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Welcome back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Updated April 1, 2026
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
There’s nothing like the peace of returning to a place that moves your soul. Our beloved mountains are calling—ready to share their cool streams, shaded forests, and rich local culture once again.
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We’re thrilled to welcome you back to Western North Carolina, where businesses are open, trails are waiting, and unforgettable experiences await.
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Scroll below for the latest happenings and events as of April 1, 2026, and start planning your next mountain adventure.
Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:
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Biltmore Estate - OPEN!
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Blue Ridge Parkway - OPEN.
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The Arts - River Arts District - OPEN.
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Historic Biltmore Village - Shops and restaurants are OPEN! Review their Facebook page for updated information.
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NC Arboretum - OPEN!​​​
PHOTO CREDIT: @visithaywood
By Area / City / Town
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!
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Outdoor Activities
For specific WNC trail status & updates for outdoor recreation areas, please refer to the US Forest Service website here.
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For all state park closures, go here.
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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.
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Black Mountain
Black Mountain is OPEN - Please click on Black Mountain Recovery or Visit Black Mountain for more information about town specifics.
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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
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Bryson City
Bryson City is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Explore Bryson City for more information about town specifics.
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Hendersonville
Hendersonville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Henderson for more information about town specifics.
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Waynesville
Waynesville is OPEN to visitors - Please click on Visit Haywood for more information about town specifics.
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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 - 21, 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.
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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)
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Spring at Biltmore March 26th - May 21st
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​Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries
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Biltmore Estate Helene Response
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NC Arboretum
Celebrating 40 years! 1976 - 2026.
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Ticket Information: Click Here.​
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Recommended: Group Visits & Guided Walks
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​Events:
​434 acres of gardens and wildlands in Bent Creek. Spectacular spring wildflower displays.​
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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.
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Another resource is Explore Asheville and AVL Today.
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Brevard
See restaurant updates here, Explore Brevard
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Black Mountain
See restaurant updates here. Visit Black Mountain​
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Bryson City
See restaurant updates here. Explore Bryson City
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Hendersonville
See restaurant updates here. Visit Hendersonville
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Waynesville
See restaurant updates here, Visit Haywood
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Weaverville
See restaurant updates here, Town of Weaverville
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Retail Therapy
These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses.
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Asheville
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Black Mountain
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Hendersonville
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Weaverville
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Events & Top Attractions
April EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS
Top event recommendations from us at the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:​​​
Asheville
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April 1 — Robert Plant with Saving Grace | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (Harrah’s Cherokee Center)
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April 17 — Free Music at Pack Square | Pack Square Park • 5–9pm • community music & celebration
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April 19 — Bob Dylan — Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
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Blue Ridge Parkway — Celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026! More than 114 continuous miles fully open following Hurricane Helene repairs. Folk Art Center, BRP Visitor Center, and NC Arboretum all accessible.
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River Arts District — Working artist studios, galleries, and restaurants along the French Broad River.​​​
Waynesville
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April 17 — Appalachian Heritage Weekend Preview Night | Downtown Waynesville • 6–9pm • Appalachian True culture, live music, and local flavor.
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April 18 — Appalachian Heritage Festival — FREE | Main Street, Waynesville • All day • Artist vendors, craft demonstrations, True Crime Trail, food vendors, and free Shelton House tours.
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Visit Haywood for a full list of local happenings in February​​​
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Hendersonville
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April 18 — Hendo Earth Fest (4th Annual) — FREE | Downtown Hendersonville • 10am–3pm • Earth Day celebration with live music, hands-on activities, and local environmental organizations. Main St at Barnwell, Allen, 1st & 2nd Ave.
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April 19 — Main 2 Main: Walk & Roll on the Ecusta Trail | 9am–2pm • $45 • Guided cycling/walking event on the scenic Ecusta Trail.
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Flat Rock Playhouse — NC’s State Theatre, 3 miles from downtown. Professional performances year-round.
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Historic Downtown Hendersonville — Walkable Main Street with boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and the Henderson County Heritage Museum.
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For full list and more details, Visit Hendersonville​​​
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Old Fort / Marion
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Lake James State Park — 2,500-acre lake with kayak/canoe rentals, hiking, swimming beach, and camping. Stunning Blue Ridge views.
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Old Fort — Charming railroad town with galleries, local breweries, and trailheads into Pisgah National Forest.
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Joseph McDowell Catawba River Greenway — Paved multi-use trail along the river in Marion • great for walking, running, and cycling.
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See more at Destination McDowell
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
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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
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Brevard, NC
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White Squirrel Weekend, 22nd ANNUAL, Friday–Sunday, May 22–24, 2026, Downtown Brevard, 175 E. Main Street
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Marion, NC
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Marion Friday Night Street Concerts, Fridays, May through fall, Downtown Marion
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​Photo credit: The Biltmore Company
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:​​
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Brevard
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Bryson City
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Explore the Craft and Art of Bryson City:
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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.
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Weaverville
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Innkeeper Recommendations:​​
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Main Street Weaverville & Beyond:
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Waynesville
Downtown Waynesville:
Yellow House Recommendations - Waynesville Galleries
Haywood Arts Council & Gallery​​​
Photo: Asheville Art Museum
Getting Here
By Air
The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating.
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By Car
The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.
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