Downtown Adventures Just Steps Away
It’s been a couple centuries since the likes of Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket passed through downtown Asheville, barely a crossroads at the time. Then came the railroad, turning Asheville into a resort boom town for presidents and luminaries seeking fresh mountain air.
Today Asheville is a flourishing hub of all things culture, creativity and community. Located in its very heart, Kimpton Hotel Arras lays all of this city’s vibrancy at your feet. Explore more than 30 galleries just in downtown, not including colorful murals like the 10-foot rooster in Chicken Alley. The Asheville Urban Trail takes you on a walking tour of public art sculptures—and the boyhood home of author Thomas Wolfe—past Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical architecture. Music and theater are thriving in intimate settings, and even on the street. If you’re with us on a Friday night, stroll over to Pritchard Park for the Drum Circle, a seasonal favorite among locals and visitors.
Wondering what’s to eat and drink in Asheville? “Foodtopia” and “Beer City” are nicknames this town has earned for attracting brilliant chefs and brewmasters, prolific in sharing their innovations. Plus, throughout the year you’ll find scores of outdoor festivals celebrating food, beer, music, art or some combination thereof.