Fill Your Feed with Fall: 9 Instagrammable Spots in North Carolina

Our state is a burst of color as the calendar flips to the fall months. From the foliage in the mountains to the gorgeous sunsets on the coast and all the bright and festive events in between, autumn in North Carolina is practically made to star on your Instagram feed. Make sure you use #visitnc so we can admire your beautiful shots of our state. 

1 Autumn at Oz

Instagram: @laura_thee_explorer

1 Autumn at Oz

Sept. 8-10; Sept. 15-17; Sept 22-24, 2023; Beech MountainSee on map

Visitors and fans of The Wizard of Oz can now stroll the yellow brick road during three weekends. Tickets start at $55, and memorable photos of your group with Oz’s classic characters milling about the grounds will certainly add some unique scenes to your feed.

Pro tip: A shuttle from the parking lot to Oz is included in your ticket price, but purchasing a chairlift ticket to the park is also an option.

Website(844) 307-7469Directions

2 Carolina BalloonFest

Instagram: @joshherrrera_

2 Carolina BalloonFest

Oct. 20-22, 2023; StatesvilleSee on map

The annual Carolina BalloonFest has become quite the (photographable!) event over its nearly 50-year run, making it the second longest consecutively held hot air balloon event in America. Expect twice-daily launches, live entertainment, tether rides, an artisan market, and a wine and craft beer garden – plus a kids zone with free magic shows and inflatable bouncers – for a fun-filled weekend the whole family will cherish. Bonus: Kids 12 and under get in free.

What to know: Saturday brings crowds, so arrive before 1 p.m. to ensure you’ll get a parking spot and be able to enter the grounds; admission booths sometimes close when attendance maxes out.

Website(888) 803-4464Directions

3 Sunset Beach

Instagram: @rockyroadtripz

3 Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach, Brunswick IslandsSee on map

Fall foliage isn’t the only NC scenery worthy of ‘gram posts. The coastline becomes a place of tranquility and soul-soothing in the offseason as temperatures remain in the 70s into November. Sunset Beach’s epic 900-foot pier and its uninterrupted stretch of gorgeous coast make for an ideal backdrop or outlook to snag that perfect angle – it was, after all, named one of the “21 Best Beaches in the World” by National Geographic.

Instagram challenge: From late fall through early spring at Sunset Beach, you can take pictures of both the sunrise and sunset at the same spot.

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4 Devil's Courthouse

Instagram: @roxxyy314

4 Devil's Courthouse

BrevardSee on map

A prime spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway for fall photos, Devil’s Courthouse sits at milepost 422.2 and gives the best views to those who hike the short, steep half-mile climb. Make a full day of your fall adventure with a photo tour along “America’s Favorite Drive” from Devil’s Courthouse to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can camp year-round in the Smokemont Campground.

When to go: Devil’s Courthouse typically comes alive with a full range of rich fall colors the second and third weeks of October.

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5 Pinehurst No. 2

Instagram: @thegweiss

5 Pinehurst No. 2

PinehurstSee on map

Pinehurst Resort is legendary for many reasons: It’s one of the largest golf resorts in the world, largest golf resort in the US with nine courses and a short course, and three-time men’s US Open host (and mark your calendars for Pinehurst’s fourth hosting stint taking place in 2024). Golf Advisor deems Pinehurst No. 2 as “one of the game’s best walks” with its picturesque scenic vistas for photo-snapping galore in addition to the famous Payne Stewart statue overlooking the 18th green.

Pro tip: Pinehurst Resort has much more than immaculate golf. A spa, brewery and the “Best Breakfast in Golf” also await on a visit.

Website(855) 235-8507Directions

6 Blackbeard Coffee Roasters

Instagram: @wesley_lane

6 Blackbeard Coffee Roasters

GreenvilleSee on map

The highly rated Blackbeard Coffee in Greenville not only serves up beautifully presented creations like this cozy cappuccino, but the coffee shop also brings it on Instagram. Follow along for inspiration, then frame your own shots with an artsy, modern vibe the coffee shop naturally exudes. When you visit, expect strong brews and flavors inspired by Italy, including decadent treats like affogato and cortado. And, obviously, seasonal concoctions such as cinnamon mochas and white chocolate pumpkin lattes.

What to order: Blackbeard’s baristas told us iced caramel macchiatos, chai lattes and cold brew with cold foam are the most popular menu items.

Website(252) 565-8312Directions

7 Shadow of the Bear

Instagram: @bradttinsley

7 Shadow of the Bear

CashiersSee on map

Capturing this unique occurrence has become a bucket list-worthy endeavor, but there’s a catch: The window for “bear hunting” only lasts from about 5:30-6:15 p.m. on sunny days, and it only occurs for a few weeks from mid-October to early November. Happily, these weeks also coincide with prime leaf-peeping dates in Western NC, which start at the end of September at 6,000+ feet and reach the lower elevations such as Lake Lure at the beginning of November.

What to know: The area gets crowded when the bear is out of hibernation, so please be cautious of traffic when parking and departing. Rhodes Big View Overlook delivers the best view of this natural phenomenon.

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8 Pumpkin Flotilla

Instagram: @caryliving

8 Pumpkin Flotilla

Oct. 27, 2023; CarySee on map

Could there be a quirkier fall photo opp than capturing a fleet of jack-o-lantern heads floating spookily, mouths and eyes gleaming in the dusk? Carve up your own creation to include in the festivities and take a kayak or canoe ride so you can get up-close, Insta-worthy shots. Don a costume as you listen to live music and enjoy snacks from local food trucks and Bond Park Boathouse’s concession stand.

When to go: Pumpkin drop-off begins at 4 p.m., with the flotilla launching around 6:30 p.m.

Website(919) 462-3970Directions

9 Merchants Millpond State Park

Instagram: @champselyse

9 Merchants Millpond State Park

GatesvilleSee on map

Fall transforms this beautiful and lush swamp into a vision of orange and yellow with reflections to match. Paddle among the huge bald cypress trees, Spanish moss and exotic animals, and snap your photos that won’t even need filters. Or hike the park’s 10 miles of trails if you’d rather stay on land, and explore the three camping options available – group campgrounds, backpacking sites or paddle-in campsites – for a longer stay.

Fun fact: More than 200 species of birds have been recorded at Merchants Millpond. See migrations of swamp warblers, parulas, prothonotaries and yellow-throated warblers in the fall.

Website(252) 357-1191Directions