Fall Fun in Asheville, NC: 10 Things to See & Do

Fall is the perfect time to plan your trip to the beautiful Western North Carolina region. Nestled in the foothills of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a great starting point for exploring the Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. Vibrant fall foliage, scenic drives, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, mild weather, and waterfalls galore – all these factors contribute to the WNC area becoming more and more popular with leaf peepers and adventure lovers with each passing year. I was quite surprised with how gorgeous the fall season was here. It really is right up there with most of New England in my opinion.

As soon as the summer season wanes down, the forests begin to display a dazzling palette of colors. Nature lovers and artists from around the world come here to soak up the beauty of the autumn hues and breathe in the cool fresh mountain air.

Because of the diversity of elevation in the mountains, the WNC region sees one of the longest lasting fall seasons in the country. As this is my favorite season, I would say this was the prime benefit of living here. I purchased a season pass to the Arboretum which I used several times per week and the Blue Ridge Parkway was just minutes away from my rental. I hear many say that this area is overpriced but my experience differs. My apartment rental was pretty average priced and I had access to so many natural wonders right at my doorstop.

Serene creek views along the Catawba Falls trail in North Carolina

The colors generally peak sometime around the first or second week of October, oftentimes lingering throughout much of November. Because each area sees peak color at different times, there is always at least one leaf peeping destination at any given time.

In my guide, I will cover some of the diverse options for enjoying the autumn season in the mountains of WNC.

1. Stroll around the Botanical Gardens of Asheville

Autumn at the Asheville Botanical Garden — Fall at the Asheville Botanical Gardens

A walk around the serene Botanical Gardens is a must anytime of the year – even more so during the colorful fall season. The best part of all, admission is totally free! Although quite small at just 10 acres, a stroll around the grounds is a nice break from the city. As a local, I enjoyed the opportunity to escape the Parkway and downtown crowds here. It was a place I came to frequently to enjoy a nature walk vs. a rigorous mountain hike.

This small non-profit has been around for over 60 years. To this day, the staff is still dedicated to preserving native plants. They host a native plant sale in the fall each year. On a side note, this is a birdwatching oasis (check out the list of birds spotted in the gardens over the years). They offer bird walks and you can also pick up a birding book in the visitor’s center.

Location: 151 W .T. Weaver Blvd.
Hours: Sunrise-sunset

2. Cozy up in a local coffeehouse

Banana nut muffin and an Americano at Sweeten Creek Coffee in Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville offers no shortage of fantastic local coffee shops. I absolutely love relaxing in any of the wonderful local cafes before hitting the trails. While no autumn season is complete without at least one trip to Starbucks’ for their trademark Pumpkin Spice Latte, several local shops offer their own version of fall’s best indulgence. Malaprop’s Cafe and Old Europe both offer a tasty seasonal latte. Old Europe also serves freshly made pastries – try the seasonal pumpkin cheesecake!

Or better yet, simply enjoy a quality cup of coffee at any local coffeehouse. Many shops feature a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the fall ambiance.

Izzy’s Coffeehouse, located in a cozy house just west of downtown, offers a nice little patio. I recommend sitting outside and enjoying the lovely weather and colorful trees. The beans are sourced from top roasters like Stumptown and Counter Culture.

A few of my other favorites include: High Five (best bagels in town), Sweeten Creek (cute setting in an old house), and Fletcher Village Bakery (awesome homemade bagels & treats).

Fall foliage in Asheville, North Carolina — Beautiful views of the bright foliage via the patio at Izzy’s

Location: Varies

3. Take a hike

Scenic hike at the North Carolina Arboretum — I love hiking the arboretum in fall

While the city itself is not a hotspot for hiking, there are numerous national forests and state parks within a reasonably close drive. Whether you are an avid hiker, or simply seeking a quick, quiet nature stroll, options abound. I hiked to a beautiful waterfall nearly every weekend and never got bored. The Pisgah National Forest is just so gorgeous. The weather this time of year is just perfect (relatively dry with temps in the 60-70 degree range) for exploring the outdoors. The Catawba Falls trail, a moderate 2 mile trek, features a stunning 100 foot waterfall. At just a 25 minute drive, it’s one of the closest waterfalls to the city.

Hiking the beautiful Catawba falls trail in North Carolina — Leaf peeping – it’s free, a great workout, and incredibly scenic. So many wonderful trails to consider near Asheville including the gorgeous Catawba waterfall hike.

While everyone has heard of the extravagant Biltmore Estate, many do not know that there are 22 miles of trails on-site, most of which are blazing with color each autumn.

Graveyard Fields is beautiful leaf peeping spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway featuring 2 incredible waterfalls via a moderate intensity hike. Perhaps the best of all is the Triple falls trailhead at Dupont State Forest. A relatively easy hike leads you to 3 scenic waterfalls. Being in the company of the beautiful hues of the season makes a fall hike that much better.

Staying close to town, the North Carolina Arboretum, located 15 minutes away in Arden is a leaf peeping hotspot. You get to enjoy 10 miles of maintained trails plus a world-class bonsai garden. I can’t count the number of times I’ve hiked here over the years (my membership definitely came in handy).

Autumn at Graveyard Fields along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina — Fall at Graveyard Fields, located at MP 418.8

Red fall foliage at the North Carolina Arboretum — There is no better place to see bright foliage than the Arboretum

Location:

Catawba Falls trailhead – 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762
Graveyard Fields -Milepost 418 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Dupont State Forest -Staton Rd Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
North Carolina Arboretum – 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way ($25 parking fee)

4. Attend a fall festival

Fall Fine Arts Festival in downtown Asheville, North Carolina — You will find a lot of art related events downtown during the autumn season

The city offers an endless lineup of festivals throughout the year. You will find a particularly interesting assortment of seasonal fun as soon as September rolls around. As this city is considered an artists’ haven, you will find no shortage of art related fairs and festivals. Art in the Park is held in October and The River Arts District Fall Festival is held in November. Also be on the lookout for the October Fine Arts festival located in lively Pack Square (pictured above). You can read more about how this city came to be nicknamed “San Francisco of the East.”

A few of the best-of-the-best for getting into the fall spirit include: Oktoberfest, the Brewgrass Festival (sample over 100 craft beers), the Holiday Parade (a festive annual celebration held the Saturday before Thanksgiving), the Apple Harvest fest (a celebration of all things apple in the charming small town of Waynesville), and Cider Fest NC (sample craft cider along the French Broad River).

If you are looking for something a bit more active, there are a handful of festive Halloween and Turkey Trot 5ks. Races are a great way to burn off some of those extra holiday calories!

5. Drive a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall foliage along the Rough Ridge trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina — The Blue Ridge Parkway in late fall

The Blue Ridge Parkway, commonly referred to as “America’s favorite drive,” stretches on for 469 miles, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive is incredibly scenic, and thus, heavily visited throughout the year. Despite the traffic, autumn is by far the best time to take in the beauty of this mountainous region.

A brief glimpse of the Parkway near the peak of autumn (Oct. 2021)

There is something to do for everyone even if you are not a hiker. Points of interest include: scenic overlooks, hiking trails, waterfalls, picnicking areas, and the Biltmore Estate. The immense variety of attractions means you can choose between a quick sightseeing ride or a multi day outing, depending on how much time you have and how far you are willing to drive!

Here are my must-see sights within an hour or so:

Linville Falls– A scenic, moderate hike to a 90 foot waterfall. Definitely one of the most scenic moderate hikes in the area!
The Folk Art Center – A fantastic museum dedicated to Appalachian arts. Enjoy free craft demos in the lobby from March – December.
Chimney Rock State Park -Challenge yourself to a 499 step climb up the rock for amazing panoramic views of the region.
Crabtree Falls: An underrated 70 foot beauty right on the Parkway.
Rough Ridge hike & overlook – Beautiful views of Grandfather Mountains. Amazing fall foliage.