Viewing the fall foliage is a great activity for people who want to spend time outside before the winter cold hits. If looking at the leaves is something you enjoy, consider doing two things: 1) visiting a CEENTA eye doctor to make sure your vision is clear, and 2) checking out one of the eight places listed below. Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain, in Linville, is ideal for leaf-peeping in early October, since the leaves will change soonest at this high elevation. You can drive or hike through the park there, going at your own speed to take in the beautiful sights. Great Smoky Mountains National Park On the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a multitude of places to see leaves. You could drive up to Newfound Gap, visit Cades Cove, or stop at any number of scenic points and take in the view. Blue Ridge Parkway Driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to see the Blue Ridge Mountains’ fall foliage. As you travel along the parkway, you’ll be able to see a variety of different trees and their leaves. The Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are ideal for mid-October, since their leaves start to change sooner than in places at lower elevations. Biltmore Estate The grounds of North Carolina’s most famous mansion, located in Asheville, are home to a number of trees that explode into gorgeous colors come late October. The views from the grounds offer the sight of even more beautiful trees in the surrounding land. Crowder’s Mountain If you don’t want to venture far out of Charlotte, Crowder’s Mountain is the place to go. You can hike or ride a bike, and from the top of the mountain you can see the foliage all the way back to the city. Remember, the leaves below the mountain won’t change until later in the season, since they’re at a lower elevation than the mountain. Uwharrie National Forest You can’t go looking for leaves and not stop in a forest, and Uwharrie National Forest is only an hour east of Charlotte. With many scenic trails throughout the forest, you’ll be spoiled with opportunities to see the colorful leaves. Kings Mountain State Park Because South Carolina is a bit warmer than North Carolina, the leaves won’t change until closer to November. However, there are still a number of opportunities to see the leaves change. Sitting near the state border in Blacksburg, SC, Kings Mountain State Park has miles of trails that are ideal for those who want to view the leaves while hiking or riding a horse. Table Rock State Park Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC, is a great place to walk around and see the beautiful leaves. The park even offers a guided foliage walk in late October. Fall can be a beautiful time of year, and we want you to be able to see it as best you can. Before you head out to see the leaves, make sure you schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at CEENTA. To schedule an appointment, call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
