Forget crowds, relish cooler air and warm water, and get a little sand in your shoes on our beaches in the fall.

With more than 200 tree species under the bluest of skies, North Carolina puts on a kaleidoscopic show in the fall. But our state’s exceptional color comes from more than maples and sourwoods. Experience the full glory in myriad ways from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Atlantic Ocean piers.

Wilmington and its nearby beaches — Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville — shine bright in summer when visitors flock to this southern stretch of North Carolina’s coast for surf, cuisine, culture and history, some dating back nearly 300 years. But you’d be remiss if you didn’t consider planning a trip to this area outside of peak season. Autumn is a great time to experience all of Wilmington’s offerings with the bonus of milder weather, fewer crowds and seasonal rates at accommodations.

Before booking your getaway in North Carolina for the fall season, you have a decision to make. Do you want to soak up the warm temperatures and summer-like appeal (but without the summer crowds) that usually continue through September or early October? Or would you rather witness colorful changing leaves during crisp weather as the calendar flips through October and November?

Spend a day at farms in North Carolina, where fruits are ripe for picking, pumpkins inspire the season and corn mazes add to the fun.

The incredible number and variety of shipwrecks along the coast of North Carolina lures many scuba divers from around the world. It’s estimated there are thousands of wrecks, dating as far back as the Spanish fleets of the 1500s. The area truly earned the nickname “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” and it even boasts a museum of the same name in Hatteras.

The summer camp experience can lead to some of the most cherished memories. From making new friends to learning a new skill, spending time at a summer camp or school will enrich the kids’ vacation in North Carolina. These aren’t the send-the-kids-away-to-camp offerings, but experiences that will fill their days with exciting activities while you all are on a family trip.

North Carolina’s beautiful bookends — the mountains to the west and beaches to the east — make for great spring break destinations for those who love playing outdoors. If an urban getaway sounds more up your alley, cities in the central part of our state have lots to discover with museums, amusement parks and dining hot spots.

Millions of travelers visit North Carolina’s 320-mile coastline each year for diverse experiences on two national seashores, three state parks, undeveloped islands and hospitable beach towns.

Whether you’re swimming or surfing, taking strolls in the sand or lying out to catch some sun, we want your time at the beach to be as safe as it is fun.