Enjoy miles of color and scenery on a Great Smoky Mountains Railroad excursion
16,000-acre Lake Phelps is home to legendary fishing and easy-access boat launch sites
Pack your overnight bag for an epic stay at Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville
Take in the foliage from the water by renting rowboats, kayaks or canoes at Lake Higgins
Idle beaches in the fall offer more room to swim, surf and play in the still-warm waters
Walk behind Dry Falls for an all new point of view near Highlands
Wander through miles of pathways at the corn maze at Kersey Valley Maize Adventure
Croatan National Forest pairs brilliant fall foliage with crisp blue coastal waters for a sight to behold
Vistas and mountain views await on the Rough Ridge Trail at Milepost 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Saddle up and take in stunning fall colors on horseback in Southern Pines
Highway 215 in Pisgah National Forest is a beautiful drive in fall

Fall

Experience fall color like never before

In North Carolina, fall color is about so much more than leaves – it includes all the sights, sounds and tastes the season has to offer. From the delicious flavors of farm-fresh apples you picked yourself to the cozy comforts of a romantic getaway, North Carolina is a place where you don’t just see fall color – you truly experience it for the first time.

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Trip Tips

Experience sweeping mountain views and unobstructed overlooks on The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway, in North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains
Many anglers will tell you there’s no better time than fall to fish. Cast your line from one of the 19 ocean piers along our coast
It’s not so much when to see fall color, but where. Varying mountain elevations mean foliage cascades from high to low during the span of more than a month
After golfing 18 at Pinehurst Resort, stop by Pinehurst Brewing Company, where they also serve homemade smoked barbecue
Seashells are abundant this time of year, and the best time to find them is the hour on both sides of low tide
To avoid crowds at state and national parks, plan your fall foliage visit during the middle of the week

Enjoy a Trip Where the Mountains Meet the Lake

Admire the vibrant colors of fall at Lake Junaluska, where you can take morning walks on the lakeside trail and afternoon drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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