You might not want to think about summer drawing to a close, but Labor Day is considered the end to the summer travel season. In North Carolina, you’ll find plenty of popular festivals and signature events taking place during the long holiday weekend. Plus, the weekend after offers some of our state’s largest annual music festivals.

From first-time festivals to annual favorites, lively events fill the fall calendar in North Carolina. Show-stopping foliage, spirited music and irresistible fare add color and texture to celebrations from the mountains to the coast.

Cyclists are fond of our state because of the many scenic routes and annual fall rides that showcase natural beauty, iconic monuments and local charm.

North Carolina’s coast is still prime for paddling and loaded with land-based adventures and cultural attractions during cooler winter months. You’ll find everything from traffic-free maritime trails to timeless historical sites and adrenaline-inducing sports. These five beach towns make for an excellent getaway any time of the year.

The gardens of Western North Carolina feature a lush variety of plant life thanks to significant differences in temperature and rainfall at different altitudes.