Discover a very diverse community in gay Asheville! It's been a popular resort and relocation area for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities for many years. The large LGBTQ community enjoys welcoming visitors since most of them were once visitors before they fell in love with the area and relocated. Find many places to go and things to do. With a very vibrant arts community, creativity abounds! For an extra festive weekend, come to the Blue Ridge Pride Celebration each fall.
Also see Blue Ridge Pride's community-driven, searchable database for LGBTQ safe businesses, churches, events, groups, programs, and more. Go to Blue Ridge Pride's virtual LGBTQ Community Welcome Center.
Gay Friendly Asheville Places to Stay & Things to Do
Haywood Park Hotel, Asheville
Stay right in the heart of downtown Asheville at this historic, boutique hotel. Be pampered in elegantly-appointed, oversized suites. Enjoy champagne at check-in and immerse yourself in Southern… read more
Stay right in the heart of downtown Asheville at this historic, boutique hotel. Be pampered in elegantly-appointed, oversized suites. Enjoy champagne at check-in and immerse yourself in Southern hospitality. 48 spacious suites, wireless internet, complimentary valet and bell service, 43″ HDTVs, Keurig® coffee makers, 24/7 access to the fitness center. Pet friendly!
This area…
Cedar Crest Inn, Asheville
The magnificent Queen Anne mansion provides guests with a glimpse back in time. Lavish interior woodwork, period antiques and Victorian décor are found throughout. Just a few blocks from Biltmore… read more
The magnificent Queen Anne mansion provides guests with a glimpse back in time. Lavish interior woodwork, period antiques and Victorian décor are found throughout. Just a few blocks from Biltmore Estate. 12 rooms, $165-$349, 2 guest cottage suites, private baths, fireplaces, gourmet breakfast, 1.5 miles from downtown Asheville.
Shoji Spa & Lodge, Asheville
Discover serenity at this unique spa retreat, just 8 minutes from downtown Asheville near the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway. Shoji boasts four rustic units nestled against the edge of Pisgah… read more
Discover serenity at this unique spa retreat, just 8 minutes from downtown Asheville near the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway. Shoji boasts four rustic units nestled against the edge of Pisgah National Forest, complete with Japanese-style salt hydrotherapy tubs and a serene atmosphere. Guests can unwind in this inviting setting, which is ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation and makes it the perfect getaway for spa enthusiasts.
Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours
See the city’s scenic beauty and historic landmarks atop some of Asheville’s highly acclaimed rooftop bars! This fun guided tour in the heart of the city offers fascinating stories and photos from… read more
See the city’s scenic beauty and historic landmarks atop some of Asheville’s highly acclaimed rooftop bars! This fun guided tour in the heart of the city offers fascinating stories and photos from the city’s past while you sample cocktails (or mocktails) at three rooftop bars. Rooftop sunset tours, too. Tours are rain or shine, with covered and heated areas, including fire pits for year-round…
Experience Biltmore
Take in the grandeur of our country's largest home, the "Downton Abbey" of America. Explore the many rooms inside the house, walk through breathtaking landscapes and gardens, taste vintages at the… read more
Take in the grandeur of our country's largest home, the "Downton Abbey" of America. Explore the many rooms inside the house, walk through breathtaking landscapes and gardens, taste vintages at the winery and enjoy fine dining. See many things to do with our detailed insider's guide!
Top 75+ Outdoors - Asheville & NC Mountains
Explore our mountains with hikes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many thousands of acres of national forest and park land. Get outside in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains with our 70… read more
Explore our mountains with hikes, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and many thousands of acres of national forest and park land. Get outside in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains with our 70 favorite things to do.
Compassionate Expressions Inn & Healing Sanctuary, Leicester
Just 30 minutes from Asheville, this magical mountain retreat is a certified wildlife habitat on 40 private acres. Enjoy cabin-like houses and inn rooms bordered by a creek and medicinal plants.… read more
Just 30 minutes from Asheville, this magical mountain retreat is a certified wildlife habitat on 40 private acres. Enjoy cabin-like houses and inn rooms bordered by a creek and medicinal plants. With two rooms and two house rentals available, guests can pamper themselves with personalized healing and spa packages in this serene setting.
Beaufort House Inn, Asheville
Stay in a gracious, historic 1894 Victorian mansion just a half mile from downtown. It's stately yet casual. Evening wine tasting. Awake to a gourmet two-course breakfast. Beautiful garden setting… read more
Stay in a gracious, historic 1894 Victorian mansion just a half mile from downtown. It's stately yet casual. Evening wine tasting. Awake to a gourmet two-course breakfast. Beautiful garden setting on 1.5 acres in the Chestnut Hill Historic District. Find old world charm with today's luxuries. 11 rooms, two-person Jacuzzis, wi-fi, DVD library, fireplaces, fresh flowers, luxury bedding, LCD TVs…
Asheville Outlets
Shop 75 national and local outlets in this beautiful, new outdoor shopping village. It's located on I-26, just six miles from Biltmore and seven miles from downtown Asheville. It's pet-friendly,… read more
Shop 75 national and local outlets in this beautiful, new outdoor shopping village. It's located on I-26, just six miles from Biltmore and seven miles from downtown Asheville. It's pet-friendly, and there are many events and sales throughout the year.
Meet Artists in River Arts District
Our top pick for art lovers is exploring the River Arts District to watch artists at work, ask them about the process and buy art as a souvenir of your visit! More than 200 artists work in 25… read more
Our top pick for art lovers is exploring the River Arts District to watch artists at work, ask them about the process and buy art as a souvenir of your visit! More than 200 artists work in 25 buildings, including old warehouses and factories along the river near downtown and Biltmore.
LaZoom Tours
Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current… read more
Take the most fun city tour ever in a bright purple bus full of laughter! Through captivating stories, comedy skits, and an enthralling musical soundscape, experience Asheville's history, current culture, and counterculture with their 90-minute interactive bus tours that depart from downtown. Haunted and beer tours, too!
300 Things to Do
See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns.
See our master list of places to see and things to do in the western North Carolina mountains, including Asheville and our many small towns.
Top Art Galleries
Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery, and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are… read more
Visit a gallery to be amazed at a big variety of local art and craft, including glass, paintings, pottery, and every other medium you can imagine. Asheville and the North Carolina mountains are home to hundreds of world-class artists. Here are our favorite galleries to see their creations.
Malaprops Bookstore & Coffee Shop
Enjoy java in this wonderful independent bookstore that has been a fixture downtown for 20+ years. Browse their diverse collection, enjoy goodies in their coffee and pastry shop, or use their free… read more
Enjoy java in this wonderful independent bookstore that has been a fixture downtown for 20+ years. Browse their diverse collection, enjoy goodies in their coffee and pastry shop, or use their free wi-fi. Stop by for a reading and autograph on many evenings. Or enjoy open mic nights for local poets. Open until 10 PM on Friday & Saturday. 55 Haywood St.
Scandals Nightclub
Since 1982, Asheville's largest high-energy dance club is renowned throughout as the epicenter for creativity, diversity and entertainment. Don't miss their midnight show, premiering the best drag… read more
Since 1982, Asheville's largest high-energy dance club is renowned throughout as the epicenter for creativity, diversity and entertainment. Don't miss their midnight show, premiering the best drag anywhere. Dance the night away with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.
The Reynolds Mansion, Asheville
Listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, this Mansion was built in 1847 and is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War homes. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the Grand Dining Room or sip… read more
Listed on the National Registry for Historic Places, this Mansion was built in 1847 and is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War homes. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in the Grand Dining Room or sip your morning coffee on the massive porches. 13 rooms, $205-$305, private baths, fireplace, Jacuzzi or claw foot tubs, LCD TVs. Cottages and the carriage house are pet-friendly.
The mansion sits…
The Lion and the Rose Bed & Breakfast, Asheville
This beautiful 1898 pink lady in the Montford historic district near downtown Asheville is uniquely decorated with antiques, period-style furnishings and Persian rugs. The high ceilings, four… read more
This beautiful 1898 pink lady in the Montford historic district near downtown Asheville is uniquely decorated with antiques, period-style furnishings and Persian rugs. The high ceilings, four fireplaces, original golden oak and stained glass create a stunning environment. 5 rooms, $159-249, private baths, gourmet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, complimentary lighted off street parking, cable TV/DVD…
Explore Downtown Asheville
During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 galleries, antique shops and local boutiques. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers, restaurants, breweries,… read more
During the day, downtown Asheville bustles with shoppers browsing more than 200 galleries, antique shops and local boutiques. Each evening, enjoy street entertainers, restaurants, breweries, festivals and music. Walk the Urban Trail and tour historic sites. See our Top 25 things to do downtown.
Asheville Pride Weekend
Blue Ridge Pride Festival
The biggest LGBTQ+ pride festival in Western North Carolina is held in downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park, with more than 100 vendors and entertainment.
The biggest LGBTQ+ pride festival in Western North Carolina is held in downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park, with more than 100 vendors and entertainment.
