3 Days Exploring Black Culture in Asheville

Stories have always been central to the culture of Western North Carolina—and the South as a whole. Narratives pass down from generation to generation, deeply woven into the DNA of those who call this region home. This is especially apparent in Asheville (more info), a destination where its multilayered past and vibrant present include the untold or lesser-known stories of the Black community.

For centuries, Black Asheville residents have had a significant impact on the area’s growth and economy, yet many of the contributions were on the brink of being lost to history. But thanks to recent efforts, visitors can dive deeper into the community’s roots and resilience—whether they’re exploring historically Black neighborhoods via the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail, joining a tour with Hood Huggers International, or patronizing the dozens of Black-owned businesses supported by Black Wall Street AVL.

Itinerary

Trip Highlight:

Black Cultural Heritage Trail

Unveiled in 2023, the Black Cultural Heritage Trail allows visitors to dig deeper into the history of the city. Each trail marker features a Sankofa bird, a Ghanaian symbol that represents the importance of learning from the past to build a better future.

Trip Designer:

Explore Asheville

With so much to see and do in this eclectic city and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, Explore Asheville has you covered with in-depth information for every interest and angle. Whether you’re drawn to the city’s architecture, thriving restaurant scene, lively art galleries, or serene natural beauty, this welcoming destination offers all the elements of a rewarding getaway.

It takes around 2.5 hours to walk the Black Cultural Heritage Trail and read all the informative signs.

Day 1:Explore the Black Cultural Heritage Trail

Start your first day in Asheville with coffee and a light breakfast at Grind AVL (more info). The cafe is also part coworking space, part business incubator. Owners J. Hackett and Bruce Waller Jr. cofounded Black Wall Street AVL, which supports local Black entrepreneurs as they scale their businesses.

Then, hit the Black Cultural Heritage Trail of Asheville. Spearheaded by the residents of the historic Black neighborhood East End/Valley Street, the one-mile trail brings you through Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. Trail markers provide context on the presence of historic Black churches; the hospitals, nurses, and doctors from Asheville’s first tuberculosis sanitorium for Black patients; and schools that educated leaders from the Civil Rights movement, among other important chapters in Asheville’s history.

Once you’ve completed the trail, head to Good Hot Fish (more info), helmed by James Beard award finalist Ashleigh Shanti. Her Black Appalachian, or “Affrilachian,” cuisine includes sweet potato cabbage pancakes, trout bologna and cheese, and battered and fried fish nuggets.

Next, it’s time to browse the art exhibits at the YMI Cultural Center (more info). One of the oldest Black cultural centers in the U.S., the YMI (formerly the Young Men’s Institute), is located in “The Block,” the historic Black business district in downtown Asheville. Each year, the center’s Kuumba Artist in Residence program brings in six different Affrilachian and Black Highlander artists to showcase and sell their work.

At this point, your room at the Foundry Hotel (more info), also in The Block, is likely ready. Check in, drop your bags, and get ready for dinner at Haywood Lounge (more info) in West Asheville. Choose among dozens of sauces to go with the Black-owned restaurant’s legendary wings.

Four women sitting at a booth at Chai Pani. — Enjoy the award-winning Indian fare at Chai Pani.

Day 2:Shop at Noir Collective AVL

Start with blueberry ricotta fritters or the omelet du jour at the Refinery (more info) at the Foundry Hotel. From there, enjoy a leisurely walk through downtown Asheville before returning to the YMI Cultural Center to peruse Noir Collective AVL (more info). The Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore, located in The Block, focuses on Black entrepreneurs and other Black-owned businesses. Shop original art and prints, artisan spats, candles, and hand-dipped incense—all items you can easily transport home with you. Toting your new purchases, head to Sistas On Montford (more info), a restaurant known for soul food in all its delicious forms.

Even more fun awaits at Asheville Pro Lash (more info), where mother-daughter duo Trina Gragg-Jackson and Kahlani C. Jackson provide a range of self-care services. One of the luxurious facials will ensure your skin is glowing for tonight’s dinner at Chai Pani (more info), named “Outstanding Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation in 2022.

Chai Pani doesn’t take reservations; it’s a first-come, first-served type of restaurant. To stave off any pre-meal hunger, stop by AVLCakeLady (more info) beforehand. The Black-owned bakery sells shareable servings of cobblers and banana pudding, as well as a range of inventive cupcakes.

A portrait of DeWayne Barton standing against a tour bus. — DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers International Tours

Day 3:Join Hood Huggers International Tours

Your final day in Asheville begins at Tiger Bay Cafe (more info). Located inside Ben’s Tune Up, the Black-owned breakfast spot has all the best fare: bagels, burritos, waffles, and more. Go for something that will fuel you up for your next activity, a Hotworx (more info) class at the Biltmore Village location. (Pro tip: Your first workout is free.)

Lunch is at Twisted Laurel (more info). Smash burgers, crispy Brussels sprouts, and homemade pizza should hit the spot.

Your final activity, and arguably the most educational of the trip, will be an excursion with Hood Huggers International Tours (more info). Founded by Asheville local DeWayne Barton, the company provides several different tours throughout Asheville, exploring the area’s Black history and culture. Join Barton for a walking tour of one of Asheville’s oldest Black neighborhoods, Burton Street, or opt for the driving tour, which covers more communities, including Shiloh, East End/Valley Street, and Southside.

Wrap up the trip with dinner at Cúrate (more info), one of Asheville’s most sought-after reservations. The James Beard Award-winning restaurant is known for its traditional Spanish tapas and incredibly welcoming atmosphere.

3 Days Exploring Black History in Asheville