High Country NC Mountains Family Friendly Fall Things to Do

The High Country is the perfect family escape this fall! Here is our list of top family activities:

• DRINK APPLE CIDER
  The first sip of fresh pressed apple cider in the fall is like a cozy fall hug! Perry Lowe Orchards in Moravian Falls (near Wilkesboro) makes fresh apple cider every fall-winter.  Buy cider by the gallon or try an apple cider slushie to refresh after picking your own apples. *Open weekends only *Prefer hard cider? Visit Molly Chomper Hard Cidery in beautiful Lansing (near West Jefferson).  
  
  
• JUMP IN THE LEAVES
  Head over to Price Park Picnic Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 297) for the perfect location to make a leaf pile! Don't forget to bring a rake and a picnic to enjoy. *Tip: head over after 11 so the leaves have time to dry
  
  
• VISIT A CORN MAZE
  What would fall be without getting lost in a corn maze?  New River Corn Maze in Boone features over a mile of confusing trails to navigate. *Tip: New River Farm is also a great location for a picnic lunch by the New River. Ashe County Corn Maze features a fun new pattern every year and the Harvest Farm Corn Maze is located next to Mast General Store in historic Valle Crucis!  The newest maze at Lantern Farm, located off the Blue Ridge Parkway, has an elaborate haunted experience to take you into October's spooky season!
  
  

• PICK A PUMPKIN TO CARVE
  Pumpkin carving is more special when you get to pick your own! Find a pumpkin in the patch at a Corn Maze or visit a local Farmers Market to pick from a wide variety of fresh pumpkins.
  
  
  
• TAKE A SCENIC DRIVE
  One of the best ways to enjoy the colorful leaves besides driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, is by taking a drive down a country backroad. View mapquest routes HERE
  
  
  
• EAT TOO MUCH CANDY
  Enjoy the thrill of going home with a bucket of candy! Head over to the Candy Barrel at Mast General Store in Boone or Mast General Store Annex in Valle Crucis or visit the Kandy Korner at Ashe County Cheese in West Jefferson or Sweet Smiles in Wilkesboro.  At all the locations, you can pick up a basket to fill up from the barrels of old-fashioned candy favorites. 
  
  
  
• WATCH THE HAWK MIGRATION
  The High Country is a popular viewing area for hawk migrations due to the rocky outcroppings and mountain ridgelines that provide optimal wind currents for the hawks to ride as they head south for the winter.  You can view the Hawk Migration from Blue Ridge Parkway’s Mahogany Rock, Milepost 235 or from the Grandfather Mountain attraction. Find details HERE
  
  
  
• ENJOY PUMPKIN PIE ICE CREAM
  Pumpkin pie is great, but pumpkin ice cream is amazing! We know that Kilwins in Blowing Rock, Blue Deer in Boone, Brushy Mountain Creamery in Wilkesboro and Grandfather Mountain in Linville have tasty versions.
  
  
  
• BUY A COZY SWEATER
  Celebrate the start of the cooler months with a bright new sweater.  Crossnore Weavers provides heirloom quality woven garments and is a great daytrip. Shoppes on the Parkway is a shoppers paradise that is sure to have a sweater you will like. Mast General Store in downtown Boone always have a colorful selection too!
  
  
  
• TAKE A SCENIC LIFT RIDE
  What is the ultimate lazy way to get sky high leaf views?  Ski lifts! Head up to Beech Mountain Resort or Sugar Mountain Resort for a scenic lift ride.  *open select days only
  
  
  
• TOUR THE SCARECROW CONTEST
  Take a stroll through downtown West Jefferson and view the downtown business association scarecrow contest. The scarecrows will be up September 15- October 31.
  
  
  
• GO APPLE PICKING
  The Orchard at Altapass on the Blue Ridge Parkway provides a heirloom apple picking experience not to be missed! Bring your family and pets to explore over six miles of trails through the orchard and pick a bag to take home. *Open Thursday- Sunday.  Perry Lowe Orchard in Wilkesboro will take your family on a hayride to the apple trees where you can pick you own. Don't forget to grab an apple cider slushie and try the apple cannon while you are there!
  
  
  
• ZIPLINE THROUGH THE TREES
  Last but not least- the ultimate way to see the colorful fall leaves if from inside the tree canopy! The High Country has three ziplines to choose from, all with unique features.  View our zipline comparison HERE
  
  
  
• ATTEND A FALL FESTIVAL
  The High Country is known for our fall festivals! From one of the largest one-day arts & crafts festivals in the South, to the North Carolina Woolly Worm festival- you can find a festival that will give you memories for a lifetime.  View our High Country Fall Festival Guide HERE

For more fall fun, join the Fall Lovers League of the High Country Facebook group HERE!