Travel Information
Asheville is calling you back again. Plan your return trip with heart.
The Asheville area welcomes you back after Hurricane Helene. As of November 18, Visit NC’s travel update page, using data from state departments of safety and transportation, has cleared Buncombe County, Asheville, Black Mountain, and Weaverville as safe for travel. Swannanoa remains closed to visitors.
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. With power fully restored and potable water widely restored, attractions, restaurants, breweries, music venues, hotels, inns and businesses are open, widely available and welcoming guests across the Asheville area.
Our community is making progress every day, surely and safely. There are areas that need more time and support. We are mindful that high impact areas—including parts of the River Arts District, Biltmore Village and Swannanoa—have a longer road ahead, so checking status online, calling ahead and making sure roads are open is advised before traveling to these areas. We are here for our neighbors throughout western North Carolina.
Planning is key. As you support local businesses, please visit respectfully, with heart and patience.
What's Open?
Many local businesses have reopened their doors to visitors and a community that has rallied together through gumption and grit. We are encouraging customers to support local businesses by visiting respectfully, with heart, patience and planning.
New Search Tool to Help You Plan
To keep visitors and residents informed, we’ve launched a new tool that lets you check the status of local businesses. Our listings now show which places are OPEN, TEMPORARILY CLOSED, CLOSED, or have a CALL FOR STATUS label. Search by categories or by area below to see what’s currently accessible. These statuses will continue to be updated. If you’re a local business wanting to be included, please complete this form.
Search What's Open by Area
Plan with heart. With power fully restored and potable water widely restored, attractions, restaurants, breweries, music venues, hotels, inns and businesses are open, widely available and welcoming guests.
There are areas that need more time and support. We are mindful that high impact areas—including parts of the River Arts District, Biltmore Village and Swannanoa—have a longer road ahead and are opening in pockets and stages. See what’s open across neighborhoods and nearby towns with our interactive map.
Places to Stay
Just like local businesses and restaurants across the Asheville area, many hotels and inns are open and safely welcoming guests. Planning ahead is essential. The best travel plan is to check online and call lodging properties directly to learn what to expect and confirm that your needs will be met.
Getting Here
Asheville is accessible by both air and road, with Asheville Regional Airport operating and major highways open for entry. Though some routes remain closed due to Hurricane Helene’s impacts, alternate paths are available from various directions. Key highways like I-40 and I-26 have partial access, and travelers can find real-time updates on closures and detours at DriveNC.gov.
General Travel Questions
Safety Concerns
Local Accessibility
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