Where: Western North Carolina
When: Year-round
If you like: arts and culture
Why you should go: When Hurricane Helene swept through the mountains of Western North Carolina in late September, it unleashed a torrent of water, mud, and devastation across the region. But “mountain folks are resilient people,” says Mickey Poandl, public relations manager for Explore Asheville, the nonprofit arm of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. With grit and determination, residents began the arduous, emotional work of rebuilding, and today most communities and businesses have reopened their doors. They just need visitors to step through them.
“We are still seeing a widespread perception that Asheville is closed or that it would be a bad idea to visit,” Poandl says. “With the exception of a few areas that will need more time to recover, Asheville artists and small-business owners are welcoming visitors back. That includes downtown, West Asheville, the Upper River Arts District, and many other neighborhoods.” So book a hotel, make a restaurant reservation or two, and pick up a souvenir from a local maker. Your patronage could mean the difference between death and rebirth for a small business.
G&G tip: While most roads and state parks in the region have reopened, a few remain closed. The Visit North Carolina website offers the most up-to-date information, including an interactive map of travel advisories.
