Thinking of fall activities to do before the winter season hits? We have some adventurous recommendations for you! Peak week may have passed, but fall is certainly not over. The Appalachian Mountains are known for their captivating beauty during the months of September to November which means you have time to get outside, soak up the crisp air, and take in all the bright-colored leaves!
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather mountain is a nature preserve loca
ted in Linville, North Carolina; approximately 19 miles from Boone, 106 miles from Charlotte, and 70 miles from Asheville. Grandfather Mountain remains a place of amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty at the elevation of 5,946 feet. With that in mind, there are plenty of things to do on their park grounds. Spend the day hiking on their trails, taking in views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, keeping your kiddos busy at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, or spying on the various wildlife habitats. Once you are through with your adventures, stop by Mildred’s Grill for a snack or a souvenir from the Top Shop.
Tweetsie Railroad
Calling all people with children to check out Tweetsie Railroad; a family friendly wild west theme park nestled into the side of a mountain in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The park is a place full of fun for you and your kids! The main attraction is the 3-mile steam train ride with tons of live entertainment. After finishing the the train adventure, hop on amusement rides, play with animals at the Deer Park Zoo, and enjoy all kinds of food and shops. (During the month of Halloween on Fridays and Saturdays, the traditional locomotive transforms into the Ghost Train.)
Fly Fishing Trout Streams
Fly fishing is another way to enjoy the season of fall and in our opinion, the best way! Jesse Brown’s Outdoors offers guided fly-fishing wading trips across the North Carolina Mountains. Meet streamside to go fish, plus, enjoy a day of learning with casting instruction, water readings, entomology, hook set & fish fight, and more from our experienced guide, Dave Bergman. Gear and lunch are included for the day! Stream locations include East Fork of the French Broad, Davidson River, Wilson Creek, Watauga River, Mitchell River, and more. Book a trip now for yourself, for a friend, or both. If you have been fly fishing, you will absolutely enjoy your time and if you have never been fly fishing, this is the perfect opportunity to get started!
The Green Race
If you are a paddler or simply enjoy extreme sports, you must attend the Green Race. It takes place on November 5th, 2022 on the Green River Narrows near Saluda, North Carolina. It is an epic paddling competition on some of the hardest rapids in the world, including the Gorilla, Go Left and Die, Frankenstein, and more! Spectating this event does include an intense hike to the riverside. If you can do the hike, you will be rewarded with fall colors, rushing water, and excitement! Apart from the actual race, there is camping, an awards ceremony, live music, and food.
Thinking about participating in any of these fall activities? Be sure to gear up with Jesse Brown’s Outdoors! We have plenty of hiking boots, packs, jackets, and whatever you need to be comfortable while spending time in the great outdoors!
By Cat Harrell