="" address="25 Haywood St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-9234" email="" fax="" url="http://www.woolworthwalk.com" hours="M-Th 11AM–6PM, F-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM–5PM" price="">More than 150 exhibiting artists and artisans selling and making jewelry, fine art, decorative art and crafts in nearly 20,000 square feet of air-conditioned, quality display and studio space.</see>
• <see name="YMI Cultural Center" alt="" address="39 S Market St" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-4614" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ymicc.org" hours="Tu-F 10AM-5PM" price="">Houses numerous exhibits, many dealing with the history of African Americans in Western North Carolina.</see>

Museums

• <see name="Asheville Art Museum" alt="" address="2 S Pack Sq" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-3227" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevilleart.org" hours="Tu-Th 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="Adults $6, Students/Seniors $5.00, Children under 4 are free. Free admission the first Wednesday of every month 3PM-5PM">A collection of the very best of 20th and 21st century American art.</see>
• <see name="Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum" alt="" address="2 S Pack Sq" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-7162" email="" fax="" url="http://www.colburnmuseum.org/" hours="Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="Adult $4, Senior/Student/Child $3, Children under 4 are free"></see>
• <see name="The Health Adventure" alt="" address="2 S Pack Sq" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-6373" email="" fax="" url="http://www.health-adventure.com/" hours="Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="Adult $7, Senior/Student/Child $5, Children 2 and under are free">A health and science museum dedicated to improving health awareness, promoting wellness lifestyles, and increasing science literacy through programs and exhibits.</see>
• <see name="The Smith-McDowell House Museum" alt="" address="283 Victoria Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-9231" email="" fax="" url="http://www.wnchistory.org/" hours="Th-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 12PM-4PM" price="Adult $7, Child $3, Children under 5 are free">Asheville’s first mansion and oldest surviving structure.</see>
• <see name="WNC Nature Center" alt="" address="75 Gashes Creek Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 298-5600" email="" fax="" url="http://www.wildwnc.org/" hours="Daily 10AM-5PM" price="Adults $7, Seniors $4, Youth $3">A living museum exhibiting plants and animals that are native to the Southern Appalachians.</see>

Do

Tours

• Asheville Brews Cruise, +1 828 545-5181, [9]. A personalized tour and VIP treatment at three of Asheville's finest local microbreweries -- Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, French Broad Brewing Company, and Highland Brewing Company. $37 per person, $70 per couple (inquire about Asheville local discount).
• Autorickshaw Tours, 235 Montford Ave, +1 828 280-6301, [10]. A historic/architectural tour of Montford including Riverside Cemetery. The autorickshaw holds two per tour. Tours last approximately one hour and run 10:30AM-4PM by reservation on weekends. $35.00 for two people.
• Haunted Ghost Tour, +1 828 355-5855, [11]. Adults $17, Children $9.
• Historic Trolley Tours, +1-888-667-3600, [12]. Sightsee Asheville aboard a vintage Trolley. Fully narrated, covers all major points of interest in Asheville including: the Grove Park Inn, Biltmore Village, the Grove Arcade, the Montford Historic District, the downtown shopping and restaurants district, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, the Asheville Museum and Art Gallery district, the Asheville Chamber and Visitors Center. Adults $18, Children $11, Special group rates available.
• Urban Trail, [13]. A self-guided walking tour in downtown Asheville, tracing the footsteps of Asheville’s historic past. Twenty-seven "stations" are highlighted in this continuous 1.6 mile loop, from churches and buildings to streets and landmarks. Guided tours are available April through November on Saturdays at 3PM. Tours leave from the front desk inside Pack Place and are $5 per person. Headsets and maps are available for self-guided tours.

Festivals

• Downtown After Five, [14]. Held the third Friday of each month from May through September in Pack Square downtown, featuring free outdoor local music and plenty of shopping and eating opportunities. Next festival dates: August 17 and September 21, 2007.
• Shindig on the Green, [15]. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Asheville. Music and dance traditions of Southern Appalachia. Held from the end of June through the beginning of September. Next festival dates: August 18 and 25, and September 1, 2007.
• Goombay! Festival, [16]. An African-Carribean style festival. Held each August. Next festival date: August 24-26, 2007.
• Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival, [17]. A unique all local music and arts event held each September on Lexington Avenue. Next festival date: September 9, 2007.
• Great Smokies Craft Brewers Brewgrass Festival, [18]. Over 30 American breweries showcase more than 100 different beers. Held each September. Next festival date: September 22, 2007.
• Fiesta Latina, [19]. A celebration of Latin American culture. Next festival date: September 22, 2007.
• Asheville PrideFest, [20]. A forum for building community and to honor the many facets of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered family. Next festival date: October 13, 2007.
• Asheville Film Festival, [21]. Held annually each November. Next festival date: November 8-11, 2007.
• Downtown Countdown. An alcohol-free family-friendly New Years Eve celebration with music, food and fireworks. Next festival date: December 31, 2007.
• Asheville FringeArts Festival, [22]. Held annually at the end of January. Next festival date: January 24-27, 2008.
• Asheville Herb Festival, [23]. Held at the Western North Carolina Farmer's market. The largest Herb Festival in Southeast, offering herb plants, herbs, books, soaps, herbal crafts, vinegars, medicinal herbs, lotions, tinctures, teas, dried flowers, herbal baked goods, and herbal gifts. Next festival date: May 2-4, 2008.
• Mountain Sports Festival, [24]. Pro and amateur athletes compete in mountain sports. Live music, food, and demos. Held each May. Next festival date: May 30-June 2, 2008.
• Bele Chere, [25]. Held annually on the last weekend of July, Bele Chere is touted as the largest street festival in the Southeast. Hundreds of artists, artisans, musicians, and performers come from all over the region to take part in the festivities. Next festival date: July, 2008.
• Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, [26]. Mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, and dancers. Held the first weekend in August at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Next festival date: August 2008.

Live music

• Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood St, +1 828 259-5544, [27]. The Arena has a capacity of 7,654.
• Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall, 185 Clingman Ave, +1 828 232-5800, [28]. Has a capacity 550 and is a non-smoking venue.
• The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, +1 828 225-5851, [29]. Box office hours W-Sa 12PM-5:30PM. With standing capacity of 942, The Peel brings in both local acts as well as nationally touring acts. Non-smoking.
• The Emerald Lounge, 112 N Lexington Ave, [30]. A hot spot for live music and dancing.
• Stella Blue, 31 Patton Ave, [31]. An art bar featuring national and local acts.
• Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St (at the Civic Center). Has a capacity of 2,431.
• Tressa's Jazz & Blues, 28 Broadway St, +1 828 254-7072, [32].

Theatre

• Asheville Community Theatre, [33]. A volunteer-driven community theatre.
• Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, [34]. Western North Carolina's first modern dance company. A diverse repertory reflects both traditional and experimental forms of modern dance.
• Asheville Lyric Opera, [35]. Productions of opera, operetta, and musicals, performed in the company’s home, the Diana Wortham Theatre.
• Asheville Symphony, [36]. Presents seven full orchestra concerts a year at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in the Asheville Civic Center.
• Diane Wortham Theatre, [37]. Located within the Pack Place Education Arts and Science Center on Pack Square, the theatre offers live performances of music, theatre and dance by nationally touring artists and professional regional arts groups.
• Montford Park Players, [38]. Free Shakespeare and other classic plays held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre in Montford. All shows are Friday through Sunday at 7:30PM. 2007 Summer Season: Cyrano de Bergerac: July 20-August 12; The Signature: August 17-September 2; Much Ado About Nothing: September 7-September 30; Henry VI, Parts 1, 2 & 3: October 5-October 14.

Hiking

File:Blue Ridge Parkway NPS.jpg

The Blue Ridge Parkway

• Blue Ridge Parkway, +1 828 298-0398, [39]. Some of the most beautiful (and abundant) waterfalls can be reached via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Park your car on any Parkway overlook and there will most likely be a trail nearby. Popular spots include Mount Pisgah (15 miles south on the Parkway), Graveyard Fields (25 miles south on the Parkway), Craggy Gardens (24 miles north on the Parkway), and Mount Mitchell, the eastern United States highest mountain (35 miles/1 hour drive north on the Parkway). The Parkway intersects Asheville at US 25, US 70, US 74 & NC 191.
• Botanical Gardens at Asheville, [40]. A half-mile loop across streams, through meadows, and over a woodland ridge to a wildflower cove with an authentic log cabin. Just three miles north of downtown beside the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Admission is free. Directions: Take Broadway from downtown and turn left on Weaver Boulevard. The gardens are immediately on your left, and they are open from dawn to dusk.
• North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, +1 828 665-2492, [41]. April to October: 8AM-9PM, November to March: 8AM-7PM. A 434-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center, state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking trails. Parking is $6 per personal motor vehicle.
• Pisgah National Forest, +1 828 257-4200. Much of Western North Carolina is covered by national forest, making it a hiker’s paradise. For maps or information on great places to hike, call the National Forest Service.

Climbing

• Climbmax, 43 Wall St, +1 828 252-9996, [42]. Tu-F 11AM-10PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 1PM-6PM. An indoor rock climbing gym in downtown Asheville.
• Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School, +1-888-28-GUIDE, [43]. Offers rock climbing, ice climbing guiding and rock climbing courses across North Carolina.

Riding

• Berry Patch Stables, 300 Baird Cove Road, +1 828 645-7271. Riding and equestrian center.
• Biltmore Estate Equestrian Center, +1 828 225-1454, [44]. Lessons, guided trail rides, shows, clinics, and camps.

Rafting

• French Broad Rafting Expeditions, +1-800-570-7238, [45].
• Rock 'n' Water Adventure Outpost, +1 828 689-3354, [46].
• Southern Waterways, +1 828 232-1970, [47].
• Lake Julian, off of Long Shoals Road in South Asheville, +1 828 684-0376. Offers paddleboat and canoe rentals for $5 an hour and fishing boats for $7.50 for four hours. Rates for the kayaking programs are $5 for half an hour, $10 for an hour, $15 for two hours. Windsurfing lessons are also available by appointment only.

Skateboarding

• Food Lion Skate Park, corner of Flint and Cherry Streets, +1 828 225-7184, [48]. M-F 12PM-dark, Sa 10AM-dark, Su 1PM-dark. An outdoor skateboarding park in downtown Asheville. Weekdays $2 for city residents, $4 for non-residents. Weekend/Holiday $3 for city residents, $5 for non-residents.

Sports

• The Asheville Tourists, 30 Buchanan Place (McCormick Field), [49]. Come support Asheville's own minor league baseball team! The Tourists offer a full season running from May through early September, and every Thursday is 'Thirsty Thursday' where a cup of draft beer is only $1.00. Admission price for adults is $7.00, children, seniors, & military pay $6.00.
• The Asheville Grizzlies, 30 Buchanan Place (Memorial Stadium), [50]. A professional minor league men's football team.

Yoga

• Asheville Yoga Center, 239 S. Liberty St (corner of E Chestnut and Liberty), [51]. Offering all styles of Hatha yoga. Drop in rate is $11 for one hour classes, $14 for 1.5 hour classes.
• Lighten Up Yoga, 60 Biltmore Ave, [52]. Classes in the style of Iyengar. Drop in rate is $14.
• Namaste Yoga and Healing Center, 57 Broadway St, [53]. Drop in rate is $14.
• One Center Yoga, 120 Coxe Ave, Suite 3A, [54]. Drop in rate is $12 for 1 hour classes, $15 for 1.5 hour classes.
• West Asheville Yoga, 602 Haywood Rd, [55]. 1 hour classes are $6-$11, 1.5 hour classes are $9-$14.

Buy

Asheville does not necessarily have a specific commercial district but rather it resembles a long line, curving through the mountains. Beginning directly west of downtown, Merrimon Avenue has many low density restaurants and small shopping strip malls. It is the typical American shopping street and many locals consider it “The Strip.” As you move east towards the city-center, the modern Merrimon Avenue merges with Patton Avenue (which is considered the city’s ‘Main Street’), forming an immediate contrast between the old and the new. Patton Avenue then cuts directly through the center of downtown, ending at the city’s heart, Pack Square, home to the Vance Monument. Downtown you will find many boutiques, cafes, museums, and interesting historical buildings. At the eastern end of downtown, a tunnel is carved directly into Sunset Mountain. The recently renovated street leading out of downtown and into the mountain goes into the edifice as College Street and comes out as Asheville’s most celebrated shopping street, Tunnel Road. Tunnel Road is very commercial and hosts mostly large corporate chains. Recently, construction has boomed along this stretch, and reaching towards the skies above the restaurants and stores you will see brand-new landmark hotels- the newest and possibly the best in the city. Finally, Tunnel Road transitions into South Tunnel Road, which is home to the city’s mall and medium-density shopping centers. This area of town is not at all touristy, and prices are average and intended towards the locals. Beware, however, that there are no hotels in this area. At the end of South Tunnel Road there is a vast shopping center that extends across the Swannanoa River and up over the mountain, eventually overlooking the Industrial district, containing a brand new and quite controversial shopping complex along the river, having the city’s Super Walmart as its flagstore. It was built upon the rubble of the abandoned Sayles-Biltmore Bleachery, which used to bleach paper for the US Treasury's currency manufacture.

Downtown Asheville is full of neat and quirky shops and prides itself on the lack of corporate chain stores. Spend some time exploring downtown (it's very walkable) and see what you can find. Here are some highlights:

• The Grove Arcade [56] is a newly-restored and exquisite building built by E.W. Grove, who also designed the Grove Park Inn in the 1920s. It is filled with specialty food markets, restaurants, and local mountain craft stores.
• Malaprop's Bookstore & Cafe [57] at 55 Haywood Street is an independent bookstore with a good selection and an open mind. Great staff recommendations. Grab a book or bring your own and relax in the cafe with coffee and a sandwich.
• Mast General Store [58] at 15 Biltmore Avenue has an old-fashioned to modern day assortment of products. Old-time candy in barrels to hiking and camping equipment and apparel.
• Lexington Avenue is one of Asheville's hippest streets. For your music needs visit Static Age Records, specializing in vinyl, punk rock and heavy metal. Instant Karma [59] and the Octopus Garden specialize in smoking accessories along with a wide variety of other products. Hip Replacements [60] has some great vintage clothing, while up the block Spiritex [61] offers a wide variety of sustainably produced clothing. Buy a used book or read the newspaper or a magazine at Downtown Books and News. Get a tattoo at Liquid Dragon [62], and stop by one of the many restaurants on Lexington for a quick bite. On the next block up is the Chevron Trading Post [63] for all of your beading needs, and Tops for Shoes [64], the biggest shoe store in Asheville. While many wonderful stores and hot spots along this street are facing increasing pressure from landlords who want to "gentrify" the area, Lexington is still the best place to get a taste of Asheville's counterculture.

Head away from downtown and visit the WNC Farmer's Market [65] for a huge selection of locally grown and produced crops 'n' crafts. You could spend hours and still not see everything.

Eat

There are many excellent restaurants in Asheville and the range is wide if shallow (lots of different kinds of food but hardly the choices one would expect to find in a larger town).

Downtown:

• <eat name="Barley's Taproom" alt="" address="42 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 255-0504" email="" fax="" url="http://www.barleystaproom.com/" hours="" price="">Good pizza (available by the slice) and similar fare.</eat>
• <eat name="Doc Chey’s Noodle House" alt="" address="37 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-8220" email="" fax="" url="http://www.doccheys.com/" hours="Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM" price="">Extremely affordable and consistently delicious Asian Fusion restaurant in downtown. You can get a bowl of Pad Thai and a Tsing Tao here for ten bucks. Many vegetarian options. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Don't forget to try some of their rice seasoning because you will probably only find it in an oriental market.</eat>
• <eat name="Early Girl Eatery" alt="" address="8 Wall St" directions="" phone="+1 828 259-9292" email="" fax="" url="http://www.earlygirleatery.com/" hours="M-F 7:30AM-3PM, Tue-Thu 5PM-9PM, F-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 9AM-3PM" price="">A menu that relies heavily on high quality local produce, cheeses, and meats.</eat>
• <eat name="Ed Boudreaux's Bayou Bar-B-Que" alt="" address="48 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 296-0100" email="" fax="" url="http://www.edbbq.com/" hours="Daily 11:30AM-11PM" price="">Bar-b-que with 14 in-house sauces, large vegetarian menu, and stocks 140 different beers.</eat>
• <eat name="Fig" alt="" address="18 Brook St" directions="" phone="+1 828 277-0889" email="" fax="" url="http://www.figbistro.com/" hours="Lunch 11AM-3PM, Dinner 5:30PM-9PM" price="">Reservations recommended.</eat>
• <eat name="Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas" alt="" address="64 Haywood St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.brwm.org/goldhillespressofineteas/about.html" hours="" price="">Great selection of coffee and tea.</eat>
• <eat name="Izzy's Coffee Den" alt="" address="74 N Lexington" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Features a relaxed atmosphere and quick take out service.</eat>
• <eat name="La Caterina Trattoria" alt="" address="39 Elm St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-1148" email="" fax="" url="http://www.lacaterina.com/" hours="" price="">Southern Italian cuisine.</eat>
• <eat name="Laughing Seed" alt="" address="40 Wall St" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-3445" email="" fax="" url="http://www.laughingseed.com/" hours="M, W-Th 11:30AM-9PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 10AM-9PM" price="">A moderately-priced vegetarian/vegan restaurant with a variety of international-inspired unique dishes. Jungle-themed elegant indoor dining or great outdoor dining on Wall Street, the heart of downtown. The bar Jack of the Wood is downstairs.</eat>
• <eat name="Limones" alt="" address="13 Eagle St" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-2327" email="" fax="" url="http://www.limonesrestaurant.com/" hours="M-Sa 5PM-10PM, Su 11Am-3PM" price="">Upscale fresh Mexican-Californian cuisine. Reservations recommended.</eat>
• <eat name="Mamacitas" alt="" address="77A Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 255-8080" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Fresh, made from scratch Mexican cuisine.</eat>
• <eat name="Mela" alt="" address="70 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-8880" email="" fax="" url="http://www.melaasheville.com/" hours="Daily 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-9:30PM" price="">An authentic North and South Indian restaurant that consistently offers delicious food in a beautiful and exotic atmosphere. Full bar available.</eat>
• <eat name="The Market Place" alt="" address="20 Wall St" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-4162" email="" fax="" url="http://www.marketplace-restaurant.com/" hours="Tu-Sa, dinner starting at 5:30PM" price=""></eat>
• <eat name="The New French Bar" alt="" address="12 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-5070" email="" fax="" url="http://www.newfrenchbar.com" hours="" price="">Serves a great Sunday brunch with a well known Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar.</eat>
• <eat name="Old Europe" alt="" address="41 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves great coffee along with some beer, wine and made-from-scratch desserts.</eat>
• <eat name="Rio Burrito" alt="" address="11 Broadway St and 1950 Hendersonville Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-2422" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Burritos.</eat>
• <eat name="Rosetta's Kitchen" alt="" address="116 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 232-07" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves vegetarian/vegan (mostly organic) delicious food in a very unique atmosphere. It's open until 3AM on most nights, and you're sure to find an assortment of interesting characters no matter the time of day. Inexpensive; menu changes daily.</eat>
• <eat name="Salsa" alt="" address="6 Patton Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-9805" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves Mexican-Caribbean food.</eat>
• <eat name="Sisters McMullen Bakery" alt="" address="22 Pack Place" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-9380" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thesistersmcmullen.com/" hours="M-F 7:30AM-3:30PM" price="">Carries a variety of delectable pastries. </eat>
• <eat name="Table" alt="" address="48 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-8980" email="" fax="" url="http://www.tableasheville.com/" hours="" price="">Moderately priced new-American cuisine with a daily written menu.</eat>
• <eat name="Tupelo Honey Cafe" alt="" address="12 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 255-4863" email="" fax="" url="http://www.tupelohoneycafe.com/" hours="Tu-Su 9AM-3PM, Tu-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa until 12AM" price="">Check this out for some delicious New Southern cuisine. </eat>
• <eat name="Vincenzo's" alt="" address="10 N Market St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-4698" email="" fax="" url="http://www.vincenzos.com/" hours="M-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F-Sa 5:30PM-11PM, Su 5:30PM-9PM" price="">A premier northern Italian restaurant. </eat>
• <eat name="Zambra" alt="" address="85 W Walnut St" directions="" phone="+1 828 232-1060" email="" fax="" url="http://www.zambratapas.com" hours="" price="">Has tapas and Spanish cuisine. Most items extremely expensive, but very romantic atmosphere.</eat>

North:

• <eat name="Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company" alt="" address="675 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-1281" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillepizza.com" hours="" price="">Known to locals as the APBC or Brew n' View, is a good place to relax with a beer, have excellent pizza (available by the slice), and watch a movie for $2.00. No smoking indoors, and the front patio has little to no cover from the weather.</eat>
• <eat name="The Hop" alt="" address="640 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-8362" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves acclaimed ice cream (vegan selections available) made on-site.</eat>
• <eat name="Marcos Pizzeria" alt="" address="946 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.marcos-pizzeria.com/" hours="" price="">Makes the best pizza outside of NYC (available by the slice). Great salads too.</eat>
• <eat name="Savoy" alt="" address="641 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-1077" email="" fax="" url="http://www.savoycucina.com/" hours="" price="">High quality fine dining with a focus on fresh seafood, pastas, and prime meats. Extensive wine list. Well worth the splurge! Reservations recommended.</eat>

West:

• <eat name="28806 Deli Bakery Caterers" alt="" address="1328A Patton Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-5664" email="" fax="" url="http://www.28806deli.com/" hours="M-Sa 11AM-3PM and 5:30PM-10PM" price="">An upscale fine dining menu for dinner and a full bar is available.</eat>
• <eat name="Burgermeister's" alt="" address="697 Haywood Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-2920" email="" fax="" url="http://www.burgermeisters.com" hours="Su-M, W-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-1AM" price="">Gourmet burgers and a different flavor veggie burger every day. </eat>
• <eat name="Lucky Otter" alt="" address="630 Haywood Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-9595" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A great choice for your burrito fix.</eat>
• <eat name="Sunny Point Bakery" alt="" address="626 Haywood Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-0055" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A great brunch spot.</eat>

South:

• <eat name="Apollo Flame Bistro" alt="" address="485 Hendersonville Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 274-3582" email="" fax="" url="http://www.apolloflamebistro.net" hours="M-Sa 11AM-10PM" price="">A Greek restaurant with a large menu. Even though it is greek you will find Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Pizza, Cuban sandwiches and many other foods that dont fit the Greek theme.</eat>
• <eat name="Rezaz Mediterranian Cuisine" alt="" address="28 Hendersonville Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 277-1510" email="" fax="" url="http://www.rezaz.com/" hours="" price="">A must-try eatery and wine-bar.</eat>
• <eat name="The Boathouse" alt="" address="65 Long Shoals Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 687-4141" email="" fax="" url="http://www.boathouserestaurants.com/" hours="F-Sa 10:30AM-2PM, Su-Th 5PM-10PM" price="">A waterfront dining experience on Lake Julian.</eat>
• <eat name="Tomato Jam Cafe" alt="" address="379 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-0570" email="" fax="" url="http://www.tomatojamcafe.com/" hours="M-F 6:30AM-3PM" price="">Great breakfast and lunch, sandwiches and salads. Unique biscuit combinations.</eat>

Drink

Liquor is available by the drink in Asheville, but if you want to buy liquor by the bottle you must do it at state-run ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission) stores rather than at a traditional liquor store. If you plan to explore nearby counties keep in mind Madison County (to the north) and Yancey County (to the northwest) are "dry counties" and prohibit all alcoholic beverage sales. Open containers of alcohol are never permitted on the street; if you order a beverage you must finish it before leaving the restaurant or bar. Beer and wine are available for purchase at most markets, grocery stores and gas stations. The alcohol laws of the state prohibit the sale of alcohol after 2AM Monday through Saturday, and from 2AM until noon on Sundays.

Downtown:

• <drink name="Asheville Brewing Company" alt="" address="77 Coxe Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillebrewing.com/" hours="" price="">This APBC satellite location has their locally-brewed beers on tap, an outdoor movie screen and piles of board games.</drink>
• <drink name="Barley's Taproom" alt="" address="42 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 255-0504" email="" fax="" url="http://www.barleystaproom.com/" hours="" price="">A popular destination with an expansive variety of excellent beers, local, regional, and continental. Serious drinkers head upstairs, where smoking is allowed and there are several pool tables.</drink>
• <drink name="Bier Garden" alt="" address="46 Haywood St" directions="" phone="+1 828 285-0002" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillebiergarden.com/" hours="" price="">Over 200 beers from around the world.</drink>
• <drink name="Bo Bo Gallery" alt="" address="22 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bobogallery.com/" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Bouchon" alt="" address="62 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 350-1140" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillebouchon.com/" hours="" price="">French comfort food and wine bar.</drink>
• <drink name="Broadway's" alt="" address="107 N Lexington Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 285-0400" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Has 80's music on Wednesday nights.</drink>
• <drink name="Cinjades" alt="" address="22 N Market St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.cinjades.com/" hours="" price="">Dance and hip-hop music.</drink>
• <drink name="College Street Pub" alt="" address="4 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 232-0809" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Charlotte Street Pub" alt="" address="157 Charlotte St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.charlottestreetgrill.com/" hours="" price="">Dark and smoky, with wooden furniture and customers that seem like they've been sitting the same spot for years. Cheap beer.</drink>
• <drink name="Club Hairspray" alt="" address="38 N French Broad Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.clubhairspray.com/" hours="" price="">A gay/lesbian dancebar.</drink>
• <drink name="Fred's Speakeasy" alt="" address="122 College St" directions="" phone="+1 828 281-0920" email="" fax="" url="http://www.fredsspeakeasy.com/" hours="" price=""></drink>
• <drink name="Hannah Flanagans Pub" alt="" address="27 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Nice outdoor deck.</drink>
• <drink name="Jack of the Wood" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.jackofthewood.com/" hours="" price="">Serves its own locally-brewed Green Man Ales on tap (as well as a limited selection of bottled beers). They supplement this with typical British pub fare.</drink>
• <drink name="Joli Rouge" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.myspace.com/jolirouge" hours="" price="">Another of Asheville's unique bar offerings with a number of custom drink infusions, many freshly squeezed mixers, live music, and a lounge complete with library. It is a regular haunt for Asheville's thriving goth, punk, and fetish communities.</drink>
• <drink name="New French Bar" alt="" address="12 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 225-6445" email="" fax="" url="http://www.thefrenchbar.com/" hours="Tu-F 3PM-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10:30AM-12AM" price="">Good service, drinks, a fine courtyard and a view of the street.</drink>
• <drink name="Scandals" alt="" address="11 Grove St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.clubscandals.net/" hours="" price="">A huge nightclub with 3 dance floors.</drink>
• <drink name="Scully’s Signature Dine and Drink" alt="" address="71 Walnut St" directions="" phone="+1 828 251-8880" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Serves good pub fare and a good selection of beers. They have a cigarette vending machine inside as well.</drink>

North:

• <drink name="Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company" alt="" address="675 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ashevillepizza.com/" hours="" price="">Locally brewed beer at $3 a pint.</drink>
• <drink name="Usual Suspects" alt="" address="791 Merrimon Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 350-8181" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">A hotspot for many locals and UNCA students, featuring excellent bartenders, cocktails that never disappoint, a comprehensive wine list full of boutique wines, and a menu ranging from pub fare to the seriously eclectic. Smoking is allowed, dartboards are in the back.</drink>

West:

• <drink name="Westville Pub" alt="" address="777 Haywood Rd" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.westvillepub.com/" hours="" price="">A non-smoking bar in West Asheville that also has great food and live music.</drink>

Sleep

Budget

• <sleep name="Bon Paul and Sharky's Hostel" alt="" address="816 Haywood Rd " directions="in West Asheville" phone="+1 828 350-9929" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bonpaulandsharkys.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="$20">The most budget-friendly place to stay in the city, this hostel is perfect for travelers and backpackers. Has a hot tub, foosball table, and much more.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Days Inn" alt="" address="120 Patton Ave " directions="" phone="+1 828 254-9661" email="" fax="" url="http://www.daysinn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$69-$90"></sleep>
• <sleep name="The Mountaineer Inn" alt="" address="155 Tunnel Rd " directions="between downtown and the Asheville Mall" phone="+1 828 254-5331" email="" fax="" url="http://www.mtinnasheville.homestead.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$59-$99"></sleep>

Mid-range

• <sleep name="Best Western" alt="" address="22 Woodfin St" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-1851" email="" fax="" url="http://www.bestwesternbiltmore.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$139-$189">Located next to downtown.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Renaissance Hotel" alt="" address="1 Thomas Wolfe Plaza" directions="" phone="+1 828 252-8211" email="" fax="" url="http://www.renaissanceasheville.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$169-$209">Located next to downtown.</sleep>

Splurge

• <sleep name="The Grove Park Inn" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.groveparkinn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$180-$670">Probably the most famous hotel in Western North Carolina, and has housed such famous guests as O. Henry, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and, more recently, Daniel Day Lewis. A few years ago an amazing spa was added to the Inn. It has several delicious restaurants and comfortable rooms. It's one of the pricier Asheville options, but for good reason. You could spend hours exploring the hotel and still not see everything. In the winter months it houses the The National Gingerbread House Competition & Display and entries range from the heartfelt efforts of elementary age children to fantastic creations that must have taken months to prepare (a few years ago the grand prize in the adult category went to an elaborate and amazing reproduction of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry). The hotel even boasts its own ghost, the Pink Lady [66]. Even if you can't afford to stay here, stop by the bar and lounge right through the front entrance for a cocktail or, in the winter, some delicious hot cocoa by the roaring fireplace. Wander outside for some of the finest views in Asheville.</sleep>

Bed and breakfast

• <sleep name="Abbington Green Bed & Breakfast Inn" alt="" address="46 & 48 Cumberland Ci" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.abbingtongreen.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$165-$375">One mile from downtown Asheville. Eight rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="A Bed of Roses" alt="" address="135 Cumberland Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.abedofroses.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$119-$199">Five rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Aberdeen Inn" alt="" address="64 Linden Ave" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-9336" email="" fax="" url="http://www.aberdeeninn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="">Six rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Acorn Cottage Bed & Breakfast" alt="" address="25 Saint Dunstans Ci" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-0609" email="" fax="" url="http://www.acorncottagebnb.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$90-$130">Four rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Applewood Manor Inn" alt="" address="62 Cumberland Ci" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-2244" email="" fax="" url="http://www.applewoodmanor.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$135-$205">Four rooms plus a Suite and a Cottage.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Beaufort House Victorian Inn" alt="" address="61 N Liberty St" directions="" phone="+1 828 254-8334" email="" fax="" url="http://www.beauforthouse.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$145-$285">Eleven rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn" alt="" address="288 Montford Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.blackwalnut.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$170-$270">One mile to downtown Asheville. Seven rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Blake House Inn" alt="" address="150 Royal Pines Dr" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.blakehouse.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$150-$240">Nine miles south of downtown Asheville. Six rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Carolina Bed & Breakfast" alt="" address="177 Cumberland Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.carolinabb.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$135-$225">Seven rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Cedar Crest Victorian Inn" alt="" address="674 Biltmore Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.cedarcrestinn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$150-$290">One and a half miles from downtown Asheville. Built in 1891. Twelve rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Chestnut Street Inn" alt="" address="176 E Chestnut St" directions="" phone="1-800-894-2955" email="" fax="" url="http://www.chestnutstreetinn.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="$142-$249">A grand Colonial Revival home that offers a feeling of relaxed sophistication and elegance. A quarter-mile from downtown Asheville. Eight rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Corner Oak Manor," alt="" address="53 Saint Dunstans Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 253-3525" email="" fax="" url="http://www.corneroakmanor.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$135-$195">A 1920 English Tudor. Three rooms plus a Cottage.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Cumberland Falls Bed and Breakfast Inn" alt="" address="254 Cumberland Ave" directions="" phone="1-888-743-2557" email="" fax="" url="http://www.cumberlandfalls.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="$160-$260">A turn of the century home that is located in historic Asheville. Located just three miles from the majestic Biltmore Estate, just fifteen minutes to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and within walking distance to historic downtown Asheville. Great amenities and the food is fantastic! Five rooms and a Mini Suite.</sleep>
• <sleep name="A Hill House Bed & Breakfast Inn" alt="" address="120 Hillside St" directions="" phone="+1 828 232-0345" email="" fax="" url="http://www.hillhousebb.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$135-$245">Eight rooms and a Cottage.</sleep>
• <sleep name="The Lion and the Rose Bed & Breakfast Inn" alt="" address="276 Montford Ave" directions="" phone="1-800-546-6988" email="" fax="" url="http://www.lion-rose.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$135-$225">Georgian mansion in Montford Historic District. Five rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="North Lodge on Oakland" alt="" address="84 Oakland Rd" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.northlodge.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$120-$180">One and a half miles from downtown Asheville. Six rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast" alt="" address="249 Cumberland Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.pinecrestbb.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$130-$210">One mile from downtown Asheville. Five rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Princess Anne Hotel" alt="" address="301 East Chestnut St" directions="" phone="+1 828 258-0986" email="" fax="" url="http://www.princessannehotel.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$129-$250">Conveniently located and very comfortable. Newly renovated, most suites include small kitchen. Listed on the National Register of Historic places. Perfect for longer stays. Sixteen rooms.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Sweet Biscuit Inn" alt="" address="77 Kenilworth Rd" directions="" phone="+1 828 250-0170" email="" fax="" url="http://www.sweetbiscuitinn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$125-$255">Four rooms plus a Suite and a Carriage House.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Whitegate Inn & Cottage" alt="" address="173 East Chestnut St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.whitegate.net/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$180-$360">Bills itself as "the closest Inn to downtown", built in 1889. Five rooms & one cottage.</sleep>
• <sleep name="Wright Inn & Carriage House" alt="" address="235 Pearson Dr" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.wrightinn.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$105-$235">One mile from downtown Asheville. Built in 1899. Nine rooms.</sleep>

Cabins

• <sleep name="Annie's Cozy Cabin" alt="" address="in Fairview" directions="a 15 minute drive to Asheville" phone="+1 828 669-1072" email="info@anniescozycabin.com" fax="" url="http://www.anniescozycabin.com" checkin="4PM" checkout="10AM" price="$150-$179">Two bedrooms plus a futon sleeper in the living room and spacious front porch. </sleep>
• <sleep name="Mountain Sun Way" alt="" address="in Fairview" directions="a 15 minute drive to Asheville - 4WD or front-wheel drive and arriving during daylight hours is recommended" phone="+1 828 669-1072" email="info@mountainsunway.com" fax="" url="http://www.mountainsunway.com" checkin="4PM" checkout="10AM" price="$165-$199">Two bedrooms. King size bed and whirlpool tub in master bedroom, gas-log stove in the living room, and Blue Ridge Parkway-like vistas.</sleep>

Contact

The area code for Asheville is 828. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number. There are some public pay phones scattered around the city, but they are becoming increasingly rare with the predominance of cell phones. It is not safe to assume you will be able to find a pay phone at any given time.

All ZIP codes in the city of Asheville begin with 288. The ZIP code of the downtown area is 28801.

Free wireless hotspots:

• Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave, +1 828 254-1281, [67].
• Asheville Brewing Co., 77 Coxe Ave, +1 828 255-4077, [68].
• Asheville Visitors Center, 36 Montford Ave. M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM.
• Biltmore Coffee Traders, 518 Hendersonville Rd, +1 828 277-9227, [69]. M-F 7AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM.
• Buncombe County Courthouse area in the City-County Plaza
• Dripolator Coffeehouse, 144 Biltmore Ave, +1 828 252-0021
• Gold Hill Espresso & Fine Teas, 64 Haywood St, +1 828 254-3800
• Ideal Market Cafe, 733 Haywood St, +1 828 258-5393, [70]. M-Sa 8:30AM-5PM.
• Malaprops Bookstore/Café, 51 Haywood St, +1 828 254-6734, [71]. M-Th 8AM-9PM, F-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-7PM.
• The New French Bar, 12 Biltmore Ave, [72]. Tu-F 3PM-2AM, Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 10:30AM-12AM.
• Relaxed Reader Cafe and Bookstore, 721 Haywood Rd, +1 828 225-6677
• True Confections, Grove Arcade, Suite 147, +1 828 350-9478
• World Coffee Cafe, 18 Battery Park Ave, [73].

US Post Offices:

• Downtown: 33 Coxe Ave. M-F 7:30AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-1PM.
• North: 725 Merrimon Ave. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9M-1PM.
• South: 780 Hendersonvile Rd (Suite 7). 8AM-5:30PM, Sa 9M-1PM.
• East: 1141 Tunnel Rd (Suite C). M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-1PM.
• West: 1302 Patton Ave. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9M-1PM.

Get out

File:Grandfather Mtn 816x616.JPG

View from Grandfather Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway

A thirty-mile drive south to Flat Rock will bring you to the Flatrock Playhouse [74] where dramas, comedies, and musicals are shown April through December. Also in Flat Rock is the Carl Sandburg Home. This historic site consists of a 22 room house, barns, sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes, ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an orchard.

A thirty-mile drive west to Waynesville during the last weeks of July will bring you to Folkmoot [75], a festival of song and dance staged by performance groups from around the world.

The town of Brevard, an hour drive southwest, hosts the Brevard Music Festival [76] each summer. Lasting almost two months, a variety of musical events ranging from grand operas and symphony orchestras to Broadway musicals and pop concerts as well as renowned guest artists are featured.

A 45 minute drive north brings you to the Hot Springs Resort and Spa [77]. Reserve the jacuzzi-style tub of your choice, all individually enclosed and private. Bring a bottle of champagne and spend an hour or two. Hot Springs also has a few campgrounds and is passed through by the Appalachian Trail.

The Cradle of Forestry [78] located about 20 miles southwest of Asheville off U.S. Highway 276 in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. Visitors will find a number of hiking trails in the area. Open 9AM-5PM, mid April through the end of October. $5 for adults, 16 and under free.

A very popular tourist attraction is Chimney Rock Park [79]. Located 25 miles (about a 30 minute drive) southeast of Asheville in scenic Hickory Nut Gorge. It's a privately owned park (not part of the US system) with a fairly high admission fee ($14 for adults as of 2005), but the views are incredible and there are six different hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy-to-moderate to moderate-to-strenuous. Open all year.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee and is the country's most visited national park. A variety of trails for hikers of any age or skill level are available.

Gorges State Park [80] is approximately 45 miles southwest of Asheville, located in Transylvania County and joins the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. Gorges State Park has over 80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate rain forest. The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls, and concentration of rare and unique species makes this a wonderful park to visit.

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