Fall Family Fun in and Around Asheville

Fall Family Fun in and Around Asheville

September 05, 2023

Nestled amidst the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, emerges as a veritable masterpiece of nature's artistry during the fall months. As the summer heat mellows into a gentle breeze, the city undergoes a breathtaking transformation. The foliage, donning a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds, creates a symphony of colors that envelops the landscape in a surreal warmth. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a renowned scenic drive, becomes a meandering pathway through a living canvas, offering panoramic vistas that stretch to infinity and inviting travelers to lose themselves in the kaleidoscope of nature's palette.

Embracing the spirit of the season, Asheville's cultural heart beats anew. The city's historic architecture and quaint streets, now adorned with fall's finest hues, provide an enchanting backdrop for its thriving arts scene. Strolling through art galleries, boutiques, and craft shops feels like walking through an autumn dream, where creativity and nature coalesce. 

Amidst this cultural charm, the Biltmore Estate stands as a crown jewel, its grandeur enhanced by the rich colors of fall. The air is filled with the scents of harvest, and farm-to-table eateries offer culinary delights that celebrate the bounties of the season.

Yet, perhaps the most captivating aspect of Asheville in the fall lies in its ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and reflection. The cool, crisp air invites introspection as you explore the city's hidden corners or hike through the nearby Great Smoky Mountains. Each step carries a whisper of the changing season, and as you gaze at the landscape, you can't help but feel connected to the earth's rhythms. 

Whether sipping cider at a cozy café, wandering through a pumpkin patch, or embarking on an adventure into the wild, the beauty of Asheville in the fall resonates in the heart as a timeless memory of nature's finest masterpiece.

Fall Activities to Enjoy With Your Family in Asheville

There are many fun activities to enjoy as a family in and around Asheville in the fall. Let’s look at a few of them so you can start your fall vacation planning! 

Fall Festivals and Events

  • ASAP Farm Tour: Learn how food is grown and raised in Western North Carolina. Families can experience guided tours, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and tastings.
    • Sept. 23-24, 2023
    • Passes are $35 in advance and $45 during the weekend (pending availability).
  • Eliada Fall Festival and Corn Maze: Create lasting family memories while providing for neighboring kids! The Eliada Corn Maze's profits are entirely used to benefit the Eliada Home's children. In addition to the corn maze, you may also ride a tractor, jump on the massive jumping pillow, or fire corn cannons. 
    • Sept. 29–Oct. 29, 2023
    • Fridays–Sundays
  • The Haunted Trail at Adventure Center of Asheville: Get ready for a heart-pounding stroll that is appropriate for the whole family, complete with live performers, eerie music, and amazing props. A (actor-free) "Sweet Peek Tour'' of the Trail is available for younger ghouls at 6:30 p.m. Additionally, the family can ascend the Treetops Adventure Park Aerial Glow Trail, which is lit up by tens of thousands of colored twinkling and laser lights.
    • Oct. 6–7, 2023
    • Oct. 13–14, 2023
    • Oct. 20–22, 2023
    • Oct. 27–30, 2023
  • LEAF Festival: Explore Western North Carolina's top children's event! The 50th annual LEAF festival is a joyous celebration of the local and international communities in Asheville. Live musical performances, kid-friendly activities, arts & crafts, water sports, gigantic slides, and more can be found throughout this weekend festival.

Family-Friendly Fall Attractions

  • LaZoom: Take a trip on the "Big Purple Bus" in Asheville. This renowned bus tour takes you through the heart of Asheville while fusing history, humor, and even a few nuns. Every Saturday in October, LaZoom presents its limited-edition Lil Boogers: Halloweenies Tour, a one-hour historical comedy trip with spooky characters that the whole family will enjoy.
  • Craggy Mountain Line: The Craggy Mountain Line in Woodfin offers a trip back in time on a vintage railway car. Families can buy tickets for the weekly Saturday journey, which only has one train car, or arrange a special group excursion. A unique Hayride on the Rails program is presented by Craggy Mountain Line in the fall.
  • The North Carolina Arboretum: The NC Arboretum, which is about 15 minutes from the center of town, offers families a number of opportunities to enjoy nature. Grab a free TRACK Trail guide, and let the kids explore the Natural Garden Trail while they take in the magnificent fall colors and natural delights. Additionally, their enormous Quilt Garden is a wonderful backdrop for family portraits.
  • Hickory Nut Gap Farm: At Hickory Nut Gap Farm, take in Fairview's magnificent landscape while taking part in some of Asheville's favorite fall activities. From September 16 through November 13, local apples, pumpkins, and freshly pressed cider will be available for purchase, along with hay and pony rides. Additionally, the farm has three designated kid-friendly play spaces.
  • Asheville Museum of Science: Incorporate a little science and exploration into your vacation at the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS). Children can transform into geologists, control topography in real time, dig for fossils, and meet a Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton. AMOS hosts its STEAM Lab on Saturdays with activities and projects that correspond to the museum's monthly themes. 

Outdoor Fall Fun

Emmanuel Lutheran School in Asheville, North Carolina

We at Emmanuel Lutheran School provide an academically challenging, Christ-centered education in a caring environment. Our mission is to prepare children For Today, For Tomorrow, Forever. If you live in the Asheville, North Carolina, area and would like additional information about enrolling your child in our private Christian school, please feel free to reach out to us today.

We exist to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this in an educational setting, Emmanuel provides a Christ-centered rigorous education for all children, churched and un-churched, without distinction to socio-economic status, race, national or ethnic origin, or religious creed. 

We believe that Emmanuel Lutheran School equips our children to succeed in their academic pursuits and to become productive members of church and society.

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