Eclectic Blue Ridge Mountain Downtown - Asheville

Cute Downtowns

Jan 28

Written By Kevin Durst

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Asheville, North Carolina

I did not know a whole lot about Asheville before visiting. I was brought to the area to visit nearby Biltmore (see blog His Home Was His Castle - Biltmore ) so I had no expectations. So I was pleasantly surprised to find a cool downtown with history, interesting architecture and an artsy edge. Located in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a very walkable town. The city has many restaurants, shops, breweries and don’t forget to check out the beautiful Art Deco Kress and Woolworth buildings, both former department stores with works of many artists.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

One of the Urban Trails’ stations is a sculpture called “Shopping Daze” by Tesla and Dan Howachyn. Urban Trail is a walking tour of Asheville’s quirky and interesting history.

Hats and shawls displayed in Grove Arcade

Opened in 1929 by E.W. Grove, Grove Arcade was built with ornate architecture.

1 Battle Square was originally called the Battery Park Hotel, and was built in 1924 by Edwin W Grove.

Omni Park Grove Hotel (Grove Park) is an arts and craft style hotel reflecting the rustic charm of the Blue Ridge Mountain area. It was built in 1913 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has been the host to 10 U.S. Presidents: Taft, Wilson, Coolidge, Hoover, Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Nixon, Bush, Clinton and Obama.

The Mountain View from the Omni Grove Park Hotel

S & W Cafeteria Building was designed by Douglas Ellington and built in 1929 in the Art Deco Style.

Funky vintage storefront window Downtown

Another Urban Trail stop, completed in 1909 and designed by Rafael Gustavino, the Basilica of St Lawrence offers self-guided tours.

A vintage-style advertisement promotes the Edwin Wiley Grove’s vision for Grove arcade.

Former factory buildings house artists’ studios.

Urban Street Art Murals in River Arts District

The stone details of the Drhumor Building were carved by Frederick B. Miles.

There is no shortage of restaurants. Mayfel’s brings a bit of the Bayou.

The beautiful Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village was conceived and funded by George Vanderbilt of the nearby Biltmore Estate.

Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village was built to look old but was completed in 2009.

The city has many options to offer - from a Pinball Museum to a self-guided urban trail, to the Grove Arcade. The Arcade, built in the late 1920’s, is a historic building and was one of the most elegant of its time. Biltmore Village, which is the former neighborhood for Biltmore Estate workers, has the Grand Bohemian Hotel and beautiful Cathedral of All Souls. You can visit the Art and artists in industrial River Art District. If a beautiful, unobstructed Blue Ridge Mountain and sunset is your thing, head over to the Omni Park Grove Inn, which has been hosting guests since 1913. If antiques are your thing, you will get lost in Lexington Park Antiques. And you never know what is for sale in Finkelstein’s, the oldest pawn shop in North Carolina.

What you should know: