101 Unique Things to Do in Asheville NC & Western NC
The Asheville shopping scene is diverse, ranging from shopping malls with national chain stores to quaint downtowns throughout western North Carolina.
Downtown Asheville makes shopping so much fun. There are many beautiful streets to stroll with historic buildings filled with so many unique shops and galleries. The bustling area features 200+ locally-owned stores, 30-some galleries featuring local and international art and craft, and several antique shops. The Grove Arcade is a must-stop (pic at top). Most stores are open Monday-Saturday until 6 PM. Many are open at night and on Sundays. With street performers and plenty of restaurants, bakeries and breweries for frequent breaks. For a list of galleries, go to our Gallery Guide.
Biltmore Village at the entrance to the Biltmore Estate is a delight to shop as you browse dozens of shops, galleries and boutiques in historic buildings. Read more.
West Asheville is home to many local, funky shops, resale, vintage & consignment stores, boutiques and galleries. Biltmore Park is a modern "urban village" with many shops and restaurants.
Browse local shops for plenty of unique items in the quaint downtowns of our Coolest NC Mountain Towns.
Shopping Top Spots
Asheville Emporium
This eclectic gift shop downtown features a variety of hand-crafted gifts, art, Asheville souvenirs and more by local makers, craftspeople and artists. Find t-shirts, magnets, stickers, buttons, shot glasses, plus a DIY photo booth! 25 Wall Street
Grovewood Gallery
Nationally recognized for its dedication to fine American art and craft, Grovewood Gallery is noted for its charming, old-world setting and rich craft heritage. Located in historic Grovewood… read more
Nationally recognized for its dedication to fine American art and craft, Grovewood Gallery is noted for its charming, old-world setting and rich craft heritage. Located in historic Grovewood Village, the gallery offers two expansive floors of finely crafted furniture, ceramics, jewelry and more, contributed by over 400 artists and craftspeople from across the United States. Free parking on-…
Biltmore Lamp & Shade Gallery
Located in the heart of Biltmore Village, find elegant antiques, accessories, seasonal decorations and, yes, lamps and lampshades too! They are also the exclusive Asheville area retailer of… read more
Located in the heart of Biltmore Village, find elegant antiques, accessories, seasonal decorations and, yes, lamps and lampshades too! They are also the exclusive Asheville area retailer of Starfire Designs Jewelry by Charlie Wharton. 30 All Souls Crescent.
Blue Spiral 1
A must-stop for art lovers with three floors of fantastic contemporary fine art and craft. An extensive exhibition schedule, presenting 15 shows annually, often featuring 4-5 simultaneously within… read more
A must-stop for art lovers with three floors of fantastic contemporary fine art and craft. An extensive exhibition schedule, presenting 15 shows annually, often featuring 4-5 simultaneously within various venues inside the gallery. 38 Biltmore Avenue
More to Love, Plus-Size Consignment
More to Love offers new, used, and upcycled clothing for women sizes 12 and up. They have more than 3,000 items in our inventory and add 100 new items every week! Come visit them to shop… read more
More to Love offers new, used, and upcycled clothing for women sizes 12 and up. They have more than 3,000 items in our inventory and add 100 new items every week! Come visit them to shop their entire stock of plus-size clothing.
Batton Clayworks
This small batch pottery studio and gallery is a must-stop to browse and shop unique, handmade pieces for your home. Collections include bowls, plates, vases, mugs, teapots, sugar bowls, and more… read more
This small batch pottery studio and gallery is a must-stop to browse and shop unique, handmade pieces for your home. Collections include bowls, plates, vases, mugs, teapots, sugar bowls, and more!
Moog Music
The company founded by synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, hand builds electronic musical instruments in their downtown Asheville factory. Visit The Moog Store to get hands on with the instruments or… read more
The company founded by synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, hand builds electronic musical instruments in their downtown Asheville factory. Visit The Moog Store to get hands on with the instruments or set up a factory tour for the full Moog Experience.
Antique Barn
If you love to plunder for antiques and deals on collectibles, this is the place! This antique mall features furniture, architectural salvage, collectibles, and accessories from 75 independent… read more
If you love to plunder for antiques and deals on collectibles, this is the place! This antique mall features furniture, architectural salvage, collectibles, and accessories from 75 independent antique dealers. It's part of the Biltmore Antiques District that includes 13 antique stores within a mile and a half of the Biltmore Estate.
Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center
Tucked away in small village near Fontana Lake and Nantahala River is an amazing gallery that showcases the work of 180+ area artists and hosts a great summer concert series. Many… read more
Tucked away in small village near Fontana Lake and Nantahala River is an amazing gallery that showcases the work of 180+ area artists and hosts a great summer concert series. Many artist studios nearby.
Mast General Store
This favorite stop for tourists and locals is an old-fashioned general store with the latest products, including clothing, fun gifts, cooking accessories and a huge candy section. Downstairs is a… read more
This favorite stop for tourists and locals is an old-fashioned general store with the latest products, including clothing, fun gifts, cooking accessories and a huge candy section. Downstairs is a great outdoors department with all the major brands. 15 Biltmore Avenue.
Woolworth Walk
This historic department store is now home to 160+ local artists offering jewelry, fine art, decorative art and crafts in its nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of space. Browse while sipping a milkshake from… read more
This historic department store is now home to 160+ local artists offering jewelry, fine art, decorative art and crafts in its nearly 20,000 sq. ft. of space. Browse while sipping a milkshake from the Old Fashioned Soda Fountain. 25 Haywood Street.
Kress Emporium
Stroll through this beautiful historic landmark and browse the work of 80 regional artists and craftspeople, along with a wide selection of fine antiques and collectibles. A great place for unique… read more
Stroll through this beautiful historic landmark and browse the work of 80 regional artists and craftspeople, along with a wide selection of fine antiques and collectibles. A great place for unique gift ideas. 19 Patton Avenue.
Hummingbird Candle Co.
A black-owned, women-owned small business, Hummingbird Candle Co. has two locations in Asheville, NC, and Fayetteville, NC. Customers can enjoy a candlemaking experience at their storefront or… read more
A black-owned, women-owned small business, Hummingbird Candle Co. has two locations in Asheville, NC, and Fayetteville, NC. Customers can enjoy a candlemaking experience at their storefront or shop their amazing-smelling candles.
Mountain Trail Soap Company
Mountain Trail Soap Company is a small, locally owned and operated business in Tryon, NC. They take pride in their handmade soaps, as they don't contain harmful, skin-irritating chemicals found in… read more
Mountain Trail Soap Company is a small, locally owned and operated business in Tryon, NC. They take pride in their handmade soaps, as they don't contain harmful, skin-irritating chemicals found in commercial soaps today.
Asheville Art Museum
Explore an outstanding collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and discover the richness of Western North Carolina’s unique artistic history at the Asheville Art Museum. Groups… read more
Explore an outstanding collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries and discover the richness of Western North Carolina’s unique artistic history at the Asheville Art Museum. Groups of ten or more adults are invited to schedule a guided tour of the Museum’s Collection or special exhibitions led by volunteer educators.
Biltmore Village
Meander tree-lined streets, explore 40 unique shops and relax at 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Don't miss the fabulous New Morning… read more
Meander tree-lined streets, explore 40 unique shops and relax at 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses are housed in historic cottages and buildings. Don't miss the fabulous New Morning Gallery.
River Arts District
Some 185 working artists have set up shop in the River Arts District. Drive a little, walk a little to visit studios and galleries. Find an amazing variety of art and see how the artists create it… read more
Some 185 working artists have set up shop in the River Arts District. Drive a little, walk a little to visit studios and galleries. Find an amazing variety of art and see how the artists create it. It's just a few miles from downtown Asheville and Biltmore Estate.
Shopping Guide
Shop 'til you drop with a huge variety of stores, galleries and outlets in the Asheville area. Find plenty of local, unique shops with items you won't find anywhere else. See the best areas… read more
Shop 'til you drop with a huge variety of stores, galleries and outlets in the Asheville area. Find plenty of local, unique shops with items you won't find anywhere else. See the best areas to hit.
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.
Downtown Asheville
Spend a day exploring downtown, with hundreds of locally-owned shops and galleries, museums, restaurants, breweries, and pubs. Visit Pack Square Park, dance at the Drum Circle, go to a festival or… read more
Spend a day exploring downtown, with hundreds of locally-owned shops and galleries, museums, restaurants, breweries, and pubs. Visit Pack Square Park, dance at the Drum Circle, go to a festival or enjoy street performers. See our 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.
Battery Park Book Exchange
More Downtown Asheville Shopping
Go to our Asheville Galleries Guide for downtown art galleries. Find Asheville Antique Shopping.
Downtown Bookstores: Malaprop's Bookstore (55 Haywood Street) has thrived in downtown Asheville since 1982. Its vast book selection includes major sections devoted to local authors and regional titles, fiction and nonfiction, and poetry. They run author events Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Open every day, until 9 PM on Monday-Thursday and 10 PM on Friday & Saturday. The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar (1 Page Avenue) is a must stop for any book lover for this wine bar meets library. Located in the Grove Arcade, they have more than 22,000 books to peruse while enjoying a glass of wine or espresso. The Captain’s Bookshelf (31 Page Avenue) was established in 1976, buying and selling secondhand and rare books on an international level.
Wall Street: From custom sandals to clothing from Ireland, you will find a cute avenue of trendy shops, galleries and restaurants. If walking, the best place to enter Wall Street is via Battery Park Avenue near the intersection of Haywood Street.
Woolworth Walk: Arts and crafts emporium with more than 150 exhibiting artists in 20,000 sq. ft. of display and studio space. 25 Haywood Street.
Kress Emporium: Collection of excellence in art, from luminous stained glass and hand-thrown ceramics to elegant paintings, evocative sculptures, extraordinary handcrafted jewelry and much more from 80 distinguished regional artists and craftspeople. 19 Patton Avenue.
Tops Shoes: This mecca for shoe lovers sprawls through several buildings and can be entered from Lexington Avenue, College Street or Rankin Avenue.
Mast General Store: One of our main "anchor" stores is this 1940s-style emporium with comfortable clothing, traditional housewares, old-time barrel candy and a great mountain outfitters section. 15 Biltmore Avenue.
