Gillespie Heights offers a peaceful and calm environment with quiet streets that create a relaxed ambiance. The neighborhood features a variety of housing options, including charming single detached homes and mobile homes, primarily consisting of two and three-bedroom residences. Many properties reflect the character of the 1960s through the 1990s, providing architectural diversity and established community roots. Ample parking availability adds convenience for residents using personal vehicles. Although cycling routes face some slopes, the neighborhood remains accessible by car to local amenities such as supermarkets. Gillespie Heights provides a tranquil setting with comfortable housing options for a range of preferences.
Gillespie Heights offers a calm environment. Gillespie Heights is wonderful for those who enjoy quiet surroundings, as noise from the streets and other parts of the city is rarely an issue.
Parks, schools, dining, and what makes this neighborhood special
At 2979 New Leicester Highway, Leicester Community Center is a practical gathering place for Gillespie Heights residents, hosting Buncombe County recreation programming and community activities. Its 797-foot paved walking track offers a simple outdoor exercise option, while the basketball facilities and family-oriented programs add everyday utility beyond the neighborhood’s largely residential setting. ([sites.google.com](https://sites.google.com/site/leicestercommunitycenter/activities/walking-track?utm_source=openai))
Leicester Elementary, at 31 Gilbert Road, is the neighborhood’s closest identifiable public-school anchor and serves as an important community institution for families in the surrounding Leicester area. The school is part of Buncombe County Schools, and local property records commonly identify Leicester Elementary as the elementary assignment for nearby Gillespie Heights homes, although families should confirm zoning for each address. ([greatschools.org](https://www.greatschools.org/best-schools/north-carolina/leicester/?utm_source=openai))
Grateful Roots Market & Deli, located at 3393 New Leicester Highway, gives Gillespie Heights residents a distinctly local food stop rather than requiring a trip into Asheville. The farm-connected business stocks fresh produce, groceries, regional products, Amish meats and cheeses, and made-to-order breakfast and deli sandwiches. Its emphasis on area growers and small producers reflects Leicester’s agricultural character. ([gratefulrootswnc.com](https://www.gratefulrootswnc.com/?utm_source=openai))
Addison Farms Vineyard, at 4005 New Leicester Highway, is one of the most distinctive attractions near Gillespie Heights. The family-owned winery occupies a multigenerational Leicester farm with roughly six acres of vines, a tasting room, and mountain-country views. Its location along the neighborhood’s main rural corridor makes locally produced wine, seasonal events, and a working-farm setting unusually accessible for residents. ([addisonfarms.net](https://addisonfarms.net/about?utm_source=openai))
The Leicester Library at 1561 Alexander Road provides Gillespie Heights with a nearby public resource for books, internet access, research help, children’s activities, and community programming. Its location reinforces the area’s connection to Leicester’s civic center rather than Asheville’s downtown amenities, making it a useful everyday destination for families, students, remote workers, and residents seeking a quiet indoor place close to home. ([buncombecounty.org](https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/leicester.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Things to do, events, and what's happening this month
This free, all-ages event at Riverbend Park is an easy Asheville outing for Gillespie Heights residents with dogs or children. Expect canine costumes, contests, interactive activities, and special treats in a relaxed park setting, making it a fun way to meet other local pet owners and enjoy an autumn morning outdoors.
View event details →Downtown Asheville’s free two-day music festival offers a convenient cultural outing from Gillespie Heights, with multiple stages featuring R&B, pop, jazz, Afrobeats, and reggae. The festival also celebrates Asheville’s creative heritage with a tribute exhibit honoring local musical icons Roberta Flack and Nina Simone.
View event details →Residents can browse more than 100 juried Appalachian craft artists in downtown Asheville, with pottery, wood, textiles, jewelry, glass, metalwork, and mixed media on display. It is a strong nearby choice for holiday shopping, discovering regional makers, and enjoying a family-friendly arts experience without leaving the Asheville area.
View event details →This library workshop gives Asheville teens and adults a practical, creative activity close to downtown. Gillespie Heights residents interested in storytelling, video, or learning a new skill can spend the morning exploring filmmaking fundamentals in a public-library setting, with registration available through the Buncombe County library calendar.
View event details →A guided bird-watching excursion with Blue Ridge Audubon Society members offers a peaceful Halloween-morning alternative to crowded festivities. The nearby Beaver Lake sanctuary provides an accessible nature experience for Asheville residents, including older children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy fall wildlife and learn local bird-identification skills.
View event details →Stories, updates, and things to know in Gillespie Heights
Local characteristics and demographics for Gillespie Heights
