Asheville

Oh Asheville, you have been so good to us. We spent, a week? two weeks? some amount of time trecking around Asheville and seeing all it had to offer. From a week of living on look outs on the Blue Ridge parkway, to busking downtown, and all the art in between, this city has been one to remember.



There is so much to do in this city that is so alive. We were constantly met with kindness and generosity on each corner. Each day we ran into a new and wonderful act of kindness around us, and left some kindness behind as well.

The city is beautiful nestled in a valley of the Appalachian mountains, but the road is calling again, and we must go. Keep an eye out for more of our adventures, and here are some tips we picked up in Asheville.

What to do for free in Asheville

Free things in Asheville are in abundance. Some of the ones we found were flow jams. You can hang out for free with fire spinners any Tuesday night in Asheville at the bar The Bywater. This flow jam starts at sunset and continues all night. 

In Prichard park downtown every Tuesday during the day is a hoop jam. Bring a hula hoop, or borrow one that they have available and have fun spinning to the live DJ.

There is a drum circle that draws big crowds and great energy every Friday night in Prichard park. It is a must check out.

Street entertainment is easy to find since there are no rules against busking in Asheville. Walk around downtown and  you're sure to run into a few musicians or magicians.  

In the River Arts District in Asheville you will find a ton of street art. From there you can reach the giant water tower that says "Good Vibes" as well as an abandoned block set aside just for street artists.

As we do in any city we checked out some of the parks and found out that the French Broad River park has a great dog park, good place to launch tubes if you want to float the river, picnic tables for cooking and lunching, as well as a nice bathroom.

Where to Park in Asheville

For vandwellers, where to park is always a question coming into a city. The places we parked in Asheville are not necessarily safe or legal, but nothing bad happened to us, and we never got arrested. 

Blue Ridge Parkway 

We spent a good amount of our nights parked on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Personally, we like sleeping on the overlooks so we can wake up to amazing views, but many people will also park overnight at any of the pull off spots you find at trail heads. Some of the spots on the parkway have trashcans, and if you get really lucky you'll find a spot with a bathroom.

Walmart 

Of course there is always the ever useful vandwell haven known as Walmart. Do be careful at Walmart parking lots in Asheville though. We parked too early at one and got warned by a security guard that by 10 he would have to ask us to leave, and at another lot there are signs that say no RV overnight parking. As always be careful, and try to be stealthy. 

Busking Asheville

Asheville is one of those amazing magical cities that allow busking, and we were able to take great advantage of that. Near Prichard park downtown is where you'll find most of the buskers. The best spots seem to vary by the day, but usually in front of the giant iron is a good place to set up.

ps. This is an AMAZING city for pokemon go players. Everything is a pokestop. Go out and catch them all!