READ MORE
Many Western NC towns that would normally see a surge of tourists for fall leaf season are not only recovering from the storm’s aftermath but also struggling due to the drop in visitors.
Expand All
As Hurricane Helene passed through Western North Carolina, Hendersonville experienced some impact, but the community remains resilient.
Fortunately, the downtown area and other areas have been “green-lit” by the North Carolina Department of Transportation because recovery efforts have been swift. Water has been fully restored, and most power alongside internet services are being restored. Main roads are open and safe for travel.
You can browse our other guides to post-hurricane traveling in Western North Carolina here:
And here is what you need to know about traveling to Hendersonville in the near future.
Hendersonville remains in a state of emergency, however Mayor Barbara Volk amended the State of Emergency to remove the curfew. The City of Hendersonville has also been finding ways to return to normalcy, including Blue Ridge Community College resuming classes.
Tom Wooten, Public Works Director of the City of Hendersonville, said via Instagram that crews are around town trying to cut up trees and get roadways back open.
“We’ve got the Greenway Trail open back up so folks can get out and walk that. We felt like that was important to get that open back up fast so folks can get back back to a little bit of normalcy,” Wooten said.
I-26 through Hendersonville and Henderson County and many rural roads are back open and safe for travel. City and county officials recommend travelers to check in advance for real-time road closures.
With diverse geography, some areas in northeastern Henderson County will take a while to be restored before visitors can come. However, Downtown Hendersonville (and other places) are open.
Numerous hotels and accommodations are open in Hendersonville and Henderson County. As of late October, there were 75 confirmed open post-Helene listings. Here are a few accommodation options to consider staying in:
“Happy Place” Mountain View Home
Location: 308 Forest Bend Drive, Horse Shoe, NC 28742
The “Happy Place” Mountain View Home is near Hendersonville and the Pisgah National Forest, which was recently reopened. Cozy up by the fireplace, or relax in a hammock outside and take in the view.
Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill
Location: 400 Ray Hill Road, Mills River, NC 28759
Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill — which has been featured in Southern Living — is about 15 minutes outside of Hendersonville. Its breakfasts feature a three-course experience that include fruit, a main course and a dessert to finish things off “on a sweet note.”
Cascades Mountain Resort
Location: 201 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Cascades Mountain Resort, part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, offers amenities such as a fitness center and indoor pool with a waterslide that families can enjoy year-round. One thing to note: The Old Orchard Tavern restaurant on the resort’s website has since closed, so you’ll want to plan to venture offsite for food.
Econo Lodge Hendersonville
Location: 206 Mitchelle Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28792
If you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay, the Econo Lodge in Hendersonville is one to check out. Free coffee is available in the lobby each morning, too.
Emerald Treehouse
Location: 199 Mitchell View Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Nature views surround Emerald Treehouse, where the accommodations include well-equipped kitchens and hot tubs. Outside, there’s a twin bed sized porch swing for lounging and a fire pit to roast marshmallows while you enjoy a glass or wine or mug of hot chocolate.
Restaurants in Henderson County and Hendersonville may be operating on limited hours and menus. Here are a few local spots to check out:
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – Mills River
Location: 46 N Mills River Road, Mills River, NC 28759
The Mills River Taproom is Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s first location outside of Boone. There is a 32-beer tap-list at their tasting room that showcases beers, ciders, seltzers and cocktails.
Binion’s Roadhouse
Location: 1565 Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville, NC 28792
This roadhouse serves grilled steaks, chicken, burgers and, of course, BBQ ribs.
Brooks Tavern
Location: 142 3rd Avenue W, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Along with craft beer and “giggle water” as the staff call cocktails, Brooks Tavern offers lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. Brooks Tavern offers an upscale taste of casual pub food.
Flat Rock Village Bakery
Location: 2710 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Got a sweet tooth? Flat Rock Village Bakery specializing in pastries, cookies, artisan breads, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas.
Harvey’s @ The Henderson
Location: 201 3rd Avenue W, Hendersonville, NC 28739
The fine dining experience at Harvey’s pays homage to the heyday of classic cuisines and signature cocktails.
Here are need-to-know points for visiting Hendersonville and Henderson County:
Storm cleanup is an ever-changing situation, so make sure to get the most up-to-date information you can before you head out.
This story was originally published October 22, 2024, 5:30 AM.
The Charlotte Observer
Tamia Boyd is an audience growth producer for The Charlotte Observer and a proud alumna of Michigan State University. Previously, she reported for The Greenville News, WKAR in East Lansing, Michigan and Great Lakes Echo, MSU’s Knight Center for environmental journalism.