Located within the Burton Street Community, a historically Black neighborhood in West Asheville,…read morePeace Gardens & Market is a sacred space. Created by Mr. Dwayne and other community members, it's a space with meaning. Walk its paths and you'll find pieces from Black-owned buildings town down now remembered. There are murals honoring Black heroes and others. There are signs of community members who ran for local elections. There's a library, message area, a market, and more. You could easily spend an hour noticing every detail in this unique and important garden. If you go, don't forget to donate to help maintain a space that helps uplift the neighborhood.

With a name like "peace gardens" how can you not give five stars?…read moreWalked her with my Girl Scout troop the other day and was pleasantly surprised. It's centrally located but also hidden. Feels a bit like a secret garden of sorts. There was a group meeting here in the most gorgeous center space- seemed like a meeting room of sorts. You can tell this is an active community spot and as a former educator, I was shocked I had not heard of it. Loving that we have this in WAVL. I am wondering if that space is reserved? If sh, there is another stage spot you could probably grab. We utilized it for a letter writing activity. The art is powerful and intentional. Appropriate for late elementary + but some strong messages there (ex- gun violence). Love the different displays and how meaningful they are (except the baby heads and dolls. Why are all the places obsessed with discarded dolls these days? Pls stop). Wondering if they have workshops? Anyway- lovely mix of West Asheville nature and art and community. Reccommend a visit for sure

Marshall Native Gardens are located near the Marshall Library and start near the road, you will see…read morethem as you pull into the parking lot. The gardens were designed and are kept up by volunteers. The gardens are on 4.2 acres and surround the library. There are walking paths, places to sit and take a break or maybe read a book. I enjoyed all the signs so I knew what each plant was. The gardens are divided into sections, there is a map and you can go around at your own pace. I loved that they just focus on native plants as they are so much better for the environment. I was amazed by all the pollinators I saw as they want native plants. They have a bird garden; butterfly garden; medicine garden; herb garden; native grasses; rain garden; shrub garden and a shaded garden. If you are in the Marshall area, check out these gardens. They are very special.

Stumbled upon this cute little park area as we were driving around exploring side roads from Old…read moreFort to Asheville. What a gem! This little community center seems to have a lot to offer: - The playground is a lot of fun- both our kids, ages 4 & 7, loved it! A well-kept wooden playground with swings (3 regular & 1 baby swing), a seesaw, a tire swing, and a big plastic sea monster for climbing. - Short paved walking loop with some benches, picnic tables and grill, and 1 of those little exercise stops and a creek flowing by (great for kids to splash around in!) - Large grassy field - Basketball court (half court) - Community garden - Large picnic table area with covered pavilion - Leashed dogs allowed (please pick up after them - there are poop bags along the sidewalk) The community center appears to be closed right now and I haven't checked out the website yet but there's a board with some info by the playground. It seems like they offer yoga classes (Free maybe? Says "donations accepted"), there's an ad for reiki healing, and a whole calendar of events for children and adults. This center definitely seems to run on donations and volunteers. We were happy to contribute to the painted metal donation post by the playground. Peaceful, safe, beautiful park areas like this are hard to find these days. We're passing through, as we're just frequent vacationers to the area, but I hope the community keeps up this little local gem!

The whole vibe at Animal Haven is peaceful and uplifting. You can tell the animals are thriving and…read moregenuinely cared for. They each have a name and a story, and the dedicated people who run this place treat them like family. From potbelly pigs and goats to sheep, geese, ducks, and cows, there are over 100 animals and spending time with them is just really good for the soul. It's free to visit which is amazing, but definitely make a donation to support their endless work or grab something from the thrift store on the way out. This is such a special place and a real gem for the community. I highly recommend a visit.

For nearly 26 years, AH has been home for rescued animals of all types.. sheep, goats, turkeys,…read morecows,chickens pigs, geese, dogs cats. The self-guided tours are wonderful and the property is gorgeous. The volunteers and founder Trina (her partner and co-founder passed away-- rest in power, Barb!) are such great stewards of the property and such great caretakers of the residents. Once you cross the foot bridge over the beautiful stream, you can visit with all of the residents & you can scan the qr code posted along the way, you will learn the stories of the individuals who live at AH. There is a wonderful thrift store as well! So much gratitude that this beautiful labor of love sanctuary is in the area!

While visiting Asheville for a long weekend from Washington, D.C., booking a Hood Huggers tour was…read moreone of the best things we did. Led by Mr. Dwayne, the tour is an hour and a half learning about the Burton Street Community, a historically Black neighborhood in West Asheville and the victim of gentrification and highway expansions. Hood Huggers was created to serve as a champion for the 1912 neighborhood and its long-time residents. My wife, eight-year-old daughter, and I booked a Sunday morning tour. Since it was just us, he gave us the option to walk it or take his little shuttle. Mr. Dwayne gave us the background on the area before Mr. Cotton, the grandson of the man who founded the neighborhood, joined us with a book of photos. After a drive, we ended at the Peace Gardens and Market, a sacred space for the community.

What a cool tour. Our tour guide was very friendly and even offered to do a shuttle right for us…read moreversus a walk ride due to the weather being cold and it was just us on the tour for that morning. He showed us a lot of different areas that were Historical for the African-American community. He also shared a lot of historical information of the schools and colleges in the area that were very prominent years ago. I will definitely recommend this tour hands down to give you more of a historical African-American background of the city based on the money that we spent I feel that it was a great value for the tour that we received the service was outstanding by our tour guide and hands-down. I definitely would recommend this tour.

This place is amazing! Texture Gallery and Art Bar is such a…read morecool place to stop by and look around or to take an art workshop. They are located in an old house (I believe) that has been transformed into an art gallery/ framing studio/ Art bar/ Studio space. The upstairs level is the art gallery. It is absolutely gorgeous with each room with different colored painted walls to make the art on display really pop. They have dragon head sculptures, calligraphy art, burlesque photography, unique jewelry and so much more. My favorite part of this gallery is actually one of the walls-one of the owners has been (over time) gold leafing one of the walls and it is absolutely stunning. I am dreaming of doing this in my future home one day myself now. The bottom level of the space is where the magic happens. There is an "art bar" which is full of all the art supplies that you could imagine. You can take art workshops here with a group of friends, do an art project by yourself, or do a boxed art project with all of the instructions and materials provided. I recently did a group Mixed Media art workshop. A group of six of us did a three hour workshop led by Patrice. She is a great teacher, the class was super affordable, and it was super fun! For $35-$60 (depending on canvas size), we each created our own unique textured, colorful artwork. We were instructed on how to use the different materials (paint, stamps, modeling paste, mod podge, h20 colors, pitt pens, oil pastels, napkins, tissue paper, etc) and given inspiration. Within the three hour time period, each of us was able to start and complete a piece of art. I truly love this place and recommend it for anyone who loves looking at art (walk through the gallery), anyone who is intimidated by the idea of making art (take a no-pressure workshop with Patrice), or active artists (always good to try new things). Bring your friends, your family, your coworkers. Super fun!

Great space with very unique art! I love it! The top…read morefloor is the gallery and custom framing shop, while the lower floor is a super fun art/craft class space. She has many interesting and fun ideas for making something--from challenging to kid friendly everyone can take a cool thing home.

Located in the River Arts District, you have to stop by and check out the retail space for this non…read moreprofit that support fiber arts and artists in a 100-mile radius of Asheville. They also offer workshops and studio space. The employees were so friendly and welcoming. They were celebrating International Women's Day when I visited and invited customers to each sew a button on a dress. They were also dyeing yarn in the back. It's really great to see such community!!

Walk inside this large space for the fiber arts in the River Arts District and you may walk out a…read moreconvert. Local arts sell their fiber arts good from purses to clothes to other goods. The staff are artists themselves and will gladly share their passion. Even if you aren't into fiver arts, walk into this non-profit.

The serenity and kindness of this space is contagious! Everyone is so accepting of one another and…read morethe staff give you a calm, warm welcome into the space. All necessary equipment is provided: mats, bolsters, blocks, blankets. BYO water bottle & you are all set. Cost is pay what you can, they recommend a $10-15 donation per person. I think the world would be a better place if more businesses like this existed. Recommend this to anyone who wants to move their body in a safe and supportive space

I was in the area mid July on vacation, and since I have a daily yoga practice, was interested in…read morefinding a couple of yoga Studiosin the area to take classes at while I was there. I attended two different studios, and I've got to say, that Asheville community yoga center was by far the best experience! Theother studio was nice, but I really was able to get the vibe I was seeking from Asheville community . I will absolutely be returning, the next time I'm in the area! Thank you so much for all that you are doing for this beautiful community