Southern-Fried Soul

Music, mountains and art are the main attractions in the “Paris of the South”

Snuggled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains, Asheville, N.C. is a popular destination for those searching for scenic views, a thriving culinary scene and a chance to immerse oneself in an explosive artistic community.

With roughly a three-hour flight or seven-hour drive south, the Hunger Games filming location and city of 83,000-plus makes an ideal trip for an extended weekend with a significant other or the entire family.

Buskers

Street musicians and other performers are a common sight in downtown Asheville.

No permits are required, so tourists are exposed to some of the more organic sounds of the city’s music scene, while amateur artists get the chance to share their craft in the bustling downtown area. For a special treat, visit the Flat Iron statue or Park Square, where bands such as Two Dollar Bill and 13 Strings are known to play.

Live Entertainment

Live music is a staple in Asheville. Shindig Under the Stars, one of the more popular summer festivals, entertains attendees every Saturday evening, from June through August, with traditional Southern Appalachian music and folk dancing.

The city is also home to the nation’s longest-running folk festival. Every year since 1928, on the first weekend of August, musicians from all over visit Asheville for the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.

For a little taste of Ireland, the downtown Celtic pub Jack of the Wood offers live music opportunities multiple times a week. From unplugged traditional Irish music to line-ups featuring some of the city’s top bluegrass artists, there’s always something special on the pub’s weekly calendar.

Art

At the start of 1985, warehouses and historical buildings along the French Broad River began to transform into today’s River Arts District.

Area artists use more than 180 studios as showrooms, galleries and workshops. The artists dabble in everything from clay and ceramics to mixed media and photography.

The Flood Gallery Fine Arts Center is also found in the River Arts District. The contemporary art institution has hosted an array of national and international exhibitions, including 140 posters from the Iranian Revolution of 1979 that had previously never been exhibited.

River Arts District Drinking and Dining

White Duck Taco Shop, 1 Roberts St. – Banh mi tofu, black bean, spicy buffalo, lamb gyro, the list goes on. The taco selection is endless, affordable and crafted with American-made products.

12 Bones Smokehouse, 5 Riverside Dr. – Everything here is made from scratch and value is placed on simple ingredients. If you like what you taste, there’s even a cookbook available for purchase.

The Junction, 348 Depot St. #190 – This first full-service restaurant in the district promises a fine-dining experience, along with the occasional art opening.

The Wedge Brewing Company, 37 Paynes Way – A 19th century warehouse sets the mood for this establishment. Try a beer on tap or step outside to grab a bite at one of the surrounding food trucks.

Unique Eats

Asheville is certainly home to some of the nation’s best Southern cooking, but it offers quite a bit more.

Jerusalem Garden Café, 78 Patton Ave. – Would you like some live music and belly dancing with your pistachio-crusted lamb chops? Fabric-draped ceilings and floor seating transform Asheville into a Middle Eastern destination.

Lex 18, 18 N. Lexington Ave. – Known for its Southern Appalachian cuisine and regarded as one of the more cozy and intimate bar/restaurant combos in Asheville, Lex 18 – known as Eureka Saloon from 1907-1922 – was also a frequent stop for W.O. Wolfe, father of American novelist Thomas Wolfe. It’s even featured in his novel, Look Homeward Angel.

Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. – This restaurant – which, though named for an Egyptian goddess, serves New American cuisine – doubles as a live music venue. As a revamped movie theater from 1937, the space is fit for both standing and dinner shows, with the goal of exposing artists who have not yet received national attention.

Cúrate, 11 Biltmore Ave. – Built in a former 1927 bus depot, this restaurant focuses on authentic Spanish food with small-plate dining. The popular restaurant has been the subject of write-ups in national publications such as Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine magazines, as well as The Huffington Post and Fodor’s.

Back to Nature

With the mountains right at Asheville’s doorstep, the city gives its tourists the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors.

Chimney Rock State Park sits just 25 miles southeast of Asheville and offers hiking trails for all athletic levels. The park has set the scene for several films, including Daniel Day-Lewis’ The Last of the Mohicans.

If you bring along a bathing suit and don’t mind driving outside of the city for an hour, give or take, Sliding Rock is worth a visit. At the natural waterslide, you can safely slide down 60 feet of rock and into an awaiting pool.

Things to see at Chimney Rock State Park

Devil’s Head – This rock resembles the profile of someone’s face.

The Chimney – The monolith overlooks 75 miles of land.

Hickory Nut Falls – At 404 feet, it’s the second-highest waterfall of its kind east of the Mississippi (featured during one of the final The Last of the Mohicans scenes)  .

Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Asheville facts, courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com:

Art deco architecture, built in the late 1920s and early 1930s, is prevalent in downtown Asheville.

The Biltmore, with 250 rooms, is the largest private residence in North America.

The Grove Park Inn is home to the world’s largest collection of furniture and lighting fixtures.

Historic Montford has the highest concentration of bed and breakfasts in Asheville.

Grammy winner David Holt, known for his traditional folk music, calls Asheville home.

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