Asheville Welcomes Fall Visitors with Culinary and Cultural Events

Asheville, NC, August 30, 2025

News Summary

Asheville is gearing up for a vibrant fall season as it attracts visitors with stunning foliage, delicious food, and various cultural festivals while recovering from Hurricane Helene. With 90% of hospitality businesses reopened, the community is enthusiastic about tourism’s resurgence, despite current visitor numbers being down 20%. The peak foliage is expected around the end of October, coinciding with a series of exciting events such as the Goombay Festival and the Highlands Food & Wine Festival, making this an ideal time to explore Asheville’s charm and resilience.

Asheville is poised to attract numerous visitors this fall season as the region showcases its vibrant foliage, culinary delights, and cultural festivals, all while recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Nearly a year after the storm affected areas like Biltmore Village and the River Arts District, local businesses are optimistic about a resurgence in tourism.

Currently, around 90% of hospitality businesses and major roads into Asheville have reopened following extensive restoration efforts. However, tourism is still down approximately 20% as the community deals with the lingering psychological effects of the natural disaster. Efforts are underway to restore the area’s charm, with local makers, chefs, and hoteliers diligently working to revive Asheville’s character and appeal.

The fall foliage season in Western North Carolina runs from late September through early November, driven by a diverse landscape with over 100 tree species and varying elevations. The peak foliage is expected around October 28-31, making this an ideal time for visitors to plan their trips. To assist in planning, Explore Asheville has developed a real-time Fall Color Report to highlight optimal viewing times.

Festivals and Events

Asheville’s fall season is vibrant with numerous festivals and events, inviting locals and tourists alike to celebrate the coming months. Key festivals include:

• The Goombay Festival (September 4-7) highlights Afro-diasporic music, food, and heritage.
• The 65th Annual Skyview Golf Tournament will take place at the Country Club of Asheville on September 22-23.
• The 30th anniversary of the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF Global Arts) in October will feature performances from international artists.
• The second annual RADfest on November 8-9 will celebrate resilience and recovery in the River Arts District.
• The Highlands Food & Wine Festival (November 13-16) will showcase local chefs and unique culinary experiences.

Further enriching Asheville’s appeal, the Biltmore Estate is hosting an exhibit titled Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures that will run through early January.

Culinary Landscape

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, several renowned Asheville restaurants have either reinvented their offerings or reopened after substantial renovations. Notable mentions include:

• Good Hot Fish, a favored spot for Southern cuisine, remains a local highlight.
• Restaurants like Corner Kitchen and DayTrip have reopened following extensive repairs.
• New additions to the dining scene include Crusco, a farm-to-table restaurant, and ButterPunk, a biscuit shop.
• The Grand Bohemian Lodge Asheville reopened in May 2025 with expanded art spaces and dining options, while the Foundry Hotel launched a Southern-inspired dining experience at its restaurant The Refinery.
• Additionally, the NuWray Hotel has resumed operations, continuing its role as a community hub during and after the hurricane.

Accessibility and Affordability

Asheville has been celebrated as one of the most affordable fall foliage destinations in the United States, with average airfare around $170—a 10% decrease from the previous year. The city’s combination of stunning natural beauty and budget-friendly options makes it a prime location for leaf peeping.

Visitors can take advantage of scenic hiking trails, the exquisite grounds of the Biltmore Estate, and various local breweries and restaurants as they immerse themselves in the breathtaking fall scenery of Asheville.

Conclusion

As fall approaches, Asheville stands resilient, with vibrant foliage set against a backdrop of recovery and revitalization, inviting everyone to explore its rich culinary scene and cultural heritage.

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Additional Resources

• Southern Living: Asheville Named Most Affordable Fall Foliage Destination
• Travel + Leisure: Asheville Named Best Budget Fall Foliage Destination
• Afar: Fall Trip to Asheville, North Carolina
• Travel Mole: Asheville, NC in the Fall
• WBTV: Asheville Ranked No. 1 City in U.S. for Fall Foliage
• Wikipedia: Autumn
• Britannica: Autumn
• Google Search: Asheville Fall Foliage Events

Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER

The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.