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Post-Helene Area Updates

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Reopening Updates

Travel Updates to Western North Carolina  
Re-Opening and Reinventing Your Visit

Updated May 13, 2025

 

Welcome back to the mountains!

As we all navigate the reopening of Western North Carolina for travelers and locals, we would like to update those who wish to visit WNC this winter season and beyond. We have great news: Much of our area is now open for business!

 

See more specific information below as of May 13, 2025, providing alternative things to do and top attractions. We will continue to update it, but please use the links below to see the most updated information.

 

Here are some tips and updates to consider for your trip to the mountains:

 

For the most up-to-date, statewide information, go to VisitNC.com​

​The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.

 

Top Five Reasons People Travel to Asheville:

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  1. Biltmore Estate - OPEN! Spring at Biltmore 2025 March 21 - May 21, 2025. Learn more

  2. Blue Ridge Parkway - OPEN with partial closings.  The Blue Ridge Parkway's official opening for the 2025 season is likely around April 25, 2025. Please review routes before departing for the parkway.

  3. The Arts - River Arts District - Upper galleries and shops are open. The Greenway is accessible and open to use.

  4. Historic Biltmore Village - Remains partially closed but some businesses have reopened. Review their Facebook page for updated information.

  5. NC Arboretum - OPEN!​​​

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Updates by Area
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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 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) - NOW OPEN and welcoming visitors!

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Remain CLOSED:

Lake Lure - CLOSED until further notice

Chimney Rock - CLOSED until further notice

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Photo: Talented local photographer, André Daughtery.

Outdoor Activities

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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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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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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Biltmore Estate at Christmas
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Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Blooms

​Spring at the Biltmore 2025 March 21 – May 22, 2025​

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Exhibits: 

Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures

Now - January 2026

Buy Tickets

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Biltmore Estate Event List

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​Explore the Biltmore Estate Grounds & Established Itineraries

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Ticket & Pricing Information

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Biltmore Estate Helene Response

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NC Arboretum

NC Arboretum is OPEN

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​Exhibits & Events

Recommended: Group Visits & Guided Walks

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Gardens

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Hours, Directions & Pricing 

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Helene Response & Recovery

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Photo: NC Arboretum

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NC Arboretum
Food & Drink
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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. 

Another resources 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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​​​​​​​​​​​​​Photo: at Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville, by Kara Dahlberg

Retail & Holiday Shopping

Retail Therapy 

These RETAIL areas and links are OPEN for businesses. Please use the links to verify specific businesses' status or contact businesses directly for each area is providing their own timeline. Places mentioned below are in and around Asheville within 30 minutes drive:

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Asheville

Explore Asheville 

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Black Mountain 

Visit Black Mountain

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Brevard

Explore Brevard

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Bryson City

Explore Bryson City

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Hendersonville

Visit Hendersonville

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Weaverville 

Visit Weaverville

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​​​​​​​​Waynesville

​Visit Haywood

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Photo: Inside WAKE FOOT SANCTUARY at Grove Arcade Downtown Asheville. 

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Events & Top Attractions

May EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS

Top event recommendations from us at Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:

 

May 2025​​​​​​​​​​

Events & Top Attractions

June EVENTS & TOP ATTRACTIONS

Top event recommendations from us at Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association:

 

June 2025​​​​​​​​​​

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The Arts
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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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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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Waynesville

Downtown Waynesville:

Yellow House Recommendations - Waynesville Galleries

Haywood Arts Council & Gallery​​​

Getting Here

Getting Here

By Air

The Asheville Regional Airport is open and operating.

By Car

The latest road openings and closures can be found at DriveNC.gov.

 

Open Highways and Interstates:

  • I-26 (south of Mars Hill/Mile 9/U.S. 19)

  • I-40 (southeast of Cove Creek/Mile 21)

  • U.S. 23

  • U.S. 25/U.S. 25A

  • U.S. 70

  • U.S. 74

 

Current Road Closures:

  • I-40 has Two lanes open in both directions as of March 1, 2025.

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