I visited western NC for the first time since Helene. Here are 10 things to do now that it’s reopening

Some parts of western NC are open and ready for business, a year after Helene devastated the area. Start planning your weekend trip with these recommendations.

Nearly a year ago, on Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. However, Asheville had already received four inches of rain from a “stalled cold front” and a “slow-moving shower” system the day before. The rain persisted into the next day, swelling the area’s numerous waterways, until they began to overflow.

When the storm reached western NC on Sept. 27, Helene had dropped to a tropical storm, but the system continued to ravage western NC with even heavier rain.

Hurricane category rankings are based on wind speed, but that doesn’t account for factors like rainfall and storm size, which made Helene an especially brutal storm. The storm had accumulated a significant amount of moisture when it crossed the Gulf of Mexico, which caused it to increase in size and humidity.

Areas near the French Broad River, Lake Lure, and many other bodies of water all faced flooding and mudslides. Helene caused an “estimated $60 billion in damages and costs,” as well as over “100 storm-related deaths in N.C.” On Sept. 15, 2025, Gov. Josh Stein publicly requested Congress provide $13.5 billion more in recovery aid to help the region rebuild quicker.

The tourism industry in Western N.C. took a huge hit, in addition to the numerous local businesses that typically attract tourists. According to CNN, travel and tourism account for one-fifth of Buncombe County’s gross domestic product.

In 2023, tourists contributed almost $3 billion … and I was one of those tourists that year.

It was unreal to see the very businesses and restaurants I visited in 2023 destroyed by a natural disaster only a year later. So when my mother’s birthday came up, my family decided to revisit western NC and enjoy all the many amazing things to do in the area—all while supporting the local businesses. We stayed in the very same hotel suite in the Biltmore Village area of Asheville that we had in 2023.

Floodwater from Helene left the area completely submerged last year, but it has since largely been rebuilt. Some places I visited in 2023 have permanently closed due to the storm, like Bold Rock Hard Cider. Andaaz, the Indian restaurant right by where we were staying, decided to move its location and will be reopening in downtown Asheville.

It’s a stark reminder of how long the road to recovery can be after Hurricane Helene, but also just how important it is to support the local community. If you’ve been debating where to go for a fall weekend trip, then look no further than WNC. There is no better place to catch fall foliage, while enjoying the eclectic itinerary I’ve put together here.

1. Take in the iconic arts scene of WNC

Check out the rad River Arts District

Western NC is not only home to awe-inspiring Appalachian scenery, but also boasts a vibrant arts community. “The most unique part is the blend of older traditions dating back to indigenous work cohabitating with brand new technologies and approaches,” said Erich Hubner, program director of the Madison County Arts Council (MCAC), adding, “This is true in almost all disciplines here in WNC.”

Unfortunately, local artists faced extensive damage, from the River Arts District (RAD) in Asheville to the MCAC in Marshall, NC.

In 2023, I visited Pink Dog Creative in the RAD, an open space that contains 30 studios for artists. That’s where I got to see Emelie Weber Wade weaving textile art, and just had to buy one of the scarves she made from scratch. Wade, who specializes in woven art and slow fashion, had created her own wedding dress, which got damaged after her apartment flooded during Helene.

She was able to clean the dress, but there are some holes caused by degradation and staining from the mud. She has just begun the restoration process on the dress, mending it with visible patches and adding golden embellishments in the mud-stained areas to show the message of resilience. If you want to watch her in the process of weaving, look at other artists’ work, or even buy some of the artwork, you should definitely check out Pink Dog Creative.

Some artists in recovering parts of the RAD are still displaced, but you can also buy their work at the weekly RAD Arts Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Sept. 28, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Blue Ridge Orchestra will be presenting “Post-Helene: Remembering, Rebuilding, Reimagining.” In collaboration with UNC Asheville, the performance will utilize music to honor the community members who lost their lives, examine the current state of climate change, and look forward to continued recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Tickets are $21 for anyone 7 years or older, and free for children.

Enjoy the small town charm and big arts scene in Madison County

As a dance teacher, my mother was heartbroken when she saw the videos of artists losing their work and studio spaces from the flooding. Over the summer, she put together a global dance festival called “Artists Helping Artists” that raised funds for the local artisan community in Western N.C. She wanted to use her birthday as an opportunity to visit the area and meet with advocates in the local arts community.

We got to visit the Madison County Arts Council (MCAC) in Marshall, N.C., and tour the town with program director Erich Hubner. We even got to take a peek at the Madison County Arts Council building, currently under reconstruction following flood damage from Helene.

In a follow-up email, Hubner explained that flooding from Helene damaged several other arts organization buildings in both Marshall and Hot Springs, with water submerging Marshall High Studios, Flow Gallery, and several other public art spaces. Many artists also lost private workspaces and homes to the flooding, which was especially traumatic for the community.

“Luckily, many of the spaces that survived the initial impact are reopening after a year of hard work and determination,” he said. The tight-knit arts community has banded together to create a jam-packed arts calendar for the community.

On Sat. Oct. 4, Mars Hill University is presenting the Lunsford Festival—a free indoor folk concert, which celebrates Southern Appalachian traditional music and dance. The event starts at 7 p.m. and continues until 9:30 p.m.

The following weekend features another festival: Bandaloop Tiny Music & Story Festival. The festival will be at Rare Bird Farm in Hot Springs, N.C., starting on Fri. Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. and ending on Sat. Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. Inspired by author Tom Robbins, the event will weave storytelling with performance art, and half of the proceeds from the ticketed event will go toward the efforts to rebuild the Hot Springs Library after Helene.

Literature lovers—you may also want to reserve tickets to this immersive conversation featuring two WNC storytellers, Terry Roberts and Joe Penland. Author Terry Roberts will talk about his recent fictional book, “In the Fullness of Time,” while Joe Penland is known for blending his real-life stories in the area with songwriting. The fundraising event will be at Capitola Mill in Marshall, N.C., on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., with proceeds going toward rebuilding MCAC.

Hubner encourages tourists to drop by Marshall and support the local businesses, saying, “We are open and there is plenty to do. The damage is still visible, and emotions are high coming up on the one-year anniversary, but we welcome visitors.” He added, “Spending some money with local businesses any time you travel is always a good idea!”

2. Eat flavorful Indian food that has “Big Tikka” energy

When you’re in Asheville, you want to make sure you go big or go home, and the food scene reflects the city’s big personality. Big Tikka in Asheville is a relatively new Indian restaurant that delivers with big flavor. The restaurant opened in July 2024 and has been a local fixture since then.

Big Tikka was originally a critically acclaimed restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand—a city renowned for its culturally diverse food scene. Now Asheville residents can experience a taste of this Auckland gem.

When I was trying to find dinner options, I had no idea about the history behind Big Tikka and wasn’t even sure what my family wanted to eat. My mom ordered the samosas and enjoyed them enough to get a second round. To her surprise, the owner informed us that the samosas are completely air-fried without oil, making them healthier.

I ordered the Butter Paneer and Cheese Chili Garlic Naan, which were flavorful and filling without feeling fattening. Their commitment to using fresh, organic ingredients and keeping their cooking process healthier will have you feeling not so guilty on your cheat day. So snack on some samosas and keep calm while you “curry on.”

3. Soak in the magic of natural geothermal water

Fitting time in for some R&R is crucial when you go on an itinerary-packed trip. The perfect way to end a day after hiking and exploring the outdoors is to soak in geothermal mineral water.

The water in Hot Springs, N.C., in Madison County comes into contact with rocks that are naturally heated as they’re deeper into the earth. The result is warm mineral-laden water that is like a supercharged version of your weekly bath salt soak, with more magnesium and zinc.

It is one of the few geothermal springs on the East Coast, and the only one in the entire state. Native Americans are said to have first used the hot springs for their physical and spiritual healing abilities. In fact, there are indigenous pictographs that date back to 2,500 B.C. on Paint Rock, near the Tennessee border, depicting themselves praying and pondering life while making the pilgrimage to the hot springs site.

If you want to enjoy the natural healing properties of warm mineral water, you can rent a hot tub for a short time at Hot Springs Resort & Spa. The hot spring water is sourced into the hot tubs that are sanitized before each appointment, and you have the option of choosing between a soak (Standard) and bubbly jets (Deluxe). The Deluxe costs an additional $10/hour, which I totally felt was worth the add-on for my legs that were a bit sore from the previous day’s hike. The rates online are for two people, and you pay $10 per hour for each additional person. If you’re able to get there before 6 p.m., the rate decreases by $10 per hour.

We got a scenic view right next to the French Broad River. The attendant who took us to our hot tub explained that it was the only hot tub with a view of the river left, as all the other hot tubs near the river ended up being destroyed by Helene. Hot Springs Resort Spa reopened this past Valentine’s Day and has since rebuilt eight of the 12 hot tubs that were damaged. However, the owners hope more tourists find out that they’re open again and come take a soak.

Interestingly enough, we had just missed seeing Governor Josh Stein, who visited Hot Springs and Marshall, N.C. the day after we visited. He even stopped by the Old Marshall Jail, a former jailhouse that has been converted into a hotel and gastropub, which we visited the day before. He told NBC 10 News, “You can come here and have a wonderful time,” adding, “When you’re doing that, you’re helping out local commerce, you’re helping out those businesses.”

So if you can’t take my word for it, you can at least take our governor’s word and spend a day in Madison County … and maybe even a night at the Old Marshall Jail, or one of the cabins at Hot Springs Resort.

4. Shop and bar-hop through downtown Asheville

As a city girl who also enjoys nature, Asheville is always one of my favorite places to visit. I always like to save a day to explore the downtown area.

My favorite part of downtown is the array of chic boutiques that feature trendy bohemian clothing and one-of-a-kind jewelry designed by local artists. I snagged a pair of bell-bottom pants with a retro-style green-and-orange print from Virtue and stopped by Moonlight Makers to help my sister find a souvenir t-shirt that represented Asheville.

There are also several vintage stores, including Honeypot Vintage and Posies for Lulu Vintage, that are full of eye-catching clothes spanning from the gold brocade silk dresses of the roaring 1920s to the leopard print power suits of the bold 1980s. If you want to support local artists and purchase their work, Embellish Asheville offers jewelry created by local designers, and Woolworth Walk also features artwork by local artisans.

Woolworth Walk was originally the local Woolworth store location, and now it’s a free gallery where you can view a variety of artwork, including purse-shaped teapots, impressionist-style paintings, jewelry that incorporates fossils, and even handmade wallets. The gallery also features a soda fountain lunch area modeled after an archetypal 1950s diner, where I enjoyed a seltzer water with lemon sorbet and orange syrup.

Once you’ve shopped and enjoyed your pop, don’t drop just yet. Downtown lights up at night with plenty of bars specializing in all sorts of drinks. If you have a sweet tooth like me, then you have to end your night with a dessert martini from Crave Dessert Bar.

They have various “sippable desserts” that are cocktails inspired by popular sweet treats such as s’mores, key lime pie, and Snickers. They also have an extensive espresso martini menu that includes one inspired by a pistachio latte, called “Baklava Java,” and I’m already adding it to my bucket list for my next visit.

5. Hike through the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway

Travel + Leisure listed the Blue Ridge Parkway as one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., but there’s so much more to the area than a scenic road. There are several geographical landmarks throughout the parkway, including Mount Mitchell (the “highest mountain peak” on the East Coast), New River (ironically, North America’s oldest river), and Linville Gorge (“the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon”). If you have time to pull over, the most breathtaking views are actually off-road, and on the trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway trail system runs along and even crosses the road at points. With namesake scenery that matches the name, you’ll be able to take in “blue”-tiful peeks at cerulean-tinted mountain peaks, gorgeous views of gorges, and wallow in the sight of waterfalls through the 100+ hiking trails. Whether you’re a nature novice or an advanced adventurer, there is a trail for every level of difficulty.

Backpacker Magazine even named the more advanced Art Loeb Trail in the Blue Ridge Parkway system the best trail in the state for its highlands, rhododendron tunnels, and cliffs. Just make sure to stretch your quads before you hike, as the elevation will definitely rival your incline walk workout on the treadmill.

Parts of the trail were closed when I visited a few months ago due to damage from Helene-related landslides, but I was still able to hike parts of the parkway. Now, a 26-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, stretching from Asheville to Mount Mitchell, reopened just in time to enjoy the warm colors of fall foliage contrasting with the cool, hazy hues of the Blue Ridge mountaintops.

6. Stop to smell the flowers at the N.C. Arboretum

Sometimes we get so busy scrolling through our phones in our day-to-day lives that we forget to stop and smell the roses. Just south of Asheville, the N.C. Arboretum is a great reminder of all the surrounding natural beauty that we take for granted. The arboretum consists of 434 acres of public gardens inside the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, which is a part of the Pisgah National Forest.

The permanent gardens include the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, Wildflowers at the Arboretum, and the National Native Azalea Collection. Before November, you may also be able to see some butterflies at the “Pollinators in the Landscape” garden exhibit.

If you’re a child at heart, like me, make sure to check out the spinning kaleidoscope exhibit, which lets you zoom in on vibrant flowers. I also highly recommend checking out the numerous trails, which offer varying levels of difficulty, connecting the gardens with the wooded ares of the forest.

If you’re interested in learning about the ecological impact that Hurricane Helene had on Western N.C., the arboretum is also hosting an outdoor interactive lecture on Sat. Sept. 27 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dan Lazar, director of education at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, will be speaking about the long-term impact the storm will have on the local flora and fauna. The lecture will end in a short walk where you will get to see the areas that are still recovering from Helene, and costs $48.30.

Parking a personal vehicle costs $20, but admission is free. The arboretum closes at 9 p.m. until November, when the closing time changes to 7 p.m.

7. Feel on top of the world after climbing Chimney Rock

If you’re the kind of person who picks mountains over beaches, then you know the best part of visiting the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina is exploring the rugged terrain. Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County is one landmark that will take your breath away.

Chimney Rock State Park includes the namesake 315 ft. Chimney Rock mountaintop, hiking trails, and one of the state’s tallest waterfalls. The valley area next to the park makes up the village of Chimney Rock. This mountain town features local stores and restaurants that harken back to the 1930s.

The park reopened on Jun. 27, 2025, but parts of the village are still under reconstruction. Since Chimney Rock Village is located in a valley near Lake Lure, both of the neighboring towns faced flooding from the lake and the French Broad River, which also resulted in landslides. Overall, roughly 33% of the 46 businesses were completely damaged by the storm.

Currently, the Lodge on Lake Lure and the restaurant, Rumbling Bald, are back open for business. However, as the Associated Press reports, many other businesses are facing setbacks in reopening due to the halt of federal funds. Members of the Amish community in Pennsylvania have volunteered their time and efforts to help rebuild the area.

While the area is still in the process of rebuilding, visiting Chimney Rock will help support the community that relies on tourism, and the views are hard to beat. It’s also the perfect activity for families with young kids. Chimney Rock has a special place in my heart because it was the first place my parents took me to during my initial visit to Western N.C. as a kid.

You can literally feel like you’re on top of the world, while helping a little corner of the world out, too.

8. Tour the iconic Biltmore Estate

The most popular sightseeing destination for first-time visitors to Asheville is hands-down the iconic Biltmore Estate, and there’s no better time to visit than the fall. Known as “America’s Largest Home,” the National Historic Landmark was originally the country house for the Vanderbilt family. The grounds consist of the 250-room house, farmyard, multiple gardens, and winery.

The 8,000-acre backyard contains forests and 22 miles of nature trails. Parts of the grounds dealt with flooding-related damage, but the estate rebuilt the damaged areas and reopened in November 2024.

There are various ticket packages starting from the basic House and Grounds package ($70+) and going up to the option of an exclusive tour ($340+). The more expensive packages include access to the seasonal exhibition, which currently features replicas of King Tut’s burial artifacts.  I chose the basic House and Grounds ticket, which included a complimentary wine tasting.

The perfectly manicured gardens, set against a backdrop of vibrant fall foliage and blue-tinted mountains, provide a great setting for engagement or graduation pictures. The wine tasting was my favorite part, next to seeing the cute goats in the farmyard area. It was a great transition from the end of the afternoon to my evening out in downtown Asheville.

9. Chow down on authentic Mexican cuisine

Most of us working nine-to-fives are lucky if we can fit in a bite to eat in our cubicles during lunch hour. That’s why it’s important to make the most of your time on vacation by enjoying a local eatery with a side of local scenery. During my last day in Asheville, I wanted to enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the beautiful sights.

I remembered a colorful restaurant with traditional Mexican decor called Mexico Lindo Chapala that we had driven past the previous day. Mexican food is one of my favorite cuisines, so I had to stop by and order some takeout.

I’ve not been to Mexico yet, but I have had authentic Mexican food in the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego. So you can rest assured when I say the Mexican food was some of the most authentic I’ve had on the East Coast.

In fact, I ate half of my quesadilla and realized I forgot to take a picture. I ordered the Super Vegetarian Quesadilla, which features grilled onions and peppers with cheese. The flavorful quesadilla was a great, affordable lunch option to pair with the view from the picnic tables at the Stephens Lee Community Center.

Last year, after Helene, the restaurant was under four feet of water and had fridges floating away, according to the Palomera family, who own the restaurant. The Palomeras almost gave up on rebuilding the restaurant they have owned for over 20 years after assessing the damage, which included the interior seating that featured handmade ceramic tiles from Mexico. Through support from community members, the restaurant thankfully reopened and is definitely worth a visit.

10. Take a “meow”-ment to visit the American Museum of the Housecat

When there are so many things to do and places to see on a vacation, there’s always something you don’t get to do that was on your bucket list. In my case, it was visiting the American Museum of the Housecat. If you do have a “meow”-ment to spare, then visiting this eclectic museum may just be the “purr”-fect way to end your trip to Western N.C.

Located about 55 miles from Asheville, in Jackson County, N.C., the American Museum of the Housecat features multiple exhibits consisting of various cat-related memorabilia and artifacts. One of the artifacts is a bronze statue of the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet from 600 B.C.

The founder of the museum, Dr. Harold W. Sims Jr., was a retired biology professor who started his own animal shelter after finding out that the local shelter euthanized animals. In 2017, he opened the American Museum of the Housecat, and in 2023, he moved the museum to its current location. While Dr. Sims recently passed away on Nov. 17, 2024, at the age of 89, the museum is still open and boasts a 4.6-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Admission typically costs $10 for adults, with discounted rates for teens, children, and college students. The museum also offers AAA and military veteran discounts, and is a part of the Museums For All initiative. Under the initiative, visitors with an EBT card can gain access to the museum for just $3.

Dr. Sims was quoted as saying, “Cats don’t start wars. They have no gods to pray to. They don’t mess up the environment. They just live,” adding, “I wish cats could rule the world. We wouldn’t be in such a mess if that were the case.” So if you could use a respite from the doom-scrolling, seeing some cool cat artifacts can be the best way to cap a memorable fall trip to Western N.C.