National travel magazine names Asheville one of best places to visit in October

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — It’s no secret that the mountains of North Carolina are a great place to visit in autumn. This year, a national travel magazine has named it one of the best places in the world to visit in October .

CN Traveler recently released its list of a dozen locations they recommend to visit during the month of Halloween, which includes far-flung places like Germany’s Bavarian Alps and Cape Town, South Africa.

Among the five places in the United States on the list is Asheville, the eclectic heart of western North Carolina that busts into color as the weather gets colder.

“Don’t discount the South when it comes to fall foliage, especially the Blue Ridge Parkway and Carolina mountains,” the magazine reads. “Make Asheville your home base for exploring the parkway in both directions: to the south, drive to Pisgah National Forest, filled with waterfalls and fall foliage-covered hills on view from Looking Glass Rock, and to the north, the curving Linn Cove Viaduct hugs Grandfather Mountain, offering some of the parkway’s most iconic views.”

Asheville’s reputation as a gastronomic and cultural hub is also a draw, CN Traveler noted, name-dropping a few of the city’s drinking, dining and lodging establishments.

“Get a dose of the funky lifestyle in downtown Asheville: Sample the African-meets-Appalachian food at Benne on Eagle, browse fem theory and queer lit at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe, and drink a Strawberry Milkshake IPA at Highland Brewing Company,” the publication reads. “Stay at Asheville’s best boutique property, The Foundry Hotel, for comfortable rooms with expose brick walls, a chic lobby bar, and a restaurant serving up modern spins on comfort food.”

While autumn is shoulder season for many tourist destinations, places known for fall foliage can often get busy. Travelers are encouraged to make plans and book reservations as early as possible.

Asheville is about a four-hour drive from Raleigh on Interstate 40 and about four-and-a-half hours away from Fayetteville.

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