All Arts. All Ways. SOUTH: Where Legacy Meets Living Creativity
Biltmore Village and Beyond
A short drive from downtown, the historic Biltmore Village and surrounding South Asheville areas combine historical weight and contemporary creativity. From the grandeur of America’s largest private home to intimate galleries and interactive studios, this region invites you to create an itinerary that spans centuries and styles.
Village Galleries
Created as a company town for Biltmore Estate employees in the 1890s, Biltmore Village’s tree-lined streets and English-village architecture create a great backdrop for an art-filled afternoon. Free parking is available throughout the Village, leaving your budget for more artful shopping.
New Morning Gallery makes a perfect first stop for your day. The 12,500-square-foot destination has championed American-made crafts since 1973. Inside you’ll find furniture that balances style and substance, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, and decorative items ready for new homes.
Then, discover Village Artist Market, a multi-artist marketplace featuring the work of 40+ Western North Carolina artists. This newer addition to Biltmore Village brings together pottery, paintings, glasswork, woodwork, textiles, jewelry, metalwork, and sculptures. The market regularly hosts Meet the Artist events, wine tastings, and hands-on art classes as well.
Stop in to see the Grand Bohemian Gallery, too. Its art matches its setting, with richly detailed oil paintings, handcrafted fine jewelry, and mixed media works, some of which are selected by hotelier Richard C. Kessler himself. The Red Stag Grill also makes a great stop for a special meal after a day of gallery-hopping.
The Estate Experience + Historical Gems
No weekend in the area would be complete without experiencing Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895, the Châteauesque-style mansion houses an extraordinary art collection that includes works by John Singer Sargent, Renoir, and Whistler. Bonus fun fact: The estate played a remarkable role in art history during World War II, when its unfinished Music Room secretly sheltered 62 paintings and 17 sculptures from the National Gallery of Art, including Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington.
Beyond the art inside, Frederick Law Olmsted’s landscape architecture transforms the 8,000-acre estate into a living canvas. Miles of trails, formal gardens, and seasonal displays offer endless opportunities to experience beauty in motion.
This year, Biltmore is serving as a filming location for a second upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie, which will be part of the network’s holiday lineup later this year. This spring, visitors will encounter an entirely new experience when Luminere, Biltmore’s immersive light and sound exhibition, opens on March 26, 2026—adding a fresh, contemporary layer to this historic landscape.
Beyond the Village
Continue your journey from Biltmore Village, and explore the 434 acres of The North Carolina Arboretum: where incredible horticulture and art meet. This public garden was envisioned by Frederick Law Olmsted nearly a century ago as part of his legacy for the Biltmore Estate. Today, you can stroll through 65 acres of cultivated gardens, including the nationally recognized Bonsai Exhibition Garden and the Blue Ridge Quilt Garden that mimics the region’s traditional quilt patterns
There’s something great to see all year round, too, not just in warmer weather. For example, the Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights installation, running from mid-November through December, illuminates the gardens with half a million energy-efficient lights. It’s magical to visit season after season.
Modern Amenities
For a different take on South Asheville living, head to Biltmore Park Town Square, Asheville’s first mixed-use community. Developed by Jack Cecil, great-grandson of George Vanderbilt, this 42-acre pedestrian-friendly destination reimagines traditional Main Street for modern life.
The outdoor plaza comes alive with free Concerts in the Park from June through October on Friday evenings, transforming the town square into a gathering place for the community. A weekly tailgate market runs from April through November, where local farmers sell fresh seasonal produce, cheese, meat, and poultry.
Hands-on Creativity
Sometimes a day of art will inspire you to make your own. Owner Leigh Cohen opened the bright, spacious Claying Around in 2005 with the vision of making pottery accessible to everyone. What started as a place to try the potter’s wheel without committing to a series of classes has evolved into a multi-medium creative haven. Paint your own pottery from an enormous selection of pieces, try glass fusing, create mosaics, shape silver clay jewelry, or book a pottery wheel lesson. The studio welcomes all ages and skill levels, with friendly staff ready to guide you through your own piece to take home.
Special Events
While some are mentioned above, the South Asheville region hosts many events that bring the arts community together throughout the year. A few upcoming events to add to your calendar now:
The Little Crafty
The North Carolina Arboretum
February 7 & 8 | 1 PM–6 PM each day | Parking fee waived Sunday, February 8
The North Carolina Arboretum, The Big Crafty, and ArtsAVL partner to offer The Little Crafty, an intimate craft market celebrating regional artists, nature-inspired making, and the creative spirit of Western North Carolina.
Trolls: A Field Study
The North Carolina Arboretum
Installation open through February 17 | 8 AM–7 PM each day |$20 parking fee
Visiting on their first North American excursion, twelve interactive troll sculptures by artist Thomas Dambo are exploring the Arboretum and delighting visitors.
Luminere
Biltmore Estate
Opening March 26, 2026 | Evening hours; dates and ticket prices vary
Step into a world of light, sound, and storytelling as Biltmore debuts Luminere, a new immersive experience woven throughout the estate’s historic landscape. This large-scale installation transforms gardens and grounds into a luminous journey, blending art, nature, and technology to create moments of wonder after dark. Designed to invite exploration and reflection, Luminere adds a contemporary, multi-sensory layer to one of America’s most iconic settings—offering visitors a fresh way to experience Biltmore in motion.
Check ArtsAVL’s Events Calendar for the latest happenings, including gallery openings, artist talks, and seasonal celebrations. Then, view more itineraries and explore All Arts. All Ways.
