This post has been updated as of October 2020!
This year we had the pleasure of making our annual trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains with two our close couple friends to enjoy the Fall Foliage. I put together an itinerary for the trip that I believe is pretty much perfect for enjoying the Fall weather… enjoy :)
I highly recommend keeping track of the Fall Foliage report as October gets near and then planning to make a trip for when peak leaves are showing up!
WHERE WE STAYED
Luckily, our in-laws happen to live in Boone, NC and so we stay with them during our trips to the mountains.
If we had to stay at a hotel, these are the places we would definitely look into:
- Hampton Inn & Suites 1252 US Highway 421 South, Boone, NC 28607 is a fairly new hotel, you’ll find a complimentary breakfast here, pet-friendly rooms, and a new building which is always nice!
- The Horton Hotel 611 W King St, Boone, NC 28607– A boutique hotel in downtown Boone with a rooftop bar. Easy access to shopping and chic vibes all around!
- Chetola Resort Lodge 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 – stay here if you are looking for a cozy and relaxing stay. There’s a spa and restaurant on the property as well.
WHAT WE DID
Trip to the Pumpkin Patch – Harvest Farm
I highly recommend this pumpkin patch in Valle Crucis, NC. It’s a 30-minute drive from Boone but you will experience some spectacular views with the mountains as a back-drop. They have pumpkins out front as well as a real pumpkin patch that you can walk through and pick your own pumpkin if you’d like! There is a 7-acre corn maze as well as a hayride that you can participate in.
Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Hike Rough Ridge
Rough Ridge is one of the easier hikes that you can do in Boone, NC to get a spectacular view! Make sure to wear proper shoes, you’ll want to as you’ll be navigating some rocks up and downhill. You’ll also want to bundle up as it gets a bit windy up there!
During peak leaf season, Rough Ridge is one of the most popular spots to check out. I would suggest avoiding the crowd by going on a weekday or early in the morning (before 10 AM!)
Other Places to Visit and Catch the Leaves!
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: Go visit the beautiful white house and walk the trails for a beautiful setting. You can catch the sunset here and it will be truly amazing.
Elk Knob State Park: This is a personal favorite of mine and offers a pretty easy / medium hike to a higher elevation. You’re sure to see some pretty leaves along the way.
Price Lake: Another great place to get a great view of the leaves at their peak.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway: You’ll pass plenty of overlooks if you plan to make the trek to Rough Ridge. Make sure to stop by these overlooks and take advantage of the view offered from all of these different points. They truly are magnificent!
Watch Hocus Pocus
Sadly, I fell asleep when Hocus Pocus came on but apparently, this is like THE classic Halloween movie. I still haven’t watched it… maybe next year :)
WHERE TO EAT
Come Back Shack – you are guaranteed to get an amazing burger here. There are so many different combinations to get you the perfect burger that you want. A perfect lunch spot!
The Pedalin’ Pig – located in the stunning Banner Elk, NC this is the BEST barbecue. So good in fact that we had it catered for our wedding. You won’t regret grabbing a meal here :)
GameKeeper – If you are celebrating a special occasion or want a fancy dinner out, I cannot recommend this spot enough. Joe and I still to this day rave about the blue berry cobbler with toasted pine nuts that we got there a few years ago. Beware, if you are going to have a cocktail during dinner you may want a ride from the restaurant. The drive there is a bit tricky!
Proper – this is also another fabulous spot to get an amazing brunch or for a date night! Homestyle Southern Cooking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it doesn’t get better than that!
Stick Boy Bread Co – We love to come here for a coffee on a Saturday morning and to grab some scrumptious bread to enjoy back home. Their bread is baked fresh daily and I always grab a loaf whenever we leave Boone, NC. It’s the BEST bread that you’ll have. Their sourdough bread is amazing.
Black Cat Burrito – I always love me a good burrito and Black CAT WILL MAKE YOU ONE.
There are plenty of other restaurants that you may love in Boone, NC but these are our personal favorites. And you know how much we love food, so take it with a grain of salt but also trust me, these recommendations are the bomb dot com.
