Best Arts and Culture Places in Lake Lure

"Once on the northbound Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll soon encounter the Folk Art Museum (milepost 382). Stop to see a variety of handicrafts created by mountain people—some from necessity for household jobs, and others for sheer beauty. Travelers who revel in such creations could spend half a day here, while others will be satisfied with a quick look. In either case, leave your camera locked in the car."

"Part gallery, part store, and wholly dedicated to Southern craftsmanship, the superb Folk Art Center stands directly off the Blue Ridge Pkwy, 6 miles east of downtown Asheville. Handcrafted Appalachian chairs..."

"The Folk Art Center is a museum that showcases Appalachian arts and crafts. It is located at milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway."

"This unique art museum celebrates the legacy of Black Mountain College, an experimental 20th-century art university in Western North Carolina. The center features revolving contemporary exhibitions that focus on art from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. In addition, the museum hosts events such as concerts, film screenings, and artist talks."

"The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC) preserves and continues the legacy of educational and artistic innovation of Black Mountain College (BMC)."

"The famed Black Mountain College (1933–57), located 16 miles east of Asheville, was important in the development of several groundbreaking…"

"The Asheville Art Museum focuses on artwork from the 1900s and 2000s, with a particular focus on artwork from Southern Appalachia. In total, the museum’s collection includes more than 600 paintings, 800 drawings, more than 2,000 photographs, and more than 200 sculptures. Beyond the permanent collection, the museum’s rotating exhibitions are pretty cool too."

"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."

"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."

"The museum is home to several vintage automobiles that Harry and his dealership had come to own over time. Highlights to the collection include a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and Asheville?. s own 1921 American LaFrance fire truck."

"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"

"And if you like art, definitely check out Woolworth Walk, a cool gallery and emporium located in the fully-restored downtown Woolworth building."

"Just a few miles from Biltmore is this very different kind of mansion. James McConnell Smith commissioned the house in the 1840s, having it built out of brick. Building with brick was almost unheard of at the time, a signified of his wealth."

"Home of Asheville’s famous “Shindig on the Green” summer bluegrass concert series, Pack Square is a great park right in the heart of downtown Asheville. Even when the concerts are taking place (they start “along about sundown” on Saturday nights), there is still plenty of green space for kids to run around and play. One of my family’s favorite summer weekend activities is to walk around downtown, eat dinner, grab some ice cream, then set up our camp chairs and listen to some good bluegrass music at Pack Square."

"If you are looking for centrally located parks in Asheville, NC, don’t miss Pack Square or the iconic City Hall in the distance. If you are looking for parks in downtown Asheville, don’t miss Park Square. I consider Pack Square exactly that: a public square in the heart of AVL."

"This interactive water feature delights children with its 21 jets of water that run in 12 combinations. You never know where it’s going to splash you next!"

"The man who commissioned the job was Ed Grove himself, a self-made millionaire who had moved to Asheville only a few decades earlier. Upon opening, it became home to local shops and services such as candy stores, cigar shops, barbershops, beauty parlors, specialty grocers, and bookstalls. In World War II, the federal government took over the building and utilized it as part of the effort to win the war due to its size and remote location."

"Another architectural jewel, the unique Grove Arcade combines Art Deco, Italian Renaissance, and Gothic elements. Instead of leveling the foundation, Grove Arcade’s designers decided to follow the natural topography instead, a very noticeable feature when walking the shopping center’s sloping marble hallways. Grove Arcade, 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 252 7799"

"The Grove Arcade was one of the first indoor shopping malls in all of the country, which makes it a unique mix of historical and fun on this list of places to go in the city of Asheville. Like many spots in this North Carolina city, it has existed for almost a century. Better yet, it has something for everyone."

"One of the reasons why Asheville has a lively vibe is thanks to the city’s talented buskers. From 10 am to 10 pm most days, a variety of musicians create Asheville’s soundtrack. One of the city’s most famous buskers is Abby the Spoon Lady, one of the few professional spoon players in America."

"If you stayed in the River Arts District or headed to South Slope for a brewery visit, then I'd recommend going to Buxton Hall Barbecue for dinner. This BBQ spot in South Slope is run by James Beard Nominee Elliott Moss, and serves up true Carolina barbecue in an airy space with an open kitchen. They smoke whole hogs, and I swear their pulled pork was some of the best I've ever eaten!"

"There are so many things I love about Buxton Hall BBQ. The location is right downtown close to a bunch of breweries, which is perfect if you want to grab lunch before, after, or during your brewery crawl. The building is an old warehouse that they turned into a huge open space dining area with an industrial chic vibe. The fried chicken sandwich is the best in town."

"Some of Asheville’s most famous BBQ restaurants include Buxton Hall BBQ or Luella’s Bar-B-Que. North Carolinians will argue that their BBQ is the best in the world, so if you’re from out of state, you really can’t miss this regional delight."