Asheville, North Carolina is known for its brilliant displays of fall foliage during the autumn season. Its perfect elevation below the tall peaks like Mt. Mitchell and above the foothills of NC provides it with one of the longest-running fall seasons in the region. As the trees begin dropping their leaves, you will notice many fun and engaging activities cropping up for you to enjoy. It is simply the best: an Asheville NC fall.
Drive The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile drive that extends from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, popularly dubbed “America’s Favorite Drive.” A Blue Ridge Parkway road trip provides you with stunning views of the surrounding Blue Ridge mountain chain that forms part of the larger Appalachian Mountains. It is located just outside Asheville and offers an unmissable experience during the fall.
During the fall, you will spot bright yellow, red and orange leaves forming mesmerizing displays for miles on end. There are also several overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway where you can stop by to get a closer look at these vibrant hues! Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall offers an excellent way to enjoy Asheville NC fall.
Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate is a one-of-a-kind destination you must visit during the fall season. This is a 250-room castle considered to be America’s largest home and also one of the most frequented attractions in Asheville.
The fall season at the Biltmore estate is a treat in itself. Head to the Biltmore House, spread over 8,000 acres of land, to explore its interior design, award-winning winery, winding forested trails and beautiful gardens that make up its exterior. You will love the chilly temperatures, bright days and the glorious color changes that come with time.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Located a short 20-minute drive from Asheville is Hickory Nut Gap Farm, a popular family-owned farm that has been running since 1916. Since 2008, they have opened up their doors to the public, offering farm tours, family-friendly events and seasonal offerings.
The farm in fall hosts many festivals every year, including several exciting farm activities. Expect hayrides, pony rides, farm animals, a live bee observatory, a creekside play area, a barn market and food trucks offering sizzling delights. You can also purchase their specialty fall seasonal offerings, including apples, turkeys, fresh pressed cider, pumpkins and more!
Amazing Views at Craggy Pinnacle or Black Balsam Knob
Several hiking trails around Asheville take you to mountain tops, allowing you to witness the gorgeous panoramic views from above. The Craggy Pinnacle trail is a fantastic example; it is a short 1.4-mile round-trip hike that will take you to the summit of the 5,892 ft Craggy Pinnacle.
Another popular hiking trail is the 1.4-mile round-trip Art Loeb Trail which will take you to the view-packed Black Balsam Knob summit. Both the Craggy Pinnacle and the Black Balsam Knob offer stunning views of the fall colors at these breezy high altitudes.
Asheville Terror Tours
Searching for fun fall things to do near me? The spooky season is complete only if you have signed up for a dark and mysterious adventure. While most may visit Asheville for its craft breweries or natural wildlife, we recommend exploring its famous paranormal hotspots.
A good practice is to sign up with a qualified tour company so you can explore the best hotspots in a fun and exciting way. Asheville Terror Tours is one of the leading choices. They offer historical ghost stories based on local legends and eyewitness accounts, taking you through the most thrilling hotspots around Asheville.
An Afternoon At Beaver Lake
Spend a fall afternoon at the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, located just three miles north of Asheville. This is nothing short of a wildlife oasis set within northern Asheville. Head to the venue for an afternoon walk, settle by the lake and enjoy the beautiful views. You will love the bright fall colors reflected in the lake’s waters during the fall.
You can even spot several migratory birds nesting and resting around the lake. There is also a perimeter trail loop that goes around Beaver Lake that is worth hiking.
Sky Top Orchard
Sky Top Orchard is a beautiful mountain orchard about 32 miles south of Asheville. It is built atop Flat Rock along the Pinnacle Mountain Road. This mountain-top farm offers several seasonal offerings ranging from apples to pears and peaches.
Apart from their fresh produce, they also serve several small bits, including hot apple cider, caramel apples, kettle corn, honey, jam, jellies and other delights. We recommend visiting this orchard not only for the fresh offerings but also for the beautiful natural views of the orchard during the fall season.
Visit The NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains in the south of Asheville in North Carolina. It houses over 434 acres of cultivated gardens and winding trails surrounded by some of the most beautiful, botanically diverse plants.
Fall is one of the best seasons to visit the arboretum for a stroll or hike. This year, the conservatory is also showcasing its new “Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Survival” exhibit, running from September 2023 to January 2024.
Craggy Mountain Line
Craggy Mountain Line is a historic railroad section in Buncombe County, NC that runs from Asheville to Craggy Branch. This line is preserved till the present day as an operable train railroad, where visitors can come and enjoy a scenic ride. The entirety of the railroad stretches for 3.45 miles and is traversed by fully restored historic train cars and trolleys.
During the fall season, they deck out the trolley cars with hay to fit the season’s aesthetic while also offering complimentary apple cider to incoming visitors.
Go to A Nearby Vineyard: Burntshirt, Stone Ashe, Marked Tree, Point Lookout
During the fall months, usually September through November, the vineyards around Asheville begin their harvest season. Wineries are busy plucking grapes from vines and delivering them for processing. Some vineyards allow special wine pairings and tastings during the fall harvest season. It is especially one of the top things to do in Asheville NC for couples.
We recommend visiting any of the closest vineyards around Asheville to take a sneak peek into the actual workings of a vineyard. Popular mentions include Stone Ashe, Burntshirt, Marked Tree and the Point Lookout Vineyards. Stone Ashe Vineyards (pictured above), for instance, offers tours within their boutique winery, specialty wine tastings, charcuterie boards, cheese boards and craft chocolates on the menu.
Folk Arts Center
The Folk Arts Center is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 382 near Asheville. This museum celebrates the vibrant Appalachian arts and crafts, housing artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass and much more, crafted by the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The guild itself is composed of over 400 artists and craftspeople.
The fall season is one of the best times of the year to visit the Folk Arts Center. From March to December, they showcase daily craft demonstrations from Guild artisans. The center also houses a stunning permanent collection of international crafts, including historical pieces dating back to AD 1000 and more contemporary and modern pieces from the present day.
Asheville Jeep Tour – One Of Our Favorite Asheville NC Fall Tours
Another unique and exciting way to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains is to sign up for an Asheville Jeep Tour! Sit back and relax as you are driven through the Blue Ridge Mountains Parkway with an expert local guide, taking you through some of the most popular backroads and waterfalls in the Asheville mountainside. During the fall, a jeep tour experience is even more rewarding when you can ride through the colorful fall foliage.
Note: The fall tour is only available for a limited time, particularly during October when the fall colors peak.
Experience The Grove Park Inn Fireplaces
The fall season means chilly evenings, which make you want to curl up next to a fire. Luckily, the Omni Grove Park Inn offers just that! The Grove Park Inn in Asheville is one of the most popular golf resorts known for its southern charm and impeccable elegance.
Their onsite two gigantic 36-ft stone fireplaces are even more stunning. Settle yourself on the wicker chairs in front of the stone fireplaces and enjoy the soft warmth after a tiring day out. It is one of the top things to do in Asheville NC in the fall.
WNC Farmers Market – An Asheville NC Fall Must
The Western North Carolina Farmers Market is one of the most famous marketers at Brevard Road, Asheville. This is also the premier destination for farmers to sell and customers to buy the region’s best agricultural produce.
With the coming fall season, you will be interested in purchasing fresh seasonal produce, fall-inspired delights, bakery items, cheeses, jams, flowers, plants and handcrafted goods. This is the place you want to be to enjoy all that and much more!
NC Apple Festival
One of the top Asheville NC fall festivals, the North Carolina Apple Festival is held at historic Hendersonville, a 30-minute drive from Asheville. This is a four-day celebration that is all about the seasonal apple produce. The festival features several exciting events, including live musical entertainment, arts and crafts, special exhibits, plenty of food, apple orchard tours, and, of course, apple-based products.
The entirety of the festival covers eight blocks of Main Street and is carried by over 200 onsite vendors, including several apple farms. You will also have plenty of apples to buy at the festival, with over 20 varieties to browse through. It is an excellent way to enjoy Asheville NC fall.
Visit An Asheville Brewery For Their Fall Beers
Asheville is known as Beer City, supporting some of the most popular craft breweries alongside plenty of local hidden gems around the USA. During the fall season, plenty of Asheville breweries introduce specialty fall-inspired beers. Take the time to sample Asheville’s local beer scene.
Some leading Asheville breweries you don’t want to miss out on include the New Belgium Brewing Company, the Highland Brewing Company, the Catawba Brewery and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (pictured above).
Final Thoughts
Asheville, NC, hosts a wide variety of exciting fall activities every year, ranging from outdoor expeditions to indoor wine tasting, seasonal shopping and food sampling. There is a lot going on during the fall months and plenty to see with the changing seasons. If you are in Asheville this fall season, don’t miss out on these fall activities!
