Asheville city centre is the downtown core, with on-street parking, city garages and bus service centred on the ART Transit Station. The Basilica of Saint Lawrence is a notable stop, with self-guided visiting hours on the first and third Saturdays. If you’re planning around events in Asheville, use the practical details below to organise your visit.
- ART runs 18 routes from the ART Transit Station.
- Standard one-way ART fare is $1.
- The Basilica’s self-guided visiting hours are 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays.
Getting oriented in Asheville city centre
Asheville’s Central Business District is the useful starting point for a downtown visit: it has metered street parking, City-owned garages and the main transit station. The ART Transit Station is at 49 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, and all 18 Asheville Rides Transit (ART) routes begin there.
If you’re driving, street meters have a 2-hour maximum and cost $2.50 per hour. Payment is required from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday; meters are free on Sundays and designated City holidays.
You can pay with coins, credit cards, the Flowbird app or Text-to-Pay. The City warns against scanning QR codes on meters because it does not use QR codes for payment.
City-owned garages offer a different pricing structure: parking is free for stays under 1 hour, then costs $2.00 per hour or fraction of an hour, up to a $15 per-day maximum. The City provides current availability for six downtown garages.
Designated on-street ADA spaces are free, while a valid ADA placard or license plate allows vehicles to exceed posted time limits; payment is still required at metered spaces. Accessible spaces in City-owned garages are charged at standard rates.
Grove Arcade and nearby streets
Grove Arcade is among the supporting landmarks for a downtown orientation, but the practical details here centre on getting around the district rather than specific businesses or opening hours. Keep the Central Business District’s parking limits in mind as you move between downtown streets.
For a visit built around a particular date, check the events in Asheville seasonal planning guide alongside the venue’s own schedule. Event timing can shape when you arrive and how long you need to park.
Basilica of Saint Lawrence
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence is a Spanish Renaissance-style church at 97 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1909 by Raphael Guastavino, Jr.; his father had died in 1908. The freestanding elliptical dome has a clear span of 58 by 82 feet.
Self-guided visits take place on the first and third Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They are free, and donations are appreciated. A tour brochure is available in the side vestibule and online. The Basilica asks visitors to be respectful of other events taking place during visits.
How do you get around downtown Asheville?
ART buses provide a way to travel around Asheville without driving between every downtown stop. The standard one-way fare is $1. The City gives general service hours as 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays and holidays; check individual route schedules for exact times.
The ART Transit Station has restrooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and an information assistant on duty until 9:30 p.m. The assistant can provide maps and schedules and help with pass purchases. If you plan to use a bus, start by checking the schedule for your route and the stop that fits your destination.
Monthly on-street permits are available from the City on a first-come, first-served basis in designated downtown zones. Permit spaces are reserved from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Planning around events and busy dates
For event days, make a parking or transit plan around the venue and the time you expect to arrive. Meter limits and payment periods apply across the Central Business District, while ART route schedules set the exact bus times. If you’re driving, the City’s garage availability information can help you choose among its six downtown garages.
Before you go, check the official site before you go: use the City of Asheville’s pages for current parking and transit details, and the Basilica’s official tour page for visiting arrangements. The Basilica’s published hours may change.
The Asheville Inn is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre; view its rooms when planning an event stay.
FAQs
When can you visit the Basilica of Saint Lawrence?
Self-guided visiting hours are the first and third Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Visits are free, with donations appreciated.
How much does downtown Asheville parking cost?
On-street meters cost $2.50 per hour, with a 2-hour maximum. City-owned garages are free for stays under 1 hour, then cost $2.00 per hour or fraction, with a $15 per-day maximum.
Where do Asheville ART routes begin?
All 18 routes begin at the ART Transit Station, 49 Coxe Avenue. Standard one-way fare is $1.