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Discover a very diverse community in gay Asheville! It's been a popular resort and relocation area for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities for many years. The large LGBTQ community enjoys welcoming visitors since most of them were once visitors before they fell in love with the area and relocated. Find many places to go and things to do. With a very vibrant arts community, creativity abounds! For an extra festive weekend, come to the Blue Ridge Pride Celebration each fall.

Also see Blue Ridge Pride's community-driven, searchable database for LGBTQ safe businesses, churches, events, groups, programs, and more. Go to Blue Ridge Pride's virtual LGBTQ Community Welcome Center

Gay Friendly Asheville Places to Stay & Things to Do

LaZoom Tours

Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current… read more

Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current culture, and counterculture with their 90-minute interactive bus tours that depart from downtown. Haunted and beer tours, too!

Cedar Crest Inn, Asheville

The magnificent Queen Anne mansion provides guests with a glimpse back in time. Lavish interior woodwork, period antiques and Victorian décor are found throughout. Just a few blocks from Biltmore… read more

The magnificent Queen Anne mansion provides guests with a glimpse back in time. Lavish interior woodwork, period antiques and Victorian décor are found throughout. Just a few blocks from Biltmore Estate. 12 rooms, $165-$349, 2 guest cottage suites, private baths, fireplaces, gourmet breakfast, 1.5 miles from downtown Asheville.

Scandals Nightclub

Since 1982, Asheville's largest high-energy dance club is renowned throughout as the epicenter for creativity, diversity and entertainment. Don't miss their midnight show, premiering the best drag… read more

Since 1982, Asheville's largest high-energy dance club is renowned throughout as the epicenter for creativity, diversity and entertainment. Don't miss their midnight show, premiering the best drag anywhere. Dance the night away with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.

Experience Biltmore

Take in the grandeur of our country's largest home, the "Downton Abbey" of America. Explore the many rooms inside the house, walk through breathtaking landscapes and gardens, taste vintages at the… read more

Take in the grandeur of our country's largest home, the "Downton Abbey" of America. Explore the many rooms inside the house, walk through breathtaking landscapes and gardens, taste vintages at the winery and enjoy fine dining. See many things to do with our detailed insider's guide!

The Lion and the Rose Bed & Breakfast, Asheville

This beautiful 1898 pink lady in the Montford historic district near downtown Asheville is uniquely decorated with antiques, period-style furnishings and Persian rugs. The high ceilings, four… read more

This beautiful 1898 pink lady in the Montford historic district near downtown Asheville is uniquely decorated with antiques, period-style furnishings and Persian rugs. The high ceilings, four fireplaces, original golden oak and stained glass create a stunning environment. 5 rooms, $159-249, private baths, gourmet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, complimentary lighted off street parking, cable TV/DVD…

300 Things to Do

See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns. 

See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns. 

Compassionate Expressions Inn & Healing Sanctuary, Leicester

Only 30 minutes from Asheville, experience the renewing power of this magical mountain retreat and certified wildlife habitat. Enjoy clean and thoughtfully designed cabin-like retreat houses or… read more

Only 30 minutes from Asheville, experience the renewing power of this magical mountain retreat and certified wildlife habitat. Enjoy clean and thoughtfully designed cabin-like retreat houses or inn rooms on 40 private acres. Bordered by a trickling creek and wild medicinal foliage. 2 rooms, 2 house rentals, spa packages available.

Pamper yourself with quality, personalized healing/spa…

Shoji Spa & Lodge, Asheville

Discover tranquility at this spa retreat near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shoji is an unpretentious and unique destination spa nestled on a mountainside 8 minutes from downtown Asheville. 4 units.… read more

Discover tranquility at this spa retreat near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shoji is an unpretentious and unique destination spa nestled on a mountainside 8 minutes from downtown Asheville. 4 units.

There are four distinctive, rustic lodging options at on the edge of Pisgah National Forest.  Japanese-style salt hydrotherapy tubs and on-site Spa and Amenities.  

With two…

Meet Artists in River Arts District

Our top pick for art lovers is exploring the River Arts District to watch artists at work, ask them about the process and buy art as a souvenir of your visit! More than 200 artists work in 25… read more

Our top pick for art lovers is exploring the River Arts District to watch artists at work, ask them about the process and buy art as a souvenir of your visit! More than 200 artists work in 25 buildings, including old warehouses and factories along the river near downtown and Biltmore. 

Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours

See the city’s scenic beauty and historic landmarks atop some of Asheville’s highly acclaimed rooftop bars! This fun guided tour in the heart of the city offers fascinating stories and photos from… read more

See the city’s scenic beauty and historic landmarks atop some of Asheville’s highly acclaimed rooftop bars! This fun guided tour in the heart of the city offers fascinating stories and photos from the city’s past while you sample cocktails (or mocktails) at three rooftop bars. Rooftop sunset tours, too. Tours are rain or shine, with covered and heated areas, including fire pits for year-round…

Explore Downtown Asheville

During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 galleries, antique shops and local boutiques. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers, restaurants, breweries,… read more

During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 galleries, antique shops and local boutiques. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers, restaurants, breweries, festivals and music. Walk the Urban Trail and tour historic sites. See our Top 25 things to do downtown.

Beaufort House Inn, Asheville

Stay in a gracious, historic 1894 Victorian mansion just a half mile from downtown. It's stately yet casual. Evening wine tasting. Awake to a gourmet two-course breakfast. Beautiful garden setting… read more

Stay in a gracious, historic 1894 Victorian mansion just a half mile from downtown. It's stately yet casual. Evening wine tasting. Awake to a gourmet two-course breakfast. Beautiful garden setting on 1.5 acres in the Chestnut Hill Historic District. Find old world charm with today's luxuries. 11 rooms, $179-$325, two-person Jacuzzis, wi-fi, DVD library, fireplaces, fresh flowers, luxury…

Haywood Park Hotel, Asheville

Stay right in the heart of downtown Asheville at this historic, boutique hotel. Be pampered in elegantly-appointed, oversized suites. Enjoy champagne at check-in and immerse yourself in Southern… read more

Stay right in the heart of downtown Asheville at this historic, boutique hotel. Be pampered in elegantly-appointed, oversized suites. Enjoy champagne at check-in and immerse yourself in Southern hospitality. 48 spacious suites, wireless internet, complimentary valet and bell service, 43″ HDTVs, Keurig® coffee makers, 24/7 access to the fitness center. Pet friendly!

This area…

The Reynolds Mansion, Asheville

Listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, this Mansion was built in 1847 and is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War homes. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the Grand Dining Room or sip… read more

Listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, this Mansion was built in 1847 and is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War homes. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the Grand Dining Room or sip your morning coffee on the massive porches. 13 rooms, $205-$305, private baths, fireplace, Jacuzzi or claw foot tubs, LCD TVs. Cottages and the carriage house are pet-friendly. 

The mansion sits…

Malaprops Bookstore & Coffee Shop

Enjoy java in this wonderful independent bookstore that has been a fixture downtown for 20+ years. Browse their diverse collection, enjoy goodies in their coffee and pastry shop, or use their free… read more

Enjoy java in this wonderful independent bookstore that has been a fixture downtown for 20+ years. Browse their diverse collection, enjoy goodies in their coffee and pastry shop, or use their free wi-fi. Stop by for a reading and autograph on many evenings. Or enjoy open mic nights for local poets. Open until 10 PM on Friday & Saturday. 55 Haywood St.

Top 75+ Outdoors - Asheville & NC Mountains

Explore our mountains with hikes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many thousands of acres of national forest and park land. Get outside in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains with our 70… read more

Explore our mountains with hikes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many thousands of acres of national forest and park land. Get outside in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains with our 70 favorite things to do.

Top Art Galleries

Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery, and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are… read more

Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery, and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are home to hundreds of world-class artists. Here are our favorite galleries to see their creations.

Asheville Outlets

Shop 75 national and local outlets in this beautiful, new outdoor shopping village. It's located on I-26, just six miles from Biltmore and seven miles from downtown Asheville. It's pet-friendly,… read more

Shop 75 national and local outlets in this beautiful, new outdoor shopping village. It's located on I-26, just six miles from Biltmore and seven miles from downtown Asheville. It's pet-friendly, and there are many events and sales throughout the year.

Asheville Pride Weekend

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Blue Ridge Pride Festival

Sep 30, 2023

The biggest LGBTQ pride festival in western North Carolina is held in downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park, with more than 100 vendors, entertainment, as well as a kids area with lots of fun… read more

The biggest LGBTQ pride festival in western North Carolina is held in downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park, with more than 100 vendors, entertainment, as well as a kids area with lots of fun activities.

Same Sex Gay & Lesbian Weddings

Asheville is a popular destination for same-sex weddings. Any of the inns featured above can also help with arrangements for a very small gathering. See our Weddings Asheville Locations & Services for more resources. Also see tips and places for Elopements in Asheville.

Thinking of Relocating

Explore moving, retirement and real estate options in Asheville and Western North Carolina

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