38 Reasons Asheville is Ready to Welcome You This Spring

This spring, the Asheville area is ready and blooming. The mountains are waking up, wildflowers are bursting into color, and the city is humming with life. This season is a love letter to adventure, flavor, art, and the undeniable magic of the Blue Ridge. 

Six months after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, revival has taken root with open roads, open doors and open arms. We’re ready to inspire you, and we’ve got 38 reasons why you should be here this spring. 

🥾 Step into Spring: Outdoor Adventures Await 

The mountains are calling (louder than ever), and the ancient Blue Ridge is answering with lush trails, towering waterfalls, and natural wonders that make you feel small in the best way. 

1. The Western North Carolina Nature Center reopens March 17, bringing back its 42-acre park after a long recovery from Hurricane Helene. Say hello to more than 60 species of animals, including red pandas, river otters, black bears, red wolves and a pair of adorable bobcats named Tufts and Kohana, and enjoy new visitor routes and upgraded facilities.  
2. Lace up your hiking boots and take to hundreds of miles of open trails that lead to stunning views, towering waterfalls and maybe some well-needed family time or solitude. Check out our collection of places to safely hike in and around Asheville post-Helene and find your perfect fit. 

3. Synchronous fireflies return late May to early June, lighting up the darkened forest in a mesmerizing display. Reserve your spot early to witness this natural phenomenon. 

   
4. The synchronous fireflies aren’t the only lightning bug show in town. The Blue Ghost Firefly Twilight Tour returns this year starting in May, offering a rare glimpse at fireflies that glow in an eerie, continuous blue-white shimmer. 
5. This May, will open its spa services to the public, inviting visitors to recharge with Ayurvedic treatments in a 100-acre wooded sanctuary. 
6. Navitat Asheville reopens March 28, offering thrilling zipline and adventure experiences high in the forest canopy. Prepare for an unforgettable outdoor adventure with breathtaking views and exhilarating challenges. 
7. The Adventure Center of Asheville is the perfect outdoor playground for kids of all ages. Choose from zipline canopy tours, an aerial treetop adventure park, a kids' zip park, a bike park, and off-road vehicle tours.  

🥘 The Comeback of Foodtopia: Asheville’s Food Culture Revival 

Asheville’s dining scene is more than just a meal—it’s a movement. The city’s legendary food and drink scene, lovingly dubbed “Foodtopia,” is bringing fresh openings, triumphant returns and farm fresh Appalachian flavors you won’t soon forget. 

8. Golden Hour, the brainchild of local chef Jacob Sessoms, is back open in the Radical Hotel and once again offering an elegant selection of natural wines, craft cocktails, and locally inspired dishes in a beautifully curated space. 
9. The Watch Kitchen & Spirits opened in February at the Restoration Hotel, offering Lowcountry flavors with Appalachian ingredients—and a front-row seat to Asheville’s iconic drum circle. 
10. Wildwood Still combines whiskey, 180-degree rooftop views, and bold Appalachian flavors at the new Moxy hotel in downtown Asheville. 
11. French Broad River Brewingin Biltmore Village reopens in late March. The brewery, known for its craft lagers and live music, will also bring back its popular outdoor music series, with performances kicking off in April. While other businesses prepare to open doors this spring, you can experience the comeback momentum of the area’s craft beer scene in Biltmore Village at Hillman Brewery, Burial’s Forestry Camp, Hi-Wire Brewery and French Broad River Brewing. 
12. Daytrip, the beloved queer-owned bar and community space, will reopen in March 2025 in a new space on Broadway. Sneak peek of the décor: Think of staying at your grandmother’s house ... but with a well-stocked bar in the living room. 
13. Guajiro Cuban food truck made a triumphant return to business after losing its brick-and-mortar location in the River Arts District, finding a new home at Hi-Wire Brewing in Biltmore Village. Guajiro will continue to serve up its mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches and family recipes this spring.  
14. Hail Mary, in the former Tastee Diner space, is a West Asheville must-visit for smash burgers, Cubanos, and hand-sliced mortadella. 

🌸 Spring at Biltmore + Spring’s Floral Awakening 

Spring arrives in Asheville with a flourish. Biltmore Estate's gardens and ancient treasures captivate, while local florists and downtown businesses offer fresh blooms and floral highlights. The revitalized Arboretum and Botanical Gardens invite nature lovers to celebrate the season's renewal. 

15. History comes to life at Biltmore with Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures, an awe-inspiring exhibition showcasing over 1,000 meticulously crafted replicas of King Tut’s tomb. 
16. Celebrate Spring at Biltmore with the transformation of the estate’s gardens. A progression of thousands of spring flowers—from daffodils and tulips to wisteria, azaleas, and roses—marks the arrival of warmer weather.  
17. Speaking of flowers, the beloved florist and flower farm, Carolina Flowers, opened a new storefront in West Asheville just in time for spring. The new shop offers fresh, local arrangements perfect for brightening your hotel room or vacation rental with a little bit of local-grown love. 
18. The North Carolina Arboretum is inviting visitors back to experience the beauty of spring after recovering from Hurricane Helene. Enjoy reopened gardens in blooms and trails, seasonal events like "Spring Into the Arb," and exhibits such as the "National Geographic: The Greatest Wildlife Photographs" which will be on display until May 11.  
19. Asheville Botanical Gardens has reopened and continues to restore its trails and native plant gardens that were damaged by uprooted trees during Hurricane Helene. The Botanical Gardens are open from sunrise to sunset and free for all to visit. Enjoy the peak wildflower blooms of thousands of flowers across the expansive gardens near UNC Asheville.  
20. Downtown Asheville will be showing off the splendor of the season with new and stunning window displays, floral cocktail features, and exciting activations around downtown plant shops and florists. 

🎨 Art in Full Bloom: Asheville’s Creative Renaissance 

Spring fuels Asheville’s creative spirit, spilling onto the streets, into galleries, and across fresh murals celebrating the city’s rich culture.  

21. Located in the historic Moog Music building, Resurrection Studios opened on March 7 and will feature monthly "First Friday" strolls featuring rotating gallery displays and pop-up shops.   
22. The Upper River Arts District once again welcomes those seeking creative inspiration. This vibrant section of the RAD—which includes all of Roberts Street, Artful Way, Depot Street, and Clingman Avenue—marked its reopening in November 2024, and features a hope-filled and robust collection of art studios, galleries, cafes, shops and businesses.  
23. Now open in Black Mountain, the North Carolina Glass Center offers a glimpse into the mesmerizing art of glassblowing.  
24. The River Arts District Outpost downtown houses a selection of displaced artists’ works in the heart of the city. It’s a perfect stop for those looking to take a piece of Asheville home while supporting the artists who make this community so special.  
25. A new Black Cultural Heritage Trail mural debuts this spring, fusing realism and abstract art by local artist Tommy Lee McGee to celebrate Black joy. 

🎉 Spring Festivals: A Season of Celebration 

Festival season is in full swing—whether you crave craft beer, live music, or the smell of fresh-baked bread, Asheville has a festival for you. 

26. Asheville Orchid Festival (March 28-30) fills the North Carolina Arboretum with rare and dazzling orchids. 
27. Asheville Bread Festival (April 26-27) gathers bakers, farmers, and food lovers for a two-day carb-filled celebration. 
28. Asheville Beer Week (May 15-29) brings exclusive tastings, special collaborations, and beer-fueled fun across the city. 
29. For the Love of Craft (May 17) spotlights local artisans, craft brews, and chef-crafted mac and cheese. 
30. Downtown After 5 returns on third Fridays (April-September) with live music, local brews, and festival vibes. 
31. Lake Eden Arts Festival (May 8-11) honors Black Mountain’s history with music, art, and culture on the grounds of the legendary Black Mountain College. 
32. These are just a small sample of the many spring festivals in Asheville. Check out the full list here. 

🎵 The Soundtrack of Spring: Must-See Music 

Asheville is alive with music this season, from intimate sets to legendary acts. Here’s what’s on tap:  

33. The Steep Canyon Rangers headline Downtown Asheville’s Community Concert in Pack Square Park (May 29). 
34. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings take the stage at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (April 5). 
35. Squirrel Nut Zippers bring their jazz-fueled chaos to Grey Eagle (April 9). 
36. Bonnie Raitt rolls into town for her rescheduled Just Like That… Tour appearance (April 23). 
37. Wilco with Waxahatchee lights up Asheville Yards (May 16). 
38. Dispatch, John Butler Band, G. Love & Special Saucebring summer vibes to Asheville Yards (June 14).