Asheville has a very walkable downtown—assuming you don’t mind a walk up the odd hill or two. And at the height of the summer season, it’s often easier to find a singular parking spot for the day than to continuously move your vehicle.
If you’re visiting the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Home (and we think you should), find a good street spot or lot nearby to leave your car. After you take a tour of the home, there’s still plenty to see downtown. Here are five can’t-miss spots in downtown Asheville that are easy to walk to.
1. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
Located east of Asheville, Black Mountain College was a singular institution for higher learning. The college only operated for 24 years from 1933–1957, but it nonetheless made quite an impact upon artists and thinkers for generations to come. See exhibits from some of the college’s most renowned (or overlooked) students, as well as contemporary artists whose work reflects the college’s legacy.
120 College Street, Asheville | (828) 350-8484 | blackmountaincollege.org
2. Malaprop’s Bookstore
Since opening in 1982, Malaprop’s has continued to provide a relaxing space for the community to gather. It’s the perfect spot to shop locally and pick up a new book from a local author. And its stellar reputation once earned it a mention in a popular novel set in the region. Check their calendar for upcoming author events. Or just pop by to peruse their selection and grab a great cup of coffee.
55 Haywood Street, Asheville | (828) 254-6734 | malaprops.com
3. Pack Square Park
With your new book in tow, meander the streets of Asheville back over to Pack Square Park and find a nice place to sit, read, and just enjoy the day. Sitting in view of the Asheville City Building and Buncombe County Courthouse, the park serves as a central location for the town’s history and current events. Pack Square is also the site of many festivals and craft fairs throughout the year.
80 Court Plaza, Asheville | romanticasheville.com/packsquare
4. Woolworth Walk
Hungry for great local art? How about for an old fashioned ice cream soda? You can find them both at Woolworth Walk. This building was once a F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10. And today, the soda fountain inside will easily take you back to the 1950s. But throughout the rest of the building, you can tour a gallery displaying some of the best local artists from across the region.
25 Haywood Street, Asheville | (828) 254-9234 | woolworthwalk.com
5. Asheville Pinball Museum
No quarters are necessary to visit the pinball museum in downtown Asheville (or its sister location in Hendersonville). A modest entrance fee is all you need to play all day on their classic and more modern machines. Explore dozens upon dozens of rare and vintage pinball machines—and try your hand at the high score, if you dare!
1 Battle Square, Suite 1B, Asheville | (828) 776-5671 | ashevillepinball.com
Walk around even more of downtown Asheville on the AVL Lit Tour
Whether you’re looking for restaurants with great views, art galleries, or just a few iconic selfie spots, there’s plenty to experience in downtown Asheville!
Learn more about Asheville’s greatest authors, including Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and lots of living legends, on the next AVL Lit Tour. We cover dozens of stories about Asheville-area authors from the 19th century to the present while taking in the sights of the city.