One of the best things about a place like downtown Asheville, NC, is that there’s so much to do that if you were to ask ten different people about their favorite thing to do in the city, you would get ten different answers. Depending on where you’re from, you might be thinking, “well…yeah, duh.”
But I grew up in a town with one road and three streetlights and no matter who you were talking to, their answer would be the beach. And sure, the beach is wonderful, but that’s not the entire reason everyone’s answer is the same. It’s also because there’s absolutely nothing else there.
So while I’m aware that Asheville is on the small side in terms of cities, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the seemingly never-ending list of outdoor activities, restaurants, breweries, museums, and other attractions is kind of amazing.
Now, some people come here for the craft beer alone. There are about 30 breweries sprinkled around the downtown area and beyond, and every single one serves delicious drinks. So if your goal is to sample as many as possible while you’re here, I wish you luck.
That said, because there are so many incredible breweries, bars, restaurants, and places to get truly mind-blowing snacks, I’m not going to include any of them here.
Instead, I’m going to tell you about my favorite things to do in downtown Asheville, NC between my stops for donuts and ice cream sandwiches and artisanal potato chips and beer. If you want to read about those things, I guess you’ll just have to check out another article or two. Can you feel me smirking mischievously at you right now? Because I am.
Alright, now that you know what you’re in for, let’s get started!
Urban Trail
Okay, okay. So technically, this doesn’t fit the category of “indoor activity” – but hear me out! One of my favorite things to do in downtown Asheville, and what I recommend doing if you’ve never been before, is to just explore.
Asheville is an amazing, vibrant city and, to me, there’s really nothing better than taking it in without any real rhyme or reason. Wandering around, stepping into shops as they catch your eye, and stumbling upon breathtaking architecture, murals, statues, rock walls, buskers, and fairy houses along the way makes the experience all the more enchanting and fun.
But if you’ve never been to Asheville before, walking aimlessly can be a little intimidating. Luckily, the Urban Trail has you covered!
Rather than a hiking trail that takes you through a forest to a mountain peak, this casual “trail” takes you through many of the wonders that downtown Asheville has to offer. As you walk, 30 sculptural trail stations guide your path while giving you the chance to learn the history of this incredible mountain town.
Urban Trail FAQ
| Admission Fee? | Free! |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes |
| Hours of Operation? | 24/7 |
Trail Location
Woolworth Walk
A pre-war building overflowing with historical charm? Check.
Two floors furnished with stunning artwork, each piece created by shockingly talented local craftsmen? Check.
An old-fashioned diner inside that fills the entire building with the smell of breakfast as you browse? Check.
Classic tunes that make you want to dance through the exhibits rather than walk? Check.
I mean, really, what more could you ask for?
For me, Woolworth Walk is far and away the best thing to do in downtown Asheville. It doesn’t matter what I came downtown to do. Even if I just stopped by for a quick slice of pizza, I will go out of my way to roam through Woolworth Walk.
That four-item checklist above is enticement enough, but they’re not the only reasons I’m drawn to the building. Maybe this sounds cheesy, but walking through the sea of paintings, sculptures, misshapen dolls (my absolute favorite), and other works of art fills me with an enormous sense of pride in my city.
Sure, I didn’t make the art. But my neighbors did. And knowing that I’m surrounded by such incredible, gifted people is truly a magical thing.
Oh, did I mention that it’s Asheville’s largest art gallery? A visit to Woolworth Walk is a must, trust me.
Woolworth Walk FAQ
| Admission Fee? | Free! |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes (Though some might find it boring) |
| Hours of Operation? | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM 7 Days a Week |
Woolworth Walk Location
Asheville Pinball Museum
Whether you’re an arcade enthusiast, looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, or have simply always wondered what a building filled with pinball machines would look like, the Asheville Pinball Museum is the place for you.
Now, the name “Pinball Museum” might bring to mind thoughts of eccentric attractions like The World’s Only Corn Palace. And while a 70-foot tall palatial structure full of murals made of corn is certainly…unique…I can assure you that the Pinball Museum is much more fun.
(The Corn Palace is actually pretty impressive, albeit a bit bizarre, and well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Mitchell, South Dakota)
Though there’s plenty of memorabilia and antique machines to admire, as you would expect from a museum, there are also over 30 playable pinball machines, buttons waiting to be mashed. And it’s Asheville, of course, and no day of fun is complete without beer and snacks, which is why both are available to you while you play.
As you plan your downtown adventure, keep in mind that this is a popular attraction. To prevent over-crowding and ensure that everyone has a chance to play and explore, there’s a cap on the number of visitors allowed into the museum.
If you visit at a particularly busy time, you’ll have the option to be placed on a waiting list and called when there’s room available. To avoid this, don’t visit the museum during holidays or weekends. And, as the museum suggests, remember that you might think it would make a fun activity for a rainy day – but so does everyone else!
Asheville Pinball Museum FAQ
| Admission Fee? | Adults: $15 Children 10 and Under: $13 |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes |
| Hours of Operation? | Sun-Mon: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Wed-Fri: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sat: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM *Closed Tuesdays* |
Museum Location
Asheville Art Museum
Looking for a more traditional cultural experience? Head a few blocks southeast of the Pinball Museum and you’ll find the Asheville Art Museum. Here you’ll find an impressive collection of American art spanning from the 1900s to today.
The original museum opened in 1948. And though it’s undergone several expansions and relocations since, the mission has remained the same. To engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich the community.
The museum’s latest update and expansion were just completed in 2019, and it now provides a state-of-the-art building to its visitors in addition to the thousands of captivating works of art. From oil paintings to photography to sculptures, the Asheville Art Museum has it all!
There’s also a wealth of regional artwork, and a small but spectacular collection of pieces created by Cherokee artists from the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC.
In addition to exploring the museum’s ever-growing collection, you can take advantage of the wide range of educational programs offered through the museum. These include a summer camp and sensory-rich environment for children, and a number of classes and workshops for adults.
If you need a bite to eat while you meander through the museum’s halls, you can head up to the rooftop cafe, which serves locally sourced food and beverages.
Asheville Art Museum FAQ
| Admission Fee? | General Admission: $15 Seniors (65+): $13 Students (1st Grade – College): $10 Free Admission for: – Museum Members – UNC AVL Students – Active-Duty Military – Children Under 6 |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes |
| Hours of Operation? | Mon, Wed, Fri-Sun: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM *Closed Tuesdays* |
Museum Location
Thomas Wolfe Memorial
I love reading. If I could somehow read, write, hike, and eat breakfast at the same time, I would. All-day, every day.
And knowing that Thomas Wolfe, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, is from Asheville? Well, I obviously had to learn everything about him that I could.
Luckily for me (and you!), Wolfe’s 29-room childhood home has been preserved as a museum and National Historic Landmark known as the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. And it’s conveniently located in downtown Asheville!
The home provides the setting for the book for which the author is best known – Look Homeward, Angel, an autobiographical novel describing his early years in Asheville. The majority of the furnishings are original to the house and arranged in the same way they were in the early 1900s.
Even if you’ve never heard of Thomas Wolfe or his writing, it’s worth a visit. The house provides a fascinating dive into history and a celebration of one of Asheville’s most famous residents.
If you’re in town for the holidays, taking advantage of the festive tour is a must. After Thanksgiving, the house is adorned with Christmas decorations, and a hand-written letter to Santa Claus from a very young Thomas Wolfe is put on display.
No matter what day or time of year you visit, tours of the house are offered every half hour, with the last tour starting at 4:30 PM.
Thomas Wolfe Memorial FAQ
| Admission Fee? | Adults: $5 Students (1st – 12th Grade): $2 Adult Group (10+): $2.50/person Student Group: $2/person Free Admission for Children 6 and Under |
| Kid-Friendly? | Yes |
| Hours of Operation? | Tue-Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM *Closed Sundays and Mondays* |
Memorial Location
What Are Your Favorite Things to Do in Downtown Asheville, NC?
Whether you’re planning a trip to downtown Asheville, NC for a day or a whole week, you can’t go wrong with any of these attractions. If you’re ambitious, you could fit them all in a single day, but I would recommend spacing them out if possible.
Unlike most cities, downtown AVL inspires a laidback atmosphere. You won’t catch many people speeding along sidewalks or playing real-life Frogger in the streets. Soak up the mountain vibes as you amble through the streets, shops, and museums rather than burning through your checklist in an afternoon.
So, now that you know about my favorite things to do in downtown Asheville, it’s your turn to share! What does a perfect day in downtown Asheville look like to you? I want to know! Tell me how you spent your time in downtown AVL in the comments or send me a message on Instagram or Facebook!
To keep up with my adventures, follow me on Instagram, and be sure to check out a few of my other posts on outdoor adventures, breakfast food, and everything Asheville.
– See ya Out There!
