September 22 marks the Autumnal Equinox and the first official day of fall. Temperatures in western North Carolina begin to drop, and the trees begin their brilliant transformation covering the whole region in a blanket of yellow, orange, and red. It’s a magical time in the mountains and a great time to get out and explore the area. We’ve put together a short list of favorite activities in and around WNC. Plus, most of these activities can be enjoyed whether you are an avid outdoor enthusiast and hiker, or are dealing with personal mobility challenges.
Here are some of our fall faves:
Enjoy a colorful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. With plenty of beautiful vistas and overlooks, the parkway is a great way to enjoy the splendor of fall, even if you don’t want to get out of the car to do it.
Take an afternoon stroll around the 42-acre WNC Nature Center, and see some really adorable animals along the way.
Get your waterfall fix without long arduous hikes. Area photographer Kevin Adams has put together some great suggestions 100 Disabled Access NC Waterfalls.
Scratch your artistic or historical itch with a visit to some of the great museums WNC has to offer, like the Antique Car Museum, the Asheville Pinball Museum, and the Museum of Science.
Go off the beaten path with Land Rover Experience or Asheville Jeep Tours. Experience fall in the mountains with an off-road driving experience.
Catch of the day: Land the big one at some of the area’s best handicap-accessible fishing piers.
Forage for your supper with No Taste Like Home. Learn to identify wild edible plants on these no-strenuous hiking tours.