The entire nation watched in sorrow as western NC was devastated by the effects of Hurricane Helene in late September. Residents described the scene as “apocalyptic,” a word that seems to fall short of what residents are dealing with day by day. And would-be visitors can be left feeling a little confused about going back to visit.
So should visitors be making vacation plans in Asheville and Boone right now? Would that help the economy, or would that be insensitive to those who’ve lost so much? We’ve got an update that should help as you make decisions about planning your next trip. Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Asheville and Boone in the wake of Helene.
Visiting Asheville: What to Expect Post-Helene
Thankfully, most of Asheville remains intact and undamaged after Hurricane Helene with the exception of the River Arts District. The biggest damages the city incurred were downed trees and a huge number of broken water lines, most of which have now been repaired. Asheville was used as the heart of the disaster relief effort as emergency responders and civilians from all over the country came to provide help.
But at this point, the city is more or less open for business, with downtown restaurants, shops, and hotels all ready to welcome back visitors. In fact, many local business owners are sending out a PSA for all who’d care to come visit: Asheville relies on tourism, and without it, many businesses–especially the smaller restaurants and shops–just won’t survive.
What is Open in Asheville?
Many places are open for business, including most downtown shops, restaurants, and galleries. Some have limited hours, so it makes sense to check before you go.
Some of the attractions that are now welcoming visitors include:
- Biltmore Estate reopened its doors on Nov. 2. Though the estate experienced some flooding, they have largely to normal operation, welcoming visitors who need the beauty and refuge of a Biltmore visit.
- The NC Arboretum‘s formal gardens, bonsai garden, gift shop, parking area, and education center are all open, and entry is donation-based. The trails on the property are all still closed until further notice.
- The Asheville Art Museum has resumed operation; their doors are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am-6pm.
- The Asheville Museum of Science is open, and remains a favorite spot for families traveling with kids. You’ll find the doors open for visitors every day of the week except Tuesday.
- Pisgah National Forest is open, with some limitations. Not all the trails are open for exploration, but many of the most stunning scenic spots are, including Looking Glass Falls, Looking Glass Rock, and Moore Cove Falls. The gorgeous Pisgah Highway is open for a scenic drive, as well.
- The Blue Ridge Parkway was entirely closed until Nov. 6, when an 11-mile stretch in Asheville was reopened. You can now stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center on the Parkway at mile marker 384, as well as the Folk Art Center, located at Mile 382.
Getting to Asheville Post-Helene
Access to Asheville is fairly straightforward; the airport is open for regularly-operating flights, as are major highways. If you live in the vicinity, planning a day trip from nearby cities is a great way to support the return of Asheville’s economy and get out of your own neck of the woods for a few hours.
Can You Visit Boone, NC After Helene?
Boone is welcoming visitors back! The town was, unfortunately, much harder-hit than Asheville, and because of the enormous damage to the roads and infrastructure, it will take longer to rebuild. Boone is still operating under a state of emergency, as it’s also the heart of recovery and relief efforts for surrounding areas that were completely devastated by the floods.
But like Asheville, Boone needs visitors to return; much of the economy there is based on tourism, and without it, small businesses might never get back on their feet. There are many shops and restaurants open in central Boone, and the town is accessible via Highway 421. Attractions that haven’t reopened yet are slated to reopen in late November, just in time for skiing and the holiday season.
Attractions that are open (or soon to open) in Boone, NC include…
- The Tweetsie Railroad will be reopening for their annual Tweetsie Christmas celebration on Nov. 29.
- Grandfather Mountain State Park is open to visitors; just stay on primary, well-marked roadways. Elk Knob State Park is still closed.
- Ski resorts including App Ski, Beech Mountain, and Sugar Mountain, are all planning to open in late November.
- Hawksnest Snowtubing opens in late November
- Downtown shops and businesses are largely open, but it is recommended to carpool or consider exploring ride-sharing apps to mitigate the traffic situation.
Keep in mind when visiting Boone that many of the outlying areas are still closed to non-residents; plan to stick to primary roadways and check DriveNC.gov for updates on road conditions before you go.
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
For visitors coming from afar, the best way to help is to come, visit, and patronize local establishments–and also to consider donating to one of the local relief organizations.
Here are a few non-profits with deep local roots that are collecting donations for relief efforts that directly benefit those on the ground in Asheville and the surrounding area:
- Manna Foodbank provides food stability and emergency supplies to families spanning 16 counties in Western North Carolina.
- BeLoved Asheville is a private, non-profit relief organization with deep roots in Asheville. They’re actively working to find homes or repair the homes of displaced families, meet immediate needs, and support the rebuilding efforts.
- Samaritan’s Purse both provides relief supplies and help clearing roads, removing debris, and other much-needed efforts during post-Helene recovery. They’re in need of donations and volunteers in Asheville, Boone, and the surrounding communities.
- The Always Asheville Fund exists to support small business owners, and their mission is newly important during this time of recovery.
Western North Carolina will be in flux for years as each town and village rebuilds and the infrastructure is repaired, bit by bit. Parts of the region will never look the same. But now is a great time to begin planning a trip back, as long as you’re mindful of the ongoing rebuilding and relief efforts.