Best Arts and Culture Places in Blue Ridge Mountains

"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."

"The Folk Art Center in east Asheville showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians. Guests may browse the Eastern National bookstore, Blue Ridge Parkway information desk, three art galleries, a library, and a craft shop. Don’t miss the fascinating live craft demonstrations offered daily in the lobby!"

"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 Black Mountain College was once a central artists’ hub in Asheville, where thinkers and creatives – many of them famous – would go to learn, experiment, and make. It was created thanks to John Andrew Rice, who had been dismissed from his Florida teaching spot in an allegedly unjust manner. This drove him to want to create his own school."

"See historic and contemporary art exhibits at the two-floor Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center in downtown Asheville. Rotating exhibitions are on display for about four months at a time. The museum serves to preserve and continue the legacy of the innovative Black Mountain College."

"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 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."

"Sitting atop downtown with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains is famed Grove Park Inn, a luxury mountain resort built soon after the completion of the Biltmore Estate. Behind the resort, the Vanderbilts founded an arts and crafts hub that now features an antique car museum, working artists studios, and restaurant. Grovewood Village, 111 Grovewood Road, Adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, USA, +1 828 253 7651"

"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"

"Asheville’s premier ceramics studio, gallery, and pottery school, the Odyssey Center was founded on the idea that everyone has creative potential that can be enhanced by a strong community and challenging instruction. Their ClayWorks Gallery is among the largest Asheville NC art galleries, featuring pottery and ceramic sculptures by instructors, resident artists, studio assistants, and students alike. Resident artists include Anne Jerman, whose wheel-thrown and hand-built Raku pottery pieces combine the whimsical, functional, and decorative wonderfully, with a strong nature influence."

"Olive Garden offers a variety of delicious Italian specialties for lunch, dinner or take out. Enjoy our freshly baked garlic breadsticks and your choice of homemade soup or salad with any entree. Hours:Closed todayMon: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMTue: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMWed: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMThu: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PMSat: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PMSun: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM"

"Everyone is very friendly and patient (we have small children). Server was very helpful on providing information on the dishes so…"

"With the Western North Carolina Farmer's Market right next door, it's no wonder Moose Cafe features fresh, local vegetables daily. Their menu of home-cooked, southern-style comfort food has earned them a reputation as a place where the locals go to eat. Their popularity has even earned them a feature in Southern Living Magazine."

"The Moose Cafe is the place to go if you are seeking a traditional Southern country style restaurant. Think Cracker Barrel. The ambiance is cozy and casual- perfect for anyone seeking a laid-back dining experience."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Moose Cafe (@therealmoosecafe)"

"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!"

"You will find all the traditional flavors you love and some newer, fun flavors, like cinnamon bun, dreamsicle, and green apple. There are dipped cones and more toppings than you can count, so that you can create your own original ice cream masterpiece!. This place also makes homemade nostalgic desserts, such as funnel cakes, beignets, shaved ice, and much more!"

"A post shared by Asheville Eats & Drinks🍻🌮🔥 (@ashevilleeatss). 10th Muse Comfort Foods offers caffeine, donuts and ice cream at their shop on Patton Avenue west of downtown Asheville. You'll love their amazing creations including bubble waffle ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, funnel cakes, fried oreos and coffee latte shakes."

"The Asheville location of this regional hand-mixed ice cream chain is conveniently located on Biltmore Ave. (The main drag through downtown Asheville.). Here, Marble Slab Creamery makes small-batch, carnivalesque ice cream with mix-ins, before your very eyes. (It’s like Cold Stone in concept, but it has a much more small-town personality.) This is a good ice cream shop for families with kids."