The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Asheville, North Carolina Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED MAY 2022 • 4 min read
Known as an art colony, a healing resort and a home to notable luminaries, statesmen and bohemians, Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most welcoming, vibrant cities in America and the world is beginning to discover just how special it is. Surrounded by mountains and rivers on all sides, there’s always a good reason to explore Asheville's historic and architecturally diverse downtown which remains beautifully preserved.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville/Andre Daugherty
1. THE SHOPPING
Open-air markets and independent boutiques mix together with favorite national brands to provide a unique character for Asheville’s diverse retail scene. Stroll through our many tree-lined shopping districts to discover independent bookstores, vintage apparel, craft galleries and other specialty shops you won’t find anywhere else.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville
Ease into day one by hitting the shops and boutiques in Downtown Asheville. Start at the Kress Emporium which hosts fine art, jewelry, stunning photography and other handmade items from local artisans, to snag a memento from your trip. Afterward, head to fashionable Lexington Avenue and visit Minx and Virtue, two boutiques specializing in eclectic dresses, tops, jewelry and scarves.
2. THE ART
The art scene in Asheville’s River Arts District is buzzing, featuring hundreds of fine artists, performing arts venues, mountain crafters, folk artists, artsy neighborhoods, numerous art galleries and myriads of art events.. A destination that grew out of necessity, the once gritty industrial zone has blossomed into a convergence of art, creativity, commerce and entertainment.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville
The Asheville Art Museum presents an outstanding collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries showcasing the richness of Western North Carolina’s unique artistic history. The museum is a collecting institution and the only organization of its kind serving all 24 counties of Western North Carolina—while presenting a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions and a broad variety of innovative programs.
Art is everywhere in Asheville. Peek around an alleyway to find murals depicting the city’s underground history or drive through the River Arts District to see wildly creative public art. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Asheville’s South Slope cultural district with an eye for the art and artists that make this place shine. The South Slop Mural Trail is approximately two miles and was created to highlight the creativity of Asheville’s growing mural scene in downtown’s South Slope.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Blending together small shareable plates, warm hospitality, and unique cocktails—District 42 is located in the vibrant center of historic Pack Square. Named after the original 42 lots running along Biltmore and Broadway Avenues, District 42 is an ode to the past, present and future narratives of downtown Asheville. With a robust menu of carefully crafted libations made from fresh juices, we recommend trying the Sage of 8th Path for your artisanal cocktail fix—concocted with Eposado tequila, Liquor 43, lime, egg white, mezcal, bitters float, sage, and honeycomb. Indulge in subtle notes of orange and vanilla balanced by lime and bitters, while egg white cream creates a velvety soft and round mouthfeel.
District 42 in Asheville, North Carolina
From house cured meats to perfect mashed potatoes to local steak cooked to a turn to local vegetables fresh from the farmer; it’s not what you do, but how you do it at District 42. Savor favorite dishes such as Bucatini Cacio e Pepe with house-made pasta, local Mars Hill mushrooms, parmesan cream and black pepper, Braised Lamb, Maiale Hearth Fired Pizza with salami, prosciutto, Italian sausage, crushed tomato, parmesan and mozzarella or scrumptiously juicy Seared Scallops.
For those craving something sweet, end your experience with Thai Tea Ice Cream Sandwich made with honey cookie, cardamon milk crumb, toasted coconut, tamarind caramel. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture (think NYC’s Central Park), designed the lush gardens and trails for the Biltmore. Take a stroll through meticulously manicured gardens, beginning in the Italian Garden, which features a series of reflection ponds, before heading down to the patterned Walled Garden. The Walled Garden features a rose garden with more than 250 varieties.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville
In the spring as part of the Biltmore Blooms celebration, see the bright blooms in the Azalea Garden, one of the largest azalea collections in the country. Don't forget to head inside the Conservatory greenhouse, which showcases a wide variety of exotic plants including stunning orchids.
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region. The gardens pay tribute to the region’s rich cultural heritage and reinforce the importance of plants to our world.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville
Permanent garden exhibits include Wildflowers at the Arboretum, Pollinators in the Landscape and the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, one of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Built as a grand retreat for George Vanderbilt in the early 1890s, the Biltmore is America's largest home. An architectural jewel, the French Renaissance masterpiece is in the heart of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The castle features 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces.
Image courtesy of Explore Asheville
Favorite rooms of the mansion include the library with 10,000 books and the grand banquet hall with its 70-foot high ceiling! Biltmore is as magnificent today as it was when it was built more than a century ago.
WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
A haven in the heart of Downtown Asheville, Kimpton Hotel Arras rises from the center of downtown Asheville, North Carolina and invites you to share in the unique artistry of this Blue Ridge Mountain town. The Pack Square location places you steps from galleries, shops, breweries and cafes, while hiking trails and waterfalls beckon nearby.
