Fall in North Carolina is an extraordinary time of year. The state comes alive with vibrant colors, festive food, and long-awaited events. We’ve created a list of things to do in the mountains, on the coast, and everything in between.

As you plan your fall season, many activities spanning the state from the coast to the mountains shouldn’t be overlooked. As lifelong NC residents, we are using both experience and hours of research to curate our top picks for your Fall in North Carolina Bucket List.

Strap on your boots and pour yourself a cup of apple cider– this will be your best autumn yet!

Best Places In North Carolina To See The Fall Foliage

Chasing leaves? Check out these spots to see the leaves change color.

Blue Ridge Parkway

When planning for fall in North Carolina, I’d be willing to bet that most people’s first thought is the Blue Ridge Parkway, and for good reason. The Blue Ridge Parkway is famous all year round for its glorious views of the NC mountains, but nothing can beat a drive down it in the fall as the leaves are changing.

North Carolina Mountains

The mountains of North Carolina are magical this time of year, and I highly recommend a trip to experience it.

Wanderluster Tip: A quick Google search will show you updated leaf forecasts so you can appropriately time your trip.

As our mountains vary in height and how far west they are, the leaves change in tides, giving you more time to catch the transition between seasons.

Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster

While in the mountains chasing fall leaves, don’t miss North Carolina’s Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, an exhilarating ride that winds through the trees and mountains in Banner Elk, NC. Fall is the perfect time to experience this coaster because you’ll see the colorful leaves up close as you coast by!

I know not all of us can drop everything to chase leaves in the mountains. But there are plenty of spots with breathtaking views within a reasonable distance from Charlotte, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem.

Are you planning on backpacking in North Carolina? Check out our essentials for backpacking in NC.

My Favorite Nearby North Carolina Mountains For Fall Foilage

• Crowder’s Mountain
• Pilot Mountain
• Hanging Rock

Best Fall Views in Raleigh

My favorite place in Raleigh for views of the trees is Green Hills County Park, an old landfill now a park and giant hill. You’ll find picnic tables and 360-degree views of Raleigh atop the hill.

Wanderluster Tip: I love having picnics at Green Hills County Park in the fall.

Best Places To Visit In The Fall That Aren’t Mountains

While the mountains are astounding this season, beautiful towns and regions in the state are perfect for a quick fall trip.

The Coast

The coast is wildly underrated in the off-season, and any of our beaches would be a spectacular getaway with fewer crowds and beautiful weather.

Carolina Beach In The Fall

We had a blast exploring during my family’s most recent trip to Carolina Beach during the fall! First and foremost, there are tons of excellent options for food in Carolina Beach. We wrote about some of them in our fall guide to Carolina Beach.

There are also plenty of activities to enjoy during the fall.

• Carolina Beach Boardwalk
• Carolina Beach Arcade
• The Ocean
• Carolina Beach State Park

Read more about our weekend in Carolina Beach. It was such a nice trip for our family.

The Outer Banks In The Fall

We love the Outer Banks during the fall season.

Because the weather isn’t quite warm enough to spend all day on the beach, we fill our days enjoying other activities.

• Travel to see the different lighthouses.
• Take a tour to see the wild horses.
• Learn to hang-glide in Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the largest dune on the East Coast.

Of course, we enjoy the restaurant scene in the Outer Banks, too!

The Crystal Coast In The Fall

Growing up, my family loved visiting the Crystal Coast during the fall. Exploring the charming coastal town of Beaufort was an excellent way to relax.

However, the most important reason we loved heading there in the fall was for the surf fishing. Fall is an excellent time to cast a lure in the ocean to see what you catch. And trust us when we say nothing beats shore fishing during sunset on the Crystal Coast.

Fall in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is the perfect city for a fall getaway in North Carolina.

You’ll want to check out Old Salem, a historic village dedicated to telling the history of people, specifically the Moravians, dating back to the 1700s. There, you’ll be able to:

• Walk the cobblestone paths and admire the colonial architecture.
• Enjoy reenactments.
• Indulge in fresh-baked goods using century-old recipes.

North Carolina Zoo During The Fall

Fall is, without a doubt, the supreme time to visit the North Carolina Zoo. The cool autumn air welcomes visitors when exploring 2600 acres of exhibits and animals. But be forewarned, as the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, much walking is required!

Our zoo’s natural habitat means trees are everywhere, giving you an opportunity to watch the leaves change.

Moreover, the drive to Asheboro is stunning in the fall. Nothing beats winding backroads with hills covered in red, yellow, and orange! 

Fall Events And Festivals In North Carolina We Know You’ll Love

NC State Fair

You KNOW we must start with perhaps the most iconic event in NC history: The NC State Fair.

Every year in October, the state fair is set up in Raleigh. It is truly a spectacle that locals travel from all over the state to experience.

We wrote a guide about why it’s such a big deal. Get the inside scoop on NC State Fair tickets, parking, attractions, and food.

If you haven’t experienced our state fair yet, make this the year!

NC Eat & Play’s Fall Hootenanny & Foodie Festival

We’re pleased to announce our Hootenanny & Foodie Festival will be hosted at Haven Farm, starting with the fall one on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Tickets will be on sale soon. Sign up to be the first to know!

You didn’t think I’d forget my own festival, did ya?

Each fall, our team creates an immersive Southern experience like no other. Local food, live bluegrass music, kid’s activities, and more can be found at our Fall Hootenanny & Foodie Festival.

Autumn At Oz

Once a fully functioning theme park in the 1970s, Land of Oz is tucked away in the mountains and comes alive each year in the fall. For a few weekends only, guests are invited to experience Oz through festivals, theatrical performances, character meet & greets, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Carolina BalloonFest

If Statesville, NC, is known for one thing, it’s the Carolina BalloonFest, where the sky is painted with vibrant hot air balloons for a few days each October. This festival includes hot air balloon contests, tether rides, photo opportunities, live music, kids zones, and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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More Great Festivals We Think You’ll Love

There are so many festivals during the fall we can’t possibly include them all, and we had the most challenging time narrowing them down! Here are a few more we think should be on your radar:

• Mayberry Days (a celebration of The Andy Griffith Show)
• Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
• Carolina Renaissance Festival

Halloween Activities In North Carolina

SCarowinds

SCarowinds is a highly-anticipated spooky attraction in North Carolina. The amusement park is turned into a haunted destination filled with live entertainment, scary decorations, and plenty of screams.

If you plan to visit, check out our rankings of Carowinds’ best rollercoasters!

Tweetsie’s Ghost Train

Tweetsie Railroad is iconic in the North Carolina mountains. It is a family-friendly amusement park with a train and other classic rides.

Beginning mid-September through October, the park transforms every Friday and Saturday night. Decorations, themed characters, rides on the haunted Ghost Train, trick-or-treat stations, and more await guests at this family-friendly, spine-chilling attraction.

Other Haunted Attractions

• Panic Point is located in Youngsville, north of Raleigh. This Haunted Forest has five terrifying attractions, like Killers in the Corn, Dark Trail, and more.
• Lake Hickory Haunts aims to give guests a night like no other. You won’t find the typical haunts at this joint. Instead, experience a one-of-a-kind petrifying attraction and explore terrifying caves, treetop mazes, a circus, a shipwreck, and more.
• Woods of Terror in Greensboro is one of the biggest haunted attractions in the state, with more than fifteen chilling experiences that play on your worst fears, from creepy crawlers to graveyards.

Real Haunted Houses In North Carolina

Are you looking for the real deal?

Maybe paid actors and elaborate decorations aren’t your thing and you’d rather hunt down a real paranormal experience? Try out these spots:

• Creepy Cape Hatteras Light House
• Terrifying Teach’s Hole
• The Great (and Ghoulish) Dismal Swamp
• Lydia’s Bloody Bridge
• Biltmore Eerie Estate
• Devil’s Tramping Ground

Check out our blog, where we dig deeper into and rank the most haunted locations in North Carolina.

Apple Picking

There are quite a few apple orchards throughout the state of North Carolina. The closest one to Raleigh is Millstone Creek Orchards. In addition to apple picking, you’ll find fresh cider and scrumptious baked goods!

No matter where you pick your apples, you’ll want to use them for the best apple crisp recipe, right?

Pumpkin Patches

There are pumpkin patches sprinkled all over North Carolina that are worthy of a fall visit!

One of the most famous is Carrigan Farms, just outside Charlotte in Mooresville. You can enjoy a hayride to the pumpkin patch and a petting zoo there.

College Football

Fall rings in college football, and North Carolinians are serious about their college sports!

If you don’t have a team, pick one and attend a home game. You’ll be an official fan before the game even starts! The energy is contagious, and there’s no shortage of rivalries to raise the stakes.

In addition to college ball, NC has a professional team, the Carolina Panthers, who are also a blast to watch play, and their season lasts into winter.

What is your favorite thing about fall in NC?

Did we hit some of your go-to activities and destinations in North Carolina’s autumn season? If you have any ideas you’d like to add, drop us a comment!