Not to pick nits, but 12 Bones is a newbie in town. For a more traditional 'Asheville taste', try Little Pigs on McDowell St across from Asheville High. Unfortunately the very best barbecue in town closed down a few years back.
Downtown is worth at least a 1/2 day just browsing the shops & galleries, and people watching. Summer brings out the odder folks downtown, and there are usually a few street musicians & other buskers performing for tips. Unless you've got one of the 24' Sprinter B's, arrive in town by 8 or 9 am, and you can curb park in a metered space ($1.25 hr), feeding the meter every 2 hrs for as long as you want to stay (bring quarters).
The Parkway north of town may be reopened by Labor Day weekend. They hope to have one lane open at the failed area, with traffic controlled by an automatic light system.
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
