Southern Living magazine has a history of fondness towards Western North Carolina and fall color - so it's no real surprise that several WNC areas have made it onto their list of 20 best fall trips in the South.
Established in 1966, Southern Living aims to "celebrate the food, homes and places that define our region." Another list recently reported on by the Citizen Times ranked several WNC hotels as the best in the region for leaf peepers. Now, the magazine is praising forests, byways and towns as seasonal best.
Here's what to know about the four WNC locations Southern Living suggested for fall visits this year.
More: 5 WNC hotels named among 12 best for fall stays by Southern Living: No. 1 is in Waynesville
No. 2: Nantahala National Forest
Southern Living writers called Nantahala "blissfully uncrowded" as an added bonus to its stunning fall foliage. Writers added these suggestions for anyone visiting Nantahala this season:
- Stay at pet-friendly Engadine Inn and Cabins to wake up to beautiful mountain views
- Visit the North Carolina Arboretum
- Grab a meal and enjoy some live entertainment at Southern Porch
More: Southern Living ranks Asheville restaurant on list of best new BBQ joints
No. 8: North Carolina and Virginia's Scenic Byways
Though the article's authors noted that the Blue Ridge Parkway gets particularly busy during the fall due to leaf peepers and fall tourism in general, they suggested taking a side trip off of the parkway's central thoroughfare. An "off-the-beaten-path" adventure was the true suggestion when it came to a fall parkway visit.
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No. 14: Camp in The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains aren't located entirely within NC. However, Southern Living's suggestions were. The article reccommended:
- Stay in Bryson City for best access to beautiful recreational areas
- Hop on and off of the Appalachian Trail to take in the mountain views
- Enjoy the cool weather by spending the night in one of the area's many campgrounds
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No. 18: Asheville
Last but not least, Asheville made it into Southern Living's seasonal suggestions. Asheville's combination of city charm and natural beauty has landed it on many similar lists in the past - and fall foliage is known for making the area's draw exponentially stronger.
The list made general suggestions of visiting boutiques, breweries and national parks, plus hitting hiking or biking trails in the area. A few ideas from the magazine's past reporting included:
- Shopping in the Biltmore Village
- Visit one of Asheville's countless craft breweries including Burial Beer Co., DSSOLVR, Green Man Brewery and many, many more
- Hike or bike one of the many scenic areas on the Mountains-To-Sea Trail
More: Asheville a top autumn destination in North Carolina: See other WNC spots in this report
Best fall trips in the South
Southern Living's full list of 20 "must-take fall trips across the South":
- See the Leaves Change in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Visit North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest.
- Wander in the Mountains Around Hot Springs, Arkansas.
- Enjoy the Unique Palette of South Carolina's Lowcountry.
- See Miles of Mountains in Maryland.
- Walk Across the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia.
- Hop on the Blue Ridge Railway in North Georgia.
- Ramble North Carolina and Virginia's Scenic Byways.
- Drive Along the Pig Trail in Arkansas.
- Hike the Greenbrier River Trail in West Virginia.
- Explore the Town of Cumberland, Maryland.
- Visit the Horses of Lexington, Kentucky.
- Chomp on an Apple in a Virginia Orchard.
- Camp in The Great Smoky Mountains.
- Listen to Tunes in Floyd, Virginia.
- Explore Bernheim Arboretum in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Get Pampered in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
- Explore Asheville, North Carolina.
- See the Lost Maples of Texas.
- Go Waterfall-Watching in Blackwater Falls State Park.
More: 10 prettiest towns in North Carolina: See how many from WNC make the list
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: These 4 Western NC places made Southern Living's Best Fall Trips in the South: See all 20
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