Annual Fall Festivals, Tours, Shopping, Food & Drink Await Visitors to North Carolina's Hidden Gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains  

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer / Travel Writer

While Asheville, North Carolina is a year-round destination vacation, 'The Paris of the South' or 'The Land of the Sky' is especially welcoming in the fall. Nestled nicely in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is widely considered one of the best mountain cities in America, providing roughly six weeks of autumn colors combined with some of America's most epic views.

Early September through mid November the temperatures in Asheville range between the low 80's to upper 60's during the day respectively, and to around 60 to the lower 50's after sundown. Inclement weather aside, as summer humidity subsides, the fall weather allows for crisp mornings and mild days, ideal to get out and explore greater Asheville, and all it has to offer.

Whether you've visited the Biltmore Estate before, their Luminere experience provides unforgettable moments, especially when shared with friends of family. Although it begins in the spring, with the time change and dusk coming earlier in the day, during the fall Luminere offers breathtaking nightscapes later in the year and for extended time periods.

And because one day isn’t enough, all Luminere tickets include free next day grounds access, allowing first time visitors to totally immerse themselves in Biltmore's expansive property, including their majestic house, renowned gardens, and the village, complete with its own winery. A win win two-fer opportunity. For more on this illuminating event including Biltmore packages visit https://www.biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/luminere/

Approximately 20 miles north-northeast of downtown Asheville along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 364.4) you'll discover Craggy Gardens aka Craggy. A towering 5,892 foot elevation Craggy is where locals gravitate to soak up the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while hiking its namesake Pinnacle Trail.

The family friendly hike is under two miles roundtrip and provides a wealth of sightseeing occasions, winding through a canopy of rhododendron, strong scented sweet birch trees and tall rock cropping, providing one of kind photo ops. Start your exploration at https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/craggy-gardens.htm

Perhaps begin your journey to Craggy by visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, an eco-friendly building featuring information desks, museum quality exhibits, a 22-foot "I-Wall" interactive Parkway map, and a dramatic 25-minute movie about the history, culture and heritage of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Both part of the National Park Service. For the outdoorsy type in your party visit https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/blue-ridge-parkway-visitor-center/

Festival-palozza:

Beyond the incredible array of foliage and with seasonal weather, Asheville offers a plethora of fall festivals that appeal to a wide variety of visitors. Whether you fancy food & beverage, craft beer & wine, alternative music, arts & crafts, ethnic themed events or culture, Asheville has a festival tailored to accommodate, with several taking place in September and October.

Held twice yearly including mid July and mid October the nationally recognized Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is one of Asheville's premier festivals, with its beginnings dating back nearly a century ago. Hosted by the Southern Highland Craft Guild the four day event showcases contemporary fine craft, bringing together more than 100 professional artists whose work reflects both deep tradition and bold innovation.

The artisans assembled offer a wide spectrum of unique craftmanship. Visitors encounter sculptural ceramics, architectural wood forms, conceptual metalwork, contemporary fiber installations, statement jewelry, mixed media, glass, and more, with works bridging traditional skills merged with modern artistic vision.

The twice annual Craft Fair is preserving Asheville's rich creative heritage. The 2026 fall event takes place Oct 15th-18th at Harrah’s Cherokee Center 87 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. For more on the festival visit https://southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair/

Held Labor Day weekend, the Boomtown Arts & Heritage FestAVL, featuring Asheville Symphony in The Park & The Big Secret on Sunday, September the 6th is held in Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville. The three day event brings together artists, musicians, and storytellers, creating an immersive experience that highlights the city's diverse cultural tapestry.

With main stage performances, interactive workshops, heritage exhibits, and trail tours that highlight Asheville's architectural marvels, as well as their pioneering figures, the 2026's third annual event is quickly becoming the gem of the city's yearly festivals. Bridging the past with today at https://www.boomtownfestavl.com/

If you want a glimpse of Norman Rockwell's small town USA, than journey 15 minutes northwest on I-26 and check out tiny Weaverville, where they host Art in Autumn each September. The annual festival assembles more than 100 artists from around the southeast as they sprawl along Main Street.

Not surprisingly Weaverville is home to several local artists. Their 2026 festival runs 10am-6pm on Saturday Sept 19th and includes live music throughout the day. Soak up this small town and embrace their artistic spirit for a day at https://visitweaverville.com/events/art-in-autumn//

Black Mountain NC and their namesake Blues Society is the official home of blues music in western North Carolina. Each and every year (usually late Sept) they host a three day weekend blues experience at the famed White Horse Black Mountain venue (105c Montreat Rd).

A 501(c)(3) organization, Black Mountain Blues Society's mission is to preserve, celebrate, and grow the tradition of blues music in Western North Carolina through education, outreach, and direct artist support. The 2026 event takes place the weekend of September 25th. For more on the experience or their rotating blues artists visit https://blackmountainblues.org/

Just minutes from downtown Asheville the much celebrated Omni Grove Park Inn revisits the roaring twenties as they play host to Gin & Jazz, a great Gatsby themed event complete with a buffet style dinner, cocktails, and dancing. The festive Gin & Jazz gala commemorates F. Scott Fitzgerald's birthday with the 2026 party happening Sept 25th.

Guests are encouraged to dress in their best vintage attire. So pull out your flapper dresses, sharp suits, feathered headpieces and boas and take a trip back in time. Details and tickets at https://www.exploreasheville.com/asheville/events/gin-jazz-2026

Depending on when you visit Asheville, the Grove Park Inn host a couple of fall holiday themed activities. If you're one of many adults who embrace All Hallows' Eve' than you might want to take part in their Pink Lady Party, a Halloween-themed celebration featuring tarot readings, specialty cocktails, and small plates set at the backdrop of Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar. The 2026 party takes place Thurs Oct 29th.

Want to excite your family ahead of the year ending holiday season, than be sure to visit during their National Gingerbread House Competition Display, which runs November 17th through Jan 3rd 2027. What began as a small display back in 1992 has grown into a nationally recognized competition at Grove Park Inn. For all their seasonal events and activities visit https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/things-to-do#page-1

Staying Close to Everything:

If you want to stay in the heartbeat of downtown Asheville, a stones throw to just about everything and anything you might want to do, than I suggest staying at the Cambria Hotel, a totally smoke-free 12-story, upscale boutique hotel located at 15 Page Avenue, directly across from the historic Grove Arcade.

Without question the Cambria checks all the right hospitality boxes, featuring 136 loft-inspired modern rooms and suites, a 24-hour fitness center, and for corporate outings 10K sq.ft of meeting and event space. And here's a real kicker, each floor has its own ice machine. So, so cool (pun intended). Check in  at https://www.cambriadowntownasheville.com/

While the Cambria is easily within walking distance to countless restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, their onsite rooftop dining spot 'Hemingway’s Cuba Rooftop', serves up Cuban cuisine and craft cocktails with exceptional Blue Ridge Mountain views. Their food is so authentic and original that Big 7 Travel in North Carolina ranked them the best in the Tarheel state.

Featuring an indoor lounge and 4,000-sg.ft. outdoor rooftop terrace, Hemingway's offers up authentic Cuban food combined with tropical craft cocktails, as well as sweeping unobstructed views of downtown Asheville alongside broad scale landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their authentic classic menu features empanadas, tostones, El Cubano sandwiches, ropa vieja, and vaca frita, alongside traditional Cuban daiquiris.

Serving breakfast, weekend brunch, and dinner on a daily basis, Hemingway's offers up a vibrant slice of Havana in Asheville. Their eclectic food and beverage menu reflects favorites from haunts Ernest Hemingway patronized in Cuba, like La Floridita, a historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar in the older part of Havana.

Hemingway's exterior section features outdoor fire pits for cooler evenings and repurposed greenhouse cabanas during the winter months. Now that's forward thinking. Open weekdays 7-10am with extended Sat & Sun brunch hours until 1pm. Dinner hours are 5-9pm Sun through Thurs, serving until 10pm Fri & Sat, with the bar open until 11pm. Savor the taste of Cuba at https://www.hemingwayscuba.com/

After taking a hit from Hurricane Helene in 2024, Andaaz, Asheville's premier destination for authentic Indian cuisine is back in downtown. While not part of the Cambria Hotel chain, the street level restaurant is adjacent to their lobby and carry fine Indian food in a casual setting. Aside from a delectable lunch buffet they serve up biryani, fresh baked Indian flatbreads, vegetarian entrees. Open Table declared Andaaz among the 10 Best eateries in Asheville. Discover for yourself at https://www.andaazasheville.com/

Additionally, the Cambria is a sister hotel (right next door) to the Haywood Park Hotel, a century old historic 48-room boutique property housed in the landmark 1923 Bon Marché building, featuring some of the city's largest oversized suites (ranging from 475 to 1,200 sq. ft.) and offering complimentary champagne upon arrival (as does the Cambria). To experience luxury combined with history visit https://www.haywoodpark.com/

Eats: Edible Additional Tourist Spots! or Edible Asheville Touristy Spots!

Without a doubt Asheville is easily North Carolina's most artsy and progressive city. While most of the shops and specialized boutiques shut their doors around 6pm, the food & beverage community, as well as the entertainment industry aka nightlife thrive after sunset.

Much like Charleston SC, Asheville offers a cornucopia of restaurants catering to a variety of tastes and credit cards. However, aside from a few, most are what patrons consider affordable. Whatever you crave, whether it's Asian, Indian, Vegetarian, Italian, BBQ, and American comfort food, as well as any number of local coffee shops, visitors are in for a real treat.

Perhaps the ideal way to immerse yourself in Asheville's food scene is by taking Asheville Food Tours Brunch Tour, offered up Saturdays beginning at 11am. When mother nature cooperates the two mile loop coupled with snippets of Asheville history make treks between the participating restaurants enjoyable.

As you saunter through the city's historic district you'll pop into no less than seven eateries, each showcasing one of their preferred menu items complemented with a signature cocktail. If you're blessed you'll be among the few to have Sarah as your tour guide. By definition she's a native, not to mention she's charming, whimsical, and equally entrenched in Asheville's food & beverage community.

Some of the few notables on the brunch tour include Twisted Laurel's Square Mushroom Pizza with its twice baked crust. Think mushroom quiche meets cheesy deep dish and you have their Square Mushroom Pizza. Delicioso! Say hello to partner and GM Vince Charbonnea or Chef Tom LaFauci (Jersey boy) when you come in to 130 College Street for pizza, pasta or any of their 24 beers on tap. https://twistedlaureldowntownasheville.com/

The Blackbird Restaurant is a local favorite. Located at 47 Biltmore Ave, Blackbird is among the few Asheville eateries that serve brunch seven days a week (mind blowing I know). The chef owned eatery combines upscale new American cuisine infused with southern traditions, using regionally sourced ingredients. Blackbird specialize in farm to table dishes coupled with incredible local micro-brews, specialty cocktails, and great wines from around the world. Catch the culinary vibe at https://theblackbirdrestaurant.com/

Want to check into your inner bohemian, maybe experience the 'cosmic hippy love tacos' offered up at White Duck Taco (12 Biltmore Ave), where tacos are bill't different. For one of a kind tacos and a 'flockin' good time' flock on over to https://whiteducktacoshop.com

Jazmin Pan Asian offer up a variety of bold Asian influenced menu items including a killer Beef Siu Mai Dumpling and a Vegetable Potsticker served with a refreshing Passionfruit Citrus Spritz. Begin your international Asian cuisine journey at https://www.jazminasheville.com/

Housed inside the former S&W Cafeteria (circa 1929), the art deco building at 56 Patton Avenue is now home to S&W Market. While the exterior and interior reflect its early 20th century beginnings, the two story food hall is home to eight uniquely different food & beverage businesses. The second story supports The Times Bar and overflow seating, all overlooking the seven remaining eateries. 

Among the fray are Baba Nahm recognized for their fresh take on Mediterranean street food, and Periscope focusing on craft cocktails and organic wines. Both part of the brunch food tour. Additionally S&W Market offers up Farm Dogs, a sister restaurant to Farm Burger (down the street) where they serve up grass-fed sausages and hotdogs alongside locally made pretzels. Ranked among the Top Ten Best Food Halls in America. Surround yourself in their independent spirit and rich hospitality at https://swmarketavl.com/

To feast on any of Asheville Food Tour's three specialized three hour tours visit their website at https://ashevillefoodtours.com/

Growing up in northern New Jersey during the 1960's and 70's I was blessed to surrounded by countless pizzerias serving up original NY style thin crust pizza. Wherever my travels take me I'm driven to locate the best place to find such. If you in downtown Asheville I recommend Birdie's Pizza at 27 Biltmore Avenue. You can sense the authenticity when you step inside Birdie's. There's a certain pizzeria smell that wafts through the air, and the fact that they serve pizza by the slice denotes a NY staple.

Owned and operated by Justin and Christine, and named after their oldest daughter, the couple opened up Birdie's in 2025 not only as a love letter to great food and good people, but furthermore as a new 'old school pizzeria' in the heart of downtown Asheville. Fresh, local, yet always changing at https://birdiespizza.com/

Have a hankering for genuine Italian food? Locals agree there are three places they primarily gravitate to for authenticity, with The Luminosa in the Flat Iron Hotel which was awarded a prestigious Michelin Green Star and a Bib Gourmand recognition in the inaugural 2025 Michelin Guide for the American South, and Strada Italian both located in the immediate downtown area.

However, if your seeking an Italian meal offering a comforting vibe surrounded by a traditional neighborhood, than venture five minutes north of downtown to Original Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian at 641 Merrimon Ave, where they serve up homemade pasta, classic comfort dishes, and martinis in a warm, festive atmosphere. Often rated #1 (15 years running) in greater Asheville, owner and chef Eric Scheffer carried his Brooklyn and Long Island heritage with him, opening Vinnie's in 2010 after realizing the city had no authentic 'Old-School New York Italian' style restaurants.

Open daily for dinner only at 4:30pm, Original Vinnie's serves up individual plates and or family style servings of insalata (salads), pasta and specialty dishes, along with antipasta, and preferred Italian classics. Going full tilt at dinner, maybe start your meal with their House Made Focaccia drenched in whipped ricotta and olive oil or Uncle Sal's favorite Meatballs Marinara, following the appetizer with either Vinnie's Caesar or Greek salad. Your halfway there!

Going really old school, try Aunt Stella’s recipe for Spaghetti with 'Sunday Gravy', ideally prepared Al dente pasta swirled in a melange of sweet Italian sausage and meatballs in Vinnie's signature marinara. Delizioso! Vinnie's Twice-Baked Meat Lasagna is listed as perfezione, meaning it's flawless and made to taste perfection. It would make your Italian grandmother cry tears of joy. Damn straight they complete each dinner with your choice of NY Ricotta Cheesecake, Tiramisu, or "Leave the gun, take the cannoli!" Italian desserts. 

Couple your meal with a variety of mostly Italian wines, as well as regional beers, and specialty cocktails including the Bada Bing, a blend of Tito’s vodka, cherry dram, ginger beer, and lemon. Tangy and refreshing. Regular visitors to Asheville might want to join their 'Goombah Club'. Vinnie's offers a second location south of downtown at 1981 Hendersonville. To savor before you go visit
https://vinniesitalian.com/

Dining With An Extreme View:

Situated beautifully on a slope of Sunset Mountain 10 minutes northeast of downtown in perhaps Asheville's most upscale neighborhood you'll come across the Grove Park Inn. Modeled after Yellowstone's historic Old Faithful Inn, the 113 year old massive stone building sits amid 150 acres, adorned with an 18 hole golf course, a renowned subterranean spa, and nine tennis courts.

Whether you stay at the Grove Park Inn or not their 10 restaurants are among the city's most regarded dining destinations, where luminaries including world famous authors, orators, and U.S. presidents have been known to dine. Not surprisingly they all provide spectacular vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Just off the main lobby sits Grove Park's Sunset Terrace, which allows the most optimal panoramic view of the inn's sprawling property, not to mention a diverse lunch and dinner menu, carrying an array of fresh seafood, poultry, and the finest hand-cut steaks, alongside American classics.

Regardless if you're a connoisseur of just love to eat well, Sunset Terrace is certified 'FSA' (not a real org.) for 'food, service, & ambiance'. However on a positive note, they are actually rated 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor for the very same reasons. While the menu changes to accommodate the seasons, there are a few mainstays offered year round.

If you and your group care to share some starters, you can't go wrong with Pimento Cheese Scones served with a zesty pepper jam and whipped butter or
their Deviled Eggs topped with trout roe and baby herbs. Nice way to arouse your taste-buds.

Their Sunburst Trout served over a bed of Carolina gold rice, shaved Brussels sprouts, and a lemon-butter sauce makes for an exhilarating and colorful meal, as does the Wagyu Burger, adorned with arugula, crispy pickled onions, aged cheddar, Lusty Monk aioli (popular NC artisan stone-ground mustard base),
served on a brioche bun.

Maybe save room for some Chocolate Creme Brûlée or creamy Strawberry Hibiscus Cheesecake. No matter what time of day or what Grove Park Inn dining establishment you can be certain the kitchen is run by some of the best chefs in the country. Indulge yourself here before you decide at where to dine at https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining

Speaking of Speakeasys:

Like most progressive cities with a long adult beverage history, Asheville has its share of speakeasys aka hidden bars. The term became popular during the mid 1920's Prohibition era when patrons had to whisper quietly in secret locations when ordering drinks, so as not to attract attention from the police. While alcohol is legal today for those 21 and older, several yesteryear speakeasys thrive in downtown Asheville. 

Perhaps the most iconic is the Red Ribbon Society located in the boiler room basement of the historic The Flat Iron Hotel at 20 Battery Park Avenue. With its swanky velvet, quaint bar, and detailed brass, Red Ribbon's underground hideaway carries an intimate and romantic flair. Find downtown's most secluded gathering online at https://ashevilleflatiron.com/red-ribbon-society/

Pouring up some 800 whiskeys and over 1,200 spirits, including many rare and out of production bottles the Crow & the Quill Cocktail & Whiskey Bar at 106 N. Lexington has been luring late-nighters since 2014. Should the student want to become the master, Crow & the Quill provide cocktail classes as well as private tastings. Somewhat hard to find, look for the lanterns and '106' over the door or visit their online portal first at https://www.thecrowandquill.com/

Another popular speakeasy the Pulp Bourbon Lounge (101 Biltmore Ave) is hidden beneath the Orange Peel, one of Asheville's most popular live music venues. While more expansive than most, Pulp still carries an old-timey décor and comfortable lounge seating and pours over 550 different bourbons. Patrons can enjoy comedy shows, big band & blues records courtesy of their Vinyl Station, or live video and audio on TV from the shows taking place upstairs. Squeeze the Pulp at https://theorangepeel.net/what-is-pulp/

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth:

Located in the S&W Market, Hop Ice Cream has been an Asheville institution since 1978 scooping up homemade dairy and vegan ice creams, classic milkshakes, sundaes, desserts, and made-from-scratch waffle cones, often featuring local ingredients. Get the scoop early at https://hopicecreamnc.com/

Local chocolate lovers usually rally around one of three downtown destinations. French Broad Chocolate Lounge at 10 South Pack Square serves up artisanal bean-to-bar confections made from their factory at 821 Riverside Drive, which also offers chocolate making tours. https://frenchbroadchocolates.com/

Located at 25 Broadway Street Asheville Chocolate specialize in small-batch, handmade artisan chocolates, rich truffles, and house-made ganache hot chocolate, as well as gelato, coffee, and espresso drinks to complement their fresh baked brownies, cookies, and cakes. They even offer chocolate classes. When in doubt cover it in chocolate at https://www.avlchocolate.com/

Open since 1986 The Chocolate Fetish is known for their award winning European style chocolate shop and and artisanal molded treats such as high heel chocolates. Their hand-dipped signature truffles are all the rage and include Ecstasy, America’s Best, Velvet Sin, and Dragon's Kiss. Hell yes you can tour and taste. For Local, luscious, and legendary chocolates pop in 36 Haywood Street or https://www.chocolatefetish.com/

Super Fun & Wacky:

Known for their bright purple buses and entertaining, theatrical city tours, LaZoom Asheville is the city's extremely popular, comedic sightseeing bus tour. LaZoom offers a good mix of comedy, history, and local culture, including ghost tours and beer tours. Enjoy their kid-friendly 'Lil' Boogers' tour, specifically designed for families with young children, with 'The Hey Asheville Tour' catering to the slightly older crowd.

Along your 90 minute 'Hey Asheville Tour' you'll enjoy sketch comedy complete with hop-ons by nun other (pun intended) than Sister Hairy Mary or Buzz the Bee looking to pollenate while humming about. LaZoom's Rainbow character drops by hoping to add some color to the mobile adventure. If you're further blessed you'll have larger than life personality Cookie with her trademark flashy and energetic style as your comedy tour guide. "Look at that dog."

Tours depart from the LaZoom Room at 76 Biltmore Avenue which doubles as a bar and event venue regularly hosting karaoke, stand-up comedy, and live events. Get on the bus and trolley and experience Asheville's greatest show on wheels at https://www.lazoomtours.com/

While you can enjoy an adult beverage at LaZoom's lounge and carry them aboard, midway thru the tour they make a stop at Greenman Brewery, one of Asheville's oldest and most iconic craft breweries and a nice bathroom break. Located at 27 Buxton Ave Greenman's taproom feels like a classic British pub with a covered outdoor patio on the top floor.

Serving the local beer community since 1997, and specializing in traditional English-style ales alongside creative modern craft brews, Greenman's British-style Porter is a robust dark, full-bodied craft brew delivering a creamy mouthfeel with smooth chocolate and caramel finishes. Their namesake tart and crisp IPA is a kettle soured pilsner and wheat malt. For all they offer including Dirty Jack's and Green Mansion events visit https://www.greenmanbrewery.com/

For fans of yesteryear or the oddball, Asheville is home to some of the quirkiest museums in the country. Vintage gamers might find the Asheville Pinball Museum of interest, where they invite you to 'party like it's 1979'. For just $17 per person you can play as long as like, enjoying 40 vintage pinball machines and another 40 classic arcade games until your flipper finger gets tired or your brain tilts (pun intended).

While hardcore historians can date various pinball machines back to the 1800's, coin operated electrical machines debuted in gaming halls and arcades during the 1930's in Chicago, Los Angeles, and along the Jersey shore, with Bally and eventually Williams becoming the prominent manufacturers.

The Asheville Pinball Museum not only carry vintage machines to play, but they provide the history of almost all of the machines on display. The owner T.C. Di Bella indulges in childhood nostalgia, with an endless array of yesteryear toys and figurines on display. He knows a thing or two about setting up an arcade, cleverly painting the ceiling black so it cuts down the glare on the machines, making it easier to see the ball. 

T.C. is like the really cool kid you hang out with in school, because his parents had really cool games to play in the cellar. No surprise they get super busy on rainy days. Located at 1 Battle Square downtown. Are you still a pinball wizard? Before it's game over visit https://ashevillepinball.com/ to plan your game day adventure.

Shopping Local:

Although there are a few national brands strewn among the downtown area, Asheville's shopping district is undeniably made up of local businesses, with several of them one of kind boutiques. Whether you're searching for antiques, vintage jewelry, clothing, or Asheville collectibles, the city offers a good mix.

Open for over three decades Lexington Park Antiques covers over 25K sq.ft. at 65 W Walnut St. 90 independent vendors offer up an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, furniture, glassware, and collectibles. Great place to pick up Coca Cola and Pepsi memorabilia, as well as Precious Moments figurines, Christmas village pieces, as well as yesteryear signs, records, books, knickknacks,and more.

Looking to add to your art collection than maybe check out the Kress Emporium (19 Patton Ave) or Woolworth Walk (25 Haywood St), both home to local artisans, with the latter housing a former yesteryear luncheonette counter and soda fountain. Worth the walk at https://www.woolworthwalk.com/

With five separate entrances including side streets, Tops For Shoes at 27 North Lexington Ave is easily the one of the largest shoe stores in NC if not the southeast. The family owned business covering 30K sq.ft. focuses on unique, high-quality, and niche brands alongside popular names like Birkenstock, Aetrex, and Steve Madden, as well athletic shoes, purses, handbags, and foot-care items for women, men, and children. Shop at https://www.topsforshoes.com/

Want to shop five really cool shops centered around the Cambria and Haywood Park Hotels? When Pigz Fly, a quirky retail and gift shop, and Charmed Boutique, a budget-friendly casual women’s fashion and accessories store are located at 46 Haywood St. in a covered center court area between the two hotels with access from the street. Located just across the way at 32 Battery Ave, independently owned and operated Indigo Sun sells bohemian apparel and local art. Fresh and fun styles at https://www.indigosun.shop/

Better yet, all are female owned businesses, as is Asheville Charcuterie Co., an eclectic shop providing made to order grab-and-go charcuterie boxes, custom boards, grazing tables, local wine, mimosas, and event hosting. Super cool. Snack with your eyes before you go at https://www.avlcharcuterieco.com/

Two doors down at 29 Page Ave Samuel Garner owns and operates CraftedEdge, a family-run knifemaking studio and kitchen shop catering to professional chefs and home cooks, offering one of kind handmade cutlery, knife sharpening, cast iron restoration, and cutting boards, as well as local wood, ceramic, and metal kitchen goods. Forge ahead at https://www.ashevillecraftededge.com/

And all of aforementioned shops are across the street from Asheville's famed Grove Arcade, a century old neo-gothic landmark designed as one of America's first indoor shopping malls. Today the Grove Arcade is a multi-purpose hub for business, shopping,  dining, and living. Their welcome mat is open at .https://grovearcade.com/

In Closing:

Asheville, North Carolina just might be one of coolest small cities in the country, and easily is among the coolest in the southeast. It's modern but has history. It's progressive but with character. If you love art, craft breweries, and good food, Asheville has it. The city and the surrounding area offers something for everyone. Whether you love to eat, drink, shop, hike, go antiquing, or become the pinball wizard in your group, Asheville awaits you. There's always a first time visit to the Biltmore Estate.

If you've never imagined visiting Asheville, put it on your bucket list, especially if you live anywhere in the southeast. Maybe visit in the spring when the flowers are popping or in the fall when the leaves are turning. The weather is warm and mild, and although it's hot in the summertime with bouts of humidity, with the mountains as a backdrop it doesn't get as humid as it does on the coast.

For more on this amazing city sitting proudly among the Blue Ridge Mountains, including additional museums and places to eat visit my previous Asheville travel piece at https://charleston.com/charleston-insider/arts-culture/discover-the-beauty-mystique-of-asheville-nc

The festivals and events listed reflect the 2026 calendar, but are annual Asheville happenings. For more of the five S's (sights, sounds, seasons, stays, & specials) Asheville has to offer visit their official tourism site at https://www.exploreasheville.com/