Bent Creek Lodge is open and welcoming guests! Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the Southeastern United States. Asheville NC was particularly hard hit when the French Broad River crested 31 feet above flood stage. The city of Asheville is cleaning up and restoring water services in preparation of welcoming visitors back to town.
Many other towns, attractions, and businesses, like us here at Bent Creek Lodge, are OPEN and welcoming visitors. Now is still a great time to visit the area and do some seasonal sightseeing. It’s still autumn, after all, and the leaves on the trees are approaching peak color!
While many towns and businesses still need time to recover, others are now facing the prospect of having survived the storm only to miss out on much needed revenue. Your visit to the area is a solid and friendly form of support to every town and business.
The Biltmore Estate will re-open November 2nd. And we hope that Asheville, NC will soon have running water for residents, businesses and restaurants. In the meantime, there are plenty of other wonderful places all around our lodge that are worth your time.
Where To Go in WNC After Hurricane Helene
So what is there to do and see in western NC post Hurricane Helene? Plenty! Some close-by areas, popular with our guests and open to visitors, include:
Hendersonville, NC offers a charming mix of natural beauty and cultural attractions, including a picturesque and historic Main Street, lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and delicious local eateries. Nearby wineries and breweries add to the town’s appeal, along with opportunity for outdoor adventure, apple orchards, and seasonal festivals.
Brevard, NC offers a old-time American mainstreet stores, galleries and restaurants worthy of a day trip for shopping and outdoor hiking, biking and exploring.
Weaverville, NC is known for its welcoming vibe and a quaint downtown filled with unique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafes. The town is a haven for art lovers and enjoys a vibrant craft beer scene. It is also the birthplace of historic governor Zebulon Vance (1830 – 1894). If you like exceptional Italian cuisine, don’t miss a chance to dine at Glass Onion.
Waynesville, NC has a charming downtown known for Appalachian arts and crafts, galleries, and local boutiques. The perfect place for a leisurely stroll and early Christmas shopping. Waynesville is also home to delicious Southern cuisine, cozy cafes, and local breweries.
Bryson City, NC is a top destination for nature lovers, with a historic downtown featuring unique shops, art galleries, and local eateries. Bryson City is also home to The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, offering scenic and seasonal train rides. A wonderfully unique way to view fall foliage!
And That’s Not All!
The above is just a short list of a few towns within 20-60 minutes of our Asheville area bed and breakfast. There are more than 20 other western NC towns open to visitors and the situation is fluid. Recovery efforts are on-going, with help coming in from all corners. By the time I am done writing this – or you’re done reading it – it’s likely more will have reopened.
Visit www.romanticasheville.com for a full list of the towns and attractions that are open to visitors. You can also visit DriveNC.gov for news on the latest road openings.
So go ahead, plan that fall getaway to western North Carolina despite Hurricane Helene. Bent Creek Lodge and a great many others are here and ready to serve up that classic Southern hospitality you know and love. We can’t wait to see you all soon!
Bent Creek Lodge Gift Certificates Special
If you can’t visit now, you can still show your support by purchasing a gift certificate. Even better, we’re currently offering our Holiday Gift Certificate Special!
Bent Creek Lodge gift certificates are completely customizable and can be used for (almost) anything at the inn. Even better, they can be sent via email or snail mail, are good for 5 years after date of purchase, and are incredibly easy to buy. You can even buy one for yourself for the future!
Need a gift idea? Folks love our gift certificates! Purchase gift certificates in increments of $250 and earn an additional $50 for each one! Spend $250 and receive a gift certificate for $300. Spend $500, receive $600, and so on. It’s a generous deal but act soon – this offer ends December 31st, 2024.