The mountains dress to impress in autumn. Harvest festivals celebrate local cuisine, and the nip in the air gives you an excuse to add a little moonshine to your apple cider. It’s a great time to get away, and the mountains may be the ideal escape.

1- Fall Colors

The tops of the mountains turn first, with trees like mountain maple, yellow birch, and pin cherry crowning the hills gold and red. The wave of color moves into the valleys through the rest of the season, popping with red and sugar maple trees and scarlet oak.

In the Smokies, you don’t have to leave your car to enjoy the view, and you don’t have to hike to reach the early showcase at higher elevations. The Foothills Parkway and Blue Ridge Parkway make great day trips.

2- Apple and Berry Picking

The mountains have many small you-pick farms and orchards where guests can gather the freshest possible fruit. These are simple attractions where families, couples, or friends collect tactile memories. Every excursion brings back sweet treats, and apples from the store will never taste the same.

3- Hiking

Stomping on crunchy leaves and basking in the fall colors makes a long hike more enticing, but fall offers other outdoor perks. As colder temperatures banish summer, hikers face fewer bugs and less sweat on the trail. Migratory species move through the hills and valleys, and as the foliage thins, wildlife-spotting gets easier.

4- Fairs and Festivals

Fairs, festivals, and special events thrive in autumn. The Bear-Varian Fall Festival in Anakeesta hosts nocturnal zipline rides, and Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a great time for kids. Other regional events highlight bluegrass music, twists on Oktoberfest, food, and crafting. There’s something to keep everyone entertained.

5- Regional Eats

Harvest season is a golden time for mountain foodies. A fresh biscuit with locally made apple butter tastes amazing on a chilly morning, and a hot bowl of stew with a side of Cherokee fry bread is ideal adventure fuel. What’s that smell on the wind? It’s barbeque, and it’s always in season.

6- Fire Pit Nights

There’s nothing like coming together around a campfire. As summer fades, a fire pit becomes a hub for hot drinks, cozy blankets, and good stories. The mountains craft the right setting, transporting guests somewhere magical as the fire crackles and the sun sinks behind the peaks. It gives everyone a reason to look forward to the end of the day, even on vacation.

7- Fishing

Mountain streams, rivers, and lakes are ready to enchant you. With a fishing license, anglers can go after rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and smallmouth bass in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Private local lakes are stocked for guests, too.

8- Go for a Ride

See the world at a different speed. Hiking is a great way to get out in nature, but it’s not the only one. Mount up for a horse ride along a babbling brook, or rent ATVs for a faster thrill. If you prefer to sit back and relax, consider a scenic train tour. There’s an excursion ideal for your pace.

Published by: Annie P.