The largest city of Western NC with about 95,000 people is known for its high quality restaurants, rich art deco and classical architecture, funky artistic vibe, and pedestrian friendly streets flanked by street performers.
Popular neighborhoods that surround downtown include Town Mountain, UNCA, Five Points, Kenilworth, Montford, and the River Arts District. Central Asheville provides the highly-sought-after combination of downtown living and mountainous views.
Don’t be fooled by the city’s small size, Asheville attracts high quality and world renowned talent in the culinary, music, and art scenes. If you’re ready for some entertainment, head to the Orange Peel, where its small capacity of just over 1000 people makes seeing acts like the Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, and Bassnectar a real intimate experience! Or, stroll the art galleries at First Fridays to see all the amazing local artists, while sipping wine and munching on hor’dourves!
Feeling more hungry and don’t know where to begin?! Consider taking a food tour with Stu Helm, local Food Fan and host of tours with Asheville Food Tours, who’s witty and sometimes provocative commentary on the Asheville food scene has made him a local celebrity. His tours are engaging, educational, funny, and you will be literally stuffed with incredible food!
Stop by Mela’s for their huge weekday Indian buffet, which is a favorite with the local professionals, or head over to Jerusalem Garden for a more mediterranean flair, complete with bellydancing on Friday nights. Curate is an acclaimed tapas bar owned by Katie Button who worked in one of the best restaurants in the world, El Bulli. The lightly fried eggplant drizzled with honey melts in your mouth like butter – highly recommend it! After dining, you’ll need something sweet, so pop over to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, where the line may be around the corner, but it’ll be so worth it as you savor their “liquid truffle.”
The breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape and the fantastic music venues and local restaurants have made Asheville a beacon for tourists who commonly fall in love with the region and become residents. Often referred to as “Paris of the South”, it’s no wonder why Asheville is frequently ranked as one of the best places to live in the country.
