A Guide to the River Arts District
It would be tough to pick a favorite when it comes to our trip to Asheville, but if I had to- the River Arts District would probably be it. The place has such a fun energy to it, we enjoyed our afternoon, eating, drinking (of course!), and exploring.
The River Arts District is a big place, there are five different sections spread out over several miles. There are several studios, places to eat and drink and things to see in each. We stuck around Riverview Station and had an excellent time.
12 Bones Smokehouse
You can’t go to the South without having some good BBQ. We got our fix at 12 Bones Smokehouse. The atmosphere here was incredible. Although they have a large area for indoor dining we sat out on the patio (the weather was too nice not to!).
The food was excellent. They serve plates and sandwiches with your choice of the classics: ribs, pulled pork, chicken and turkey. They had brisket as one of their specials. 12 Bones had tons of sauce options- everything ranging from regular barbecue sauce to spicy mustard; the Carolina Red was my favorite! They had the classic sides you would expect at any BBQ spot: mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw- the list goes on. If you’re interested in checking out the menu, click here.
If you know me, I HAD to have a beer to wash it down. I went with the Stay Golden Light Lager; it was refreshing and went down reeeeaaal easy.
Street Art
The River Arts District buildings are covered in street art. There isn’t a direction to look that isn’t coated in brightly colored graffiti. Many artists have created outdoor art installations or have decorated the exterior walls of their shops and studios. I’ve heard this area is a draw for muralists all over the country! My sister and I had such a fun time snapping a few shots in front of the decorated studios and storefronts.
Wedge Brewing Company
Attached to 12 Bones Smokehouse is Wedge Brewing Company. This cool brewery matches the aesthetic of the rest of Riverview Station. They have a variety of options on their tap list including a range of beers, a few sours, and rotating “guest taps”. While we were there, they had a boozy ginger beer available named Ginger’s Revenge. Having had a light lager at lunch, I thought it would be fun to switch it up and give it a try. I’m a softy for anything ginger flavored so I enjoyed it, however I probably wouldn’t order it again.
Jonas Gerard Fine Art
One of the more notable studios we stopped in was that of Jonas Gerard. Only about a five-minute walk from 12 Bones and Wedge.
Jonas Gerard’s style is described as: self-styled spontaneous abstract expressionism. He often painted to music and allowed it to inspire his work. For more information on the late Jonas Gerard, take a look at his website.
While he was alive Jonas Gerard painted a large abstract piece comprised of three panels (10’X30′) titled: Love, Life and Passion. He posted it on the wall outside his Riverview studio. The painting has been displayed outdoors for several years now and looks vibrant as ever!
plēb urban winery
I’m going to start this by saying that I wasn’t even sure I was cool enough to go into plēb. Before you enter the building, you’re greeted by a giant mural of a girl blowing the seeds off of a dandelion. The artwork inside only gets cooler as you go inside with giant pieces on the far wall and behind the bar.
plēb has a variety of red, white, and rose wines available. The bartender told us that the red grape varietals don’t grow as well in the Appalachians so there are a few more white and rose options. I love that they offer wine flights! We ordered the Foundy Series, giving us the opportunity to try all three house wines. I was partial to the red, but that’s nothing new for me!
plēb also offers a Wine Club! They send three bottles of wine twice a year, and you get access to new releases and plēb exclusives. Sold! Check out their website here.
The River Arts District is an area full of culture, artwork, and good vibes. An afternoon here wasn’t enough and I can’t wait to go back! I look forward to having the opportunity to explore the other areas of the Arts District.
If you’re looking for other things to do in and around Asheville- check out my other posts!
Craggy Pinnacle: A Relaxing Hike Near Asheville
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XOXO Kat ♥
