While fall might signify the end of summer it doesn’t mean that the adventure and carefree nature more acquainted with warmer days and long nights has to go anywhere. Fall is the perfect time to hop in the car in search of new favorite places. From perfect, crisp conditions for hiking, empty beaches, and even apple picking and cider — these ten day trips will make your fall complete.
- Visit a cider mill.
Facebook / Old Cider Mill & Applesolutely Gift Shop What’s more quintessential fall than sipping a cup of hot cider or even enjoying a chilled spiked cider? From craft cideries to ones featuring hayrides around the apple orchard, we’ve compiled a list of six must-visit.
- Speaking of, apple picking is a MUST.
Facebook / Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill There’s nothing like apple-picking in crisp fall air and wandering around North Carolina’s hilly landscape through the orchards. If you haven’t had an experience like this, it’s a must. From U-Pick farms to visiting eclectic orchards chocked full of baked goodies, mountain views, and cider, these 8 will make your fall complete.
- Winston-Salem Quarry Park
Michael Steed Winston’s newest park was also one of the most anticipated. Centered around a gorgeous blue quarry with an overlook dangling you above the water, the park offers stunning natural views and also views of the Winston-Salem skyline. There’s plenty of cycling and walking trails from the connected greenway. Learn more about the Quarry Park in our guide here.
- Hike to a waterfall.
Flickr / QtrFlash Hiking during fall is nothing short of awesome, the weather is perfect and the leaves are changing. For a unique hike that takes you to not just one, but two and even three waterfalls, DuPont State Forest is perfect for a day trip. Follow our trail guide here.
- Carolina Beach State Park
Youtube / Wilmington & Beaches NC While the mountains are certainly gorgeous, the beach is also perfect with minimal crowds and nice temperatures. One amazing place to visit is Carolina Beach State Park. Home to the native Venus Fly Trap, the coastal landscape weaves you in and out through pine forests, marshland, and water views while elevated wooden platforms and trails let you walk amongst it all. Read our full guide on one of the best-kept secrets on the coast here.
- Speaking of beaches…
Flickr / traxus4420 If you’re in the Triangle or eastern areas of the state, a perfect fall day trip is hitting the beach and enjoying some peace and solitude. From watching wild horses roam along the Outer Banks to visiting the southern beaches, these ten are perfect.
- See how its made at a factory tour.
Facebook / Ashe County Cheese From watching (and sampling) how cheese is made at Ashe County Cheese to witnessing the bean-to-bar process at Black Mountain Chocolate, factory tours are a great way to spend a rainy or chilly fall day. From chocolate and gingerbread cookies to cheese and even ice cream, these four give you an inside glimpse and some goodies to try and take home.
- Cruise down the river… or lake.
Catawba Queen While we might associate riverboats with the Cape Fear or the mighty Mississippi, the Catawba Queen that takes passengers on a beautiful journey across Lake Norman. From an upscale dinner cruise to a laid back party cruise, they offer a bit of everything. Read about the Catawba Queen in our guide here.
- Discover the best-kept secrets of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Flickr / Justin Askew Photography From the best overlook to catch a sunset and hiking to abandoned fire towers to exploring the Folk Art Center and discovering hidden waterfalls, these are the 15 best-kept secrets of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Take a hike.
Flickr / Gary Boyd North Carolina is home to miles and miles of hiking trails, even one spanning across the state from the mountains to coast. From brisk, short hikes perfect for the whole family, or one of the most challenging you’ll ever do, we’ve made the decision-making a bit easier for you and compiled five hikes you must do in North Carolina.
I really want to do ALL of these right now! What are some you have done? Any fall day trips you’d like to add to the list?
Facebook / Old Cider Mill & Applesolutely Gift Shop
What’s more quintessential fall than sipping a cup of hot cider or even enjoying a chilled spiked cider? From craft cideries to ones featuring hayrides around the apple orchard, we’ve compiled a list of six must-visit.
Facebook / Apple Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
There’s nothing like apple-picking in crisp fall air and wandering around North Carolina’s hilly landscape through the orchards. If you haven’t had an experience like this, it’s a must. From U-Pick farms to visiting eclectic orchards chocked full of baked goodies, mountain views, and cider, these 8 will make your fall complete.
Michael Steed
Winston’s newest park was also one of the most anticipated. Centered around a gorgeous blue quarry with an overlook dangling you above the water, the park offers stunning natural views and also views of the Winston-Salem skyline. There’s plenty of cycling and walking trails from the connected greenway. Learn more about the Quarry Park in our guide here.
Flickr / QtrFlash
Hiking during fall is nothing short of awesome, the weather is perfect and the leaves are changing. For a unique hike that takes you to not just one, but two and even three waterfalls, DuPont State Forest is perfect for a day trip. Follow our trail guide here.
Youtube / Wilmington & Beaches NC
While the mountains are certainly gorgeous, the beach is also perfect with minimal crowds and nice temperatures. One amazing place to visit is Carolina Beach State Park. Home to the native Venus Fly Trap, the coastal landscape weaves you in and out through pine forests, marshland, and water views while elevated wooden platforms and trails let you walk amongst it all. Read our full guide on one of the best-kept secrets on the coast here.
Flickr / traxus4420
If you’re in the Triangle or eastern areas of the state, a perfect fall day trip is hitting the beach and enjoying some peace and solitude. From watching wild horses roam along the Outer Banks to visiting the southern beaches, these ten are perfect.
Facebook / Ashe County Cheese
From watching (and sampling) how cheese is made at Ashe County Cheese to witnessing the bean-to-bar process at Black Mountain Chocolate, factory tours are a great way to spend a rainy or chilly fall day. From chocolate and gingerbread cookies to cheese and even ice cream, these four give you an inside glimpse and some goodies to try and take home.
Catawba Queen
While we might associate riverboats with the Cape Fear or the mighty Mississippi, the Catawba Queen that takes passengers on a beautiful journey across Lake Norman. From an upscale dinner cruise to a laid back party cruise, they offer a bit of everything. Read about the Catawba Queen in our guide here.
Flickr / Justin Askew Photography
From the best overlook to catch a sunset and hiking to abandoned fire towers to exploring the Folk Art Center and discovering hidden waterfalls, these are the 15 best-kept secrets of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Flickr / Gary Boyd
North Carolina is home to miles and miles of hiking trails, even one spanning across the state from the mountains to coast. From brisk, short hikes perfect for the whole family, or one of the most challenging you’ll ever do, we’ve made the decision-making a bit easier for you and compiled five hikes you must do in North Carolina.
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