Five Points Broadway District
At the North edge of Downtown Asheville’s Central Business District, where North Lexington Ave turns into Broadway Street, nestled between the quaint and historic neighborhoods of Five Points and Montford, visitors and locals alike discover a wealth of history, culture and Asheville experiences; thanks to the myriad of locally owned small businesses in the Five Points Broadway District.
Continue exploring all that Asheville has to offer, but as a local! Walk this less ‘touristy’ local-favorite district which begins at the Lexington Avenue Gateway Mural Project at the North end of N Lexington Ave. Coming from downtown, enjoy the 3,000 square feet of graffiti mural art painted by 6 local artists including Molly Must and Ian Wilkinson. The collaborative design depicts a stylized timeline of Western North Carolina history.
Once entering the Five Points Broadway District, explore Moog Music by a pre-scheduled guided factory tour or browsing the now open Moog Store! Get hands on with every Moog synthesizer and discover the engineering and artistry behind the Moog sound. As Daniel Fisher says on his in depth review of the tour, “Bob Moog’s legacy lives strong in the hands of these artisans and the musicians who play the instruments they construct!”
Then, for evening entertainment and relaxing, visit two local favorites: Archetype Brewing and Little Jumbo.
Grab a pint of Belgian-inspired craft beer and light fare in the preserved 1920’s atmosphere of Archetype Brewing’s second location – the Tap Lounge + Venue. Among many accolades, named “NC’s Belgian Brewery of The Year,” here you can enjoy weekly events such as live jazz workshops through UNCA, local singer/songwriter collectives, trivia nights and more. Then, grab a expertly crafted cocktail and light fare in a vintage setting at Little Jumbo, the brainchild of renowned mixologist and author Chall Gray! Also a recipient of national accolade and named one of the ‘Best Cocktail Bars in The South,” by Garden & Gun Magazine, there’s no better place to pull up a seat and see what’s new!
During the day, the Five Points Broadway district offers so much! Stroll the sidewalks and enjoy the variety of architecture from preserved 1920’s to small historic family homes between Maxwell and Monroe Streets, to in-process modern brownstones like The Harrison. Pause for a moment at The Broadway and The Pioneer Building; offering artistically inspired live/work convenience. This district, between downtown and the “Five Points” intersection is a small part of a much bigger story; a 75-mile route once known as the Buncombe Turnpike, connecting Tennessee and South Carolina through North Carolina which opened the western part of the state to settlement and trade. Today, the traffic looks a little different; shifting over the years from horse and cart to todays variety of pedestrians, bikers, trolley and bus tours, pedi-cabs and automobiles. Imagine the stories that could be told by this historically rich section of Asheville. For your caffeine fix or quick breakfast and lunch options; choose from two local staples: High-Five Coffee and Five Points Restaurant.
Called “A Blue Ridge Treasure” by Our State Magazine, Five Points Restaurant is a casual diner with nearly 50 years of local loyalty. With a menu so broad you can find Greek, Italian, and Polish favorites while also enjoying a good ole’ Southern diner breakfast or a crabmeat stuffed salmon entrée. There’s really something for everyone here! For a hip coffee shop vibe, look no further than the flagship location of High Five Coffee, boasting a consistently quality driven menu and friendly baristas. Located in the Pioneer Building, they serve exclusively Counter Culture Coffee and offer muffins, bagels and more. Sit on the sunny patio or in the cozy coffee house absorbing the hustle and bustle of the morning coffee rush!
For the active, hop on the Reed Creek Greenway which begins behind Little Jumbo and takes you all the way to UNCA’s Botanical Gardens, or join in on a Cue The Pub Run conveniently ending at Archetype for a well deserved beverage every Monday night.
For updates from the businesses in the Five Points Broadway District, follow the hashtag #FivePointsBroadway on either Facebook or Instagram! Use this hashtag when you visit the district or leave a Google review here.