Fun Things to Do, Sight Seeing

Leaf Peepers Fall Foliage Forecast Asheville North Carolina

North Carolina In The Fall
Published on September 8, 2011

You may not know, we've spent years researching master planned communities in Western North Carolina all along the Blue Ridge Parkway. By December, we will have scored many of the best Asheville neighborhoods again. Colleagues who know us ask, why did we wait until December to add more mountain communities to our website? To score these Asheville real estate developments during the fall foliage season, of course.

If you're like us, you love to travel to Western North Carolina during the leaf peeper season. Here's a few places where you can expect to see spectacular fall colors:

The first week of October: Elevations above 5,000 feet such as the North Carolina High Country will begin to see vibrant color displays during the first week of October. Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk are cities nicknamed the North Carolina High Country. The Blue Ridge Parkway to the north of Asheville, passes over Mount Mitchell providing excellent fall foliage viewing areas. Mount Mitchell is the highest mountain east of the Rocky Mountains, its summit at 6,684 feet. At mile post 328 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Orchard at Altapass is the perfect place to stop for lunch and enjoy Bluegrass music overlooking the layered mountains blazing with color. Don’t be surprised if the temperatures drop quickly in October dumping big snowflakes on you at any time, especially at the higher elevations.

The second week of October: Elevations above 4,000 feet will begin to see vibrant reds, burnt orange and sunny yellows. Our favorite places to hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway at these elevations are Devil’s Courthouse (a 360 degree panoramic photograph spot) and Graveyard Fields (two popular waterfalls). Enjoy lunch or breakfast at the Mount Pisgah Inn located at mile post 408 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, another great viewing area. Lake Toxaway and Highlands Cashiers are also gorgeous high elevation areas to view the fall foliage color display. Hike granite faced White Side Mountain and enjoy a candlelight dinner later at the Old Edwards Inn Spa in Cashiers. 

The third week of October: Elevations 3,000 - 4,000 feet will see beautiful displays of fall colors especially in Waynesville, one of the most affordable mountain towns in North Carolina We refer to Waynesville as a ‘spill over’ city of Asheville because of the number of annual festivals, art galleries and delicious cuisine found in downtown Waynesville. Waynesville is an artsy city just 30 minutes southwest of Asheville real estate developments. A great photographic spot to capture the fall foliage reflecting on a lake in this area would be at Lake Junaluska. Mile post 443 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the quick exit off for Waynesville and Sylva.

The fourth week of October: Elevations 2,000 - 3,000 feet will be the late fall foliage season before the evening freezes settle in. America's Happiest City will be the busiest place for leaf peepers in Western North Carolina, especially at The Biltmore Estate. We always recommend a sunset dinner on the veranda at the Grove Park Inn or casual cocktails at the top of the Flat Iron Building while you're searching for Asheville real estate. About 30 minutes southeast of Asheville, DuPont Forest in Brevard has 10 beautiful waterfall hikes and is worth the trip. Three of our favorite waterfalls at DuPont Forest are: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Don’t miss visiting Chimney Rock Park in the Lake Lure area too. Walking across the catwalk on Chimney Rock to take photographs of Lake Lure is quite a thrill. Hendersonville is another one of the most affordable mountain towns in Western North Carolina.

We look forward to sharing with you more high quality Asheville neighborhoods as we discover them. If you're exploring the area for the first time, ask for our complimentary Asheville relocation information. It's our pleasure to help!