Specialty Shops

You will discover things here that exist nowhere else.

Handmade Appalachian baskets. Vegan pocketbooks. Furniture carved entirely from one tree.  Jams, jellies and preserves so fresh that you can practically see the farmers picking the fruit off the vine. This area specializes in the unusual and one-of-a-kind.   

There are 36 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.

A Sense of Humor

A Sense of Humor is a "humor boutique" featuring fresh and witty merchandise for the home, office, and general everyday elimination of global grumpiness. We celebrate the unusual, the whacky, and the subversive nature of humor, and want to help you celebrate your own unique style of humor. We're a family-run, mostly family-friendly, and dog-friendly store that operates in the heart of downtown Asheville. Our list of fans grows daily. Come see why.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-5666

2 Battery Park
Asheville, NC 28801

Acme Motorcycle Ltd.

A "welcome center," clubhouse, and shop of wonders for the riding community, Acme Motorcycles is located six miles east of the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 74 in Fairview, NC. Acme is a friendly place to tap local knowledge of the scenic, winding roads that make WNC famous. For self-guided rides, we offer mapped directions. We have gear available too – Scorpion Helmets, Held Gloves and Olympia Jackets – all chosen for a high standard of protection and comfort. Acme is the essential starting point for your best riding ever. Come visit, the coffee pot is on.

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Phone number and address:

828-628-0058

1508 Charlotte Highway
Fairview, NC 28730

Appalachian Craft Center

The pottery of the North Carolina folk potters awaits you at Appalachian Crafts. Teague, Owen, McNeill, Wyndham, and Cole, as well as many skilled artisans from the surrounding neighborhoods. Phil Brown's carved eastern song birds, neat little wooden boxes from Virginia, wooden toys, hand-woven looped rugs, hand-quilted quilts, jams, jellies, wooden kitchen utensils, CDs of local folk singers, and even bees' wax candles! Rather read? We have books by local authors (Thomas Wolfe, Wilma Dykeman), books on what to do and where to go: hiking, biking, exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, and even some down home Southern cookbooks! Y'all come!

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Phone number and address:

828-253-8499

10 North Spruce Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Hardware

Aproximately 3,000 square feet of hard-to-find merchandise for the woodworking hobbyist and tool enthusiast – a man's store. The store is located in a renovated filling station - one of Asheville's beautiful Art Deco buildings. Regular demos, book signings, classes.

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Phone number and address:

828-252-8088

91 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

B. B. Barns - The Garden Company

A seven-acre garden center specializing in local flora found in Western North Carolina. B. B. Barns buyers search all over the country to bring you top quality, unique and unusual plants, perennials, trees and shrubs that you won't find anywhere else in the area. Their wide selection of orchids is the best in Western North Carolina. Come buy a beuatiful plant for your garden or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through the garden center.

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Phone number and address:

828-650-7300

3377 Sweeten Creek Road
Arden, NC 28704

Baggie Goose

Escape from the humdrum. Discover our stylish, classic gifts -- leather picture frames, beautiful glass hurricanes, exquisite bath salts, delightful baby gifts. Largest selection of invitations and Crane stationery in Western North Carolina

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Phone number and address:

828-274-3333

3 Swann Street
Asheville, NC 28803

Beads and Beyond

Open the door to creative inspiration. Since 1984, owner Barry Olen has searched out sources from around the world to collect a vast selection of beads, cut stones, and jewelry making supplies, as well as Sterling wire and sheet, tumblers, flex shafts and jewelry tools. Barry has created a jewelry design center, offering classes, repair services, and endless creative possibilities. The gallery space in front features large specimens of stunning minerals and rocks, jewelry and select works by local artists, as well as Barry's own creations. The back room has been outfitted for lapidary and jewelry making services and workshops. Working with more than 100 vendors, the selection of materials, including stone, precious metals, wood, handmade Czech glass, Japanese glass, shell, clay, and seeds, is quite impressive. Beads and Beyond can provide a place for novice crafters, as well as experienced jewelry artists to explore and enjoy the art of making jewelry.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-7927

37 Wall Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Bender Gallery

The Bender Gallery is one of the most spacious galleries in downtown Asheville on two sun filled levels. With over one hundred artists, we house the largest and most diverse collection of studio glass art in the region.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-6625

57 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Biltmore

Discover the wonders of Biltmore™ in Asheville. Begin with the breathtaking beauty of 250-room Biltmore House — America's largest home® — and century-old gardens. Explore our 8,000-acre backyard through a variety of activities from horseback riding to rafting. Please your palate at our award-winning winery and restaurants, then browse our shops for unique items inspired by George Vanderbilt's estate. Finally, savor the long-lasting benefits of a luxurious getaway at our four-star inn.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-1333

One Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Biltmore Village Dolls

A collector's paradise featuring dolls, bears, and doll clothes and furniture. Choose from Alexander, Osmond, Middleton, Magic Attic, Muffy, Cottage Collectibles, Beanie Babies and much more.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-9234

3 All Souls Crescent
Asheville, NC 28803

Biltmore Winery

A visit to the Winery at Biltmore is a truly unique experience. At America's most visited winery, you can explore, taste and relax. Start by exploring the historic Winery housed in the renovated Biltmore Dairy by strolling through the cellars and getting a bird's eye view of the state-of-the-art winemaking process. Then, step into the spacious tasting room where you can sample a wide variety of wines specially crafted by winemakers Bernard Delille and Sharon Fenchak. With nearly 50 different wines, there is a wine to suit everyone. Sit in on one of the wine seminars, such as Red Wine & Chocolate, to learn more about the joys of pairing wine and food. To round out your experience, find a quiet spot on the patio or enjoy some local live music in the Wine Bar and relax with a glass of your favorite vino and some tapas.

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Phone number and address:

One Approach Rd
Asheville, NC 28803

Blaze-N-Skyy Pet Boutique & Wellness Center

Blaze-N-Skyy is a luxury dog boutique in the heart of downtown Asheville. Specializing in a wide selection of designer collars and leashes, one-of-a-kind dog clothes, accesories, beds, holistic treats and unusual pet gifts.

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Phone number and address:

828-253-2850

62 Wall Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Blue Spiral 1

Specializing in Southeastern fine art and crafts in a stunning, three-level, 15,000-square-foot setting. Thirty thematic and one-person exhibitions a year. The gallery was founded in 1991. The 15,500-square-foot gallery in an elegant and spacious surroundings and spans three floors connected by an open stairway. Blue Spiral 1 presents thirty annual exhibitions of sculpture and paintings.

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Phone number and address:

828-251-0202

38 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

Bruisin' Ales

Bruisin' Ales, Asheville's renowned beer-only store, boasts nearly 800 brews from around the world (and around the corner). The small, colorful boutique in the heart of downtown is a treasure trove for beer lovers—specializing in Belgians, Belgian-style, American craft brews, and the very best from around the world. The unique bottle shop set-up allow customers to "Mix-a-Six." Choose from the shelves or two coolers chocked full with a constantly rotating stock. A large selection of glassware, books, t-shirts, hats and other breweriana await. Sign-up the mailing list, follow us on Twitter (@bruisinales), or join our Facebook page for the latest info. Owned and operated by Jason and Julie Atallah since 2006, Bruisin' Ales has quickly become known in the beer world and was recently rated the #3 Best Beer Retailer Worldwide by RateBeer Best 2009 and one of the Top Ten Bottleshops in the US by Imbibe Magazine.

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Phone number and address:

828-252-8999

66 Broadway Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Cloth Fiber Workshop

Cloth Fiber Workshop is a textile arts learning community dedicated to the celebration of creativity through textiles. Based in beautiful Asheville, Cloth Fiber Workshop offers a variety of workshops for students of all experience levels. Join us as we explore the exciting world of textiles through education.

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Phone number and address:

828-505-2958

Workshops in various locations in and around Asheville
Asheville, NC 28801

Colburn Earth Science Museum

Volcanoes! Earthquakes! Jewels! Amazing minerals! Mining! Where can you explore all this and more? At the Colburn Earth Science Museum, a downtown fixture since 1960, began as the Colburn Gem and Mineral Museum. Still home to the amazing collection of gems and minerals that have made it world renowned; the Colburn expanded its mission in 2004 to include all the earth sciences. With all ages, interactive, hands-on exhibits on geology, plate tectonics, meteorology and the history of mining in Western North Carolina, the Colburn Earth Science Museum is truly a place where the earth comes alive. Located on the lower level of Pack Place in the heart of Asheville near restaurants and shops, a visit to the Colburn is an adventure of discovery that the whole family will enjoy.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-7162

2 South Pack Square at Pack Place
Asheville, NC 28801

Compleat Naturalist Nature Store & Gallery

A discovery packed nature and science emporium. Full selection of binoculars and telescopes. Hiking guides, packs and hats, nature books and toys. Adjacent gallery features the world's best wildlife artists.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-5430

2 Biltmore Plaza
Historic Biltmore Village
Asheville, NC 28803

Funky Mutt

Funky Mutt is a fun and frisky shop for dogs, cats and their human companions. The tiny space is packed with local goodies from potters, artists, bakers and craft people. Pick up some yummy treats, buy Fido a Hawaiian shirt and matching hemp collar, and grab a bag of organic cat nip for Miss Kitty.

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Phone number and address:

828-253-0080

30 N Lexington Ave (inside Mountain Lights)
Asheville, NC 28801

Gardener's Cottage

Garden shop with a focus on antiques. Fresh flowers, unique plants, unusual containers and beautiful vase in a charming cottage atmosphere. The Gardener's Cottage is a garden experience not to be missed.

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Phone number and address:

828-277-2020

34 All Souls Crescent
Asheville, NC 28803

Grove Arcade

Asheville's Grove Arcade offers boutique shopping, unique dining and regional crafts in a downtown architectural wonder. The building is open daily and features an outdoor portico market. A downloadable building tour is available on the website.

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Phone number and address:

828-252-7799

1 Page Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

Just Ducky

Classic fashions for children featuring the JD line at 30 to 50 percent off retail. Many other fine lines available. Baby gifts, tea sets and music boxes designed to fit a mother's taste and a child's whimsy.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-4247

100 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Mountain Lights

Illuminate your space with alternative lighting and hand crafted candles, or create your own sanctuary with local pottery fountains, eclectic art and exotic fragrances. Find lighting and gifts for the peaceful home from Syria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Bali, India or from our own region. We actively support local artists and craftsmen. Come see where the locals shop!

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Phone number and address:

828-253-0080

30 N Lexington Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

New Morning Gallery

Satisfy the soul with handcrafted objects that give meaning to the phrase Art for Living. New Morning Gallery is a fine crafts destination that showcases a collection of decorative and functional crafts, all handmade by American artisans. The recent 6,000 square-foot addition is divided into a dozen distinctive showrooms and vignettes for every room of the house. You'll find a stunning furniture collection, featuring the largest selection of Sticks in the Southeast...bedroom suites, dining tables, living room furniture and charming accent pieces and accessories. Custom orders welcome. Parking on site.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-2831

7 Boston Way
Asheville, NC 28803

North Carolina Arboretum

434-acre public garden in south Asheville with 65-acres of cultivated gardens including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested trails, Garden tours, Segway® Tours, Art Walk, Nature Activities for kids, rotating science, art and cultural history exhibits, a Cafe and gift shops.

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Phone number and address:

828-665-2492

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806

Olde World Christmas Shoppe

Enjoy the sounds of Christmas. Unique Christmas and gift items: Dee Cash Santas, Vaillancourt folk art, Snow Village, Anri Woodcarvings, Snowbabies, Bradford Exchange, Hummel. Homemade cream and butter fudge.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-4819

5 Boston Way
Asheville, NC 28803

Once Upon a Time

The area's largest complete children's store with more than 6,000 children's book titles, unique educational and "fun" toys and games, and a full range of quality children's clothing.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-8788

7 All Souls Crescent
Asheville, NC 28803

Porter and Prince, Ltd.

Located in Historic Biltmore Village, Porter and Prince offers Asheville's most beautiful offering of fine linens, furniture, European soaps, aromatherapy candles and unique treasures made by local artisans.

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Phone number and address:

828-236-2337

Biltmore Station
2 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Ten Thousand Villages

Handmade home decor, personal accessories, and gift items hand crafted by artisans from around the world. Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to artisans by marketing their products and telling their stories.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-8374

10 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801

The Health Adventure

The Health Adventure is a fun-filled educational museum that sparks curiosity about health and science. Explore two levels of interactive exhibits, including blockbuster traveling exhibits from across the country. Participate in hands-on activities led by our expert educators. At The Health Adventure, we encourage creativity and individual discovery through smart fun.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-6373

2 South Pack Square
Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center
Asheville, NC 28802

The Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual Inc.

Known for its legendary craftsmanship, Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual Inc., was founded in 1946 to secure fair prices and provide a year-round market for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian artisans. As the nation's oldest and leading arts and crafts cooperative, Qualla has 300 members who create baskets, pottery, wood and stone carved sculpture, beadwork, fine art paintings and more for display and purchase at the co-op. Many member artists work with age-old, traditional techniques and materials, while others experiment with new methods and abstract forms. Entry to Qualla is a juried process and is restricted to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The purity and simplicity of ancient and contemporary Cherokee arts and crafts on display in the co-op's gallery have attracted collectors from around the world, and free gallery tours are available Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the summer. Qualla also offers appraisals and repair services.

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Phone number and address:

828-497-3103

645 Tsali Boulevard
Cherokee, NC 28719

Tic-n-Time

Make every minute beautiful with the perfect finishing touch for your home: a clock from Tic-n-Time. Shop our comfortable store for an exceptional selection of fine contemporary and traditional designs offering a array of clocks by the industry's top manufacturers including the Biltmore Collection. Express your fine taste with a truly "time"-less work of art from Tic-n-Time.

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Phone number and address:

828-257-2281

One Page Ave, Suite 144
Asheville, NC 28801

Town Hardware & General Store

Take a trip back in time while enjoying three historic buildings filled with great toys, practical housewares, hand woodworking tools, regional books, nostalgic collectibles and garden gifts. Shipping available.

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Phone number and address:

828-669-7723

103 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711

Waggers Dog Depot

The newest fun place for dogs in Asheville. We offer a delicious variety of homemade treats and chews, dog clothing, unique toys, accessories and pet photography. Use our stress-free grooming service, We do not cage pets or use cage dryers. Our State-of-the-Art Self Serve dog wash makes it fun and easy to wash your dog, bring the whole family.

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Phone number and address:

828-271-4741

1020 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804

William & Grace

Timeless children's fashions for girls newborn to 12 and for boys newborn to 8. Clothing for everyday and special occasions including smocking, matching brother-sister outfits. Upstairs above Once Upon a Time.

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Phone number and address:

828-277-8991

7 All Souls Crescent
Historic Biltmore Village
Asheville, NC 28803

WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center is 40 acres of animals in their native habitats. It provides an opportunity to learn, to touch and to know our rich natural heritage through educational and interactive exhibits.

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Phone number and address:

828-298-5600

75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805

Yarn Paradise

Asheville's largest selection of imported and domestic designer yarns, knitting and crochet accessories including needles, great selection of books and patterns. Classes for beginners to experts. Helpful staff.

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Phone number and address:

828-274-4213

6 All Souls Crescent
Historic Biltmore Village
Asheville, NC 28803