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The Five Neighborhoods of Asheville
| This story
begins on the
Buncombe County North Carolina page. |
| The following was contributed by Patti
Wiles, Owner-Innkeeper of
At
Cumberland Falls Bed and Breakfast Inn.
Downtown: Eclectic is the definition of downtown.
From our nostalgic old buildings to The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
www.wolfememorial.com (for those of you not English majors,
Thomas Wolfe wrote the classic, Look Homeward Angel his very first
novel in 1929 considered by most, to be both autobiographical as well
as a not so veiled look at Asheville) to art galleries and antiques
stores of every ilk. St Lawrence Basilica
www.saintlawrencebasilica.org is a not to be missed stop in our
downtown as well. Built in 1905 by Rafael Guastavino and fellow
architect, Richard Sharp Smith the basilica is on the National
Register of Historic Places. |
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A collection of the finest in cuisines all out for samplings as you
meander through the very walkable downtown. My personal favorite:
Jerusalem Garden. The soul of Mediterranean/Moroccan cuisine. Sit on the
floor in the back or up front the tables. Belly dancing provided on the
weekends and always a treat. A little scary too. That girl has a sword.
There is something for everyone: Thai, Mexican, Bar B Que, Sushi,
American Continental and more.
North Asheville: The Montford Historic Section. Among the
oldest, most diverse and priciest residential areas in Asheville. Many
of these have been converted to bed and breakfasts. Within walking distance to
downtown. Lovers of architecture will find a free for the taking walking
tour displaying pristine home designs from Richard Sharpe Smith to
Victorian, brick sidewalks, friendly neighborhood eateries like Nine
Mile:
ninemileasheville.com and Tod's Tasties:
www.todstasties.com.
South Asheville: When anyone who lives here hears South
Asheville- Biltmore Estate
http://www.biltmore.com/visit immediately comes to mind.
A huge tourist draw, Biltmore Mansion is the largest privately owned
home in the entire Southeast. Opened to his friends on Christmas Eve
1895, this 250 room (and more opening frequently) private home owned by
George and Edith Vanderbilt is both educational and tons of fun. The
garden is awesome and provides constant seasonal interest no matter when
you go. It also makes one grateful they aren't the gardener there. South
Asheville is coming into it's own as the shoppes, restaurants, theaters
and more move to accommodate the growing residential numbers of Biltmore
Forest and other areas of home development.
West Asheville: Casual, arty, counterculture and eclectic.
Very walkable and accessible from the reasonably affordable residential
neighborhoods that thrive there.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner can be savored at Sunny Point Cafe where locals have always
gathered.
East Asheville: Head East young woman (and men) and you
will find the Asheville Mall
www.asheville-mall.com and Tunnel Road area. For those visiting our fair
city not of an adventurous eating persuasion and most comfortable with
restaurant names they recognize one need look no further than Tunnel Road.
Applebee's, Chili's, Red Lobster, O'Charley, Carrabbas's Italian Grill, Papa's
and Beer, Outback Steakhouse and last but not least, Bonefish Grill to just
name a few of the usual suspects. Asheville is not a large city and reflecting
that, most of the other restaurants in the city are not open very late. If you
are arriving late, here would be the place to find something open.
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