As Autumn embraces the mountains with its crisp weather and abundance of color, we prepare to pull on a sweater and maybe our hiking boots, and get outside! This time of year is perfect for taking advantage of all that our mountains have to offer, from leaf peeping to enjoying fresh fall produce. This is our guide to Asheville Fall activities.
Apple and Pumpkin Picking
Visiting one of Asheville’s local farms in fall is a don’t-miss-activity to be sure. It’s here you’ll find fresh apples you can pluck right off the tree, warm apple cider, and pumpkins on the vine. Just don’t get lost in the corn maze! Two of our favorite recommendations are Skytop Orchard and the Eliada Corn Maze.
Farmers Markets
North Asheville Tailgate Market is a wonderful place to start your Saturday mornings. Open from 8-12pm, the oldest farmers market in Asheville offers an array of more than 40 local vendors…and you can drink a delicious cup of coffee and listen to some live local tunes as you shop! Take your pick of your favorite fall veggies, local meats, breads and even soaps and other handmade items (great for gift giving!)
Halloween
If Halloween is your thing, you’ll be happy to know there are always fun haunted houses and movie screenings around town. The Adventure Center of Asheville’s Haunted Trail is a local family favorite. They even do a “sweet peek tour” of the trail for its youngest thrill-seekers before night falls. The Haunted Farm in Hendersonville is a better choice for the older crowd.
Leaf Peeping
Asheville and the greater Western Carolina area are well known for their breathtaking fall display. There are many ways to witness the breathtaking display of the trees and mountains during this time. It can be as easy as taking a drive on the parkway and stopping at one of the many lookouts or maybe taking hike. Some of our favorite 360 degree views can be found on the Art Loeb trail to Shining Rock Gap or at the top of Mt. Mitchell (the tallest peak in the eastern US). To make the summit even sweeter, we recommend bringing a thermos of that cider from the farmers market to enjoy at the top. Check out this interactive fall color map to see where color is changing each week during the season.
Local Music
Asheville might be Beer City but it also happens to be a bustling music town as well. Check out the line up schedules at The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, Isis Music Hall, or Rabbit Rabbit for upcoming shows. All of these venues are an excellent choice for live music, and the Grey Eagle even has a taqueria inside! You can also find some wonderful talent along the streets of downtown from the thriving busking scene.
We hope you enjoy your fall visit to Asheville and these Asheville Fall activities!
