Asheville

Asheville is a popular tourist destination and is known as a liberal, artsy community. This "Paris of the South," has also been described as the "San Francisco of the East," "New Age Mecca," and "Land of the Sky." It's a city of which Rolling Stone magazine dubbed "America’s New Freak Capital." But Asheville is by no means simply a haven for Hippies and 'Out There's', as 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." Self magazine proclaims Asheville as America’s "Happiest City." PETA lists Asheville as "America's Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small City." In 2007, Asheville was named one of the top seven places to live in the U.S. by Forbes, and in 2011 Asheville was picked as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Places in America” by Good Morning America. From its titles alone one can easily see that Asheville is a good place to go to see diversity in action.

Climate

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 common. 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. However, snow is common with the area averaging an inch or two of snow at a time, normally melting off in a day or two.

By plane

The Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is Western North Carolina's largest airport. It offers jet and commuter service on United, American, and Delta. Asheville has non-stop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New York City, Newark, Orlando and Tampa. It is located fifteen miles south of downtown Asheville near the town of Fletcher. Ground transportation and major rental car companies are available at the airport terminal.
Flights into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) located in Greenville, South Carolina, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) located in Charlotte, North Carolina, or McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) located in Knoxville, Tennessee, are sometimes 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 primary accesses in Asheville at US 25, US 70, US 74A & NC 191. Maps are recommended as highways may have listed directions but may travel in different directions - For example a road signed "east" may travel north/south for a significant amount of time.

By bus

• Greyhound Bus

  phone: +1 828 253-8451
  address: 2 Tunnel Rd

By car

A car is definitely your best bet. Street parking is metered Monday through Saturday, 8AM–6PM at $1 per hour. Street parking is free on Sundays, evenings after 6pm 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: Civic Center Garage, Rankin Avenue Garage, and Wall Street Garage. All are accessible 24 hours a day and are free for the first hour then $0.75 per hour thereafter. Attendants are on duty 10AM–7PM Monday through Friday.

By taxi

Within the City of Asheville, fares are as follows: For the initiation (drop) of the meter - $2.50; For each one-tenth mile after initiation - $0.25; For each passenger in excess of two - $2; For each two minutes of waiting time or fraction thereof after the first two minutes - $0.40. Uber and Lyft are also available.

• Airport Limousine & Taxi Service

  phone: +1 828 253-3311

• Beaver Lake Cab Co

  phone: +1 828 252-1913

• Checker Cab

  phone: +1 828 254-1155
  Pick-ups in 10 minutes on average. Econo-line vans available for up to 10 passengers.

• Jolly Taxi

  phone: +1 828 253-1411

• Metro Cab

  phone: +1 828 254-1155

• New Blue Bird Taxi Co

  phone: +1 828 258-8331

• Red Cab Co

  phone: +1 828 232-1112

• Yellow Cab Co

  phone: +1 828 252-1913

• Your Cab

  phone: +1 828 259-9904

By bike

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. Tour Asheville by pedal assist electric bike with guided bike tours by Electro Bike Tours.
All buses in the Asheville Transit System are equipped with bike racks.

By bus

• Asheville Redefines Transit (ART)

  address: 49 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville (next to the U.S. Post Office)
  A city-wide transit service called ART (Asheville Redefines Transit) provides bus service throughout the City of Asheville and to the Town of Black Mountain with 18 bus routes. Service runs early morning to late evening, Monday through Saturday. Service is regular but infrequent outside of downtown; inside downtown walking is almost always faster. Routes originate from the ART Station, located at 49 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville (next to the U.S. Post Office). The ART Station is conveniently located and provides clean restrooms, indoor and outdoor seating and an on-duty information assistant until 10pm. The assistant and website can provide you with the latest maps and schedules; help you with monthly or annual pass purchases; and answer questions that you may have.

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 20s was saved from destruction. Therefore, today, Asheville 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.

• Battery Park Hotel

  address: 1 Battle Sq
  A 14-story building faced with brick, limestone and terra cotta trim with a Mission Revival style roof, erected in 1924.

• The Biltmore Estate

  address: 1 Approach Rd
  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, winery and self-guided house tour.

• Buncombe County Courthouse

  address: 60 Court Sq
  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.

• The City BuildingDesigned by Art Deco architect Douglas Ellington and completed in 1927, the City Building is constructed out of Georgia Pink marble, brick, and terra cotta. The steeped, octagonal shaped roof is the logo of the City of Asheville.

• Drhumor BuildingThe Drhumor (pronounced "drummer") is a boldly detailed, Romanesque Revival style building constructed in 1895.

• Grove Arcade

  address: 1 Page Ave
  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 an influential public market with several restaurants, vendors, and mountain craft shops.

• Grove Park Inn

  address: 290 Macon Ave
  Completed in 1913, this historic resort hotel is an important example of the Arts and Crafts style.

• Jackson BuildingBordered by South Market Street and South Pack Square, completed in 1925. A Neo-Gothic style skyscraper complete with gargoyles and a bell tower.

• Masonic Temple

  address: 80 Broadway St
  Features robust brickwork and a tall portico of paired Ionic columns. A three-story, blind arched window is on its Woodfin Street side.

• S & W building

  address: 52-58 Patton Ave
  Another Art Deco masterpiece designed by architect Douglas Ellington.

• Thomas Wolfe House

  phone: +1 828 253-8304
  address: 48 Spruce St
  A sprawling frame Queen Anne-influenced house immortalized in the epic autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe.

• Vance MonumentStands 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.

• YMI Building

  address: at the corner of South Market and Eagle St
  A simplified English Tudor Cottage style with pebble-dashed walls, red brick quoin trim, multi-pane windows and hipped roofs.

Churches: Please note that most churches listed below are working churches. When entering, please be respectful of any activities occurring.

• Basilica of St. Lawrence

  address: 97 Haywood St
  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.

• Central United Methodist Church

  address: 27 Church St
  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.

• First Baptist Church

  address: 5 Oak St
  In Art Deco/Romantic style, Douglas Ellington's first big commission in Asheville. A beautiful distinctive dome with a copper cupola cap.

• First Presbyterian Church

  address: 40 Church St
  Commissioned in 1884, the Gothic Revival style brick nave and tower feature deep-corbelled cornices, hood-molded windows and blind arcading at the eaves.

• Mt. Zion Baptist Church

  address: 47 Eagle St
  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.

• St. Matthias Episcopal Church

  address: 1 Dundee St
  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.

• Trinity Episcopal Church

  address: 60 Church St
  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.

Art galleries

• 16 Patton

  phone: +1 828 236-2889
  address: 16 Patton Ave
  Original contemporary fine art by southeastern artists including paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics and fine craft.

• American Folk Art & Framing

  phone: +1 828 281-2134
  address: 64 Biltmore Ave
  Contemporary Southern folk art, NC wood-fired pottery, and custom picture frames.

• Appalachian Craft Center

  phone: +1 828 253-8499
  address: 10 N Spruce St
  Authentic mountain handicrafts including pottery, face jugs, quilts, mountain-made toys and handmade rugs.

• Ariel Gallery

  phone: +1 828 236-2660
  address: 19 Biltmore Ave
  A contemporary craft cooperative featuring handmade work of local artists. Original works in clay, fiber, furniture, glass, metal, jewelry and book arts.

• Asheville Area Front Gallery

  phone: +1 828 258-0710
  address: 11 Biltmore Ave
  Owned and operated by the Asheville Area Arts Council, provides exhibition space for established and emerging local artists.

• Asheville Gallery of Art

  phone: +1 828 251-5796
  address: 16 College St
  A partnership of 29 professional, regional artists offering original two-dimensional works from representational to abstract.

• Asheville Glass Center and Gallery

  phone: +1 828 505-7110
  address: 140 C Roberts St
  A glassblowing school and gallery with daily demonstrations and workshops.

• Bella Vista Art Gallery

  phone: +1 828 768-0246
  address: 14 Lodge St
  Representing local, national, and international emerging artists. Contemporary fine art.

• The Bender Gallery

  phone: +1 828 225-6625
  address: 57 Haywood St
  Premier studio glass gallery featuring a variety of glass disciplines by regional and national artists.

• Black Mountain College Museum & Art Center

  phone: +1 828 350-8484
  address: 56 Broadway St
  Explores the history and legacy of Black Mountain College.

• Blue Spiral 1

  phone: +1 828 251-0202
  address: 38 Biltmore Ave
  Presents contemporary Southeastern fine art and crafts.

• Fine Arts League of the Carolinas

  phone: +1 828 252-5050
  address: 362 Depot St
  Featuring art school students work.

• Flood Gallery

  address: 109 Roberts St
  Seeks out art that is provocative, challenging, daring, relevant, and important.

• The Haen Gallery

  phone: +1 828 254-8577
  address: 52 Biltmore Ave

• Jewels That Dance

  phone: +1 828 254-5088
  address: 63 Haywood St
  Premier jewelry gallery and working studio. Featuring contemporary and classic fine jewelry.

• Kress Emporium

  phone: +1 828 281-2252
  address: 19 Patton Ave
  Featuring more than 100 distinguished artists and craftspeople, all showcased in the historic Kress Building.

• K2 Studio

  phone: +1 828 250-0500
  address: 59 College St
  The Kress Emporium's sister gallery.

• Merrimon Galleries

  phone: +1 828 252-6036
  address: 365 Merrimon Ave
  Classic and contemporary oils, photography and sculpture.

• Mountain Made

  phone: +1 828 350-0307
  address: 1 Page Ave
  Featuring the work of over 80 Western North Carolina artisans.

• Odyssey Gallery

  phone: +1 828 285-9700
  address: 238 Clingman Ave
  Functional and sculptural work by national ceramic artists.

• Overstrom Studio

  phone: +1 828 258-1761
  address: 35 Wall St
  The working studio, gallery, and loft of internationally recognized jewelry designers Michael Overstrom and Susan Overstrom.

• Pura Vida

  phone: +1 828 439-5451
  address: 39 Biltmore Ave
  Offers a strong blend of local and regional artists.

• Red Square Gallery of Russian Art & Culture

  phone: +1 828 225-8777
  address: 7 Rankin Ave
  Work by Russian artists.

• Satellite Gallery

  phone: +1 828 505-2225
  address: 55 Broadway St
  Contemporary artists with roots in urban and pop counter cultures.

• Studio Chavarria

  phone: +1 828 236-9191
  address: 84 Walnut St
  An exclusive members-only salon and fine art gallery.

• Vadim Bora Gallery & Studio

  phone: +1 828 254-7959
  address: 30 1/2 Battery Park Ave
  European salon style gallery features works from international artists hand-picked by painter, sculptor, and owner Vadim Bora.

• Woolworth Walk

  phone: +1 828 254-9234
  address: 25 Haywood St
  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.

• YMI Cultural Center

  phone: +1 828 252-4614
  address: 39 S Market St
  Houses numerous exhibits, many dealing with the history of African Americans in Western North Carolina.

Museums

• Asheville Art Museum

  phone: +1 828 253-3227
  address: 2 S Pack Sq
  A collection of the very best of 20th and 21st century American art.

• Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum

  phone: +1 828 254-7162
  address: 2 S Pack Sq

• The Health Adventure

  phone: +1 828 254-6373
  address: 2 S Pack Sq
  A health and science museum dedicated to improving health awareness, promoting wellness lifestyles, and increasing science literacy through programs and exhibits.

• The Smith-McDowell House Museum

  phone: +1 828 253-9231
  address: 283 Victoria Rd
  Asheville’s first mansion and oldest surviving structure.

• WNC Nature Center

  phone: +1 828 298-5600
  address: 75 Gashes Creek Rd
  A living museum exhibiting plants and animals that are native to the Southern Appalachians.

Activities

• Asheville Glass Center

  phone: +1 828 505-7110
  address: 140 C Roberts St.
  A glassblowing school, working glass studio, and glass gallery with demos and workshops daily.

Tours

• Asheville Brews Cruise

  phone: +1 828 545-5181
  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.

• Autorickshaw Tours

  phone: +1 828 777-1014
  address: 235 Montford Ave
  A historic/architectural tour of Montford including Riverside Cemetery. The autorickshaw holds two per tour.

• Eating Asheville Tours

  phone: +1 828 489-3266
  address: 1 Page Avenue, #101
  Eating Asheville’s walking food tour leads you through an orchestration of the finest and most delicious sights and tastes that the city has to offer. Join us for a tour of the city’s unique food culture. Inquire about our walking brewery tours of downtown Asheville!

• Electro Bike Tours

  phone: +1 828 513-3960
  address: 24 College Street
  Pedal with ease to the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Botanical Gardens, Grove Park Inn, Pack Square, and more on this guided two hour electric bike tour of Asheville. Also, check out the Bike n Brew Ride!

• Ghost Hunters of Asheville

  phone: +1 828 779-4868
  Ghost Hunters of Asheville offer three separate 90-minute ghost tours covering different aspects of historical, haunted Asheville. Guests enjoy free use of ghost-hunting tools and paranormal photographs are guaranteed.

• Herstory Asheville: A Tour that Tells the Rest of the Story

  phone: +1 828 423-3819
  Come hear tales of the famous, the infamous, and the unsung heroes of the female persuasion in engaging detail. This 90-minute walking tour covers the history of downtown while spotlighting the women who helped shape Asheville. Tours leave daily from The Old Kentucky Home, Julia Wolfe's former boarding house at Thomas Wolfe Memorial. Reservations required.

• Historic Trolley ToursSightsee 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.

• LaZoom Comedy Tours

  phone: +1 828 225-6932
  address: 90 Biltmore Ave
  LaZoom Comedy Tours is "A Tour with a Twist!" You'll get all of the facts plus loads of fun. Your costumed tour guide will take you and your family on a 90 minute adventure covering all of the points of interest. This isn't your grandma's tour (but she can still come).

• Urban TrailA 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. Headsets and maps are available for self-guided tours.

• Montford Holiday Tour of HomesA yearly tour of holiday decorated homes in Asheville's oldest historic neighborhood on the second Saturday of December. Enjoy Shakespearean actors and homemade baked goods during the tour. Located down the street from Asheville Visitors Center.

Festivals

• Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)Twice each year, multicultural music and arts non-profit event held at scenic Camp Rockmont, in nearby Black Mountain.

• Asheville FringeArts FestivalHeld annually at the end of January.

• Asheville Herb Festival

  address: WNC 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. Held each May.

• Mountain Sports FestivalPro and amateur athletes compete in mountain sports. Live music, food, and demos. Held each May.

• Downtown After Five

  address: North Lexington Ave at I-240 and Hiawassee
  Held the third Friday of each month from May through September, featuring free outdoor local music and plenty of shopping and eating opportunities.

• Montford Music And Arts FestivalThe largest one day free music and arts festival in WNC with two stages on Montford and Soco Streets in Historic Montford Neighborhood down from Asheville Visitors Center. On street parking, bicycle corral and Yurt, handicap accessible. Held on the 3rd Saturday of each May.

• Shindig on the Green

  address: Martin Luther King Jr. Park
  Music and dance traditions of Southern Appalachia. Held from the end of June through the beginning of September.

• Mountain Dance and Folk Festival

  address: Diana Wortham Theatre
  Mountain fiddlers, banjo pickers, dulcimer sweepers, and dancers. Held the first weekend in August.

• Goombay! FestivalAn African-Caribbean style festival. Held each August.

• Organicfest

  address: Battery Park Avenue and Otis Street
  A festive day of live music, organic food and drink, organic and green goods, and fun activities for kids of all ages.

• Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival

  address: Lexington Avenue
  A unique all local music and arts event held each September.

• Great Smokies Craft Brewers Brewgrass Festival

  address: Martin Luther King Jr ballfield
  Over 30 American breweries showcase more than 100 different beers, along with music from national and regional bluegrass musicians. Held each September.

• MoogfestElectronic music festival honoring the late innovator Bob Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer. Held on Halloween weekend.

• Blue Ridge PrideA forum for building community and to honor the many facets of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender family.

• Asheville Film FestivalHeld annually each November.

Live music

• Asheville Civic Center

  phone: +1 828 259-5544
  address: 87 Haywood St
  The Arena has a capacity of 7,654.

• Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall

  phone: +1 828 232-5800
  address: 185 Clingman Ave
  Has a capacity 550.

• The Orange Peel

  phone: +1 828 225-5851
  address: 101 Biltmore Ave
  Standing capacity of 942, shows local and nationally touring acts. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine named the Peel one of the top five rock clubs in America.

• The Emerald Lounge

  address: 112 N Lexington Ave
  A hot spot for live music and dancing.

• Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

  address: 87 Haywood St
  Has a capacity of 2,431.

• Tressa's Jazz & Blues

  phone: +1 828 254-7072
  address: 28 Broadway St

Theatre

• Asheville Community TheatreA volunteer-driven community theatre.

• Asheville Contemporary Dance TheatreWestern North Carolina's first modern dance company. A diverse repertory reflects both traditional and experimental forms of modern dance.

• Asheville Lyric OperaProductions of opera, operetta, and musicals, performed in the company’s home, the Diana Wortham Theatre.

• Asheville SymphonyPresents seven full orchestra concerts a year at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in the Asheville Civic Center.

• Diane Wortham TheatreLocated 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 PlayersFree Shakespeare and other classic plays held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre in Montford.

• North Carolina Stage Company

  phone: +1 828 350-9090
  address: Stage Lane
  Asheville's only professional theatre. Voted Best Local Theatre by readers of Mountain Xpress for four years running. Winner George A. Parides Award for Outstanding Professional Theatre, North Carolina Theatre Conference. NC Stage Company, now in its sixth season, has something either in rehearsal or performance 49 out of 52 weeks.

Outdoors

Hiking:

• Blue Ridge Parkway

  phone: +1 828 298-0398
  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 74A & NC 191.

• Botanical Gardens at AshevilleA 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.

• North Carolina Arboretum

  phone: +1 828 665-2492
  address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Wy
  A 434-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center, state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking trails.

• Pisgah National Forest

  phone: +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

  phone: +1 828 252-9996
  address: 43 Wall St
  An indoor rock climbing gym in downtown Asheville.

Fishing:

• Asheville Drifters Fly Fishing Adventures

  phone: +1 828 215-7379

Rafting:

• French Broad Rafting Expeditions

• Rock 'n' Water Adventure Outpost

  phone: +1 828 689-3354
  Offers whitewater rafting, guided “back country” waded fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

• Southern Waterways

  phone: +1 828 232-1970

• Lake Julian

  phone: +1 828 684-0376
  address: off of Long Shoals Road in South Asheville

Riding:

• Baird Cove Trail Rides

  phone: +1 828 206-3700
  address: 300 Baird Cove Rd
  Riding and equestrian center. Trail rides & lessons. Call to make an appointment to come ride. Only 10 minutes north of downtown Asheville.

• Biltmore Estate Equestrian Center

  phone: +1 828 225-1454
  Lessons, guided trail rides, shows, clinics, and camps. Must pay entrance fee to Biltmore estate.

Skateboarding:

• Food Lion Skate Park

  phone: +1 828 225-7184
  address: corner of Flint and Cherry Streets
  An outdoor skateboarding park in downtown Asheville.

Sports

• The Asheville Tourists

  address: 30 Buchanan Pl
  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.

• The Asheville Grizzlies

  address: 30 Buchanan Pl
  A professional minor league men's football team.

• The Blue Ridge Rollergirls

  address: 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd
  Women's Flat track Roller derby league.

Yoga

• Asheville Community Yoga

  address: 8 Brookdale Road
  All sorts of yoga by various local teachers.

• Asheville Yoga Center

  address: 239 S Liberty St
  Offering all styles of Hatha yoga.

• Namaste Yoga Sanctuary

  address: 57 Broadway St

• South Asheville Yoga

  address: 2 Town Square Blvd

• West Asheville Yoga

  address: 602 Haywood Rd

Asheville does not necessarily have a specific commercial district but rather it resembles a long line, curving through the mountains. Beginning directly north 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 south towards the city-center, Merrimon Avenue changes names to Broadway, then Biltmore Avenue after it intersects with Patton Avenue at Pack Square, home to the Vance Monument, located directly in front of City-County Plaza.
Surrounding this area, Downtown, you will find many boutiques, cafes, museums, and interesting historical buildings. At the eastern end of downtown, The Beaucatcher 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 some brand new hotels. Finally, Tunnel Road transitions into South Tunnel Road, which is home to the city’s main mall and smaller chain shopping centers. This area of town is not at all touristy, and prices are average and intended for locals.
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 relatively 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.
From Pack Square going south (away from I 240), Biltmore Ave continues down past Biltmore Village and into South Asheville and Arden, with many chain stores and strip malls, from which one can access via NC 146 Long Shoals Rd, Biltmore Park a recently built exurb with high end shopping around a reproduced downtown square.
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 ArcadeA 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

  address: 55 Haywood St
  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 pastry or bagel.

• French Broad Chocolate Lounge

  phone: +1 828 252-4181
  address: 10 South Lexington Ave
  An artisan, local chocolate shop owned and operated by Dan and Jael Rattigan, dedicated to using organic ingredients and buying fairly traded goods.

• The Chocolate Fetish

  address: 36 Haywood St
  A European-style chocolatier with some of the best truffles to be found anywhere. Although it's easy to spend a lot of money here, the pricing is quite reasonable given the quality and size of the chocolates.

• Mast General Store

  address: 15 Biltmore Ave
  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 and the Octopus Garden specialize in smoking accessories along with a wide variety of other products. Hip Replacements has some great vintage clothing, while up the block Spiritex 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, and stop by one of the many restaurants on Lexington for a quick bite. On the next block up is the Chevron Trading Post for all of your beading needs, and Tops for Shoes, 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.

Biltmore Village Just South of Asheville's downtown, and right outside the gates of the Biltmore Estate is the quaint village built around the 1890s called Biltmore Village. It is easily accessed from I-40 (Exit 50). A number of small independently owned retail stores which have carved out specialty niches can be found intermingled with restaurants beneath the shade of the tree-lined streets. Recently, National Specialty stores and a boutique Hotel have begun construction there. Of particular note are the following:

• New Morning GalleryProbably the best collection of regional Arts and Crafts in Western North Carolina. The gallery features ceramics, glass, jewelry and furniture from local Appalachian artisans. It is in front of Bella Vista Art Gallery.

River Arts District Wrapped along the river, and visible from the bridge over the French Broad River (i.e. from I-240 or Patton Ave.) is an enclave of Art Studios, Galleries, and restaurants that is still not quite user-friendly but accessible to the adventurous. Some worthy points of interest are:

• Asheville Glass Center and GalleryGlassblowing instruction and studio rentals and a glass gallery representing some of the regions finest glass artists.

• The Phil Mechanic BuildingCutting edge Galleries, artists and a Bio-diesel plant can be found if you wander around inside the old building. Jolene Mechanic, the owner, is a great resource for getting to know the area.

• 240 ClingmanThis was originally a warehouse. Right after the Katrina Hurricane it was turned into a gallery by the owners of Bella Vista Art Gallery. After they left, Jonas Gerard, from Miami, took over the space. He was featured on 20/20 and has some eye-popping art on display, and for sale.

• Hofman Studios

  phone: +1 828-232-1401
  address: 111 Roberts St
  Filled with little art galleries, artists, a brewery, fine porcelain and mechanical dinosaurs is interesting but not for the timid.

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

Downtown

Asian

• Heiwa Shokudo

  phone: +1 828 254-7761
  address: 87 N Lexington Ave
  Traditional Japanese and sushi.

• Mela

  phone: +1 828 225-8880
  address: 70 N Lexington Ave
  Authentic Indian food in a beautiful and exotic atmosphere. Full bar available.

• Wasabi

  phone: +1 828 225-2551
  address: 19 Broadway St
  Japanese restaurant and sushi bar.

Modern American

• The Market Place

  phone: +1 828 252-4162
  address: 20 Wall St
  Innovative "farm to table" cuisine.

• Table

  phone: +1 828 254-8980
  address: 48 College St
  New-American cuisine with a daily written menu.

Mexican/Latin American/Caribbean

• Limones

  phone: +1 828 252-2327
  address: 13 Eagle St
  Upscale fresh Mexican-Californian cuisine. Reservations recommended.

• Mamacitas

  phone: +1 828 255-8080
  address: 77A Biltmore Ave
  Fresh, made from scratch Mexican cuisine.

• Salsa

  phone: +1 828 252-9805
  address: 6 Patton Ave
  Mexican-Caribbean food.

European

• Bouchon

  phone: +1 828 350-1140
  address: 62 N Lexington Ave
  French comfort food of the Lyon area of France and wine bar.

• Cucina 24

  phone: +1 828 254-6170
  address: 24 Wall St
  Traditional Italian. Reservations recommended.

• Zambra

  phone: +1 828 232-1060
  address: 85 W Walnut St
  Tapas and Spanish cuisine in a very romantic atmosphere.

Southern

• Early Girl Eatery

  phone: +1 828 259-9292
  address: 8 Wall St
  Made-from-scratch Southern regional cuisine using local organic produce and free-range meats.

• Orchards

  phone: +1 828 252-8211
  address: 1 Thomas Wolfe Plz
  Southern classics and international cuisine that utilizes sustainable dining practices.

• Tupelo Honey Cafe

  phone: +1 828 255-4863
  address: 12 College St
  Check this out for some delicious New Southern cuisine.

Steakhouses

• Chop House

  phone: +1 828 253-1852
  address: 22 Woodfin St
  Signature steakhouse.

Vegetarian/Vegan

• Laughing Seed

  phone: +1 828 252-3445
  address: 40 Wall St
  A 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.

• Rosetta's Kitchen

  phone: +1 828 232-07
  address: 116 N Lexington Ave
  Vegetarian/vegan (mostly organic) 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.

North

• Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

  phone: +1 828 254-1281
  address: 675 Merrimon Ave
  Known to locals as the APBC or Brew n' View, is a good place to relax with a beer, pizza (available by the slice), and watch a movie for $3.

• Marcos Pizzeria

  address: 946 Merrimon Ave
  New York style pizza.

• The Hop

  phone: +1 828 254-2224
  address: 640 Merrimon Ave
  Serves acclaimed ice cream (vegan selections available) made on-site.

• Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian

  phone: +1 828 253-1077
  address: 641 Merrimon Ave

West

• The Admiral

  phone: +1 828 252-2541
  address: 400 Haywood Rd
  Menu changes daily.

• Sunny Point Cafe & Bakery

  phone: +1 828 252-0055
  address: 626 Haywood Rd
  A great brunch spot.

• Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

  phone: +1 828 575-2260
  address: 1455 Patton Ave
  Delicious fried chicken as hot as you want it.

• Firestorm Cafe

  phone: +1 828 255-8115
  address: 610 Haywood Street
  Employee-owned cafe with all vegan menu offering wraps, handmade pastries, and more exotic options. Unusual selection of progressive books, anarchist pamphlets, and free internet. Firestorms hosts community events and concerts on a regular basis.

South

• 12 Bones

  address: 5 Riverside Dr
  Winner of ABC’s Good Morning America “Best Bites Challenge” contest for its blueberry chipotle ribs. Get in line early!

• Fig

  phone: +1 828 277-0889
  address: 18 Brook St
  Reservations recommended.

• Rezaz Mediterranean Cuisine

  phone: +1 828 277-1510
  address: 28 Hendersonville Rd
  A must-try, specializes in Mediterranean and Italian items, along with tapas and wines.

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. These stores have limited exterior decorations so they can be difficult to find. 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. Pick up a copy or check the website of the local alternative newsweekly Mountain Xpress for an up-to-date, detailed guide for what is going on at each bar and club for the night.
Downtown:

• Asheville Brewing Company

  address: 77 Coxe Ave
  A brewpub with their own locally-brewed beers on tap and a full liquor bar, piles of board games, and a large outdoor covered patio with giant movie screen.

• Barley's Taproom

  phone: +1 828 255-0504
  address: 42 Biltmore Ave
  A popular destination with an expansive variety of beers, local, regional, and continental. 52 beers on tap. Small stage with live music 3-4 nights a week, no cover charge. Upstairs Billiard Room with four tables available by the hour.

• Bier Garden

  phone: +1 828 285-0002
  address: 46 Haywood St
  Over 200 beers from around the world and a full liquor bar. For the sports fans, they have 16 televisions including a 15-foot screen.

• Cinjades

  address: 22 N Market St
  A popular dance club playing the best of 80s, 90s, and today.

• Club Hairspray

  address: 38 N French Broad Ave
  A gay/lesbian dancebar.

• Club Nashwa

  address: 64 Carter St
  A two level club playing Top 40 hits until 3AM on the weekends and live music during the week.

• Green Man Brewing & Tasting Room

  phone: +1 828 252-5502
  address: 23 Buxton Ave

• The Hookah Bar

  phone: +1 828 252-1522
  address: 38 N French Broad Ave
  Hookah bar with live music and bellydancing.

• Jack of the Wood

  address: 95 Patton Ave
  Serves its own locally-brewed Green Man Ales on tap and a limited selection of bottled beers.

• Sazerac

  phone: +1 828 376-0031
  address: 25 Broadway
  Classic Cocktails, Sumptuous Small Plates and Rooftop Revelry.

• Scandals

  address: 11 Grove St
  A huge gay-oriented nightclub with 3 dance floors and 4 bars.

• Scully’s Signature Dine and Drink

  phone: +1 828 251-8880
  address: 13 Walnut St
  Serves pub fare and a good selection of beers. College crowds.

• Thirsty Monk

  phone: +1 828 254-5470
  address: 92 Patton Ave
  Pub specializing in Belgian beers.

• Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

  address: 7 Rankin Ave

• World Coffee Cafe

  phone: +1 828 225-6998
  address: 18 Battery Park Ave
  Three rooftop balconies where you can watch the sun set. Drink coffee.

• Yacht Club

  phone: +1 828 255-TIKI
  address: 87 Patton Ave
  Tiki bar/restaurant serving lunch, dinner and a late night menu. Check out their specialty cocktails, particularly the 'Pain Killer', it's served on fire.

North:

• Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

  address: 675 Merrimon Ave
  Locally brewed beer at $3.75 a pint.

East:

• French Broad Brewery Tasting Room

  phone: +1 828 277-0222
  address: 101 Fairview Rd
  Offers tastings, tours and live music five nights a week in a relaxed, intimate setting.

• Root Bar

  phone: +1 828 299-7597
  address: 1410 Tunnel Rd
  Home of the original sport of rootball (a cross between horseshoes and boccie)! Beer only.

West:

• Westville Pub

  address: 777 Haywood Rd
  Family-oriented bar with pub grub and live music.

Bed and breakfasts

Asheville is rightfully well known for its many Bed and Breakfasts
Montford Historic District:

• 1899 Wright Inn & Carriage House

  address: 235 Pearson Dr
  Queen Ann style home, built in 1899 and authentically restored. It has ten rooms, a large three-bedroom carriage house, beautiful gardens and a much-photographed front porch.

• A Bed of Roses

  address: 135 Cumberland Ave
  A 1897 Queen Anne house. Four rooms and one suite.

• Abbington Green Bed & Breakfast Inn

  phone: +1 828 251-2454
  address: 46 & 48 Cumberland Ci
  An English-themed Colonial Revival home, a half-mile walk to downtown. Five rooms and three suites.

• AppleWood Manor Inn

  phone: +1 828 254-2244
  address: 62 Cumberland Ci
  Built in 1912. Four rooms plus a suite and a cottage.

• Asheville Seasons Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +1 828 236-994
  address: 43 Watauga St
  Beautifully restored historic home, all rooms with private baths and most with working fireplaces. Your hosts will offer you wine or beer upon your arrival and in the morning will cook you a wonderful breakfast, served with organic coffee. A half-mile walk to downtown.

• Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast Inn

  address: 288 Montford Ave
  Six rooms and a carriage house.

• Carolina Bed & Breakfast

  address: 177 Cumberland Ave
  Beautifully maintained and decorated Arts & Crafts Home with 6 bedrooms and one cottage. Beautiful gardens, 1/2 mile from the center of Downtown Asheville.

• At Cumberland Falls Bed and Breakfast Inn

  phone: +1 828 253-4085
  address: 254 Cumberland Ave
  A turn of the century home on the Register of Historic Places. Great amenities including fireplaces, in-room spa, off street parking, and free Wi-Fi.Five rooms and a Mini Suite.

• The Lion and the Rose Bed & Breakfast Inn

  address: 276 Montford Ave
  Georgian mansion. Five rooms.

• Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast

  address: 249 Cumberland Ave
  A 1905 English Tudor style home. Five rooms.

Chestnut Hill Historic District:

• Beaufort House Victorian Inn

  phone: +1 828 254-8334
  address: 61 N Liberty St
  An historic Queen Anne Victorian built in 1894. Once the residence of Charlton Heston. Eleven rooms. Vegetarian & vegan friendly.

• Chestnut Street Inn

  address: 176 E Chestnut St
  A grand Colonial Revival home with eight rooms.

• Princess Anne Hotel

  phone: +1 828 258-0986
  address: 301 E Chestnut St
  Newly renovated and very comfortable. Most suites include small kitchen. Sixteen rooms. Available for longer stays.

• 1889 WhiteGate Inn & Cottage

  phone: +1 828 253-2553
  address: 173 E Chestnut St
  Bed and breakfast. Pet friendly rooms available.

Other Areas:

• A Hill House Bed & Breakfast Inn

  phone: +1 828 232-0345
  address: 120 Hillside St
  Eight rooms and a cottage.

• Aberdeen Inn

  phone: +1 828 254-9336
  address: 64 Linden Ave
  Six rooms.

• Asheville Green Cottage

  phone: +1 828-707-6563, +1 828-707-2919
  address: 25 Saint Dunstans Ci
  True to its name, the cottage is very green, surrounded by a clean beautiful garden. Dog friendly.

• Blake House Inn

  address: 150 Royal Pines Dr
  An 1847 example of Italianate architecture with Gothic Revival influence. Five rooms and one suite.

• Cedar Crest Victorian Inn

  phone: +1 828 252-1389
  address: 674 Biltmore Ave
  Built in 1891, Queen Anne architecture. Ten rooms and two cottage rooms.

• Corner Oak Manor

  phone: +1 828 253-3525
  address: 53 Saint Dunstans Rd
  A 1920 English Tudor. Three rooms and a cottage.

• North Lodge on Oakland

  phone: +1 828 252-6433
  address: 84 Oakland Rd
  Six rooms.

• Oakland Cottage B&B

  address: 74 Oakland Rd
  Bed and Breakfast, Circa 1910, 1.5 miles north of the Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Village and 2 miles south of Pack Square. Spacious, family friendly two-room suites with a bit more space than your average B&B room. Cyclists welcome. Wireless internet access, complementary on-site laundry facilities, on-site massage available, full breakfast each morning.

• Sourwood Inn

  phone: +1 828 255-0690
  address: "810 Elk Mountain Scenic Hwy
  B&B north of downtown Asheville and only two miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Sweet Biscuit Inn

  phone: +1 828 250-0170
  address: 77 Kenilworth Rd
  A 1915 Colonial Revival home in the Kenilworth neighborhood. Four rooms plus a suite and a carriage house.

• Inn on Main Street

  phone: +1 828 645-4935
  address: 88 S Main St
  An eco-friendly Victorian B&B 10 minutes north of downtown Asheville in Weaverville.

• The Albemarle Inn

  address: 86 Edgemont Road
  Elegant 1907 Greek Revival mansion. This AAA four-diamond inn features exceptionally spacious guest rooms with period furnishings, fluffy robes, flat screen televisions, wireless internet, private baths and on-site parking. Full breakfast and afternoon refreshments included in room rate.

Budget

• Bon Paul and Sharky's Hostel

  phone: +1 828 350-9929
  address: 816 Haywood Rd
  The most budget-friendly place to stay in the city. Has a hot tub and foosball table.

• Days Inn

  phone: +1 828 254-9661
  address: 120 Patton Ave

• Lovers Loop Retreat

  phone: +1 828 296-0660
  address: Lovers Loop Rd
  Private, comfortable, spacious, with kitchenette, PingPong.

• The Mountaineer Inn

  phone: +1 828 254-5331
  address: 155 Tunnel Rd

• The Rabbit Hole

  phone: +1 828 279-2009
  address: 10 Alabama Ave
  Studio. Two night minimum stay.

• Rodeway Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 828 667-8706 (West), +1 828 670-8800 (South)
  address: West: 8 Crowell Rd South: 9 Wedgefield Dr.
  Cheapest chain option. Free Wi-Fi, HBO, coffee and doughnuts

• Sweet Peas Hostel

  address: 23 Rankin Ave
  Prices range from $28/bunk to $60/private. An interesting option is a 'pod,' which is basically a privatized bunk for $35. There is no lock out and the staff is knowledgeable.

Mid-range

• Brookstone Lodge

  phone: +1 828 398-5888
  address: 4 Roberts Rd
  Complimentary full breakfast, heated indoor pool.

• Comfort Suites

  phone: +1 828 665-4000
  address: 890 Brevard Road
  Offers guests free breakfast and free wireless high-speed Internet access.

• Courtyard Asheville

  phone: +1 828 281-0041
  address: 1 Buckstone Pl
  Forty restaurants within four blocks, full breakfast buffet, indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center.

• Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort

  phone: +1 828 254-3211
  address: One Resort Dr
  125 acre year-round resort. Amenities include a newly redesigned 9-hole golf course, 14 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, two outdoor swimming pools, 34,000 sqft. of meeting space, and a dining room/lounge on property.

• Doubletree Hotel

  phone: +1 828 274-1800
  address: 115 Hendersonville Rd

• Four Points by Sheraton Asheville Downtown

  phone: +1 828 253-1851
  address: 22 Woodfin St
  Large outdoor pool, full service restaurant and bar. 2,400 sqft. of meeting space.

• Holiday Inn Asheville Airport

  phone: +1 828 684-1213
  address: 550 Airport Rd
  Free airport shuttle and on-site car rental desk, Christy's Cafe restaurant in lobby, and 2,400 sqft. of meeting space.

• Renaissance Asheville Hotel

  phone: +1 828 252-8211
  address: 31 Woodfin St

• SpringHill Suites

  phone: +1 828 253-4666
  address: 2 Buckstone Pl
  Complimentary breakfast, heated indoor pool and hot tub, free high speed internet.

Splurge

• ASIA Bed & Spa

  phone: +1 828 255-0051
  address: 128 Hillside St
  Boutique Bed & Breakfast Spa. Breakfast served where and when you want it. 5 rooms: fireplaces, 2-person jacuzzi tubs, king beds. Finnish sauna, steam room, Massage Suite, Facial Suite with Eminence Organic skin products. Massages, facials, body wraps.

• The Omni Grove Park Inn

  address: 290 Macon Ave
  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 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 has its own ghost, the Pink Lady. 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.

• Inn on Biltmore Estate

  address: 1 Antler Hill Rd
  Lavish rooms set on the grounds of the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate. The inn also offers Land Rover excursions, horseback riding and fly-fishing.

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 Brewing Company

  phone: +1 828 255-4077
  address: 77 Coxe Ave

• Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company

  phone: +1 828 254-1281
  address: 675 Merrimon Ave

• Asheville Visitors Center

  address: 36 Montford Ave

• Biltmore Coffee Roasters

  phone: +1 828 277-9227
  address: 518 Hendersonville Rd

• Buncombe County Courthouse area

  address: in the City-County Plaza

• High Five Coffee

  phone: +1 828 398-0209
  address: 190 Broadway

• Malaprops Bookstore/Café

  phone: +1 828 254-6734
  address: 51 Haywood St

• Mountain Java

  phone: +1 828 255-3881
  address: 870 Merrimon Ave

• True Confections

  phone: +1 828 350-9478
  address: 1 Page Ave, Suite 147

• World Coffee Cafe

  phone: +1 828 258-1058
  address: 18 Battery Park Ave

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 Hendersonville 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.

A thirty-mile drive south to Flat Rock will bring you to the Flatrock Playhouse 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, 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 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. 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 is 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 popular tourist attraction is Chimney Rock Park, 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 2009), 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 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 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.