(UPDATED 10/30/24) While Western North Carolina took a very hard hit from Hurricane Helene and has a long road ahead to recover, there are parts of WNC that are open and would love to see fall traffic. Many of these small towns are home to small businesses that need tourist traffic to stay afloat. So if you are a person that loves to visit the mountains in the fall, maybe try out a new mountain town this year.
But please be smart. Check with drivenc.gov before you go. Confirm reservations for lodging, pack groceries and other necessities. Also, know that these towns may not be 100%, but by you visiting and spending your money, you will be helping them continue to keep their doors open.
Here are some events and places to visit in the counties that are open and ready for visitors.
- Ashe County (Jefferson & West Jefferson)
- Avery County (Sugar Mountain & Grandfather Mountain)
- Buncombe County (Asheville & Weaverville)
- Burke County (Morganton & Valdese)
- Caldwell County (Lenoir)
- Cherokee County
- Clay County
- Graham County
- Haywood County
- Henderson County
- Jackson County
- Macon County
- McDowell County (Marion)
- Mitchell County (Bakersville)
- Polk County
- Rutherford County
- Swain County
- Transylvania County
- Watauga County
- Wilkes County
- Online Shopping
Cherokee County
- Cherokee County Fair – Andrews, NC – October 11th – 13th
- Welcome Home Veterans – Andrews, NC – October 26th
- Forge After Dark – Brasstown, NC – November 2nd
- The Murphy River Walk – Murphy, NC
- Wineries & Breweries
- Andrews Valley Rail Tours – Andrews, NC
Clay County
- Punkin Chunkin Festival – Hayesville & Brasstown, NC – October 19th & 20th
- Hurricane Helene Belief Concert – Hayesville, NC – October 27th
Graham County
- Harvest Festival at Stecoah Valley Center – Robbinsville, NC – October 19th
Swain County
- Riverside Artisans Market at Nantahala Outdoor Center – Bryson City – October 12th
- Guest Appreciation Festival at Nantahala Outdoor Center – Bryson City – October 25th – 27th
- Plow Days Festival at Darnell Farms – Bryson City – October 26th & 27th
- Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad – Bryson City – Multiple Dates
- Sunset Tuckasegee River Train with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad – Bryson City – Multiple Dates
- Fall on the Farm at Darnell Farms – Bryson City – Multiple Dates
- Spooky Trails, Tales, & Mocktails – Bryson City – Multiple Dates
- Elk Viewing
- Top 11 Things to do in Bryson City this Fall
Macon County
- Fall Pottery Show at The Bascom – Highlands, NC – October 11th & 12th
- Highlands Heritage Jamboree – Highlands, NC – October 12th
- Pickin’ on the Square – Franklin, NC – October 12th
- PumpkinFest – Franklin, NC – October 19th
- Highlands Food & Wine Festival – Highlands, NC – November 7th – 10th
Jackson County
- Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival – Cashiers, NC – October 11th – 13th
- WNC Pottery Festival – Sylva, NC – November 2nd
- Jackson County Brewery Trail – Ale Trail Map
- Jackson County Film Locations
Burke County (Morganton & Valdese)
- Lake Rhodhiss Trailfest – Valdese, NC – October 12th
- Monster X Fest Fall Nationals – Morganton, NC – October 19th
- Apple Hill Orchard – Morganton, NC
- Perry’s Berry’s Vineyard & Winery – Morganton, NC
Caldwell County (Lenoir)
- Apple Butter Festival at Saunders Old Country Store – Lenoir, NC – October 12th
- Breweries, Wineries & Meadery
Watauga County
- Yoga on the Mountain at The Art of Living Retreat Center – Boone, NC – Every Sunday
- Oktoberfest Celebration at Blowing Rock Brewing Company – Blowing Rock, NC – October 26th
- Blowing Rock Halloween Festival – Blowing Rock, NC – October 26th
- Open Businesses – Beech Mountain
Wilkes County
- Farms & Orchards
- Taylorsville Apple Festival – Taylorsville, NC – October 19th
Haywood County
- Open Businesses
- Cider Tasting with Noble Hard Cider at Blue Ridge Beer Hub – Waynesville, NC – October 18th
- Apple Harvest Festival – Waynesville, NC – October 19th
- Cruso Fall Festival – Canton, NC – October 19th
- Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show – Maggie Valley, NC – October 19th & 20th
- ScreamFest – Maggie Valley, NC – October 26th
Transylvania County
- Flight of the Vampire 5K – Brevard, NC – October 26th
- Halloweenfest – Brevard, NC – October 26th
- Community Benefit Concert – Brevard, NC – October 26th
- Fall Foliage Map
Henderson County
- Open Businesses
- Oktoberfest Celebration at the Auction House – Fletcher, NC – October 19th
- Trick or Trail 5K – Hendersonville, NC – October 26th
Polk County
- Open Businesses
- Carolina Shag Dance Class at Tryon Fine Arts Center – Tryon, NC – October 15th
- Boot Scootin’ BBQ Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters WNC Polk – Tryon, NC – October 17th
- Oyster & Harvest Fest at Overmountain Vineyards – Tryon, NC – October 19th
- Halloween Party at Back Alley Barn – Saluda, NC – October 26th
- Tryon Beer Fest – Tryon, NC – November 2nd
Rutherford County
- RoCo Relief Concert – Forest City, NC – October 18th & 19th
Ashe County (Downtowns & Highways Shown Below Only)
- Old Barn Winery – West Jefferson, NC
- Ashe County Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival – Jefferson, NC – Through October 27th
- Lantern Farm Halloweentime – West Jefferson, NC – Through October 27th
- Wine Festival at Thistle Meadow Winery – Laurel Springs, NC – November 2nd
Buncombe County (Asheville & Weaverville)
- Trick or Treat Main Street – Weaverville, NC – October 31st
- They are trying to double the size of the event last year as a way to bring some normalcy for families in the community. Candy donations can be shipped to 20 Central Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787.
- Shopping – Weaverville, NC
Avery County (Sugar Mountain & Grandfather Mountain)
- Area Businesses
- Call before you visit. This link has many Banner Elk businesses listed and the town of Banner Elk has not opened back up yet
- Grandfather Mountain
Mitchell County (Bakersville)
- Bakersville
- Restaurants
- Shops
- Hopson’s Store
- Griffith’s General Store
- In Tandem Gallery
- Mica Gallery – Reopening November 1st
McDowell County (Marion)
Online Shopping
If you prefer not to travel, you can also shop online from some Western NC local businesses as they open back up.
- Shop Western NC Small Businesses
- Shop to support local businesses in Blowing Rock, NC
- Love Asheville From Afar – Shop or donate to Asheville Area businesses
- Mast General Store
- Lantern Farm Store
- North Carolina Glass Center – Shop to support local artists
- ENO Hammocks – 10% of web sales will be donated to support Hurricane Helene Relief efforts
- Shop to support local businesses in Brevard, NC
- Shop to support local businesses in Watauga County, NC
- Montgomery Sky Farm – Multiple ways to assist them in helping their local community
- Pay it Forward for a family to attend their Halloween Party
- Pay it Forward for a family to have a Thanksgiving Meal
- Happy Hens and Highlands
- Support Avery County Businesses
- Pay it Forward Candy Donations for Weaverville Trick or Treat Main Street
- Support McDowell County Businesses
I will update as I find other events and when other counties/town open up.
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