A Guide to the River Arts District, Asheville NC (Why, What, and How)

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From the freshly ground coffee to urban wine and family-friendly breweries, it’s no wonder why more people are heading towards Asheville’s River Arts District to get their entertainment kicks.

The River Arts District, or RAD as the locals affectionately call it, is a creative neighborhood in Asheville that sits on the banks of the French Broad River, and sees its historic warehouses and mills turned into studios for North Carolina’s elite artists.

From glassblowing to pottery to independent art galleries, as well as restaurants and skate parks, the focus of the River Arts District in Downtown Asheville is all about connecting art to the community.

It’s the place to go for nightlife, afternoon walks, window shopping, and simply soaking in the community vibes of Asheville.

So if you’re planning on visiting the River Arts District but not sure what there is to see and do there, and what it’s all about, here’s everything you need to know…

Where is the River Arts District in Asheville?

The River Arts District is the artistic heart of Asheville. Paintings adorn the walls, sculptures stand proud in gardens, murals form the backsplashes to bars, and graffiti wraps around the revitalized warehouses and brick buildings of the region.

This is not just one or two buildings dedicated to celebrating local artisans and a vibrant community spirit, but several blocks of it.

The River Arts District is located just south of the main Asheville downtown area east of the railroad tracks and the French Broad River.

The neighborhood sits between the boundaries of Clingman Ave to the East, Patton Avenue to the North, Oakland Road to the South, and the French Broad River on the West.

The main streets with attractions to see are on Roberts Street, Artful Way, Foundy Street and Clingman Avenue.

The paved 2-mile Wilma Dykeman greenway runs alongside the river and through the district and features public artwork.

There is ample parking on the streets around each of the hubs.

The River Arts District stretches over a mile and is made up of 23 buildings housing more than 270 local artists working in paint, pencil, pottery, metal, fiber, glass, cold wax, paper and more. Within some of these buildings, you’ll find multiple artists, sculptors, and studios.

The region is divided into hubs that take up a block or two.

Each hub is identified by a color, which corresponds to pole banners you’ll see along the road, building colors, and the map/brochure for each area. From North to South, the colors in order are green, red, orange, purple, and blue.

Within each hub, you’ll find studios, galleries, places to eat and drink, and live music venues. (See our REEL of the River Arts District)

History of Asheville River Arts District

In the late 1800s it was the industrial heart of the city with factories and mills lining the river. This didn’t last and soon it turned into a run-down area with abandoned and boarded up buildings.

Until the 1980s where this gritty industrial area started to transform, its rebirth growing local artist’s need for cheap rents and large studio spaces.

For over two decades now these empty warehouses, factories, mills, and tanneries have been revitalized into this colorful and creative safe haven for local and resident artists, and now visitors, who want to experience what can happen when a community puts art, people, and unique stories first.

These days the rent prices aren’t as cheap as they were in the beginning. With the exploding growth of this area, and future expansion plans, it was only a matter of time.

It’s well suited to the free and adventurous lifestyle of Western North Carolina, and it’s now one of our favorite things to do in Downtown Asheville. 

How to long does it take to visit the River Arts District, Asheville?

I recommend you spend at least 3-4 hours exploring the River Arts District of Asheville.

We started by exploring the top red hub and then worked our way south, finishing in the Blue Foundy area. I liked ending here as it was my favorite section with a lot to do.

Plan your itinerary around where you want to eat, have coffee, and a craft brew or urban wine – and at what times. The art you can easily fit in around that. Unless there are specific exhibitions, events, or live music on.

How to get around the River Arts District?

Many people love to cycle around the River Arts District, but you could walk from one district to another. I felt it was manageable on foot and we walked between a couple of districts.

Some of the streets between the hubs don’t have sidewalks. I would have been fine regardless, even with kids. We did not visit on a busy day, however.

You can pick up maps at various places in the city, and more than likely, your first stop on your River Arts Explorations.

There is a guided tour available of the River Arts District, if you don’t want to do it on your own.

Things to do in the River Arts District

We did not get to visit everything, but since we live only four hours away, we plan to come back and explore more.

I’ve listed these attractions in the order of Upper Rad to Lower, ending by the French Broad River.

Many of these places have been damaged in the storm, especially in the Green and Blue hubs, but we felt compelled to keep them in this guide as we pray for them to return and to showcase what a massive loss these creative businesses are to the local community.

RAD Green Hub (Riverside Drive)

We started in the purple district and, with this decision, missed the Green district! I’ve researched some attractions in this area so you know what there is to see and do there.

Asheville Cotton Mills Studios

One of the oldest buildings in Asheville, the Cotton Mill complex was built in 1887 and produced denim and flannel, employing more than 300 people until it ceased operations in 1953.

Most of the two-story brick complex burned to the ground in 1995, except for the south wing building which is today known as The Asheville Cotton Mill Studios. Sadly, during Storm Helene in January 2025, a large portion of this mill has been damaged and the mills are closed until further notice.

It was one of the busiest studios in the district, with eight studio spaces filled with natural light that is the dream of all artists. It was the creative hub for photographers, custom-made clothing makers, tattoo artists, painters, and printers.

White Duck Taco Shop, Hatchery Studios

High on the list of foodies visiting Asheville is the White Duck Taco Shop, a colorful, sunlit space that sells $3 fish tacos to rave about.

One of their locations is in the vibrant Hatchery Studios, formerly the Earle-Chesterfield Mill Company Hatchery.

The Hatchery houses R.A.D. artists who create jewelry, pottery, paintings and more.

RAD Red Hub: (Roberts St)

North Carolina Glass Center

After seeing master glass blower Chihuly’s artwork around the country, in particular Biltmore Estate Gardens and the Chihuly Center in Seattle, the NC Glass Center was at the top of my places to visit in the River Arts District.

Fortunately, it’s still open and has not suffered from Hurricane Helene.

First highlight was the vibrant mural on the front of the building inviting you into this fiery world of turning glass into masterpieces.

Not only can you watch artists at work, and see beautiful pieces in the gallery, you can try your hand at glassblowing with a range of workshops and glassblowing and flameworking classes they offer.

Olde London Road English Pub

Another restaurant still operating after the hurricane, is the Olde English Pub. I stared longingly through the windows of this English pub as we walked by.

Crowds of people sat with their team scarves draped over their shoulders eagerly watching their team on the screen.

The girls wouldn’t have been happy if we stopped in to watch. But, if you’re an English fan, this may be a place you want to stop, especially if there is a soccer game on.

Wedge Studios

One of the most well known and popular of the places to visit in the River Arts District is Wedge Studios, which is still operating after the storm.

This historical building houses over 30 professional working artists’ studios on four levels, a brewery, a restaurant, a hair salon, and a wine bar.

Originally constructed in 1898, it was once the largest leather tannery in the USA during its time.

I loved the encaustic paintings with beeswax by artist Dagmar Bruehmueller and the abstract art of Callie Ferraro. Kids will especially love all her thoughts written over the walls!

Wedge Brewing Company

Tucked away behind the art studios is an industrial railroad yard is the popular brewery and beer garden of Wedge Brewing Company.

While it feels cluttered and thrown together the vibe really works. I loved the industrial welding artistic style of the place with its tables, seats, and hanging art pieces made from salvaged iron and steel, possibly paying homage to Wedge Studios founder, metal artist John Payne.

They have regular rotating food trucks and patrons love their hoppy IPAs and stouts. Look for live music on Saturdays! They also have another location at the Foundy Section of RAD.

If you need coffee, Ultra Coffeebar is in this in the red area. The Bull and Beggar is also a popular restaurant (with raveable cocktails)

Orange Art District (River Arts Pl)

Curve Studios and Garden

Curve Studios was keeping the RAD in R.A.D for over 30 years, but is now crowdfunding to help restore their beloved studios after it was damaged in the floods by Hurricane Helene.

Originally built in 1916 by Standard Oil Company of New Jersey as a warehouse from which they supplied their chain of retail gasoline stations, it was reborn into a studio space in 1989 by Patti Torno who purchased the buildings.

It’s now the space for 11 artists who were hard at work making ceramic sculpture, functional pottery, jewelry, clothing, and fine art photography as well as teaching the art of chair caning.

Curve Studios closed on Sundays, which meant we couldn’t see anything inside the studios. But we enjoyed taking photos outside in front of the LOVE mural and their hidden garden.

I am sad the garden was damaged in the storm. I will miss the 8ft tall chair arch to honor Torno’s long contributions to the art district.

Built by Brandy Clements, Dave Klingler, and Lucy Kruesel from the Silver River Center for Chair Caning at Curve Studios, which was the only chair caning school and museum in the USA.

Purple District (Depot Street)

Pink Dog Creative

We are grateful that this studio in the River Arts District only sustained minimal damage in the storm and is open today.

It was the first place we visited and the place that captured the girls attention with the vibrantly colorful facade of Pink Dog Creative, housed in a former manufacturing and warehouse building.

Walk from one studio to another along the row. You’ll find 30 artists, a gallery and two restaurants – Fresh West Pizza and Vivian.

A favorite of ours for this building were the colorful and intricate patterns on the Ukrainian pysanky eggs by artist Andrea Kulish. You may even pick up a stunning piece of handcrafted jewelry from Christie Calaycay.

You can grab a coffee from Grind Coffee Shop, the first Black-owned coffee shop in Asheville.

It’s also a coworking space and café whose aim is to nurture entrepreneurship, especially in the Black community. You’ll find pastries AND cool artwork on the walls inside as well. Or, nearby Ultra Coffee Bar.

The Community Container Project

One of my favorite murals was across the road from Pink Dog Creative. Trinity Harper Pierce, an eleven-year-old budding artist, won a competition to paint the 44×18 ft container.

Her message was accompanied by a giant red heart “Love your community.” She says,

“There was a lot of violence in my neighborhood. I want people to care more about their community. When they drive by and see this, I hope their hearts grow as big as the heart in the painting. I want the love to spread all throughout my community, my city and my county.” (Source: The Laurel of Asheville).

Just reading this makes my heart grow bigger.

Be sure to grab a photo if you arrive and there are no cars parked in front! We had a brain fart and had to settle for a photo later navigating around them!

Blue Hub: Foundy St 

The Blue Foundy St area was my favorite place in the River Arts District. It had an urban funk vibe with wild graffiti wrapping the walls of every building.

Sadly, this area has been massively demolished due to devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Many of the studios, restaurants, and bars in this area have closed, some of them permanently, because their premises were destoryed in the storm.

Now more than ever it’s important to support local. I remember walking through this scenic area and feeling like I walked onto a canvas and become part of the masterpiece, now it’s all rubble and ruin.

If you appreciate art, especially street art, then check out the websites of the following businesses who have had to close due to the destruction of this hub.

Foundation Studios

Foundation Studios was a gallery space with working artist studios, and rooms for events and classes. Their mixed medium art includes painting, printmaking, ceramics, metal arts, wood burning, and fiber art.

They had a wide variety of classes available to join, such as basket weaving or oil painting, which catered to adults and kids. The diversity of art here was incredible!

Both our girls and I were intrigued by the Amy Winehouse painting on display in the gallery. I did not record the artist’s name down and now cannot find it!

I loved the fun and bright prints and stickers from A Quartzy Life (perfect gifts or souvenirs) and Jerry Cahill’s murals on the outside of the building were boldly mesmerizing.

This is a huge loss to the River Arts District.

Riverview Station

Housed in a former tannery and candle manufacturing building overlooking the French Broad River, this 110,000 sq foot space is home to a thriving community of more than 60 artists.

Inside Riverview Station you’ll find potters and painters, photographers, woodworkers, jewelry designers, mixed media artists as well as three art galleries.

Don’t miss the Art Garden, a studio and gallery space of artists working together to create an immersive art environment with Earth centered themes.

You’ll find not only extraordinary pieces of art but plants that naturally uplift and inspire awe and wonder. It’s worth going here just to see the fantastic realism paintings of Annie Kyla Bennett and Magical Realism art from Medicine Heart Mural (Annie Kyla Bennet, Dillon Endico, Jack Henry)

Riverview also has live art demonstrations and classes.

Summit Coffee

On our last morning leaving Asheville, we stopped into the Foundy St for lunch and a latte from Summit Coffee.

It was the best coffee in Asheville, and its premises was beautiful too.

It had a minimalist interior and fun graffiti wrapped building, and an outside garden with two floors of seating inside with loads of natural light.

Sadly, now Summit Coffee operate out of a coffee truck.

12 Bones Smokehouse 

This BBQ joint is a huge loss to the Asheville community. It was so good Obama went back twice for some Carolina BBQ!

It was a fantastic, unpretentious smokehouse that had a few mouthwatering items the former President and his family loved! It’s going to be a huge blow to the River Arts community to no longer smell the BBQ smells wafting through the entire Foundy district.

12 Bones mades everything from scratch and its meats are smoked long and slow over select hardwoods, oak, and cherry.

Although the smokehouse has closed, they still have a brewery and smokehouse in Arden, NC. Be sure to pay them a visit to show your respect for what they lost.

Pleb Urban Winery 

If there is one place I will miss from the Asheville River Arts District, it’s a tasting flight of local wine at Pleb Urban Winery.

It’s sad to think you will no longer gaze upon the giant-sized mural of an angelic girl blowing a dandelion into the breeze anymore.

This former open warehouse space, affectionately decorated with murals, has lost its premises in the hurricane.

Every sip was supporting local Western NC agriculture, sustainable practices, all the while enjoying the unique characteristics of Appalachian wine.

There’s currently no news about whether this winery will reopen. We send all our love and support. It was a favorite of mine in Asheville!

Grail Moviehouse

While we did not watch a movie at the Grail MovieHouse, but I loved the concept of this tiny independent theater.

It was an intimate theater that showed a mix of first-run films, old classics, documentaries, and indie flicks.

We hope this one can make it back one day.

Foundation Spot Skate Park

It’s was never just art lovers that came to visit Asheville, but skateboarders as well.

The Foundation Spot was a DIY skateable sculpture park built by volunteers with all the pipes, runs, tunnels, and bumps wrapped in graffiti.

Sadly, it was demolished after the hurricane. R.I.P.

Next door was the Rad Skate Park, an indoor skate park with all the ramps and obstacles skaters dream of, but sadly this too has had to close because of the hurricane.

The French Broad River Trail

If you haven’t yet walked on the paved path beside the French Broad River, this trail is still open and it’s right next to the blue area.

Although it wouldn’t be as scenic now as it used to be since it’s surrounded by the broken and collapsed buildings of the Blue Hub, but this is one of the reasons why you should walk it. To pay respect and tribute to those who lost their livelihoods and creative hubs.

The French Broad River is the third oldest river in the world and is older than the Blue Ridge Mountains.

You can walk north to reach the River Arts District sculptured sign, or south to the French Broad River Park.

This would be a great spot for a bike ride. Kayakers and tubers may also love a float (in the warmer months!)

TOUR IDEA: Guided Tours on the French Broad River

1 KAYAK the French Broad River and sight see Asheville as you go. Learn about local flora and fauna with your certified naturalist guide and enjoy a sneak peak of the Biltmore Estate. Book your trip here.

2. PADDLEBOARD TOUR: Paddle 7 miles (11 km) with a private guide on the picturesque French Broad River. You’ll pass by Asheville’s massive Biltmore Estate and hear about its history Book your trip here.

Best time to visit the River Arts District

Many studios are open every day, all year round, but it does vary from studio to studio. If you want to see a particular artist, be sure to research their opening time.

Wednesday to Saturday is typically the best time to catch artists, although Saturday is usually the busiest day of the week and when you’ll have the best shopping success.

‘Second Saturday’ is held every second Saturday of the month. The Asheville Arts District has gallery walks, with demonstrations, workshops, live music, wine tasting and more!

Popular with art aficionados is the annual Studio Stroll held on a weekend each Fall. Two days full of special demonstrations and events, including unique workshops and gallery receptions. Many studios have snacks and refreshments, and there are free trolley rides to help you get between the buildings.

From the beginning of May to November, the River Arts District Farmers Market runs on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every week. You will find dozens of local farms, creameries, and bakeries here. 

Where to stay in Asheville

As the River Arts District is only minutes from downtown Asheville, which has a range of options for accommodation and is the best location to stay in.

It’s close to all the main attractions, and connected to the Interstate 240, so you can make day trips easily.

We loved our stay at the Hotel Indigo Asheville downtown, which is a four-star pet friendly hotel with individually styled rooms and a great breakfast.

We like accommodation options that help to tell the story of the region we are visiting, and this boutique Asheville hotel does that. We love that it has local artwork on the walls and the food from the restaurant is farm to table.

Not to mention its ideal location, engaging service (with insider tips), and incredible mountain vistas from the room.

Read our review on why we loved Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown here.

Why visit the River Arts District (especially with kids)

I was worried half a day would be too much exploring this district in Asheville and the kids would get bored. Typically, they are in an art museum.

But this is not pristine, stuffy, and quiet like an art museum. Even our teen enjoyed it a lot.

What sets the River Arts District apart from an art museum, and why I especially recommend it when traveling with kids, is that this is a living, breathing creative space.

It’s art in process: from the originating ideas written all over walls, to pieces in motion sitting on desks or easels, to completed works beautifully displayed on shelves.

You can walk through artists’ studios and see the messy side of creation (with its mistakes), touch (check first) or snap mural photos, talk to the artists, participate in a class, see an eclectic mix of art designs and forms, and even purchase something you can’t stop thinking about or looking at.

And all of this comes with a local perspective helping you to get to know the culture of the region you are visiting. In this case, Asheville, a city that puts community, art, and nature at the center of everything.

Any art enthusiasts or collectors on a getaway to Asheville, you will love diving into this blossoming eclectic, home-grown art scene.

It’s also important to visit now, more than ever, due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene and the destruction she caused to these local businesses and their premises.

More Travel Guides For Nearby Destinations

Check out the following guides for more inspiration and things to do in the Asheville region.

• Top Places To Go in the North Carolina Mountains (Western NC)
• Welcome to the Largest Home in America: Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
• Asheville NC: Rock climbing, breweries and stunning waterfalls
• Slip Into Serenity With These 8 Things To Do In Lake Lure, NC
• Lake Junaluska, North Carolina Mountains – a retreat for the spiritually minded
• Climb 499 Steps To The Top of Chimney Rock, NC for Incredible Views!
• 7-day road trip itinerary between Raleigh and Cherokee in the Great Smoky Mountains
• How to enjoy a weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains from Raleigh

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