Autumn foliage season has begun in Asheville. Here's a rundown of sights and activities to experience.
In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is a city known for its long and colorful fall foliage season, world-class cuisine, breweries, arts scene, and approximately 30% of its tourist revenue during the fall and early winter. However, last September, Asheville faced a significant challenge when Hurricane Helene hit, causing catastrophic floods, destroying beloved neighborhoods like the River Arts District (RAD), and leaving residents without drinkable water for 53 days.
Despite the devastation, Asheville is resilient and is now in the process of rebuilding and thriving. One such example is Atomic Furnishing & Design in Five Points, which shares its showroom of restored mid-century furniture with over 30 eclectic vendors selling vintage clothes and records, leather bags, and woodwork. Five Points, north of downtown Asheville, is an up-and-coming area that blends chic, camp, retro nostalgia, and artistic history.
The RAD, once destroyed by 80%, is also making a comeback. RAD Rendezvous is a new gallery and studio space in the district, serving as a welcome and information center. Grind AVL and ButterPunk are new coffee and pastry shops, while Marquee hosts multiple arts, crafts, and antique vendors. The North Carolina Glass Center, located in the RAD, offers glass blowing demonstrations.
The arts scene in Asheville is not limited to the RAD. Malaprop's, an independent bookstore in downtown Asheville, is a haven for bookish types who can still browse new releases. House of Black Cat Magic, a combination cat lounge and metaphysical shop, is another unique destination. Here, magic saves lives, stocking tarot cards, spellbooks, and offering black cats for adoption. Sales at House of Black Cat Magic benefit the store's rescue partner, Binx's Home for Black Cats - one of the nation's few black cat rescues.
Asheville's dining scene is also diverse and vibrant. Neng, Jr.'s is an intimate, 18-seat dining experience offering dishes inspired by growing up Filipino in the American South. Potential New Boyfriend, named after a 1983 song by Dolly Parton, is an eclectic listening bar offering wine and desserts in a cozy, intimate setting. The Biltmore Village's local favorite, The Corner Kitchen, serving farm-to-table cuisine in a century-old cottage, has reopened after the storm.
DayTrip cocktail bar in Five Points has a 70s camp vibe, with beaded curtains, shag rugs, velvet couches, jungle cat murals, and vintage glasses for drinks. The Biltmore, the nation's largest private residence, completed in 1895 for the Vanderbilt family, survived the storm and its 22 miles of trails have reopened for hiking and biking.
Les Love, president of the Carolina Mountain Club, notes that most trails have reopened, though hikers and bikers may notice off-trail debris and giant root balls too heavy to move. The storm was a geological event that changed the Earth's structure, affecting hiking, mountain biking, and stand-up paddleboarding on the French Broad River and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Exploring Asheville's vibrant fall foliage season can be done using Explore Asheville's interactive fall color map. Asheville, with its resilient spirit and thriving arts, dining, and outdoor scenes, continues to be a must-visit destination.
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