Best Arts and Culture Places in Asheville

"A standout amongst the most prevalent spots off the Blue Ridge Parkway, inviting a quarter million guests yearly, here you’ll find presentations customary and contemporary artworks in three exhibitions, and is home to a book shop, an expressway data work area, a library, and the Allanstand Craft Shop – the most established of its kind in the country. From March to December, the Folk Arts includes regular workshops and shows, and has unique occasions that highlight common crafting materials, (for example, glass, fiber, and mud) utilized as a part of Southern Appalachia culture. Address: Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC 28805"

"The Folk Art Center in east Asheville showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. Guests may browse the Eastern National bookstore, Blue Ridge Parkway information desk, three art galleries, a library, and a craft shop. Don’t miss the fascinating live craft demonstrations offered daily in the lobby!"

"The Black Mountain College was once a central artists’ hub in Asheville, where thinkers and creatives – many of them famous – would go to learn, experiment, and make. It was created thanks to John Andrew Rice, who had been dismissed from his Florida teaching spot in an allegedly unjust manner. This drove him to want to create his own school."

"Josef and Anni Albers didn’t know a word of English when they fled Hitler’s Germany and crossed the Atlantic Ocean for North Carolina in 1933. Their destination: Black Mountain College, an experimental school with a short life and a long legacy. Josef became the first art teacher, while Anni taught a new generation of textile weavers."

"See historic and contemporary art exhibits at the two-floor Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center in downtown Asheville. Rotating exhibitions are on display for about four months at a time. The museum serves to preserve and continue the legacy of the innovative Black Mountain College."

"The new, modernized Asheville Art Museum serves as an anchor for creativity in this corner of our state, poised to bring far-reaching attention to western North Carolina’s past, present, and future artistic achievements. It’s a boon for the city that would not have been possible without enormous community support and visionary direction."

"The Asheville Art Museum is open following a $24 million renovation and expansion. The 68,000-square-foot museum features 20th and 21st century American art. The museum’s collection of 5,000 objects and art pieces are displayed in beautiful galleries through the three-floor building."

"The museum is located in the heart of downtown on the corner of Pack Square and Biltmore Avenue. (The Vance Memorial is just across the street.). Asheville Art Museum Address:2 South Pack SquareAsheville, NC 28801"

"Sitting atop downtown with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains is famed Grove Park Inn, a luxury mountain resort built soon after the completion of the Biltmore Estate. Behind the resort, the Vanderbilts founded an arts and crafts hub that now features an antique car museum, working artists studios, and restaurant. Grovewood Village, 111 Grovewood Road, Adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 253 7651"

"This historic site is home to the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, and the nationally-recognized Grovewood Gallery. Grovewood Village has something for everyone. Your visit could include a leisurely stroll through the sculpture gardens, a lesson on vintage automobiles, or a meal at the contemporary Golden Fleece restaurant."

"Another downtown gallery to consider is Blue Spiral 1, who prides itself on filling the 15,000-square-foot space with a diverse collection. The gallery also has a section dedicated to the works of modernist Will Henry Stevens, with pieces rotated in from his estate regularly. Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 251 0202"

"Blue Spiral 1 is a large three-floor gallery located in the heart of downtown Asheville. It presents over 15 shows annually and features contemporary works by over 100 Southeastern artists. Blue Spiral also represents the estate of Will Henry Stevens, an early 20th-century modernist inspired by spirituality in nature."

"The Appalachian offers a selection of authentic hand-crafted items including pottery, face jugs, quilts, mountain-made toys and handmade rugs. Read more about Appalachian Craft Center →"

"Asheville’s premier ceramics studio, gallery, and pottery school, the Odyssey Center was founded on the idea that everyone has creative potential that can be enhanced by a strong community and challenging instruction. Their ClayWorks Gallery is among the largest Asheville NC art galleries, featuring pottery and ceramic sculptures by instructors, resident artists, studio assistants, and students alike. Resident artists include Anne Jerman, whose wheel-thrown and hand-built Raku pottery pieces combine the whimsical, functional, and decorative wonderfully, with a strong nature influence."

"Made fresh daily, Whit’s Frozen Custard offers a unique twist on the classic ice cream experience. Try a seasonal flavor of their signature frozen custard or experiment with one of their legendary “Whitties”– a cookie ice cream sandwich with frozen custard in the middle, rolled in various crunchy toppings like crushed butterfingers. ^ These are charming local delicacies known for their super creamy texture."

"While not an Asheville-based company, the Asheville outpost of Whit’s Frozen Custard (originally from Ohio) is easily one of the brand’s most charming. And, lucky for Ashevillians, they make insanely delicious frozen custard cakes. These are an elegant, old time-y alternative to ice cream cakes but with even more richness and flavor."

"If you have never tried frozen custard, you’re in for a real treat!. It is like ice cream, only it is creamier and full of flavor. Whit’s is the place to go for it."

"This place is really amazing yes you might have to wait for a little while for the food but it's the best."

"You'll find all sorts of delicious classics at this Asheville favorite, which has locations in North and East Asheville. For extra nostalgia, try three scoops of the shop's house-made ice cream in a banana split, which can be topped with a variety of sauces — strawberry and caramel are always winners — and toppings such as gummy bears, tiny M&Ms and, of course, whipped cream and a cherry. Yes, there are sprinkles in both chocolate and rainbow, which might as well be a flavor."

"Two Asheville social workers started Ultimate Ice Cream as a way to spread happiness in the community. Owners Kevin and Lucia Barnes have kept philanthropy in mind with programs such as the Flavor of the Month program in which a portion of sales benefits a different area non-profit organization each month. They are also known for their “Random Acts of Ice Cream” when they show up seemingly out of nowhere to serve free ice cream to people in the community."

"A post shared by Maranda (@marandaaaaa23) on Aug 10, 2018 at 6:58am PDT. After a day of exploring downtown Asheville, savor the house-made gelatos and sorbettos at Asheville Chocolate in downtown. The shop serves classic Italian flavors such as Stracciatella Gelato and Lemon Sorbetto alongside its own creations such as Smore’s Gelato and Blueberry Lavender Sorbetto."

"Hours: Sunday & Monday 12pm-6pm, Wednesday & Thursday 10am-10pm and Friday & Saturday 10am-11pm (Closed Tuesdays). (formerly Chocolate Gems) offers handcrafted truffles, local gelato and decadent drinks. https://www.avlchocolate.com"