By Colleen Curtis
Prepare for your Asheville adventure—the Bal Harbour Shops way.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is known for its vibrant arts scene, eclectic culinary offerings, and breathtaking natural beauty. Six months after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc, causing record flooding and damage, the surrounding area bears the scars of nature’s fury—fallen trees, damaged buildings, and the hum of construction vehicles. Yet the resilience of Asheville’s people shines.
Locals have remarkable stories to share. Restaurateurs opened their spaces to World Central Kitchen, feeding the community when power and water were unavailable. Artists in the River Arts District saw their studios swept away by the flood, yet many are already reclaiming their creative spaces. For a destination so deeply entwined with its environment, the storm’s impact is sobering, and a call to action.
Tourism, the backbone of Asheville’s economy, slowed in Helene’s aftermath, leaving local businesses—from boutique hotels to adventure outfitters to family-run breweries—struggling. In 2025, Asheville is ready to welcome visitors and demonstrate that its spirit remains unbroken. Visiting now is not just a trip—it’s a chance to help a community rebuild and thrive.
Overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway offer panoramic views of the mountains.
Day 1
Quick getaway
A refreshing weekend in the mountains is within easy reach, with United, Delta, American, and Allegiant all offering direct flights from most larger cities.
Check into The Flat Iron Hotel in downtown Asheville. This charming 71-room boutique hotel opened last year in an iconic city landmark building. Its design references the Jazz Age with Art Deco elements throughout, including custom hand-painted wallpaper depicting classic vignettes of Asheville’s historic landmarks. In addition to one of the city’s best restaurants, Luminosa, the hotel includes a jewel-like speakeasy bar in the basement, and a rooftop terrace featuring panoramic views of downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains.
The rooftop at the Flat Iron hotel in downtown Asheville.
What to Pack
Take a Stroll: Arrive with comfortably chic looks for walking around the art galleries and bookshops downtown.
Hit the streets
Walking around downtown, you’ll find a mix of creativity and singular charm. It is brimming with colorful murals, unique shops, and plenty of local musicians. You’ll catch the smell of fresh coffee and delicious food from the many restaurants (Asheville Proper, Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, Chestnut, or Mountain Madre) and cafés, while art galleries, bookstores, and craft stores invite you to explore. The low profile of the local architecture means nothing interferes with the breathtaking mountain views in almost every direction. The Urban Trail is a 1.7-mile walking tour that tells Asheville’s history through 30 stops, each with public sculptures that function as landmarks. Or you can venture on your own path, stopping to enjoy unique spots like the Champagne Bar inside the Battery Park Book Exchange, part of the Grove Arcade.
Treat Yourself
Dinner at Luminosa, the Italian- meets–modern Appalachian restaurant inside The Flat Iron Hotel, is one of the hardest reservations in town, so book ahead. The chef blends locally sourced Appalachian ingredients, including heritage-breed pork, beef, and chicken from a butchery dubbed one of America’s best by Food & Wine, with Italian-American flavor profiles. Though the menu changes constantly, there’s one dish that will never leave: the one-slice-isn’t- enough lemon pizza with smoked mozzarella, ricotta, and fennel, a love letter from Executive Chef Graham House to his wife, who had a lemon tree in the yard of her childhood home in Florida.
Asheville’s dreamy landscape is a welcome respite from life in the city.
Day 2
Nature Calls
Asheville offers outdoor adventures for every skill level. Plenty of easy scenic trails are nearby, from the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary—a remarkable wildlife oasis in North Asheville—to the North Carolina Arboretum. For something more epic, the top of Mount Mitchell is a bucket-list–worthy hike up the tallest peak east of the Mississippi, with views you won’t forget.
You’ll also find some of the best mountain biking in the country, with more than 500 miles of trails in the nearby Pisgah National Forest. The Bent Creek Experimental Forest at the north end of that park offers more beginner-friendly loops. Want something more extreme? You can raft down the French Broad River’s rapids, zipline high above the treetops in Pisgah, or climb the dramatic cliffs at Rumbling Bald.
Luminosa serves Italian-meets- Appalachian fare, such as corn-stuffed anolini topped with blackberry.
Refuel
Mingle with Asheville’s most fabulous locals as you enjoy the best lunch in town at Chai Pani, the James Beard Award–winning Indian street food spot from chef Meherwan Irani, in the South Slope. The new 10,000-square-foot space is a visual riot of marigolds, murals, and pops of color almost as memorable as the food.
Chai Pani, a popular James Beard Award-winning Indian street food restaurant.
Get crafty
With more than 50 craft breweries in greater Asheville, it’s no wonder many call this Beer City USA. South Slope is an excellent place to embark on your brewery crawl—The Whale, Burial, Terra Nova Beer Co, Twin Leaf Brewery, Green Man Brewery, TRVE Brewing Co, Catawba Brewing Co, and Hi-Wire Brewing are within a few blocks.
Check Out Elevated Appalachian Eats
Hell or High Water in nearby Black Mountain is a brand-new restaurant that’s part of the Foothills Local Meats family. Following the storm, owners Casey and Amanda McKissick fast-tracked the opening to support the local community, creating jobs for people who had been working in spots Helene destroyed. The chef’s vision for the family-style menu—including brown butter cornbread, roast chicken with maitake mushrooms, and a savory chicory salad dressed in an anchovy vinaigrette—was designed with the goal of offering a “warm hug” of an evening.
What to Pack
A Night Out: Keep the laid-back culture alive in long dresses paired with flats and simple yet standout accessories.
Day 3
Perk Up
It’s estimated that Helene destroyed approximately 80 percent of the vibrant River Arts District, due to its proximity to the river. But even here, there are signs of renewal. Ultra Coffeebar was one of the first businesses in the District to reopen last fall, and it’s a great place to start your day with a bold jolt of joe. The neighborhood mainstay serves up all kinds of hot and cold espresso drinks, and the morning menu features breakfast sandwiches, bagels, biscuits, wraps, baked goods, and oats, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Ultra Coffeebar is a neighborhood mainstay.
Step back in time
Visit the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest privately owned home, where the rich history is topped only by the stunning architecture. Built by George Vanderbilt in 1895, this 8,000-acre, 250-room estate boasts beautifully preserved interiors, world-class art, and exquisite gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. In addition to the house itself, a full-day ticket includes wine tastings at the on-site winery, scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, full access to the grounds, and special events, including “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures,” at the on-site exhibition center. Before it became one of North Carolina’s most popular tourist destinations, the sprawling property was simply “home” to the Vanderbilt family.
The Biltmore Estate’s Conservatory is a year-round oasis for tropical plants and exotic orchids.
What to Pack
Outdoor Pursuits: The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains offer an abundance of activities—for partaking or just spectating.
