Sight guide · Asheville · United States
Visiting Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Novelist Thomas Wolfe grew up in this rambling boarding house, run by his mother and immortalised as 'Dixieland' in his 1929 novel Look Homeward, Angel.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Asheville · Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Thomas Wolfe Memorial is a historic site in Downtown Asheville, Asheville. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Downtown Asheville
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, rainy day and off the beaten path
- Best months
- May–July
Plan a trip to Asheville
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Novelist Thomas Wolfe grew up in this rambling boarding house, run by his mother and immortalised as 'Dixieland' in his 1929 novel Look Homeward, Angel. The state historic site has the restored house, much of the family's furniture and a visitor centre about his life.
Tip: Join a guided house tour, then visit Wolfe's grave in Riverside Cemetery in Montford.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown Asheville, art Deco streets of galleries, bookshops, restaurants and rooftop bars.
Best time to visit Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Thomas Wolfe Memorial 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
Thomas Wolfe Memorial is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Biltmore Estate and Blue Ridge Parkway.
- No. 9 of the 14 sights in our Asheville things-to-do list.
Near Thomas Wolfe Memorial
Also in Downtown Asheville, so you can walk between them:
- Asheville Art Museum — 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
- Basilica of St. Lawrence — 30 minutes, free
- Downtown Art Deco walk — 1–1.5 hours, free
Staying near Thomas Wolfe Memorial
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 Thomas Wolfe Memorial?
Plan 1 hour. With Asheville Art Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown Asheville.
+Is Thomas Wolfe Memorial free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Thomas Wolfe Memorial?
May–July, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Join a guided house tour, then visit Wolfe's grave in Riverside Cemetery in Montford.
+Do I need to book Thomas Wolfe Memorial in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.