In Asheville, North Carolina, Art is all around you. Art and Beer, that is. Asheville is Beer
City USA, too!
My daughter and I did a quick trip to Asheville in early June. As art lovers, we really enjoyed our "artful" experience.
On the first afternoon, we pulled in at a conveniently located parking garage and headed to Tupelo Honey Cafe for lunch. The folks were so friendly and very helpful in choosing the food. Tupelo Honey was a great introduction to the city of Asheville.
After lunch, we walked around the city. Callie and I found some big stuff. We found a BIG IRON and A BIG SANDAL.
The flat iron sculpture below was created by Reed Todd in 1997. I read that the sculpture commemorates the innovation of the nearby Flat Iron Building. The Flat Iron motif refers to the triangular footprint of the building's steel frame. So yeah, it was essential photo op.
When I saw this large shoe, I had to do what 1000s of other people have done. I mean, who could resist? The large sandal was found outside Paul Taylor Custom Leather Goods on Wall Street. The custom sandals run about $300+, but they will probably last forever.
Once we got our mini tour done, we headed to the Hyatt Place Asheville/Downtown. The hotel was new and within walking distance to downtown. The staff was very friendly and helpful during our stay.
After a short rest, we headed back to the downtown area. On our walk, we passed the Basilica of Saint Lawrence (love). Then, we headed straight to Lexington Glassworks. As I had read, Lexington Glassworks was a full working glass shop. We viewed the glass making process and saw the end results. Here's a look at our visit.
After watching the show at Lexington Glassworks, we stopped by Wicked Weed Brewing Pub on Biltmore Avenue. As we approached the door, I felt like it was a fancy-schmancy, brewery. After asking a few questions to a waiter, we were sent downstairs to a really cool spot known as "the tasting room". Great brew and great popcorn were on the menu!
Once we had our feel for the Wicked Weed, we began walking to Salsa's Mexican Caribbean Restaurant for dinner. On the way, we saw this fun wall. The wall was actually blocking off a construction area. The wall was titled "Before I Die".
Finally, we arrived at Salsa's on Patton Avenue. Luckily, we walked right in and sat down. By the time we left, there was a line out the front door. Folks, I promise the food was worth the wait! Here is Callie's dinner when it arrived to our table.
After dinner we roamed a little more around downtown, but it seemed that this city had shutdown for the evening. Callie and I decided to call it a day.
On our only full day in Asheville, we started out at the Biscuit Head for breakfast. Go there. Quick service and very, yummy meal for those craving a biscuit.
Our next stop was the River Arts District. We were at "RAD" a little early. When we arrived around 10:00 AM on a Tuesday morning, there was not much movement. Callie and I discussed that art folks are not always morning people. As the morning moved on, more shops opened up for us to peruse.
In the Asheville RAD...
You gotcha dog art...
You gotcha chopped up poster art...
You gotcha coffee filter art...
You gotcha $95 super cool art...
You gotcha matchbox car art...
You gotcha art kinda like Georgia Folk Artist Howard Finster Angel Art...
You gotcha high heel shoe art...
You gotcha pretty pitcher with swirly handle art...
You gotcha slab mugs art...
You gotcha polka dot daddy sculpture buddy art...
You gotcha mama and baby sculpture buddy art...
You gotcha Mushroom Man art...
You gotcha flower on a tile art...
You gotcha star with swirls on a tile art...
You gotcha 11 fingers art...
And that was all the art we saw in the shops at the River Arts District. To recover, we went for a cold beverage at The Wedge Brewing Company. A true hole in the wall, but Callie's favorite in Asheville.
Then, we drove down to The White Duck Taco Shop on Roberts Street and found this so very cool graffiti art.
I like to run and jump when I see graffiti art.
Callie likes to jump when she sees graffiti art.
Our next stop on our adventure was the Folk Arts Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Folk Arts Center was a little to "folksy" for the Rays.
I did snap a few photos, but just not my kind of art. Everybody has different tastes in art, you know?
The folksy scene was followed by a visit to The Gourmet Chip Company. I had read the reviews on this place and I felt like it was a must visit. The Gourmet Chip Company was great, but we are just not big fans of potato chips.
After stuffing in the chips, we headed to our hotel for a mini rest. Once we had recovered from our busy day, we went to visit a friend that I had not seen in 30 years. 30 years is a long time not to see someone, but with Facebook and other social media, we had kept up with each other fairly well. Of course, Mary was the perfect host and had a yummy snack and tasty beverage for us. Her husband talked to Callie about his profession. A great visit and much Southern hospitality with a real life Asheville family!
On this last night, we ended up at Lexington Avenue Brewery and ordered some appetizers. Next, we stopped by Jack of the Wood on Patton. A sporting event had the interest of many in this small, old, Irish pub. For our last dinner in Asheville, we ate at Walk on Haywood Road. There was a soccer game on the big screen and the place was packed. We both agreed the 20 minute wait was worth it. A late night dinner with lots of options offered at Walk for anyone!
On our departure day, we opted to grab a souvenir for my son. We stopped by the Asheville Visitor Center on Montford Avenue. We found lots of artsy gift options, but not a cool t-shirt.
We tried one last place for a t-shirt and BoOM! The MTN Merch was the perfect t-shirt place for us! A great place with lots of cool t-shirts for college-aged kids.
Art lovers and Art teachers, Beer lovers and Beer Teachers, Asheville, North Carolina, should be on your summer fun "to do" list while you are FREE from school responsibilities! Gas up and GO!
Look at me, being FREE, in Asheville!
'
"I'm Free" by The Who
1965
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