Haunted Asheville
Asheville is already the kind of place where you can grab an oat milk latte, have your pet’s aura read, and accidentally end up in a tuberculosis solarium before lunch.
Naturally, it’s also haunted, so in honor of Halloween, here are a few of my favorite spooky spots around town…
#1 The Times Bar & Coffee Shop
Looking for a latte to go along with some haunted lore?
Located in the historic S&W Cafeteria building, constructed in 1929, The Times Bar & Coffee Shop serves up more than delicious drinks; it also delivers a hefty dose of haunting.
Years ago, one of the baristas, Ashley, told me about Prohibition-era remnants in the form of dumbwaiters and hidden tunnels in the basement level of this stunning Art Deco masterpiece.
Admittedly, Ashley herself hadn’t seen any ghostly activity, but she told me about a man who was renovating the condos on the floors above the bar about ten years ago. He said he would hear ghastly, loud tumbling noises around 5 a.m. every day in the staircase.
#2 Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa
The Grove Park Inn, built in 1913, is famous for its phantom, the Pink Lady. NorthCarolinaGhosts.com provides a rich history of the inn and tells the story of how this benevolent ghost haunts the property.
The spa is reserved for overnight guests, and technically, the Pink Lady never checked out. Unlimited (and free) access to the luxurious mineral pools might explain a century-long stay.
I adore visiting the inn at Christmastime, when you can grab a cup of hot apple cider while you go ghost hunting, but ultimately get distracted by all the cute boutiques.
#3 The Grove Arcade
Another place I love to visit at Christmas is the Grove Arcade. Built in 1929, the historic Grove Arcade has been a fixture of downtown Asheville for nearly a century.
Did I see the shadow man behind that mistletoe? There are so many sparkles and baubles, it’s always hard to tell what’s hiding in this historic building.
I’ll tell you what’s not hiding: an amazing gem shop, a bookshop, and a place where you can get your pet’s aura read.
Does it get more adorable?
#4 The Asheville Museum of History
The Asheville Museum of History is located on the A-B Tech campus and open to the public.
Don’t miss the historic building’s tuberculosis solarium.
During my tour last year, Katie Richie, then the museum’s Visitor Services and Development Manager, told us that about 20 to 25 years ago, employees reported activity in the basement. That area is also where enslaved people lived and worked during part of the property’s history. I appreciated that the museum addresses that history directly.
And now for the ghost story Katie did tell:
A ghost was reportedly sighted in Fernihurst Mansion, which was also built in the 1800s and now houses the college’s culinary program.
One snowy night, an A-B Tech police officer thought they saw a little girl outside Fernihurst, so they went to investigate. When the officer got closer, the girl ran to the door of the mansion and then simply vanished, leaving behind a trail of small footprints in the snow.
I wish I could vanish when approached by law enforcement.
#5 Riverside Cemetery
Riverside Cemetery is purportedly haunted. According to Asheville Terrors, you may hear disembodied voices of children and Civil War cannons.
Did I hear any during my visit? No. But that doesn’t mean you won’t.
On my trip to the cemetery, I felt like Scrooge, Asheville edition. Haunted not by Christmas spirits, but by gravestones etched with the names of all my ex-partners, seemingly around every turn.
I think this proves Asheville really is a vortex.
Bonus: On my visit, a magical black cat greeted me and saw me off.
Does his bell collar toll for the dead, or simply announce that the cemetery’s tiniest, cutest employee has arrived?
#6 The Biltmore
Lastly, The Biltmore.
Most people would argue the pool is haunted. The pool definitely has some eerie vibes, but I’d argue the dumbwaiter is the most haunted spot on the estate.
On one of my visits, I snapped a quick photo of the dumbwaiter while standing right in front of it. When I realized my reflection was visible, I stepped back and to the left to get a better shot.
As I snapped another photo, a young boy ran by alone. Later, while looking back through my photos, I noticed a demure-looking apparition in the reflection of the dumbwaiter, in addition to the blur of the lone boy.
Okay, now: nearly every restaurant at the Biltmore has a vegan option! But make sure to check the menu before visiting, because they change their offerings pretty regularly.
The Village Social is always a favorite of mine. But when I'm in the mood for spooky vibes with my meal, it's off to The Stable Cafe.
My personal favorite time of year to visit is around the holidays. Enjoy the haunted dumbwaiter, then head over to Antler Hill Village for apple cider and festive lights galore.
Honorable Mentions
Helen’s Bridge is an infamously haunted Asheville spot. The story goes that if you park nearby, your car might not start when you go to leave.
The Thomas Wolfe House is not only the childhood home of a famous 1920s and '30s author; it’s also a former tuberculosis boarding house and is rumored to be haunted.
You probably thought I was going to say it’s a great place to visit at Christmas?
You’re absolutely correct.
Antidote is a popular Asheville speakeasy that isn’t actually haunted, but if you’re looking for somewhere with ghoulish Halloween décor and an old-timey aesthetic, this is a great stop.
They also have an ah-mazing cortado.
