Asheville II: Downtown

Super Hippy City… Hipster-ville… Granola-ton… Little Indy… could all be used to describe Asheville DT, although I don’t think locals would use those names. I like little “Little Indy” though, as in the independent ethos that runs rampant in the city. Downtown Asheville is full of neat little shops, pubs, restaurants, galleries and music venues. Many refer to it as Beer City, USA, but I’ll get to that in a later post.

Asheville has plenty of places to stay downtown and it’s possible to live quite close, as well. Surrounded by residential neighborhoods on several sides, it’s highly likely to see ambulatory locals perusing their city’s very own fare. It’s obvious that Ashevillians not only take pride in their city but actually love their city and all that it creates and contains for their own enjoyment. I get the impression that the downtown resident or visitor really has no need to travel to suburban Asheville for anything – they’ve got it all right where they live. The streets are clean and the air smells better than your average big city, but you still get most of the benefits of the big city. I know, I know, Asheville is more of a small “big city”. Parking can be a little cumbersome if you’re dependent on a vehicle. Rather than being a one-dimensional hub for business, finance or mediocre downtown, it’s more of a thriving organism of arts, entertainment, good food and drink, independent and big business, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I would venture to guess that Asheville’s economy is very much alive and kicking. While maintaining a fairly laid-back demeanor, the downtown seems to pulsate with creativity and a love for culture.

I’ll cover food, drink, and my favorite experience in later posts, but besides all that fun stuff, the downtown offers several museums and attractions, such as Pack Place Education, Arts, and Science Center, Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, Grove Arcade, and the Basilica of St. Lawrence. The River Arts District is right next to downtown so you have plenty of gallery viewing to keep you busy and intrigued. If for some reason, you just can’t sit tight in downtown, no worries. Why? Because Asheville is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Southern Appalachians and all they have to offer, including white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, water parks, camping, water skiing on Lake Powhattan, and the list goes on. So, now that you’re starting to pack your bags, whether to relocate or play the tourist, I’ll spend the next two posts getting your palate amped up for an urban smorgasbord of delight.