A walking tour around downtown Asheville is a good introduction to the city's eclectic vibe - great for people watching, local shopping, and viewing the remarkable Art Deco architecture and sculpture installations. Downtown Asheville is home to dozens of exciting art galleries, which are scattered around the main thoroughfares.

Lexington Avenue has a wide assortment of stores and restaurants, including vintage shops and a large antique mall that is great for leisurely browsing. The Grove Arcade, located on Battery Park Avenue, is a beautiful indoor shopping area with a fascinating history and numerous high-end shops. Just around the corner from the Grove Arcade is Wall Street, a quaint cobblestone street that is perfect for a romantic stroll.

Haywood Street is home to many shops as well, notably Woolworth Walk, a showcase for local artists and crafts persons housed in the old Woolworth drugstore building. Also on Haywood Street is the Asheville Civic Center, where entertainment events often take place at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, such as concerts and theater productions. Just past the Civic Center is the Basilica of Saint Lawrence, an architecturally stunning chapel with a breathtaking rose garden.

Pack Square, in the heart of downtown Asheville, is recognizable by the Vance Monument, the large obelisk that serves as Asheville's monument to tolerance. Pack Place features the Asheville Art Museum, the Colburn Earth Science Museum, and the Diana Wortham Theater, home to the annual Mainstage Series of music, theater, and dance performances. Recently renovated Pack Square Park has an expansive lawn for picnicking and socializing, a stage for entertainment events, and several interactive water fountains.  Dozens of amazing, award-winning restaurants surround the center of town - perfect for sampling the local flavor!