Fall Trip To Asheville, NC

The kids had a couple of days off from school so we took a road trip to Asheville, NC to catch Fall colors. We had so much fun visiting the Great Smoky mountains last Fall so I thought this year we'll pick a new city to discover. Asheville is a 7-hour drive from where we live. Lots of driving for sure but totally doable. Recent warmer temperatures have certainly delayed this year's peak foliage. Regardless, we still had so much fun exploring this mountain town. Sharing a few trip highlights below:

Hawk's Bill Mountain Trail: The hike is 2.4 miles roundtrip. You'll start the hike with moderate effort but it will change about midway. The trail becomes more difficult and strenuous to the summit. Once you arrive at summit, prepare to have your breath taken away 360 degrees. Elevation change will also drop the temperature significantly.

Catawba Falls: About a 2.3 mile round trip. This is an easy hike to a beautiful waterfall along the river. There are lots of mini waterfalls along the way. This was Madelyn's favorite hike.

Craggy Gardens Trail: This hike is only 1.5 mile roundtrip. There are plenty of craggy rocks and formations along the way up. The trail is quite rocky and uneven but not difficult. Terrific views at the top. Not much was in bloom this time of the year but still very unique and pretty.

{Leopard leggings | Half-zip sweatshirt}

Biltmore Estate: You cannot visit Asheville without seeing Biltmore at least once. This 8,000-acre estate is the largest private home in the United States, built in the 1890's for the Vanderbilt family. Biltmore is such a large part of Asheville's history. The rooms are magnificent and each is unique. Stunning place to visit! The Biltmore is just overwhelming when you see it for the first time. Price is steep but it’s absolutely worth it for a visit.

Grandfather Mountain: This is a really unique place to visit. The view from the top is spectacular and the mile-high walking bridge is one of a kind. If you're a fan of the Forrest Gump movie, you'll enjoy part of the drive up where they filmed a portion of Tom Hanks running. 

Blue Ridge Pkwy: Take a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's considered one of the most scenic drives on the East Coast. The Blue Ridge Parkway attracts drivers with its stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A beautiful drive with lots of pull over viewing spots.

Places were on our list but we didn't have time to visit:

• Max Patch: It's a bit of a trek from Asheville but I've heard the view is incredible. The trail connects with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is popular for its views of Mount Mitchell and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One of hubby's bucket list adventures is to take a month off from work and hike the entire Appalachian Trail. That'd be an awesome experience.
• The North Carolina Arboretum: This botanical garden has several trails and exhiibits. It's inexpensive and great if you have young kids

Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest

Fall Trip To Asheville, NC