Sight guide · Asheville · United States
Visiting Grove Arcade
Opened in 1929 as one of the first indoor shopping centres in the country, the Grove Arcade fills a downtown block with a Tudor-Gothic facade, carved griffins and a skylit interior arcade.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Grove Arcade is an architectural landmark in Downtown Asheville, Asheville. Allow 45 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Downtown Asheville
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture, shopping and rainy day
- Best months
- May–July
Plan a trip to Asheville
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About Grove Arcade
Opened in 1929 as one of the first indoor shopping centres in the country, the Grove Arcade fills a downtown block with a Tudor-Gothic facade, carved griffins and a skylit interior arcade. It now houses shops, restaurants and apartments.
Tip: Look at the winged lions guarding the north entrance, then walk to Battery Park Book Exchange for a drink among the books.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Downtown Asheville, art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars.
Best time to visit Grove Arcade
Grove Arcade is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- July: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Asheville has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Asheville itinerary visits Grove Arcade on day 2, together with Blue Ridge Parkway, Folk Art Center and Pritchard Park drum circle.
- No. 5 of the 14 sights in our Asheville things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Asheville.
Near Grove Arcade
Within walking distance of Grove Arcade (straight-line distances):
- River Arts District — about 1.2 km away, 2–3 hours, free
- Basilica of St. Lawrence — about 0.2 km away, 30 minutes, free
- Asheville Art Museum — about 0.5 km away, 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
If you like Grove Arcade
- Folk Art Center — Blue Ridge Parkway, 1 hour
- Omni Grove Park Inn — North Asheville and Grove Park, 1 hour
Staying near Grove Arcade
Stay in Downtown Asheville ($$$) to walk here: art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars. All areas to stay in Asheville.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Grove Arcade?
Plan 45 minutes. River Arts District is about 1.2 km away in a straight line, so the two fit a half-day.
+Is Grove Arcade free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Grove Arcade?
May–July, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Look at the winged lions guarding the north entrance, then walk to Battery Park Book Exchange for a drink among the books.
+Do I need to book Grove Arcade in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.