3 New Things to Know About Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina continues to be a popular tourism destination, with great food and drink, mountains to explore, and a unique, inclusive vibe. Doug and I had visited the area before it was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and decided to return now that much of the region (at least around Asheville itself) has reopened.

Some things to know before you visit haven’t changed, such as to check out the drum circle. But just like the first time, while we did our homework before we went, we still ran into a few surprises.  Here are three new things to know about Asheville, North Carolina.

1. Don’t Assume that Something is Open – or Closed

Western North Carolina is working diligently to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The attitude of the residents was truly impressive and inspirational.

But what’s open and what isn’t is constantly changing. Some roads, businesses, and attractions are still under reconstruction and will be for years.

For instance, we were hesitant about visiting Asheville’s River Arts District, an area adjacent to downtown Asheville with hundreds of artists in a mix of galleries, artist studios, and workshops. It had been destroyed by the Hurricane. One of our rideshare drivers even told us not to bother.

That was a mistake. Yes, some of the studios are still closed, but enough of the River Arts District has reopened to make a visit worthwhile.  One of the larger galleries, the Marquee, reopened the weekend we were there. The fiber arts coop, whose building had incurred 11 feet of water, reopened two weeks prior.  Some studios that survived opened their spaces to share with artists who lost theirs, so you can see a lot of varied art even though not all of the buildings are open.

2. Expect Some Changes to the Restaurant Scene  

Asheville is one of the best places for delicious food, showcasing diversity, local ingredients, and farm-to-table dishes. Many of the restaurants have reopened and are thriving.

But the restaurant industry is always a volatile one, and a few of our favorites have closed. Hurricane Helene contributed to these closures, and while some restaurants are rebuilding, others have been permanently shuttered.

For example, the White Duck Taco Shop’s flagship location on the riverfront was washed away during the flooding. While the website says that it’s under construction, locals told us that it probably will not reopen (luckily, the other locations survived). Check ahead of time if you’re hankering for an old favorite.

3.      The Local Economy Needs Support

The speed with which the Asheville area has put itself back together is incredible. But this hard-hit area is still reeling from the effects of the Hurricane. If you’re interested in visiting, now is a great time to go. If you do visit, go to a local eatery, business, or artisan rather than a national chain. Every local we met was very proud of Asheville and its resilience, but the region is still recovering. Let’s give them a little love.

We hope this information on three new things to know about Asheville, North Carolina helps you plan your trip there. If you have any tips to add, please let us know!  We’re at info@winewithourfamily.com.   

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