Shopping · Asheville · United States
Shopping in Asheville
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Biltmore Estate, Asheville · Photo: Blake Lewis, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Asheville is a strong place to buy handmade crafts, art and local food, from studio pottery to Appalachian quilts and small-batch chocolate. Best souvenirs: Studio pottery, Appalachian crafts and Sourwood honey.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 2
- Top souvenir
- Studio pottery
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Where to shop
Downtown
Independent bookshops, galleries, outdoor gear and gift shops along Lexington and Biltmore Avenues.
River Arts District
Artists' studios selling pottery, glass, paintings and jewellery directly.
Biltmore Village
Gift shops, galleries and boutiques in historic cottages near the estate gate.
Grove Arcade
Shops and craft stores in the 1929 arcade downtown.
Markets
Western North Carolina Farmers Market
A large, year-round market of regional produce, honey and crafts near the Biltmore Estate.
Asheville City Market
A Saturday-morning farmers' market with produce, baked goods and crafts in season.
What to buy
Studio pottery
Mugs and bowls from local potters in the River Arts District and craft galleries.
Appalachian crafts
Quilts, baskets and woodwork from the Folk Art Center's Allanstand Craft Shop.
Sourwood honey
Prized local honey, sold at markets and shops.
Local beer and cider
Bottles or cans from local breweries and cideries; check rules for flying with alcohol.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Gallery · Blue Ridge Parkway
Folk Art Center
At milepost 382 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Southern Highland Craft Guild's centre has galleries of Appalachian crafts, from quilts and baskets to pottery and woodwork.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · River Arts District
River Arts District
Former mills and warehouses along the French Broad River became home to working studios for potters, painters, glassblowers and jewellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
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Architecture · Downtown Asheville
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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Sourwood honey, Apples and hard cider, Craft beer and Pimento cheese. Farmers' markets, craft shops and the Western North Carolina Farmers Market. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Asheville | $$$ | Art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars |
| South Slope | $$$ | The brewery district, a few blocks south of Pack Square |
| West Asheville | $$ | Haywood Road's cafés, bars and thrift shops across the French Broad |
| River Arts District | $$ | Artists' studios in old industrial buildings along the French Broad River |
| Biltmore Village | $$ | Shops and inns in the planned village outside the Biltmore Estate gates |
| North Asheville and Grove Park | $$$$ | Leafy residential hills around the historic Omni Grove Park Inn |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in USD. Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars and breweries, and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
- Support independent shops and studios, especially those rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February; the busiest months are October.
- January: Christmas at Biltmore ends (usually early January)
- July: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (usually mid-July)
- August: Mountain Dance and Folk Festival — long-running Appalachian music festival (usually early August)
- September: North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville (usually Labor Day weekend)
- October: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (usually mid-October)
- November: Christmas at Biltmore (usually early November to early January)
Staying near the shops
$$ · Best for culture, shopping and couples
River Arts District
Artists' studios in old industrial buildings along the French Broad River
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Asheville?
Studio pottery, Appalachian crafts, Sourwood honey and Local beer and cider.
+Where is the best shopping in Asheville?
Downtown: Independent bookshops, galleries, outdoor gear and gift shops along Lexington and Biltmore Avenues.
+What are the best markets in Asheville?
Western North Carolina Farmers Market and Asheville City Market.