Now’s the time to head to the mountains to see the leaves change. 2 unique options 2 hours away
I was walking through uptown recently and saw this leaf on the ground, and it got me thinking.
It’s officially fall. I’m from the Boston area, and for New Englanders fall means jumping in the car and heading to New Hampshire or Vermont to take in the amazing fall foliage colors.
I have learned in a short time here that there is a foliage season on par with the Northeast in North Carolina, with half the travel time required.
Charlotte is located about a two-hour drive from some great leaf-peeping locations. I got in contact with a few of them to find out the best places for a day or weekend trip.
Beech Mountain leaves
Beech Mountain is a hotspot. It’s about 110 miles from Charlotte. I recently talked with Kate Gavenus with the Beech Mountain Tourism Bureau, who told me the best way to experience the changing leaves there.
First: The drive up. Are you the type who just wants to get there fast, or someone who enjoys the journey? Gavenus said the drive to and from Beech Mountain can be half the adventure, but it’s not for those with weak stomachs. N.C. Highway 181 to 184 is full of twists and turns, she said, whereas U.S. 321 is more of a straight shot and is easier to handle.
Beech Mountain sits at an elevation of about 5,500 feet and generally sees its colors begin to change around Oct. 8, but Gavenus says this year might be a little later. Peak season falls in this area around the middle of October.
Banner Elk Woolly Worm Festival
The town of Banner Elk, a little more than two hours drive from Charlotte and near Beech Mountain, is also pretty popular. It holds by far the most interesting annual fall festival I have heard of: The Woolly Worm Festival.
Every year nearly 20,000 people come to Banner Elk for this celebration. There are your standard food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and musical acts, but the highlight of the weekend are the Woolly Worm races.
Competitors race worms up a string in heats until a winner is crowned. As you can see in this video, it’s quite the scene.
The town also does its own version of Groundhog Day, with the worms determining whether it will be a warm, cool or downright cold winter based on the colors of the worm.
This year’s festival runs Oct. 15-16 in downtown Banner Elk.
There are other great places to see the leaves change, too, like Grandfather Mountain and the Asheville area, of course. Wherever you choose, take some great pictures and share them with us on Twitter or Instagram.
Photos: Todd Bush; Jonathan Lee
This story was originally published October 2, 2016 at 10:01 PM with the headline "Now’s the time to head to the mountains to see the leaves change. 2 unique options 2 hours away."