River Arts District Claims Top Spot in USA Today Ranking
By Jessica Chen | Published 2026-02-26T15:39:43.357Z
Business
Location: Asheville, NC
Asheville's River Arts District named #1 arts district in the US by USA Today! Discover its vibrant studios, resilience, and economic impact.
Asheville's River Arts District (RAD) has been recognized as the best arts district in the United States by USA Today. The ranking, announced on Feb. 25, 2026, is expected to have a positive economic impact on local artists and businesses by potentially increasing tourism and sales within the district.USA Today's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards named the RAD the top arts district after a selection and public voting process. The district was chosen as a "creative escape," outperforming other arts d
Keywords: River Arts District, Asheville, arts district, USA Today, tourism, local artists, economic impact, NuLu