Story: Asheville: A Great Place for the Artistic Mind

Would you like to immerse yourself in culture and art while escaping the confines of the everyday life? How about a vacation on a budget? Sure, it is always nice to travel to exotic locations and bask in the glow of a place far away from your normal hustle and bustle, but what about those of us who are unable to make that a reality? What about those of us with children, strict budgets, and less vacation time than we would like? Asheville, North Carolina offers a unique opportunity to those who want a creative getaway with access to art and culture.

There is no doubt that Asheville is a tourist destination, largely due to the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in the United States, boasting 175,000 square feet, 250 rooms, an indoor pool, bowling alley, and gym. Additionally, Grove Park Inn, Blue Ridge Parkway, and other breath-taking locations afford the creative traveler a nice location to take in the sights.

Yet, the city itself seems to be frequently overlooked. When mentioning my trip to Asheville, very rarely, if at all, did anyone mention the city itself. On the top of the list were the aforementioned tourist spots, yet the city itself also offers up an array of eclectic culture, food, and arts unlike other cities within reach. Labeled as one of America’s Top 25 Art Destinations by American Style magazine, the city bustled with a uniqueness that I have yet to see anywhere else during my travels.

Having parked the car for the weekend, my wife and I ventured out on foot to see all the city had to offer. We both were more than pleased to find such a town in tune with the creative individual. From the frequent and often found gallery space, to the impressively different eateries, Asheville provided us a much needed break from our every day, but also a very inspiring glance into what a town that supports the arts was really like. After enjoying an organic breakfast, we got lost in artist superstore Woolworth Walk. A converted Woolworth’s, this location now houses 2 floors of work by individual artists, many of which sit on a waiting list before being granted access to sell their work inside. We left with a bag full of art and a large whole in our wallet.

Just before lunch, we stopped at one of the music shops and found a band from Vermont outside playing for the passerby’s. They were truly unique, with a style so random that it almost appeared planned, but also seemed to belong to the style and feel the city offered. After treating our ears, I tossed a few bucks into the open guitar case and continued to explore.

On our way to the museum and gallery downtown, we passed by a unique and peaceful demonstration in the public square, which had collected a humble audience, as well as a few photographers wanting to capture some of the same action I did. We wandered around, amazed at the old buildings and mixture of people contained within, snapping photos when and wherever possible.

For dinner, we had planned to unwind and walked passed the Tupelo Honey Café, which had a line formed at the front door to get in. Though not our intended stop, we were naturally intrigued by the line. Come to find out, the doors open at 5:30pm and the entire restaurant is seated at once. After that, an even longer wait ensues for those who were not in the group that initially got seated. A brief wait in the chilled Asheville air was well worth the wonderful food and service inside.

In summary, Asheville was the perfect destination for the artistically minded. The variety of the scenery provides the perfect inspiration for any creative type and their companion. Food for the soul and art for the mind, Asheville was a great place to visit.

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