East Asheville / Eagle Street
Historic Black Asheville business district — once called 'The Block', home to jazz clubs and Black commerce
Best time
April-October (mountain summers are beautiful), October for fall foliage
Currency
USD
Language
English
Mid-range / day
USD 200
Is Asheville safe for Black travelers?
Asheville scores 2.9/5 (Use caution) on the ROAM BLK safety index for Black travelers. Asheville is generally safe and progressive for a Southern city. Downtown and the River Arts District are very welcoming. The city has actively worked on racial equity initiatives.
Community welcome
3/5
Police climate
3/5
Discrimination risk
3/5
Black-owned presence
2/5
Why this score: Eagle/Market Street history; now gentrified; limited BOP
Neighborhoods to Know
West Asheville
Haywood Road — diverse restaurants, arts venues, craft breweries
River Arts District
Converted factory studios and galleries along the French Broad River
Downtown Asheville
Pack Square, live music, arts galleries, diverse food scene
Must-Visit Places
YMI Cultural Center
Young Men's Institute — built by George Vanderbilt's Black workers in 1892, now a Black cultural center
Asheville, North Carolina
Biltmore Estate
Massive Vanderbilt estate — built with Black and immigrant labor, now a tourist attraction
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Art Museum
Downtown museum with diverse collections including African American art
Asheville, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks
Stunning mountain views minutes from downtown
Asheville, North Carolina
Black-owned restaurants on The Block Black-Owned
Asheville is developing a Black restaurant scene — Eagle Street corridor is reviving
Asheville, North Carolina
Hot Springs area
Natural hot springs an hour from Asheville — relaxation in the mountains
Asheville, North Carolina
Good Hot Fish Black-Owned
Black-owned seafood in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers Black-Owned
Black-owned vegan restaurant in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Cake Lady Black-Owned
Black-owned bakery in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Grind AVL Coffee Shop Black-Owned
Black-owned cafe / coworking in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Sista’s on Montford Black-Owned
Black-owned soul food in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Pro Lash and Salon Black-Owned
Black-owned salon / spa in Asheville.
Asheville, North Carolina
Skyland Serenity Chalet Black-Owned
Luxury HBCU alum-owned private chalet 15 mins from downtown Asheville. 6 bedrooms, game room, movie theatre, sauna, hot tub, 2 indoor fireplaces, and an outdoor fire pit. Perfect for large groups or family retreats.
Asheville, North Carolina (15 min from downtown)
Visa
No visa required for US citizens
Frequently asked questions
Is Asheville safe for Black travelers?
Asheville scores 2.9 out of 5 (Use caution) on the ROAM BLK safety index for Black travelers. Asheville is generally safe and progressive for a Southern city. Downtown and the River Arts District are very welcoming. The city has actively worked on racial equity initiatives.
Which neighborhoods in Asheville are good for Black travelers?
East Asheville / Eagle Street, West Asheville, River Arts District, Downtown Asheville. Historic Black Asheville business district — once called 'The Block', home to jazz clubs and Black commerce
Are there Black-owned businesses in Asheville?
Black-owned presence in Asheville is low. Black-owned spots ROAM BLK recommends include Black-owned restaurants on The Block, Good Hot Fish, Romeo’s Vegan Burgers, Asheville Cake Lady, Grind AVL Coffee Shop.
When is the best time to visit Asheville?
April-October (mountain summers are beautiful), October for fall foliage
How much does a day in Asheville cost?
Budget: USD 100 · Mid-range: USD 200 · Luxury: USD 400 per day, per ROAM BLK estimates.
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