Best things to do in Asheville, places to visit Asheville, places to stay and much more…
Highly progressive and forward thinking city surrounded by the mountains. Walkable downtown; often compared to a miniature Austin or Portland.
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Find Curiosities Near You
Sky Bar
magical cocktails overlooking asheville
Board the hand-operated Otis elevator in the Flatiron Building and ascend to the top floor. Craft cocktails served outdoors, on three stories of the fire escape. Enjoy a panoramic view in an intimate setting.
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
chocophiles
Hand crafted chocolates, pastries, and ice cream. Served alongside decadent sipping chocolates, wines and coffees.
River Arts District
artist community
Visit galleries, working artists studios, restaurants, performing arts venues and bars. Housed in former industrial buildings along the French Broad River just outside downtown.
Dobra Tea
tea passion
Every tea tells a story. All teas sourced directly from regions of origin. Tea room and bulk sales.
Sweet Peas Hostel
budget lodging in the center of town
Clean, modern and well designed hostel. Located in the most coveted location in town. Spacious common areas to gather and meet affordable travelers. Bunk rooms, private pods and private rooms to meet different budgets and lodging styles.
Hip Replacements
boutique with an edge
Vintage style clothes and shoes in style-filled boutique with an edge.
Early Girl
southern comfort food
Farm to table, made from scratch southern cooking all day long in bright and cheerful space. Particularly indulgent at breakfast where you can enjoy quick breads, biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, house granola and Early Girl Benny.
Hyphen Coffee
chill coffee house
Comfortable coffee house with great people watching location.
Fine Arts Theater
non mainstream flicks
Art House in the middle of bustling downtown. In addition to popcorn, beer, wine and local chocolates.
Asheville Art Museum
transform lives through art
Outstanding collection of American Art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Wicked Weed
brewpub alternative
Seasonal menu highlighting foods at the peak of ripeness. Brewery creating beers to push patrons into trying something new.
Bomba
must-visit cafe
Elegant cafe to enjoy lovely coffee drinks and unique sandwiches on a picture-perfect Asheville corner. Part of the Ignite Curiosities Perfection Collection.
Salsas
creative latin american foods
Intriguing Mexican and Caribbean cuisine served in a festive dining room in the heart of Asheville. Imaginative homemade salsas, Molcajetes (hot lava rock bowls) and Pom-Pom-Pom’s (served in Puerto Rican Pilon) are winners.
Aloft Hotel
franchised hotel in a great location
Standard issue Aloft hotel in the middle of all the Biltmore Avenue action.
Double D’s Coffee and Desserts
put a smile on your face
Imagine stepping into a double decker bus and enjoying delicious coffee and dessert creations. No need to imagine. stroll over to Biltmore Avenue and this fantasy can become reality. Kids feel like grown-ups and adults feel like children.
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)
magical festival held twice each year
Should you go to LEAF? (from LEAF). Way to go Amy, Dan & Porter!
LEAF is a YES GO if YOU: 1 like to wear costumes and dance your pants off 2 eating the best Breakfast & fresh maple syrup 3 like to experience global cultures 4 like to boogie down with perfectly fun new friends 5 like exploring new adventures 6 prefer smaller events 7 like meeting lots of different people is fun 8 love the beautiful outdoors 9 love to discover new music 10 like easy camping with stunning mountain views 11 love to be happy & have fun! |
LEAF is NO GO if YOU: 1 prefer to wear a uniform or a suit and stand still 2 prefer fast food drive-thru then homemade 3 have the American Dream as your only Dream… 4 don’t like people 5 are addicted to everything being bland 6 need big crowds of 15,000 to 100,000 to feel safe 7 want to be with all “me’s” 8 say, “Give me AC or Heat and a fresh hair do!” 9 are top 40 all the way 10 prefer waiting in long lines and concrete 11 happiness is yucky! |
Zambra Wine & Tapas
romantic & cozy spot up the hill
Contemporary interpretation of the foods of Spain and North Africa. Extensive wine list.
Made In Asheville
green printer of textiles
Bold graphic tees, produced while you wait. Environmentally friendly.
Izzy’s Coffee Den
perfect atmosphere for a cup of coffee and snack
Small batch roasted coffee served in hipster heaven.
Biltmore House & Gardens
vanderbilt's estate and gardens
Biltmore is an 8,000 acre estate in the mountains. Centerpiece is the 1895-built, 250-room Biltmore House and Gardens. There is also a winery and Inn.
Hotel Indigo
"boutique-style" accommodations downtown
Downtown Asheville does not have many memorable hotels but the Hotel Indigo presents a clean and fresh alternative within two blocks of Grove Arcade.
Battery Park Book Exchange
trading books and wines by the glass
The perfect marriage of books, wine and espresso. Elegant black and red atmosphere. Open early to late in the significant Grove Arcade.
Old North Clothing
"superior goods for the rugged man"
Men’s clothier specializing in raw denim, boots, shirts and accessories. Exceptional service is the norm in this delightful storefront.
Tupelo Honey Cafe
made from scratch goodness three meals a day
Creative transformation of Southern cuisine, “unscripted.”
Grove Arcade
collection of locally owned businesses with apartments above
E.W. Grove stated it perfectly in 1927. “It is generally conceded that the Arcade Building would do justice to a city many times the size of Asheville. It is by far the finest structure in the South and there are few, if any, finer in the entire country.”
Carmel’s Kitchen & Bar
lunch and dinner in the grove arcade
Farm-to-table American fare served in handsome indoor and outdoor spaces. Diverse and current-feeling menu.
Malaprop’s
"to be the best little bookstore in the land"
Bookstore and cafe founded by someone who has a passion for books. A reminder to shop here and never order online again. From the owner: “As a political exile from a communist country, I cannot overemphasize my passion to provide a space where freedom of expression is supported, where important literature—from authors backed by major publishers to those who self-publish—is available to all, where censorship has no place, where respect and service are practiced daily, where women feel safe, where all are welcome, and where books are the stars.”
The Omni Grove Park Inn
arts & crafts meets mushroom house
Overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains since 1913, Grove Park Inn features over 500 accommodations with old-school resort grandness. Lobby features fourteen foot fireplaces and elevators hidden within the chimneys. Built by Edwin Wiley Grove, the resort is renowned for its “unusual and striking intimacy between the building and its natural environment.” Arts and Crafts masterpiece located a short drive from downtown.
Tops for Shoes
half a city block of shoes
An entire shoe complex providing a vast selection for the entire family. Personalized and knowledgable service since 1952.
Origami Ink
artisan stationer and gallery
Fine selection of letterpress, stationary, fine pens and desktop necessities. Beautifully presented.
Laughing Mask Candies
recharging stop in the center of lexington ave
Vast selection of nostalgic candies sold in bulk.