2024's North Carolina Towns that Come Alive in Fall
Set among mountain ranges such as the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina's elevated slopes come alive in the fall, as vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges blanket the trees. Apple orchards, vineyards, and fall festivals fill the state with a lively autumn spirit, making it hard not to get excited about the changing seasons. Discover all that North Carolina’s small towns have to offer this fall season by visiting the top seasonal festivals and witnessing some of the state's most beautiful foliage.
Hendersonville
Rich in agricultural history, Hendersonville has many apple orchards, farms, and markets that come to life in the fall months. Within the county, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, and Gala apples are just a few of the varieties that visitors can enjoy during the fall. The town also offers three hard cider breweries for those looking to enjoy a classic fall beverage, with Appalachian Ridge’s tasting room, set on a local orchard, being an excellent choice. Regarding fall foliage, late October is one of the best times to catch vibrantly colored leaves in and around town. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visitors can enjoy bright foliage while hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, and more. Travelers can also take a scenic drive through Hendersonville’s Apple Country, where they can appreciate apple-lined fields on either side of the road.
Statesville
One of the most popular reasons to visit Statesville in the fall is for its renowned Carolina Balloonfest event, this year to be held from October 18th through 20th. Festival goers can expect a hot air balloon competition, balloon rides, special-shaped balloons, such as a sloth and baby dino, a wine and beer garden, a pilot meet and greet, live entertainment, and more. Just a 20-minute drive from town, visitors can also take in beautiful fall foliage by visiting Lake Norman State Park. Between mid-October and early November, the park is typically filled with bright red, orange, yellow, and purple-colored trees, which travelers can view on a hike, boating on the lake, or fishing. A trip to Davesté Vineyards is a great way to appreciate the crisp fall months as well, where wine enthusiasts can sip on a cozy, local wine or beer. The vineyard also frequently has live music that its guests can enjoy while sipping on their drinks.
Sanford
Sanford has the perfect combination of natural parks and fall events to bring the fall season to life. Visitors can kick off their fall adventure in Sanford with outdoor activities that showcase the season's stunning foliage. Paddle down Deep River Park or stroll and drive through Ole Gilliam Mill Park to take in the vibrant colors of the leaves. For mountain bikers, the Sanford Trail Festival on October 26th is a must, celebrating the town's scenic trails during North Carolina's peak fall foliage. Another Sanford favorite is the annual Gross Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, which is perfect for visitors of all ages, featuring a giant corn maze, plenty of pumpkins to choose from, a pumpkin jump, hay rides, homemade ice cream, and more.
Little Switzerland
Fall foliage in Little Switzerland starts in late September and lasts through early November, but truly peaks around the third week of October, thanks to its elevation of 3,000 to 4,000 feet. Just a 10-minute drive from town, Crabtree Falls showcases a 60-foot waterfall, framed by vibrant orange and yellow leaves in October. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful, panoramic views of the mountains in the fall months while enjoying a meal at Switzerland Inn Chalet Restaurant, which features a rustic environment with giant, wide windows looking towards the mountain. In need of some new cozy, fall decor? The Artisans League of Little Switzerland will be in the Geneva Hall on October 20th with a fall arts and crafts market, right next door to the Chalet Restaurant.
Bryson City
Having a similar elevation to that of Little Switzerland, some of the best times to catch the fall colors in Bryson City are during the third week of October. To fully take advantage of the fall colors, visitors can take a train ride along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, allowing them to appreciate the foliage in places not accessible by car. Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a scenic fall drive through Newfound Gap Road is another great way to appreciate the season. The Oconaluftee Valley Overlook is a favorite for sunrise photos among photographers! One of the town’s most famous events is the “Fall on the Farm” festival, held annually at Darnell Farms. Taking place during both October and part of November, visitors can enjoy a hayride, pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower fields, and more.
Blowing Rock
In the second half of October, Blowing Rock's fall foliage reaches its peak, as maple and beech trees burst into vibrant colors. Hikers can explore several scenic trails to take in the beauty, including Glen Burney Trail, which features a series of waterfalls, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile stretch connecting North Carolina to Virginia with hiking trails and picnic spots offering fantastic views. The town’s annual Oktoberfest event, featuring live music, strength competitions, and of course, plenty of beer, is a great way to welcome the fall season. Lantern Farm also has a trick-or-treat event on October 31st-- all ages are invited to participate!
Franklin
Sitting at around 2,000 to 3,000 feet of altitude, Franklin’s fall foliage peaks near the end of October. The Appalachian Trail is a great place to appreciate the fall foliage, which is just 11 miles from Franklin’s downtown. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an excellent fall expedition to make as well, where visitors can admire yellow birches and black cherry trees, red dogwoods and sourwoods, and golden hickories, among other trees. A fall trip to Franklin is not complete without attending its annual Pumkinfest, which takes place on October 19th this year and will feature its renowned pumpkin roll contest, mountain arts and crafts, over 90 food vendors, and more.
Final Thoughts
Whether you enjoy hiking through colorful forests, savoring local cider, or getting lost in a corn maze, North Carolina's small towns are abundant in fall spirit. From incredible views to unforgettable festivals, such as the Carolina Balloonfest and Franklin's Pumkinfest, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. So grab your favorite sweater, strap on your fall boots, and dive into the beauty and excitement of fall in North Carolina!
