10 Reasons to Fall for Western North Carolina

Blowing Rock – Elizabeth Baxley
Offering a delightful journey, the drive to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, takes you through the hills of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you'll encounter gorgeous views of the mountains and colorful leaves. Upon arriving in this quaint village, its small town charm and hospitality make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. Small shops and galleries line Main Street, and an old church lies at the heart of the town. Visitors enjoy the wide selection of shopping, which includes furniture stores, fashion boutiques, art and antique galleries, and children's shops.

Eat ...
A meal at Crippen's (239 Sunset Dr; 877-295-3487; www.crippens.com), where the creative cooking makes it one of the region's premier dining rooms.
See ...
John's River Gorge, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell from the town's namesake attraction, The Blowing Rock (Hwy 321 S; 828-295-7111; www.theblowingrock.com).
Stay ...
The night in a lovingly furnished room at Blowing Rock Victorian Inn (242 Ransom St; 828-295-0034; www.blowingrockvictorianinn.com).

Boone – Kim Goodin
When I was in college in Greensboro, we'd sometimes drive up to Boone for the weekend to hike, play in the snow, and cheer on the Mountaineers. My affection for Boone never waned. In the fall, the little mountain town is surrounded by red and gold; in the spring and summer, brilliant green; in the winter, pristine white. Mild weather brings outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and visiting the farmers market. Come late November or early December, go skiing, snowboarding, or tubing at four area resorts, or cut your own Christmas tree.

Stay ...
At romantic Lovill House Inn, built in 1875 (404 Old Bristol Rd; 800-849-9466; www.lovillhouseinn.com).
Eat ...
Country ham biscuits at Dan'l Boone Inn (130 Hardin St; 828-264-8657; www.danlbooneinn.com).
Bring ...
Cash to buy beets and flowers at the Watauga County Farmers' Market, open through October (591 Horn in the West Dr; www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org).

Brevard – Joseph K. Hall
On the fringe of bucolic Pisgah National Forest sits Brevard, tops on my list of favorite Western North Carolina towns. This is especially true come autumn, when the cool Blue Ridge air seems tailor-made for a light sweater, coffee-to-go, and shopping the galleries and shops along Main Street. My wife and I have fond memories of just such an afternoon three years ago, when we began our engagement weekend by discovering the small town charm of places like OP Taylor's toy store (828-883-2309; www.optaylors.com) and Red Wolf Gallery (828-862-8620; www.redwolfgallerync.com), and then followed it up with a lunch of shrimp and grits at Docks (828-883-4447; www.docksrestaurantofbrevard.com).

Catch ...
A concert at the acclaimed Brevard Music Center (828-862-2105; www.brevardmusic.org) or at Brevard College's Porter Center (828-884-8300; www.brevard.edu).
Stay ...
At Red House Inn (266 W Probart St; 828 884-9349; www.brevardbedandbreakfast.com), a beautiful 1851 redbrick inn that serves a full English breakfast.
Stop ...
By Brown Bean Coffee Roaster (57 W Main St; 828-883-2233; www.thebrownbean.com) for a pound of Malawi Mzuzu beans and a cool burlap sack.