This guide shares details about visiting Asheville after Hurricane Helene came through the area. It shares what’s open, what’s closed, where to stay and our thoughts on whether you should visit.
Many visitors have reached out with questions about visiting Asheville following Hurricane Helene. This guide aims to provide the latest information and help you plan your trip.
What You’ll Find In This Guide
Should I Visit Asheville After THe Hurricane?
The most popular question in our inbox over the last few weeks is whether tourists should plan to visit Asheville in the aftermath of Helene.
It’s a tricky question to answer because, on the one hand, the city is fragile and recovering at a really slow rate due to a lack of water in many areas.

Many residents are still without reliable access to clean water, making daily life challenging. This, coupled with the emotional and economic toll of the storm, has created a difficult situation for residents.
On the other hand, Asheville is a tourist city. Asheville needs tourism to survive.
The situation is made even more complicated given the timing of the storm coinciding with peak tourism time. October / leaf season is when many service workers, artists and business owners make their winter savings.
The unfortunate timing and continued lack of water have significantly impacted the local economy. Many businesses, including restaurants, shops, and breweries, were forced to temporarily close their doors.
They are working hard to reopen though, and the ones that have are now facing a lack of customers. So, we’ll say it again– Asheville needs tourism to survive.
Taking all of this into consideration, our ultimate recommendation is that if you are able to visit Asheville, please do. Asheville needs you. And this should go without saying but, please do so respectfully. This means being thoughtful, patient and kind while here.
By visiting the city, dining at local restaurants, and shopping at local stores, you can contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts.
Please check for updates and closures before visiting. As the situation evolves, we encourage you to stay informed and plan your trip accordingly.
If you aren’t ready to visit or it’s not the right time for you, consider shopping online with some of the many Asheville shops & artists that ship.
Where To Stay When Visiting Asheville
When visiting Asheville following Hurricane Helene, be sure to find a place to stay that’s in an area that is accepting visitors. Also, please keep in mind that a limited number of properties are open in the immediate due to ongoing water issues.
An excellent way to visit Asheville is through a day trip from a nearby city. You can easily take the interstate directly downtown from many SC and NC cities (e.g., Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte, etc.)
If a day trip to Asheville isn’t an option, we recommend staying in a city close to Asheville that is not affected by the water issue and is accepting visitors.
Our top recommendation for a nearby city is Brevard, NC. They were able to quickly reopen following Helene, including their charming downtown and Pisgah National Forest. Plus, there are a ton of fun things to do in Brevard.
We also want to point out that few hotels in downtown Asheville have installed potable water tanks at their property and are now open to guests. This includes Haywood Park Hotel and the pet-friendly Kimpton Hotel Arras.
Haywood Park Hotel is specifically calling for tourists to help the local economy get back on its feet. It’s in a prime location downtown and offers visitors easy access to shops and restaurants.
What’s Open In Asheville?
You may be surprised to hear that a lot has reopened in Asheville since the storm. This includes downtown Asheville, the NC Arboretum and a large chunk of Pisgah National Forest.
It also includes a small area of the River Arts District. There are several galleries and shops in this area, all centered in the small triangle between Clingman Ave Ext and Roberts Street.
In addition to areas in Asheville, surrounding cities are also open, including a personal favorite: Brevard, NC. There is more than enough to keep you fed, busy and entertained!
We highly encourage you to visit the many shops and restaurants that are now open in downtown Asheville. We visited on 10/29/24 and it was absolutely empty. Our businesses can’t survive without tourists, and we are worried that they will be the next victims of Helene.
Restaurants That Are Open
We have a running list of restaurants that have reopened since the hurricane. This includes coffee shops, breakfast spots and even breweries. We’ll detail a few categories below for you, too.
Keep in mind that hours and days open may change often, so check with the establishment before visiting. Social media is the best way to do this.
Downtown Restaurants: The Rhu (breakfast + lunch), Luminosa, Curate, Botiwalla (new!), Mellow Mushroom, Bargello, White Duck Taco, Maguro (new!), Mehfil, Asheville Proper, Wasabi, Miyako House, Soda Fountain at Woolworth Walk, The Med, Bee Thai
Date Night Restaurants: The Admiral, Leo’s House of Thirst, Curate, Luminosa, Asheville Proper, Nine Mile (Biltmore Park only)
West AVL Restaurants: Gan Shan West, OWL Bakery, The Admiral, Leo’s House of Thirst, Thai Pearl (takeout only), Sunny Point Cafe
Breakfast: Liberty House Cafe, Sunny Point Cafe, OWL Bakery, The Med, City Bakery
Classic AVL Restaurants: 12 Bones (South AVL), Vinnie’s (both locations), Luella’s (both locations), Rocky’s Hot Chicken, Biscuit Head (all locations)
Breweries: Highlands, Whistle Hop, Terra Nova, Wedge (downtown)
Coffee Shops: Rowan Coffee, Dripolator, High Five (North AVL), Summit Coffee (downtown), Farewell, Cooperative Coffee Shop, Ultra Coffeebar, Retro Coffee. For a full list, check our guide to Asheville coffee shops.
Shops That Are Open
- Downtown Shops: Woolworth Walk, Mast General Store, Duncan & York, Lou Lou Boutique, Nest Organics, Malaprop’s Book Shop, Tops for Shoes, Hip Replacements, Himalayas Import
- River Arts District Shops: There There, Jeffrey, Odyssey Gallery of Ceramics, NC Glass Center, Pink Dog Creative, Mark Bettis Studio, Hofman Studios, Wonderful Jewels & Wear
- West Asheville Shops: Provisions Mercantile, Sparky’s Toy Shop, Revolve, Clad, Orbit DVD
Attractions That Are Open
NC Arboretum: The NC Arboretum opened on October 28, 2024. Entry is donation-based for the time being. The entrance, parking, bonsai garden, education center, gift shop and formal gardens are open. All trails remain closed.
Asheville Art Museum: The art museum is open 11am to 6pm Wednesday through Sunday.
Pisgah National Forest: The Pisgah Ranger District reopened on 10/18/24. This includes several popular points of interest, like Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Looking Glass Rock and John’s Rock. Pisgah Highway.
Pisgah Highway: This gets its own mention because it’s such a beautiful drive! The colors are rapidly changing but it should have some color through early November.
Asheville Science Museum: Open every day except Tuesday. Great for kids!
What’s Closed In Asheville?
See below for areas of town and attractions that were damaged by the hurricane and remain closed.
Areas Of Town Impacted
Hurricane Helene’s impact on Asheville was most severe in areas near the French Broad River and its tributary, the Swannanoa River. These waterways overflowed, causing widespread flooding that devastated the River Arts District, Biltmore Village, and the nearby Antiques District.
River Arts District: The city’s creative haven suffered significant damage, with numerous studios, galleries, and restaurants affected by the floodwaters. A few shops, galleries and restaurants were high enough to not take on any water and have since reopened. See our guide to the River Arts District for details.
Biltmore Village: Known for its historic charm and boutique shops, Biltmore Village was also severely impacted by the flooding.
Antiques District: This area, home to several antique shops, faced substantial damage due to its proximity to the Swannanoa River.
Amboy Road: This is just off I-26 and where you’ll find Carrier Park, DayTrip & Boy Howdy, Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins and the French Broad River Park. All were affected.
Attractions That Are Closed
The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed until further notice.
WNC Nature Center is closed until further notice due to road + bridge damage. All animals are safe and accounted for, though.
The Biltmore Estate is scheduled to reopen on 11/2/24.
Enjoying Asheville WIth Kids
As parents of young kids, we know how important it is to have kid-friendly activities lined up when traveling.
If you fall in this category, be sure to check our guide to things to do with kids in Asheville. It includes over 40 ideas and each has been updated to reflect the current status.
Below are a few ideas to get you started, though.
NC Arboretum: Though the trails are closed for the time being, there is still plenty to explore at the NC Arboretum. Don’t miss the Bonsai exhibit– it’s especially beautiful during the fall when the leaves change color.
Pisgah National Forest: The Ranger District is now open and it includes the kid-friendly Moore Cove Falls trail. Sycamore Flats is also a great place for kids, though it’s along the river and was flooded. It’s open but there are several trees down and picnic tables were relocated and destroyed by floodwater. Looking Glass Falls is also here and is just off Pisgah Highway (no hiking required.)
Asheville Science Museum: Open every day except Tuesday. Great for kids!
Hands On Children’s Museum: Though this is in Hendersonville, it’s worth a mention because they are offering free admission through 10/31.
Jake Rusher Park: A great neighborhood park in South Asheville. It’s close to Rocky’s Hot Chicken and their mac & cheese is a kid-favorite in our household.
That wraps up our guide to visiting Asheville after Hurricane Helene. We hope it helps inform your decision on whether or not to visit, and also gives you a good starting point if you decide to.