The temps are starting to fall...ahhhh... cooler temps means beautiful fall foliage is in the near future and Mr.CC and I are getting the itch to hit the road and view some beautiful sites, but I need some need help from you guys. Since we have never planned a vacation around fall foliage, we are a little lost on when and where we should go searching for some awesome sites. We live here on the Alabama gulf coast and were thinking about some of the following states to visit...Tennessee...North Carolina...Kentucky and Georgia. We are looking to view some back roads and small towns and hope to do a ton of antiquing. The dates that we can go are 10/16 or 10/30 and we plan on being gone for a week...so which time is the peak time in these areas? Since we have never done this, we are clueless in this area and need some good advice, so any help would greatly appreciated. Also if you know of any antique shows going on during this time, I would love to hear about them...I'm so wanting to go to one.
Thanks guys...I knew I could count on you,
Linda
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31 comments:
Tennessee is tons of fun! We love Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Not many antique places though. But there is a few good ones. There is 3 flea markets but I find them not great.
Oh, Ashville, NC is only a 1-1/2 hour drive from from Gatlinburg. There is lots of antiques places there. Also, the Biltmore Estate, too! Right next to Ashville is Flecther, NC. They have a really good flea market called Smileys.
I live in the Mountains of North Carolina---No better place to see fall foliage than here!! recommend The Blue Ridge Parkway!! Just google boone-linville NC fall photos--they will simply take your breath away--
XOXO Andrea
I'm no help but hoping on my trip to MD in mid October to see Fall foliage. I grew up there but can't remember if things will be in full swing by then. Enjoy the trip you plan!
I am not familiar with those areas but I hope you have a great time. I love going on color tours!
xo
If you are going to be be in the Tenn. area, go to Gatlinburg chamber of commerce website and they keep up with the changing of leaves, and will tell you when peak is. You should be there at a great time. We were there the 15th-18th and you could already see a slight change. We love hitting the back roads with no plans and just stopping when we see a junk or antique place. You would be surprised at how many you will come upon on the back country roads. I love the old barns that are filled with junk and antiques, and I would be doing you much more harm than good if I attempted to give you any directions! Ya'll will have a great time and it should be absolutely beautiful at this time!
Hi Linda, My favorite is Highlands and Cashier, NC. Highlands is a beautiful small town high in the mountains with many gorgeous waterfalls. If you make it all the way to Virginia I would love to have you stay a few days with us.
Hugs,
Sherry
A few years back the hubby and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway, no agenda, stopped where we wanted, all the way to Natural Bridge! Great places along the way, antiquing, junkin', eatin', color!! Agree that Ashville is fantastic!!
That sounds like so much fun. No destination ideas from me, but hope you have a ball and of course, take a zillion photos!
Sounds fabulous! I'm enjoying reading the comments since I'm not too familiar with the areas mentioned.
Ditto on the Blue Ridge Parkway. . .and if you happen to go to Bland, Virginia (on Interstate 77) there is a great junk shop (with a lot more than junk) called the Old Post Mercantile right down in the town.
I agree on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are so many place in NC the leaves are just gorgeous! Boone usually has beautiful leaves too!
I'm no help either but hope you have a lovely time enjoying the Autumn hues.
Hugs,
Marie
We hope to go to Cades Cove outside of Gatlinburg soon! Have fun!
We stay between Gatlinburg and Pigeonforge at a authentic old log cabin (the area is called Timberidge) and the rental company is Mountain Cabin Rentals. We like the old log cabins that have the beautiful old logs but have been modified for modern life. October, anywhere in the mountains, gets booked up fast so you better hurry and make reservations. As Donna said above Cades Cove is a must see, it's a drive through eleven mile national park and could not be any prettier. Many pro photographers can be seen there taking pics of the cabins, churches, and wild life. You could get so many great old cabin and church shots in this park. Have fun!
We're fortunate (or unfortunate) that we have lovely foliage here in the Midwest in IL and WI and MI. The trade off is we have the worst winters on the planet!! I'd sure rather live where you do! Enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures!
Hi there! Kentucky is marvelous during mid-October. Lots of bright orange Sugar Maples! You really should check out the huge flea market and festival in Mt. Sterling, KY which will be going on around the time you travel. Mt. Sterling is about an hr. outside of Lexington, KY. The "Court Days" festival is over 100 years old. LOVE MY KENTUCKY! Here is a link. If you are seriously interested visit me at my blog and I'll give you better directions. The "good stuff" is actually outside of the city limits in a huge corn field about fiv miles away. http://www.mtsterlingtourism.com/court-day.html
Amber@junkaholicsunanimous
Asheville NC!! I live here and love it! We have the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mt Mitchel, Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and so much more. Tons of antique stores here too! Email me if you want some links!
Hugs,
Penny
Don't make a decision until you've Googled Door County Fall Facts. Door County is in Wisconsin. I haven't been there personally, but have always heard it has lots of specialty/antiques shops and spectacular views/fall foilage. For first hand info you may want to visit Sarah Sawyers Blog at http://eggharborlodge.com/news
Linda, that is the perfect time to be here in Western NC!! We have Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore House, Cherokee, and Gatlinburg TN is just 60 miles from here. Definitely WNC/ East TN is where you need to go!!
Ditto on all of the Tennessee/North Carolina locations. All of my childhood vacations were spent in downtown Gatlinburg (before it became so congested - still love it there) but for the last few years we have been staying in cabins near Pigeon Forge. We spent Thanksgiving in a cabin a few years ago and it was so much fun.
If you leave from an AU game you could spend one night at Mt Cheaha - it's pretty too, but nothing to do for more than a day unless you are avid hikers.
My sister says there are some wonderful apple festivals all over north GA and NC...She has a home in Big Canoe...near Dawsonville and Jasper. Check these areas out... Only about 2 1/2 hrs from Auburn.
I'm no help - I'm in the wrong hemisphere!! It sounds like fun and I can't wait to see your photos - I'm sure you will have a wonderful time :)
Linda, it is always hard to figure out when peak is in North Georgia. You can google it on line to see what their guess is for peak everywhere. I highly recommend the Blue Ridge Pkwy. in North Carolina. It will probably be peak in three weeks or so. There was very little change last weekend. We may go back in three weeks. If you want to visit a cute town in North Carolina, but a little pricey is Highlands. It is very close to the Ga. line. Cute bed and breakfasts and shops there.
We drove through West Virgina a few years ago to go to a wedding and I have always wanted to go back at peak. From the highway we were on was rolling hills and it has to be gorgeous in the fall. Hopefully some day we will rent a camper and go.
Another vote for Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway! How fun, I know you will have a great trip!
Kat :)
Well, I was going to say Highlands/Cashiers but Sherry beat me to it. She's right, it is the best. If you want to splurge, try Old Edwards Inn if available. Lots of cute shopping around it. If I remember right, Biltmore actually starts putting out Christmas end of October so you might get a peek if you go Oct 30 week (go on a weekday 'cause weekends are crazy crowded. There is a website for NC leaf schedules but I'm not sure of the address. Have fun! I'm so jealous!
Linda, Kentucky is so beautiful around that time of year. You could head up to the Lexington area and visit Shaker Village. Sigh, just heavenly! The colors will be beautiful and you can still take a small riverboat ride through that time from Shaker Village...it's an hour ride but just gorgeous! Also you would get to see some of the most beautiful horse estates (yes they are estates..lol) you will ever see anywhere..these are where the Kentucky Derby horse all live. ;) Just a lovely, lovely area and I am sure there would be some festivals going on around that time. Here's a link to Shaker Village. http://www.shakervillageky.org/f
Wherever you end up traveling to, all of the places you listed are just lovely and will give you lots of "fall"! Enjoy your planning and travels!
Heather
This is the post to come to when I am ready to travel. What great suggestions. These photos look like Wisconsin where I grew up. Lush.
Coming from a New England native...you just cannot beat the fall foliage up North. Just peeking at your photos above made me miss seeing those vibrant colors every fall with the scent of hot cider and wood stoves in the air. And in Northwood New Hampshire, the WHOLE town is nothing but an Antiques Store:) Stay in a Bed and Breakfast and it sounds like a wonderful vacation!
Coming from a New England native...you just cannot beat the fall foliage up North. Just peeking at your photos above made me miss seeing those vibrant colors every fall with the scent of hot cider and wood stoves in the air. And in Northwood New Hampshire, the WHOLE town is nothing but an Antiques Store:) Stay in a Bed and Breakfast and it sounds like a wonderful vacation!
Coming from a New England native...you just cannot beat the fall foliage up North. Just peeking at your photos above made me miss seeing those vibrant colors every fall with the scent of hot cider and wood stoves in the air. And in Northwood New Hampshire, the WHOLE town is nothing but an Antiques Store:) Stay in a Bed and Breakfast and it sounds like a wonderful vacation!
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