Status of Major Asheville Area Attractions Post-Helene
Like the rest of our community, Explore Asheville has been heartbroken by the devastating losses from Hurricane Helene that our region has endured. And we are heartened by the gumption, grit, and people of Appalachia helping neighbors and opening their doors to welcome customers back again.
Almost all of downtown Asheville is open and ready for business, its infrastructure having remained largely untouched by the storm. Downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios and restaurants are open—alongside our neighbors in the towns of Weaverville and Black Mountain. South Asheville and the Asheville Regional Airport are open. Biltmore Estate has reopened and is welcoming guests for a holiday season of hope and reconnection.
Openings
Please check attraction and business websites and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
- Restaurants, retail and more in Asheville and across Buncombe County: More info here.
- Biltmore Estate: Reopened November 2. More info here.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway: Multiple North Carolina sections now open. More info here.
- Grandfather Mountain: Reopened Oct. 23. More info here.
- Several Buncombe County Parks have reopened. More info here.
- Pisgah National Forest has reopened certain campgrounds, roads and recreation areas. More info here.
- 30+ Asheville city parks have reopened. Find the complete list here.
- NC Arboretum is open as of Oct. 28. The Arboretum's Winter Lights are planned for Nov. 15 - Dec. 31. Tickets are on sale now.
- The River Arts District marked its soft reopening with a two-day celebration of perseverance on Nov. 9-10 from noon to sunset. More info here.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn will reopen the doors to its historic Main Inn on Nov. 15. Guests are also welcome once again at our recently reopened Golf Course, Spa, and Sports Complex.
Closures - Mount Mitchell State Park and Gorges State Park remain closed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. More info here.
- I-40 is closed near the NC/TN border. Alternate routes add 40–75 minutes’ drive time.
- I-26 is one lane near the NC/TN border near Erwin, TN. Please plan for minor delays.
- For real-time traffic updates, road closure information, and alternate routes, please visit DriveNC.gov.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Specific information and updates on closed sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway available here.
- Click here for all North Carolina State Park closures.