A few years ago while I was living in Asheville, NC, I had the incredible opportunity to work and talk with Southern Living Magazine about living and working in the River Arts District. Although, now a bit outdated, (I no longer live or work in Asheville & some addresses have changed), this article is still relevant and helpful on many levels to the first-time visitor. It acts as a guide to the new explorer as they venture into and out of The River Arts District of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the first time. Click Here
Although my art studio and family home have now moved to a small town just north of Charlotte, I continue to hear from friends, collectors, and followers of my work who reach out to me for advice when they are visiting Asheville for the first time. For this reason, I have taken a moment to update my family-friendly, weekend getaway recommendations below:
???? ARTS
- River Arts District
Begin at Riverview Station and rotate from there…
Start with Akira Satake Ceramics/ Gallery Mugen/ Cafe Yuzu (tell Akira & Cynthia that Nancy says “hello!”) Located at 191 Lyman Street
https://www.riverartsdistrict.com/ – Visit the working studios and galleries of hundreds of artists in the transformed historic industrial neighborhood. See artists at work making new creations, find original artwork and discover the jewel of the mountains in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC.
I miss it there. 🙁
- Grovewood Village (next to Grove Park Inn)
111 Grovewood Rd
This historic site once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of Biltmore Industries, a noteworthy enterprise in the history of American Craft and textiles, founded by Edith Vanderbilt and two inspired teachers, Eleanor Vance, and Charlotte Yale. - Southern Highland Craft Guild
Folk Arts Center https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/ - The Asheville Art Museum
The 2 South Pack Square location is temporarily closed for major construction as they create the new Asheville Art Museum. All the activity at the 2 S. Pack Square location will result in a stunning 21st-century art museum right in the heart of downtown Asheville — a space that will transform lives through art. Current pop-up location is on the slope @ 175 Biltmore Avenue.
???? EATS
- Zambra (tapas)
85 W Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801 - Posana
1 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 - Cúrate (tapas)
13 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 - Salsa’s (no reservations but worth the wait)
6 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 - Plant (Amazing vegan food that even meat eaters will enjoy. Creative all-vegan cuisine, craft beers & biodynamic wines served in a spare, modern setting.)
165 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC - Limones (BEST Caliente Margaritas in the world) + Brunch/Dinner
13 Eagle St, Asheville, NC 28801 - Sunny Point Cafe (Brunch)
626 Haywood Rd
???? EATS + ???? SITES
- The OMNI Grove Park Inn
Blue Ridge Buffet (great for large groups)
290 Macon Avenue - The OMNI Grove Park Inn
Edisons Craft Ales + Kitchen
290 Macon Avenue (Personal favorite. Amazing cocktails and a perfect spot to watch sports while also feeling elegant. Added bonus ⭐️: there is a display of Nancy Hilliard Joyce paintings in and outside of EDISONS as well as other artists throughout this restaurant and property) - The Biltmore House (touristy for a reason)
Deerpark Restaurant, 1 Approach Road
???? BREWS????
- Greenman Brewery
(Family-owned by great friends of mine, a personal favorite) – 27 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 - New Belgium Brewing Company
(Convenient to River Arts District) – 21 Craven St, Asheville, NC 28806 - Battery Park Book Exchange
1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801 - Top of the Monk
92 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
⛰ HIKES + ???? VIEWS
- Craggy Gardens
The Great Craggy Mountains, commonly called the Craggies, are a mountain range in western North Carolina off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I found this to be the most beautiful, family and dog-friendly hike close to Asheville. https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/parkway-maps/
- Arboretum
Both an arboretum and botanical garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, southwest of Asheville, North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is open daily except for Christmas Day.
