Downtown Asheville Arts District (DAAD)

The Downtown Asheville Arts District is not a place but, rather, a community of galleries and museums. It includes the Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Gallery of Art, and the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. All businesses are within a half-mile (0.8-kilometer) radius, allowing you to visit spots based on interest. Some businesses have unique features, like the old-fashioned Soda Fountain in Woolworth Walk or the coworking space in the Center for Craft.

• You can download a map for a self-guided tour.
• Some galleries are open on certain days by appointment only.
• DAAD is an area separate from the River Arts District.

The Downtown Asheville Arts District is concentrated around Broadway Street/Biltmore Avenue. Take the Broadway Street exit on Interstate 240 and find street parking or a paid parking garage. The most convenient parking options are available near the College Street and Walnut Street intersections. However, you can park in most garages downtown and still be within walking distance of at least two galleries.

All galleries and museums in the Downtown Asheville Arts District have independent operating hours, though many are open daily. One of the best times to first DAAD is for its First Fridays events. On the first Friday of the month between July and November, DAAD’s galleries stay open into the late evening for an art walk that features refreshments, live music, performances, art demonstrations, and kid-friendly activities.

The Downtown Asheville Arts District differs from Asheville’s River Arts District, though both are near each other. The River Arts District runs between the French Broad River and S. French Broad Avenue. This once-industrial hub turned into a haven for creatives. RAD’s artist studios sit inside old factories; you can view art, purchase creations, and even take classes at many of them.