Several hotels in Western North Carolina have been recognized by Southern Living magazine as the best in the South for spotting fall foliage.
Southern Living, established in 1966, aims to "celebrate the food, homes and places that define our region." This isn't the first time WNC has caught its attention . Asheville's autumnal beauty alone has been praised multiple times by Southern Living writers, along with cities like Black Mountain and Brevard .
Out of Southern Living's list of 12 , five hotels were located in N.C. This includes the No. 1 choice on its list. Here are the hotels Southern Living said were the best for leaf peepers this fall season.
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No. 1: The Swag, Waynesville
On the top of the list, Southern Living highly suggested viewing the huge variety of tree species present in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a stay at The Swag .
In fact, Steven Reinhold, expert-in-residence at The Swag, told Southern Living that the park has more species of trees than all of Europe combined. Needless to say, this makes the area a perfect place to view the vibrant changing colors of a WNC autumn.
“Our maple trees turn first and range from fiery red to bright yellow to neon orange. Sourwood trees, famous for their tasty honey, turn a velvety red with hints of purple, and the contrasting remnants of their late-summer flowers appear like golden tassels covering the tree," Reinhold said. "Poplar, ash, and buckeye trees turn golden yellow and pop against the deep red and burnt orange leaves of our mighty oak trees."
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No. 5: The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville
This may not come as a surprise to Asheville residents, but The Inn on Biltmore Estate made it into Southern Living's fall foliage ranks. Ground-level mums and asters, orange shrub viburnums, burgundy sourwoods and dogwood trees with bright red berries are just a few of the carefully selected and curated plants on the Biltmore's fall roster.
“Colors from the tallest trees include orange-red leaves on maples and shiny dark red on large black gum trees," said Senior Director of Horticulture Parker Andes to Southern Living. "Oaks of all sorts finish off the color with dark reds and tan through early November.”
Additionally, writers suggested starting or ending a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway with a stay at the Biltmore.
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No. 6: High Hampton, Cashiers
Black locust trees, maples, beech and oak provide some of the vibrant color to High Hampton and Cashiers itself. There are many ways to enjoy the foliage in the area, from Champion Trees at the hotel's golf course to hiking the nearby White Side Mountain for a view of the canyon of Cashiers.
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No. 11: The Greystone Inn, Lake Toxaway
Lake Toxaway is the largest private lake in N.C., and with the reflections from waterfront views at The Greystone Inn , fall visitors can see twice the brilliant color of the area's foliage.
The inn, situated beside the lake, features lakeside perches to take in these views. Staff also suggested to Southern Living that visitors travel a few miles to take in Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, adding the rainbows created by the waterfall's mist catching the light to the tableau of natural color.
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No. 12: Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robbinsville
Rounding out the list of WNC hotels is Snowbird Mountain Lodge . Established in the 1940s, the hotel has decades of history behind it. Complete with a sunrise observation deck, the hotel's director of outdoor experiences told Southern Living that the fall views guests will take in look "like a perfectly painted picture."
Southern Living writers also suggested scheduling a trip around Weekend Wanderlust events, a series of weekends in the area spaced out through the year offering programming and events for themes like Southern Traditions, Wellness and Water.
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Best Southern hotels for spotting fall foliage
Southern Living's full list included:
- The Swag, Waynesville.
- Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards, Bristol, Virginia.
- Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
- Primland Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection, Meadows of Dan, Virginia.
- The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville.
- High Hampton, Cashiers.
- Barnsley Resort, Adairsville, Georgia.
- The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Virginia.
- Southall Farm and Inn, Franklin, Tennessee.
- Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant, Lakemont, Georgia.
- The Greystone Inn, Lake Toxaway.
- Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robbinsville.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 5 WNC hotels named among 12 best for fall stays by Southern Living: No. 1 is in Waynesville
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