No one could have prepared Asheville and the surrounding region for the devastation cause by Hurricane Helene. You may be first time visitor or someone that comes annually and to that Asheville thanks you for coming!

Now months later, there is still much devastation to be seen. Don’t let that scare you away from visiting. Though it may look a little different, at this time there is nothing more these communities need than support. Whether you choose to visit or support an online small business or brewery it all helps! Tourism is huge and as they rebuild it’s crucial to have business in order to stay in business.

Things to note:

Plan Ahead. Of course do your research before going. It is important to remember that this isn’t a small fix, these towns were truly devastated. There are hundreds of things to do for nature lovers and foodies alike. Check online for updates times, closures, and be open to keeping things flexible!

Reservations: There many incredible restaurants around town.. and people know it! Many popular places take reservations so it is always a good idea to book ahead!

For hiking: The mountains are truly a nature lovers dream. It is important to note, that hiking in the mountains has always come with its challenges. Any time there is inclement weather be it rain, snow, or the most recent hurricane that nature is affected. On my most recent trip in March I noticed quite a bit of signage had been destroyed. It is always a good idea to save a google map for your hike and have that downloaded as service is typically limited.

Trails- On some of the trails you will find that there have been some landslides and some of the “ways down” to the sights are washed away and may be best suited for more experienced hikers, that don’t mind a little bit more challenging hike.

Of course this is not to scare anyone, but as you would before trying many new things it’s always good to research. The Parks and Recreations Departments work tirelessly to main the trails, and often update closures on the websites.

There are so many amazing towns surrounding the Asheville area as well, so be sure to support the surrounding areas too! Some of these include Brevard, Hendersonville, Waynesville, Weaverville and many many more!