| Asheville, NC has always attracted painters, | | | | rankings in numerous magazines and travel guides. |
| photographers, craftspeople, musicians and all kinds | | | | Home to retro and import boutiques, specialty gift |
| of creative types throughout the years. In return | | | | shops, independent book and music stores, tattoo |
| these artisans have made Asheville a city where | | | | shops, art galleries, antique dealers and the Lexington |
| finding one-of-a-kind gifts is as easy as getting a | | | | Avenue Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF), Lexington |
| beautiful view of the mountains. Despite its | | | | Avenue is the local hang out for artists, fashion |
| accelerated growth during the last ten years, | | | | designers, performers, punk rockers, hippies, families |
| Asheville has managed to continue to be a place | | | | and anyone who believes free expression is an |
| where high quality, affordable, local merchants can | | | | essential part of life. Held each year in September, |
| make a living while both tourists and residents have | | | | LAAFF honors the creative spirit of Asheville with live |
| the opportunity to buy clothes, food, household | | | | music, artists booths, performance art and |
| items, antiques, furniture and gifts you can't find | | | | interactive, community art projects created right in |
| anywhere else. Of course Asheville does have all the | | | | the street. On Lexington Ave. there is fun for |
| corporate shopping standards such as Target, Home | | | | everyone. |
| Depot, Sears and more, but doesn't it feel better to | | | | Biltmore Village: Remembering the Vanderbilt Family |
| buy authentic mountain merchandise that truly stands | | | | Biltmore Village is located just outside the Biltmore |
| out among the rest? | | | | Estate, one of WNC's most famous tourist |
| Something for Everyone! Shopping Hot Spots in | | | | attractions. The train tracks and quaint village |
| Asheville | | | | storefronts remind visitors of a time when the |
| Asheville is made up of a diverse population so | | | | Vanderbilts were living on the estate and Asheville |
| whether you are young or old, women or men, rich | | | | teemed with their friends, colleagues and business |
| or living on a budget there is a store for you. | | | | associates from around the country. Although slightly |
| Originality, creativity and fun are the themes of | | | | more traditional and upscale in appearance than |
| shopping in Asheville regardless of your taste, so hit | | | | shopping areas in the heart of the city, Biltmore |
| some of the area's shopping hot spots and simply | | | | Village continues to celebrate the creative spirit of |
| enjoy. | | | | the mountains. Antique stores, art galleries, garden |
| The Grove Arcade: Honoring the History of Asheville, | | | | shops and more can be found in every direction. |
| North Carolina | | | | Western North Carolina Farmers Market: A Taste of |
| Beginning in 1929 and until World War II the Grove | | | | Mountain Heritage |
| Arcade market thrived in downtown Asheville. The | | | | If you have access to a vehicle while in the city of |
| vision of E.W. Grove, creator of the famous Grove | | | | Asheville don't hesitate to drive just outside of town |
| Park Inn, the Grove Arcade was restored to its | | | | to the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, The |
| original grandeur in 2002. Home to regional arts and | | | | indoor market is open all year round and in addition to |
| crafts, boutique stores and exceptional restaurants | | | | some of the freshest vegetables, cheese and eggs, |
| the Grove Arcade is a wonderful place to spend the | | | | traditional mountain crafts can be bought for prices |
| afternoon shopping, enjoying delicious food and | | | | you won't believe. Savor the flavor of home grown |
| listening to local music. To learn more about events | | | | mountain foods, honey and wine or purchase |
| and special exhibits | | | | handmade gifts you won't find anywhere but WNC. |
| Wall Street: Go Back in Time in Asheville, NC | | | | Haywood Road in West Asheville: Asheville Expands |
| Wall Street is one of the prettiest streets in | | | | Each year the population of Asheville grows. As |
| downtown Asheville. As you walk on the cobblestone | | | | downtown has become home to more and more |
| you will feel as if you have gone back in time. You | | | | people the city has expanded and new |
| can almost hear the hooves of the horse drawn | | | | neighborhoods and community areas are developing |
| carriages. Restaurants, gift shops and salons line the | | | | rapidly. The newest, hottest shopping area in |
| small street and shoppers can find everything from | | | | Asheville is on Haywood Road in West Asheville |
| hair care products to Irish music to shoes. Keep an | | | | where new retro stores, bike shops, Latino markets, |
| ear out for some local bluegrass on the corner near | | | | book stores, café's and restaurants open |
| Asheville's well-known Flat Iron Building. | | | | every year on the main drag. Want to avoid parking |
| Lexington Avenue: Keep Asheville Weird | | | | downtown and hang out with friendly local residents? |
| In June of 2007 AmericanStyle Magazine ranked | | | | Stop by West Asheville. |
| Asheville number five in the small cities and towns | | | | Asheville, North Carolina is a place deeply loved by |
| category in the annual "Top 25 Arts Destinations" | | | | tourists and residents alike. Shopping in Asheville is a |
| reader's poll. The Lexington Avenue shopping district | | | | celebration of the diversity, creativity and history |
| is part of the reason Asheville has enjoyed high | | | | nurtured in this beautiful mountain town. |