Dear Cindy, Thank you for your question. The Downtown Asheville Art District Tripadvisor page pertains to art galleries, museums and other cultural institutions in the central downtown of Asheville.There is a wonderful website that you can visit which should be able to answer your questions. Please visit the exploreasheville web site for an extensive overview of what Asheville area has to offer.

We got a map in the downtown area at many of the shops!

The downtown art district which is a easily walkable area has mostly commercial galleries that show a very diverse selection of art. Exhibiting a wide range of art. They range from local to regional to national and international artists being shown. The river arts district has gallery spaces that are generally run by the artists.

There are two arts districts in Asheville, one downtown and the other along the river, which are actually areas with heavy concentrations of galleries, studios and workshops. Hard to say if the respective vendors will be open on the second, but you can get more information on the areas, the individual sites, maps, walking tour guides and lists of vendors by googling "Asheville Arts District". Lots to choose from there. Both areas also have lots of great restaurants.

Most definitely. The slower vibe of Asheville contrasts that of the Big Apple. Nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, an air of relaxation and beauty abounds. Artists flock to the region, creating a quirky, unique arts district. The locals are friendly and are happy to share information about the local treasures. Just a few miles away Transylvania County has over 300 waterfalls to hike to from roadside vistas to deep woods bushwhacking. Be sure to pick up Kevin Adams' waterfall book if a nature escape is in your plans. Float down the French Broad or Davidson Rivers in a tube or kayak or spend a day ziplining through our forest canopies. If you are into the beer scene, then you've come to the right place. Asheville is the up-and-coming location for specialty crafted brews. Don't want to go it alone, then take a beer tour. The Biltmore state offers five-star dining as well as many hiking trails, segways, and off roading adventures. Be sure to stop at Biltmore Village directly across from the estate for lunch and boutique shopping. Every type of restaurant is at your fingertips from fine French cuisine at Bouchon, tappas at Zambras, health & vegetarian dishes at The Early Girl Eatery to countless others. If you want to get your hands dirty, many of the artists in the River Arts District (RAD) offers day classes from painting to pottery or glass working. Be sure to stop at the Woolworth Walk on Haywood Street to enjoy the best quality arts and crafts from local artists. Enjoy!

Asheville-crowded is not Atlanta-crowded. Ever been to a National Park on a holiday? It's like that -- just a few more people than usual, but they are polite and aware that sharing the experience is part of the experience. One of the best things about Asheville is the people.