Best Fall Activities in the NC High Country: Things to Do This Autumn
October 13, 2026
October 13, 2026
Fall in the NC High Country brings cooler temperatures, vibrant mountain foliage, and plenty of ways to enjoy the season. From apple picking and corn mazes to scenic chairlift rides, ziplining, and fall festivals, Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains offer activities for all ages.
Explore our guide to fall activities, seasonal events, and local dining spots to add to your itinerary.
The NC High Country has plenty of local fall festivals to enjoy, including two of the biggest happening this weekend, October 17–18. Both offer a great way to experience local traditions, food, crafts, and entertainment this fall.
The Valle Country Fair is an annual fall event that supports local small businesses and helps provide assistance to neighbors in need. Visitors can browse handmade arts and crafts from local artisans, enjoy live music, and experience Appalachian entertainment, including bluegrass, gospel, clogging, and storytelling. Food options include apple butter, barbecue, Brunswick stew, chili, and apple cider. Admission to the fair is free. Located at Valle Country Fairgrounds, Across from Holy Cross Church 122 Skiles Way, Banner Elk.
The Woolly Worm Festival takes place October 17–18, 2026, in Banner Elk, North Carolina. The event features woolly worm races, craft and food vendors, live entertainment, and children’s activities. Races begin around 10 AM., with heats featuring 25 worms. The Saturday winner receives a $1,000 prize and the honor of predicting the High Country’s winter weather, while Sunday’s winner takes home a $500 prize.
The Historic Orchard at Altapass is a preservation orchard in the Blue Ridge Mountains, home to heirloom apple trees, some nearly 100 years old. Visitors can pick apples in season, walk through the fields, browse the general store, enjoy live music, or learn about the orchard’s history. The orchard also offers picnic areas with mountain views and activities for all ages.
Perry Lowe Orchards is a sixth-generation, 100-acre family orchard growing more than 30 varieties of apples, along with peaches, pears, and pumpkins. Visitors can enjoy U-Pick apples on weekends in October or shop at the Apple House Store for fresh fruit, seasonal produce, and locally made products. The farm also produces apple cider, sparkling cider, and hard cider using its own apples. Seasonal treats include apple cider donuts, fried apple pies, apple fritters, and the popular Pink Lady Apple Cider Slushie.
Photo from Perry Lowe Orchard
Molly Chomper Hard Cidery produces hard ciders and fruit wines using whole fruit, local ingredients, and low-intervention winemaking techniques. Its selection includes dry ciders, semi-dry to semi-sweet options, single-orchard ciders featuring fruit from High Country orchards, and Stonefly Ciders made exclusively from Ashe County-grown apples. Visitors can enjoy cider, a curated selection of wines, and snacks on-site. Outside food is welcome, pets are allowed, and bottled cider and wine are available to take home. Located at 165 Piney Creek Road, Lansing.
- By Car
One of the most beloved ways to take in the color is a scenic drive. Given the different elevations, leaf color peaks across an entire month. Many visitors love a drive along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Here is a guide along the Mileposts in the High Country: Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway
Or, take a drive along the backroads. Explore the Top Fall Scenic Backroad Drives here. These slower-paced drives feature stunning views, light traffic, and country stores.
- Ride the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
Located at 3265 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster offers a ride through the forest on a 3,160-foot track. During fall, riders can enjoy views of the changing autumn foliage, with red, orange, and yellow leaves along the route. The property also features seasonal Halloween and fall decorations, along with a gift shop and coffee area for visitors to explore before or after their ride.
Photo from Visit Banner Elk
- Take a Hike
See beautiful Fall colors on North Carolina hiking trails like Rough Ridge Trail, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, Moses Cone Memorial Park, Elk Knob, and Hawksbill Mountain.
We’ve created a guide to some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina, read it here: Explore Hiking in the NC High Country: Trails & Views
Photo from Romantic Asheville
- Zipline Through The Trees
The ultimate way to see the colorful fall leaves is from inside the tree canopy! The NC High Country has three ziplines to choose from, all with unique features.
Hawksnest Zipline | Seven Devils
Hawksnest offers several zipline tours for visitors looking for an outdoor adventure in the High Country. The Hawk Tour features 11 cables spanning 1.5 miles, with heights of over 150 feet. The Eagle Tour includes nearly three miles of cable riding, with two cables stretching over 2,000 feet. For a full-day experience, the Do It All Tour combines both tours, featuring 20 cables, four mega zips, and three swinging bridges. Located at 2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils.
High Gravity Adventures | Blowing Rock
High Gravity Adventures offers outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups. Visitors can choose from zipline tours, aerial adventure parks, and a three-person giant swing. The park welcomes participants ages 4 to 94 and provides trained staff to guide guests through the activities, with a focus on safety and proper instruction. It also accommodates group outings and field trips. Located at 215 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock.
Sky Valley Zip Tours | Blowing Rock
Sky Valley Zip Tours offers guided zipline experiences through the Appalachian Mountains. The Zipline Canopy Tour features 10 ziplines, including Big Momma, a 1,600-foot-long zipline reaching 300 feet high, a 120-foot swinging bridge, and a 45-foot vertical descent. The tour is designed for ages 10 and up, with weight requirements of 70 to 250 pounds. Visitors can also book the Night Flight tour, which covers the first half of the canopy course and ends with a 45-foot cliff jump. Both tours offer views of the surrounding forest, waterfalls, creeks, and mountains. Located at 634 Sky Ranch Rd, Blowing Rock.
Photo from Sky Valley Zip Tours
Grandfather Mountain offers guided Fall Color Rambles during the autumn season, giving visitors a chance to explore the mountain’s fall foliage with members of its naturalist staff. These guided walks introduce guests to native plants and hardwood trees while explaining the science behind seasonal color changes and basic tree identification. The walks typically take place during the first week of October and may continue longer depending on foliage and weather conditions. Tours are offered daily at 1 PM. and are included with park admission.
Photo from Grandfather Mountain
Located in downtown Boone, North Carolina, Betty’s Biscuits is a breakfast and lunch spot that serves made-from-scratch dishes using ingredients sourced from local businesses and suppliers. It’s a convenient stop for visitors looking for breakfast or lunch while exploring the town and nearby fall attractions.
Daniel Boone Inn is a historic restaurant in Boone, North Carolina, known for its all-you-can-eat, family-style Southern comfort food. Each meal includes three meats, five vegetables, biscuits, preserves, dessert, and a beverage. Meals begin with a salad during summer and homemade soup during winter, featuring hearty soups and stews as the weather cools. The restaurant serves home-cooked dishes inspired by traditional Southern meals.
Feral BBQ is a locally owned smokehouse at 8304 Valley Blvd., Blowing Rock,, serving barbecue and comfort sides rooted in Southern tradition.
Gamekeeper Restaurant serves Southern-inspired comfort food with a focus on seasonal ingredients and game meats. The menu features dishes made with emu, bison, venison, elk, trout, and duck, along with locally sourced vegetables. Guests can also choose from an extensive wine list and a selection of specialty cocktails. Located at 3005 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone.
Holloway Corner Kitchen offers breakfast, lunch, catering, and weekend fish and pizza nights. Enjoy tasty southern & southwestern favorites! Located at 8937 Highway 105 S., Boone.
Located inside Rhodes Motor Lodge, this restaurant serves creative Southern Appalachian comfort food using fresh regional ingredients.
Located in the heart of the village, Six Pence Pub serves a mix of traditional American and British comfort food. The menu includes appetizers and meals for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. Guests can also choose from a selection of craft and seasonal beers on tap, making it a casual dining option while exploring the High Country.
The Pasta Joint serves handmade pasta prepared fresh daily using fresh ingredients. The restaurant also offers handcrafted cocktails and other drinks, with a focus on quality food and friendly service. Located at 142 Burrell St., Boone.
Ashe County Corn Maze offers a family-friendly fall activity featuring a four-acre corn maze that takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Admission includes access to activities such as a pumpkin cannon, mini maze, basketball, soccer, face painting, pumpkin bowling, tractor hayrides, a corn pit, and inflatables. Visitors can also purchase concessions, merchandise, and pumpkins for decoration or carving. The maze allows guests to explore at their own pace while enjoying the surrounding Ashe County scenery.
C & J Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze offers seasonal activities for families and groups, including a corn maze, hayrides, jump castles, cornhole, outdoor games, and photo opportunities. Visitors can also purchase pumpkins, mums, food, drinks, candy, and snacks. A separate haunted maze is available on Friday and Saturday nights in October. General admission is $12, while the haunted maze costs an additional $10. Children ages 3 and under enter for free, and discounted admission is available for school, church, and other groups of 20 or more. Located at 3490 NC Highway 194 North, Boone.
Photo from C & J Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Harvest Farm Corn Maze offers a variety of fall activities for families, including a seven-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and a U-Pick flower field. Visitors who complete the maze map can receive a free pumpkin per group while supplies last. The farm also offers kid-friendly Woolly Wagon rides and hayrides that pass through the apple orchard, corn maze, sunflower field, and pumpkin patch. Guests can bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages for a picnic, and pets are welcome on the farm. Located at 3287 NC 194, Valle Crucis. Just passed Mast General Store.
Lantern Farm hosts a fall event from mid-September through late October. Visitors can explore the five-acre corn maze, walk through the pumpkin patch, and browse pre-picked pumpkins and specialty Halloween products available at the farm. Refreshments are offered near the parking area, and tractor hayrides are available on select dates in October. Visitors should park in the designated Lantern Farm parking area, as required by the Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Easement. Pumpkins purchased in the patch can be collected and loaded into vehicles at the designated area. Located at 221 Doe Meadows Drive, West Jefferson.
Grandfather Mountain invites visitors to observe the annual fall migration of raptors alongside the mountain’s naturalists. Guests can watch for birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, owls, and vultures, from two viewing locations: Linville Peak, across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, and Half Moon Overlook, near the park entrance. The mountain’s location along the eastern escarpment of the Appalachian Mountains provides favorable conditions for observing migrating birds. Hawk Watch is included with park admission.
Mahogany Rock Overlook offers views of Buck Mountain, Doughton Mountain, Cheek Mountain, and the surrounding Blue Ridge landscape. During fall, visitors can observe migrating birds of prey as they use the mountain air currents to travel south. Local birders track and count hawks from August through early November, with species such as Ospreys, American Kestrels, and Red-tailed Hawks among those that may be spotted. A picnic table and trash can are available just below the parking area for public use.
Enjoy the season, explore somewhere new, and experience what makes the NC High Country a special place to visit and live. If buying or selling a home is on your plans, we'd love to help you take the next step.
Fall in the High Country
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