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Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Updated May 5, 2026
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Cool streams, shaded forests, walkable downtowns, and a rich Appalachian culture you can feel from the first morning's coffee on the porch. The mountains are at their best — come spend a few days with us.
Scroll below for the latest happenings and events as of May 5, 2026, and start planning your next mountain adventure.
Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:
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Historic Biltmore Village
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NC Arboretum -
PHOTO CREDIT: @visithaywood
By Area / City / Town Travel Resources
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville - OPEN! See Explore Asheville to verify specific locations
Black Mountain - OPEN! See Visit Black Mountain and their Facebook page for updates.
Brevard - OPEN! See Explore Brevard to verify specific locations
Bryson City - OPEN! See Explore Bryson City to verify specific locations
Hendersonville - OPEN! See Visit Henderson to verify specific locations
Highlands / Cashiers - OPEN! See the Highlands Chamber of Commerce to verify specific locations
Sylva / Cullowhee - OPEN! See Discover Jackson County to verify specific locations
Waynesville - OPEN! See Visit Haywood to verify specific locations
Mars Hill - OPEN! See the Madison County Chamber website
Spruce Pine - OPEN! See the Town of Spruce Pine website.
Marshall (Madison County) - OPEN! and welcoming visitors!
Lake Lure - NOW OPEN!
Chimney Rock State Park - OPEN!
Outdoor Activities
For specific WNC trail status & updates for outdoor recreation areas, please refer to the US Forest Service website here.
For all state park closures, go here.
Asheville
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Asheville is OPEN - See more current updates on Visit Asheville Travel Update.
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NC Arboretum OPEN.
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North Asheville Beaver Lake - OPEN Bird Sanctuary + Nature Walk.
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Bent Creek Forest - OPEN Asheville near the NC Arboretum.
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City Parks - Some are OPEN, see current updates on the Buncombe County website.
Black Mountain
Black Mountain is OPEN - Please click on Black Mountain Recovery or Visit Black Mountain for more information about town specifics.
Brevard
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For specific outdoor adventure information and things to do in Brevard, go to Explore Brevard.
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These outdoor recreation sites below are considered OPEN for outdoor adventure:
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Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, more info: Pisgah Ranger Station.
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Pink Beds Trail - OPEN, only accessible through Brevard, NC
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Cradle of Forestry - OPEN, Updates are on their Facebook page
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Bracken Preserve in Brevard - OPEN
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Estatoe Trail (Hike/bike path near Downtown Brevard) - OPEN
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Dupont State Forest - OPEN
Bryson City
Bryson City is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Explore Bryson City for more information about town specifics.
Hendersonville
Hendersonville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Henderson for more information about town specifics.
Waynesville
Waynesville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Haywood for more information about town specifics.
Weaverville
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Weaverville is OPEN to visitors - Town of Weaverville - Travel Updates
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For all Weaverville Recreation - Learn more here
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Nature Trail from Main Street - OPEN
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Lake Louise - Walking Trail - OPEN
"Tee Off in Style" with Asheville's Legendary Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers
September 17 - 20, 2026
Experience the inaugural Biltmore Championship through the eyes of those who know these mountains best. Asheville's acclaimed bed & breakfast innkeepers—the artisans of legendary Southern hospitality—invite you to discover championship golf paired with intimate, locally-rooted luxury.
While thousands will witness history at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, only a select few will wake up to gourmet breakfasts prepared by your personal innkeeper, enjoy evening stories on wraparound porches with mountain views, and receive insider guidance to Asheville's hidden gems from hosts who've perfected the art of gracious hospitality.
Biltmore Estate
Exhibits:
Coming Spring 2026 - Opens March 26th (select nights)
Spring at Biltmore March 26th - May 21st
Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries
Biltmore Estate Helene Response
NC Arboretum
Celebrating 40 years! 1976 - 2026.
Ticket Information: Click Here.
Recommended: Group Visits & Guided Walks
Events:
434 acres of gardens and wildlands in Bent Creek. Spectacular spring wildflower displays.
Food & Drink
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville
Please see the most updated list on the Asheville Independent Restaurants website.
Another resource is Explore Asheville and AVL Today.
Brevard
See restaurant updates here, Explore Brevard
Black Mountain
See restaurant updates here. Visit Black Mountain
Bryson City
See restaurant updates here. Explore Bryson City
Hendersonville
See restaurant updates here. Visit Hendersonville
Waynesville
See restaurant updates here, Visit Haywood
Weaverville
See restaurant updates here, Town of Weaverville
Retail Therapy
These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses.
Asheville
Black Mountain
Brevard
Bryson City
Hendersonville
Weaverville
Waynesville
Events & Top Attractions
May EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:
Asheville
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Spring at Biltmore, Through May 21, 2026, Biltmore Estate, Asheville
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Luminere at Biltmore ✦ NEW IN 2026, Select evenings, March 26 – October 18, 2026, Biltmore Estate Gardens, Asheville
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Grovewood Village Studio Tour, May 2–3, 2026, Grovewood Village, Asheville (adjacent to The Omni Grove Park Inn)
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Downtown After 5, Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5:00–9:00 PM, Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville
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WNC Whiskey Festival, May 30, 2026, Mission Health / A-B Tech Conference Center, Asheville
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Memorial Day Weekend Festival of the Arts, May 23–24, 2026, Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville
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Antique Automobile Show — Chrysler 300 Club International, Saturday, May 30, 2026, Coxe Avenue (Original Motor Mile), Asheville
Haywood County - Waynesville
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Appalachian Heritage Festival, Friday–Saturday, May 1–2, 2026, Downtown Waynesville & The Shelton House
Hendersonville
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Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, April 30 – May 3, 2026, Hendersonville and surrounding Henderson County
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Garden Jubilee, Saturday–Sunday, May 23–24, 2026 | 9 AM – 5 PM, Main Street, Downtown Hendersonville
Brevard, NC
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White Squirrel Weekend, 22nd ANNUAL, Friday–Sunday, May 22–24, 2026, Downtown Brevard, 175 E. Main Street
Marion, NC
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Marion Friday Night Street Concerts, Fridays, May through fall, Downtown Marion
Photo credit: The Biltmore Company
Events & Top Attractions
June EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:
Asheville
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Asheville Art in the Park — June 13, 20, 27, 2026 | Pack Square Park | FREE | Local fine arts and crafts from dozens of regional artists
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Pickleball Festival — Saturday, June 6, 2026 | Tanger Outlets Asheville | Summer-kickoff event with pickle-themed eats, craft vendors, and live entertainment
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Blue Ghost Firefly Tours at the Cradle of Forestry — June 6–8, 2026 | 8:45–10:30 PM | Cradle of Forestry, 11250 Pisgah Hwy, Pisgah Forest | $55 general / $27 youth (4–12) | Limited to 150 participants per night, online tickets only, sells out fast
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Honey Festival — Sunday, June 7, 2026, 12–6 PM | Highland Brewing Company | Hosted by the Center for Honeybee Research with live music, food trucks, local vendors, and honey tastings
Weaverville Madison County
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Bluff Mountain Festival — Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 10 AM–dark | Hot Springs, NC | FREE | Old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging, square dance, and a community square dance to close
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Music on Main Street — Saturday, June 13, 2026 | Main Street, Weaverville | Family-friendly evening of live music, kids' activities, food, and local flavor
Waynesville
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WNC JeepFest — June 5–6, 2026 | Maggie Valley Festival Grounds | 7th annual, with guided rides June 5, 6 & 7, automotive and food vendors, and Saturday Show and Shine
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Waynesville Farmers Market — Saturdays | 8 AM–noon | HART Theater campus, 250 Pigeon Street | Handmade wares from Appalachian crafters and local growers
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Art After Dark — First Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6–9 PM | Downtown Waynesville | Galleries open late with artist demos, live music, wine, and hors d'oeuvres
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Visit Haywood for a full list of local happenings in February
Hendersonville
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35th Annual Antique & Vintage Show — Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 9 AM | Downtown Hendersonville
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Rhythm & Brews Concert Series, Hendersonville — Thursday, June 18, 2026, 5–9 PM, South Main Street. FREE.
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Music on Main Street — Friday evening summer concert series — 2026 schedule pending; check the Arts Council of Henderson County. | Downtown Hendersonville | FREE |
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Hendersonville Farmers Market — Saturdays | 8 AM–1 PM | Through October 31, 2026
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For full listings, Visit Hendersonville Calendar
Old Fort / Marion
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Old Fort Trails & Trains Festival — June 4–6, 2026 | Downtown Old Fort | FREE | 4th annual; outdoor exhibitors, food trucks, Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night, guided hikes with McDowell Trails Association, RITUAL Mountain Bike Film Festival, plus the Ridge to Rails 50K | Half | 10K trail race
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18th Annual Livermush Festival — Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 5–9 PM | 45 N Main Street, Downtown Marion | "It's a Squeal" — local takes on the regional dish, hog call contest, craft vendors, kid-friendly activities
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NC Gold Festival — June 5–6, 2026 | Marion | Mining heritage, vendors, and family activities
The Arts
Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:
Asheville - For the entire vibrant art scene in Asheville, go to Explore Asheville
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Downtown Asheville:
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Asheville Art Museum - Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am-6 pm (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:
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Custom Art Tours with Sherry Masters - Let Sherry be your personal tour guide to our area art galleries and studios
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Black Mountain
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B&B Innkeeper Recommendations:
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Downtown Black Mountain:
Brevard
Bryson City
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Explore the Craft and Art of Bryson City:
Hendersonville
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Downtown Hendersonville
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The Perry N. Rudnick Art & Nature Trail - Whimsical outdoor art created by well-known artists combines with nature along this quiet one-mile pathway with interpretive signage and an array of regional plant species.
Weaverville
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Innkeeper Recommendations:
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Main Street Weaverville & Beyond:
Waynesville
Downtown Waynesville:
Yellow House Recommendations - Waynesville Galleries
Photo: Asheville Art Museum
