If you haven’t already done so, it’s high time to break out the cozy sweaters for fall in the North Carolina mountains. Armed with scarves, fuzzy socks, beanies, and boots, get ready to take on the best of fall during your stay at Rumbling Bald. Western NC is the perfect place to transform your fall season from ordinary to outstanding and maybe check off a few things on your autumn bucket list.

Here are the top 10 things that made our list:

Conquer a Corn Maze

Some good old-fashioned farm fun is always welcome during the autumn months. Farmers bring their fields to life with these tricky paths – perfect for the entire family to enjoy. Exercise your body and your mind by exploring one of these mazes during your stay. Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville offers a five-acre corn maze seven days a week along with other farm fun activities and treats to offer. Reserve your tickets in advance for Eliada Corn Maze in Asheville – this weekend only corn maze offers safe family fun with their corn maze, tractor rides, slides, and fall experiences. And if you’re willing to drive a bit further, Shelby Corn Maze is a constant attraction for the North Carolina fall with a corn maze that transforms from daytime fun to a haunted exploration on Friday and Saturday evenings in Shelby.

Take a Leaf Tour

Nothing beats the mountains and foothills of Western NC in the fall months. The rich kaleidoscope of leaf colors transform the mountainside of Rumbling Bald and beyond. There’s no better view of the leaves on Lake Lure than on a Rumbling Bald fall scenic lake tour. With fall colors, mountain views, and lake scenery, there’s nothing better for a fall adventure. As October continues on, peak leaf week continues to hit at various locations. Take a tour of the NC fall leaves during your stay. Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway and get lost in both the peaks and the leaves.

Make some Fall Foods

Fall brings forth changes in color, temperature, style, and time – but it also includes some fabulous recipes and dishes to try. Maybe you dabble in the pumpkin spice craze or crave the apple season. Create your favorite fall dish from the comforts of your Lake Lure Vacation Rental at Rumbling Bald. Being at a home away from home allows you and the whole family to cram in the kitchen to make some pumpkin bread, chili, and hot apple cider.

Explore Biltmore

Take a self-guided tour through the iconic Vanderbilt estate to not only see the magnificent house but also the majestic fall gardens and property. Fall is infused throughout the acres of landscaped gardens not to mention the pure fall landscape of Asheville surrounding Biltmore. Complete with shops, restaurants, wine, and more, this is the perfect seasonal stop. There is so much history and adventure to discover at this beautiful location – just a hop and a skip from your Rumbling Bald hub.

Taste Local Creations

The fall season is the perfect time to explore the outdoors and the atmosphere of a local watering hole. The Lake Lure area is home to a range of local breweries, vineyards, and distilleries that those of age will love to experience. Each location is packed with authenticity and special signatures that will only be found here. Visit a microbrewery or colossal NC giant brewery to grab some hops for the day. Sit and relax on the rolling hills with a glass or two from a local vineyard such as Mountain Brook. Either for an evening date night away or a day tour – these local spots will delight your tastebuds. 

Hike a Peak

Immerse yourself even more in the fall colors by hiking a trail or two during your stay. There is no better way to get to know the mountainside or experience all that fall has to offer. Lake Lure alone boasts many overlooks and trails to explore for both the novice and experienced hikers. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer nothing short of spectacular views and gorgeous mountain scenery. Bring your pup and the fam to hit the trails this season.

Peruse a Pumpkin Patch

The task of picking the perfect pumpkin is a tradition made for every family. Whether you are displaying a variety of choices throughout your home or just selecting the biggest one to carve for Halloween, the fun lies in the process of picking your own. Sites such as Grandad’s Apples or Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville have you-pick pumpkin patches along with other fall food attractions. Or venture to The Nix Pumpkin Patch in Hendersonville, appropriate named as the home of all things pumpkin for your fall season.

Build the Perfect Smore

Nothing beats the smell of a bonfire with the taste of smores. The perfect sticky sweet dessert for fall – this seasonal favorite is an experience for the senses. Indulge at home with this fall favorite as an activity the whole family can enjoy at the end of a busy day. Utilize our charcoal grills located around Rumbling Bald for your own evening under the stars. Sit outside next to a roaring fire and stare at the stars in the cool fall night – and consume the best dessert fall has to offer.

Take a Hayride

Farm fun would not be complete without a classic hayride. Many of our top pick pumpkin and apple locations around Rumbling Bald are also home to this fun attraction. Experience the farm in a new way and see the full extent of fall harvest in Western North Carolina. Enjoy the unconventional way to get around through this farm favorite activity. Try out the hayride at Stepp’s Farm or Grandad’s Apples to round out your farm day fun.

Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is the fall equivalent of summer blueberries and spring strawberries. The local orchards around Rumbling Bald pull out all the stops for their harvesting season with Hendersonville even hosting an Apple Festival in October. You-pick apple picking is a tradition that all generations will love and help build family memories to last a lifetime. Stepp Farm’s Hillcrest Orchard is tucked away in Hendersonville concealing acres of apples in all shapes and sizes along with hayrides, apple cannons, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and other seasonal delights. Down the road in Hendersonville is the ever-popular Grandad’s Apples – home to farm animals, corn maze runners, bakery seekers, and apple lovers alike. Justus Orchard in Hendersonville is home to a variety of NC apples along with a jumping pillow, cow train, farm animals, and apple cannon. Open seven days a week, these local favorites get pretty busy on the weekends so be sure to hit the orchards early to get in on all the family fun.

Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is considered by many to be the central hub for fun excursions in the Western NC area. With all that you can do at Rumbling Bald, the potential for fun around the area is truly limitless when you start here. With so many exclusive offerings along with beautiful location and views, Rumbling Bald is your destination for the fall season. Come stay with us and unlock Western NC. Choose from a variety of Lake Lure Vacation Rentals that range from a condo for two or a twelve-person mountain home. Not only the central hub for local excursions, Rumbling Bald offers our guests quality dining, two professional golf coursesspa and salonlake activities, private beach access, and much more. Rumbling Bald is the perfect fall destination for seasonal activities and beyond.