Asheville Fall Weekend: Plan Your Perfect Getaway
Asheville offers a vibrant fall experience, with its stunning mountain backdrop, charming downtown district and abundance of outdoor activities. This picturesque North Carolina city is the perfect destination for a scenic autumn weekend getaway. From hiking through colorful forests to enjoying cozy breweries and local arts, Asheville has something to offer every traveler. Here’s what to do in Asheville in the fall.
The Best Time to See Asheville’s Fall Foliage
Timing your trip to Asheville to see the fall colors at their peak is a bit of a guessing game. Rainfall and temperatures in the spring and summer impact the vibrancy of the autumn hues and the length of the seasonal display.
Despite these variables, scientists say the Asheville region’s fall foliage season remains one of America’s most vibrant and long-lasting.
“The reason is we have this tremendous range of elevation,” Howard S. Neufeld, Ph.D., known as the “fall color guy” and professor of biology at Appalachian State University said. “We also have a unique fall color here because we have more than 120 different tree species.”
If you have flexibility when it comes to timing your fall trip to Asheville, follow the regional foliage tracking map to hit the mountains when the colors peak.
Asheville’s Scenic Drives
You’ll want a co-pilot to road trip through Asheville in the fall so you can take turns driving and snapping the dazzling golden vistas. Begin your adventures with one of the driving routes recommended for leaf peepers by Explore Asheville, including:
- Blue Ridge Parkway/Pisgah National Forest: This loop drive is ideal for capturing early fall color in late September, with stunning views of Looking Glass Rock and Cold Mountain.
- Drive-By Waterfalls: If rainfall’s been heavy, Asheville’s waterfalls will be at their most dramatic. The six waterfalls highlighted on this drive are free to experience and easy to access from the road.
- Craft Art and Fall Color: Want to get your Christmas shopping done early? Choose one of three routes timed for early-, mid- or late-fall color that include stops at local artisans’ shops and studios.
Biltmore in the Fall
The magnificent Biltmore Estate is known for its extravagant Christmas decorations. I visited in December 2023 and felt like I’d been transported to an elegant holiday wonderland, much like the heroine of the Hallmark film A Biltmore Christmas. It’s pure magic.
But fall’s also a wonderful season to visit and enjoy the resort’s bucolic setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to touring the Biltmore House and Gardens, make time to enjoy outdoor activities including biking and river birding. End your days at the winery in the Estate’s Antler Hill Village. Now through January 5, 2025, Biltmore guests can also visit an outstanding exhibit of works by renowned glass artisan Dale Chihuly.
Get a Bird’s Eye View of the Fall Colors
Want to be truly blown away by nature’s autumnal display? Consider a hot air balloon ride over the mountains of western North Carolina. Morning rides are conducted – weather permitting – by the experienced crew at Asheville Balloon Company. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.
Another way to get up close and personal with the golden-hued trees is to go ziplining. Navitat, operating in Asheville since 2010, offers a variety of tree-based experiences, that according to the company website, are designed to thrill, educate and inspire.
Float Like a Butterfly
Want to flutter rather than soar? Asheville is located along the migratory path monarch butterflies follow as they head to Mexico for the winter. View them at various locations, beginning in September. Pose for a selfie at one of the butterfly stations in Asheville. Installation of fifteen human-size pollinators is underway; two stations along the Butterfly Trail opened in 2024.