The Cradle of Forestry (Biltmore Forest School), located in the southern part of the forest, was the site of the first school of forestry in the United States. There are numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, camping sites, and waterfalls in the forest. There are so many waterfalls in this area that Transylvania county is nicknamed as “Land of the Waterfalls”. Pisgah National Forest is extremely beautiful in Fall.

These are some of the attractions of Pisgah National Forest. You can easily spend a day or 2 enjoying the attractions of Pisgah National Forest.

1. Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway (NC 276) - Traversing the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania and Haywood Counties, the 79 mile loop winds its way through areas of outstanding natural beauty rich in forest history. You can read more about this scenic byway here.
2. Looking Glass Waterfalls – A beautiful 60 foot high waterfall that can be seen from US 276.
3. Moore Cove Falls – A 50 foot free-fall in front of a deeply recessed rock cliff, that allows you to walk behind the falls.
4. Sliding Rock – A 60 foot natural Waterfall slide where people can slide down the gentle slope of the smooth rock into the pool below. Bathrooms and showers are open during the summer swimming season.
5. Cradle of Forestry - A 6500 acre National Forest Historic Site in North Carolina. America’s first school of forestry known as Biltmore Forest School was established over here in 1968.
6. Sycamore Flats Area – A large picnic area named for the numerous Sycamore trees that grow along the banks of the Davidson River
7. Pink Beds Area - Picnic area located in a high mountain valley. The valley gets it’s name from the beautiful rhododendron, mountain laurel and azalea that bloom in the spring and summer
8. Davidson River Campground – A popular campground where you can relax and enjoy the National Forest. There are hiking trails, fishing streams, evening programs and even warm showers.
9. Looking Glass Rock – A monolithic piece of exposed Whitesides granite that rises from the valley floor in the midst of the Pisgah Ranger District. There are trails which lead to the top of the rock.

Here are some photos taken during our trip to Pisgah National Forest during Fall 2009. We drove the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway stopping at different attractions like waterfalls and picnic areas.

Related posts:

1. Cradle of Forestry
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
3. Blue Ridge Attractions

Beautiful North Carolina

North Carolina is a state on the East Coast of USA. It is the tenth most populous of the 50 states of the United States of America. Its capital is Raleigh and the largest city is Charlotte. North Carolina is bordered by South Carolina on the south, Georgia on the southwest, Tennessee on the west, Virginia on the north, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east

North Carolina is a very beautiful state. It is blessed with scenic mountains, breath taking beaches, wonderful state parks and more. North Carolina has a wide range of elevations, from sea level on the coast to 6,684 feet (2,037 m) in the mountains. The coastal plains are strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical zone.

North Carolina consists of three main geographic sections:

• The Coastal Plain, which occupies the eastern 45% of the state
• The Piedmont region, which contains the middle 35%
• The Appalachian Mountains and foothills, western North Carolina
  

Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic Fall Parkways, starts from Virginia and covers miles of North Carolina. Fall is the best time to visit North Carolina. The Fall Color Change is marvelous. These are some of the beautiful places in North Carolina. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get started.

Attractions of Western North Carolina

1. Chimney Rock State Park
2. Blowing Rock
3. Grandfather Mountain
4. Blue Ridge Parkway Attractions
5. Linville Waterfalls
6. Linville Caverns
7. Looking Glass Waterfalls
8. Sliding Rock
9. Hooker Falls
10. Lake Lure
11. Cradle of Forestry
12. Pilot Mountain State Park
    
13. Julian Price Memorial Park
14. Crabtree Meadows and Falls
15. Oconaluftee (Great Smoky Mountains)
16. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    

Charlotte and Piedmont Area Attractions

1. Lake Norman State Park
2. Hanging Rock State Park
3. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
4. Festival of Lights at Tanglewood
5. Carolinas Aviation Museum
6. Carowinds Theme Park
   
7. Lazy 5 Ranch
8. Charlotte Motor Speedway (Lowe’s Motor Speedway)
   

Coastal North Carolina Attractions

1. Battleship North Carolina at Wilmington
2. SouthPort Fort Fisher Ferry
3. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
4. Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort
5. Southern NC Beaches

Fall Highlights

1. Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors
2. Pisgah National Forest
3. Rough Ridge
4. Linn Cove Viaduct
5. Chestoa View Overlook
6. Grandfather Mountain Overlook
7. Places to visit in NC during Fall

Related posts:

1. Beautiful Places in North Carolina
2. Blue Ridge Attractions
3. Waterfalls of North Carolina

Waterfalls of North Carolina

North Carolina is home to many beautiful waterfalls. Since North Carolina receives rainfall almost throughout the year, most of the waterfalls look beautiful all round the year. Fall is the best time to visit these waterfalls as the brilliant leaf colors add to the beauty.

These are some of the waterfalls we have been to:

Pisgah National Forest

1. Sliding Rock
2. Looking Glass Waterfalls

Dupont State Forest

1. Hooker Falls
2. Triple Falls

Nantahala National Forest

1. Bridal Veil Falls (drive-through waterfall)
2. Dry Falls (walk behind waterfall)

Blue Ridge Parkway

1. Linville Waterfalls
2. Crabtree Falls

Chimney Rock

1. Hickory Nut Waterfalls

Hanging Rock State Park

1. Hidden Falls
2. Window Falls
3. Upper Cascades
4. Lower Cascades

Most of these waterfalls are in Western North Carolina, the mountainous region. These waterfalls can be reached in 1-3 hours drive from Charlotte, Raleigh and other major cities.

Related posts:

1. Looking Glass Waterfalls
2. Places to Visit in North Carolina During Fall
3. Beautiful Places in North Carolina

Pilot Mountain State Park

We have been to the following Parks in North Carolina. Some of these are privately owned while others are State Parks. Most of the state parks are located within 1-2 hours of drive from major cities like Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh and so on. Fall is the best time to visit all these parks as the colors put up a remarkable show. Spring and summer seasons are also good enough. Click on the links to view photos taken at each of the following parks.

1. Chimney Rock State Park
2. Grandfather Mountain
3. Lake Norman State Park
4. Hanging Rock State Park
5. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
6. Blowing Rock
7. Julian Price Memorial Park
8. Pilot Mountain State Park
9. Linville Falls
10. Lake Lure
11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
    

Related posts:

1. Beautiful Places in North Carolina
2. Places to Visit in North Carolina During Fall
3. List of Attractions in North Carolina

Fall in North Carolina

These are the some of best places in North Carolina during Fall Season. Fall starts around mid September at elevations higher than 6000 ft and lasts till mid November in lower elevations of North Carolina. An autumn visit in October or early November will reward you with beautiful fall colors. Leaves begin their color change on the highest peaks and gradually work down to the lowest elevations. So begin visiting places at  higher elevations during early October and then move on to Piedmont areas and Asheville early November.

Oct 1st -15th (Elevations above 5000 ft start showing colors and reach peak)

1. Mt. Mitchell (Peak Fall: Oct 1st and 2nd weeks)
2. Craggy Gardens (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd week)
3. Cold Mountain - (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd week)
4. Grandfather Mountain (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd week)
5. Graveyard fields (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd week)
6. Clingmans Dome (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd week)

Oct 8th-21st (Elevations above 4000 ft start showing colors and reach peak)

1. Blue Ridge Parkway (Blowing Rock to Asheville) (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd and 3rd week)
2. Julian Price Memorial Park (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd and 3rd week)
3. Blowing Rock (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd and 3rd week)
4. Moses Cone Park (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd and 3rd week)
5. Boone (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd and 3rd week)
6. Devil’s Courthouse (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd & 3rd week)
7. Mount Pisgah (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd & 3rd week)
8. Black Balsam (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd & 3rd week)
9. Waterrock Knob (Peak Fall: Oct 2nd & 3rd week)
10. Linville Waterfalls (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd week)
11. Crabtree Meadows and Falls (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd week)
    
12. Maxpatch Mountain (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd week)

Oct 15th – Oct 28th (Elevations above 3000 ft start showing colors and reach peak)

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
2. Looking Glass Rock (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
3. Cradle of Forestry (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
4. Looking Glass Falls (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
5. Sliding Rock (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
6. Pisgah National Forest (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
7. Nantahala National Forest (Peak Fall: 3rd and Oct 4th week)
8. Waterfalls near Highlands and Cashier - (Oct 3rd and 4th week) – Whitewater falls, Toxaway falls, Horsepasture falls, Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Cullasaja Falls
9. Hanging Rock State Park (Peak Fall: Oct 3rd and 4th week)
10. Dupont State Forest (Peak time to go: October 4th week)

Oct 22nd – Nov 5th (Elevations below 3000 ft start showing colors and reach peak)

1. Asheville – Biltmore Estate (Peak time to go: October last week and November 1st week)
2. NC Arboretum (Peak time to go: October last week and November 1st week)
3. Pilot Mountain State Park (Peak time to go: October last week and November 1st week)
4. Waterfalls of Brevard (Peak time to go: October last week) – Rainbow falls, Turtleback Falls
5. Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountains)
6. Black Mountain
7. Maggie Valley and Cherokee

Nov 1st – Nov 15th

1. Charlotte (Peak Fall: Nov 1st and 2nd weeks)
2. Chimney Rock (Peak Fall: Nov 2nd and 3rd week)
3. Lake Lure (Peak Fall: Nov 2nd and 3rd week)

If you are staying in Charlotte, you can view beautiful colors during the first 2 weeks of November. If you do not want to drive for 2-3 hrs, be sure to visit the following places near Charlotte for spectacular foliage.

1. Lake Norman State Park (Peak Fall: Nov 1st week)
2. Crowders Mountain State Park
3. Kings Mountain State Park
   

We visited the following places during Fall 2009. Click on the links to see the photos taken during our Fall Trip 2009.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway
2. Julian Price Memorial Park
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We visited the following places in North Carolina during Fall 2008. We had a spectacular time viewing colors. Click on the following links to see the photos taken during our Fall Trips.

1. Grandfather Mountain
2. Blowing Rock
3. Lake Norman State Park

Related posts:

1. Charlotte Fall Colors 2008
2. Beautiful Places in North Carolina
3. Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Sightseeing

Cape Fear Coast

New Hanover Beaches of North Carolina include the following coastal cities and beaches :-

• Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Figure Eight Island, Top Sail Beach and Surf City.

The region around Cape Fear Coast of North Carolina consists of the following beaches – Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches and the historic town of Wilmington.

Pleasure Island is a small barrier island on the Cape Fear coast of NC, south of Wilmington. It is home to Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Historic Fort Fisher.

If you are planning to visit this part of North Carolina, you can choose to visit few of the following attractions. Our trip to Coastal NC was only for 3 days and we covered a few interesting places. Click on the links to view photos from our trip.

Kure Beach/Fort Fisher is home to the following attractions:-

1. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
2. Fort Fisher State Historic Site
3. Fort Fisher/SouthPort Ferry – Enjoy the beautiful scenic cruise between Fort Fisher and South Port.
4. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area – Swimming is permitted and there are life guards on duty. There are public changing rooms and showers.
5. Fort Fisher Civil War Fort and Museum

Wilmington is home to the following attractions:-

1. Battleship North Carolina Memorial
2. Airlie Gardens
3. Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
4. Cape Fear Serpentarium
5. Bellamy Mansion Museum and Gardens
6. Henrieta III/ Cape Fear River Boats, Inc
7. Greenfield Park and Gardens
8. Poplar Grove Historic Plantation

Carolina Beach

1. Carolina Beach State Park
2. Boardwalk Carolina Beach and Amusement Park
3. Carolina Beach Lake Park and Paddle Boats
4. Freeman Park

Wrightsville Beach

It remains crowded until October since it is close to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

1. Wrightsville Beach Museum of History
2. Wrightsville beach Scenic Tours
3. Shell Island Bird Walk

SouthPort

1. North Carolina Maritime Museum – A must see according to reviews but we didn’t get time to cover it.
2. South Port to Fort Fisher Ferry

Useful Websites

1. Pleasure Island
2. North Carolina Beaches

Related posts:

1. North Carolina Beaches
2. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
3. South Port Fort Fisher Ferry

Brunswick County Beaches of North Carolina include the following:-

• Bald Head Island, South Port, Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach and Calabash.

New Hanover Beaches of North Carolina include:-

• Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Figure Eight Island, Top Sail Beach and Surf City.

Cape Fear Coast of North Carolina consists of the following beaches – Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches and the historic town of Wilmington.

Pleasure Island is a small barrier island on the coast of NC, south of Wilmington. It is home to Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Historic Fort Fisher.

We decided to visit the southern coast of North Carolina bordering South Carolina. We covered a few places from New Hanover Beaches and Brunswick Beaches during our trip.

1. Historic town of Wilmington - home to World War II Battleship NC
2. SeaSide Village of South Port – famous for it’s Ferry to Fort Fisher
3. Calabash town - Seafood capital of the world
4. Kure Beach - home to NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Fort Fisher Recreation Area
5. Carolina Beach
   
6. Sunset Beach - white powder beach well known for it’s red and gold sunset

We stayed at a beautiful Golf Resort in Calabash named Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort. If you are visiting NC Brunswick County or Myrtle Beach, SC area, you can stay at this beautiful resort. It is conveniently located between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington. On the first day of our trip, we visited the town of Wilmington and Battleship North Carolina. On the second day, we went to South Port and took the ferry to Fort Fisher – southern most part of Pleasure Island. We visited NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and then headed of to Carolina Beach and had lunch from Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar – a casual restaurant serving the best local sea food. In the afternoon, we went to Fort Fisher Recreation Area and enjoyed swimming. The Recreation Area has free changing rooms and showers and there are Life Guards on duty. During late evening, we went to Sunset Beach to capture a glimpse of the Sunset. Sunset Beach is less crowded and the sand is white and very fine. We enjoyed walking on the Board Walk after paying $1/person.

Here are some photos of Kure Beach, Carolina Beach and Sunset Beach.

Here is the Gallery View of all Photos.

Related posts:

1. Cape Fear Coast, North Carolina
2. Brunswick Plantation and Golf resort
3. Beaches Near Charlotte

Beautiful Places in North Carolina

Fall is the best time to visit North Carolina. The Fall Color Change is marvelous. These are some of the beautiful places we have visited in North Carolina. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get started.

NC Natural Attractions – Parks, Gardens, Beaches, Waterfalls, Lakes and more

1. Lake Norman State Park
2. Hanging Rock State Park
3. Chimney Rock State Park
4. Grandfather Mountain
5. Blue Ridge Parkway Attractions
6. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
7. Blowing Rock
8. Linville Waterfalls
9. Linville Caverns
10. Looking Glass Waterfalls
11. Sliding Rock
12. Triple Falls
13. Hooker Falls
14. Lake Lure
15. Julian Price Memorial Park
16. Crabtree Meadows and Falls
17. Bridal Veil Falls (drive-through waterfall)
18. Dry Falls (walk behind waterfall)
19. Pilot Mountain State Park
    
20. Oconaluftee (Great Smoky Mountains)
21. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
22. Southern Beaches of North Carolina

Aquariums and Zoos

1. Lazy 5 Ranch
2. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Historical Monuments and Museums

1. Battleship NC, Wilmington
2. Carolinas Aviation Museum
3. Cradle of Forestry

Fall Highlights

1. Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors
2. Pisgah National Forest
   
3. Rough Ridge
4. Linn Cove Viaduct
5. Chestoa View Overlook
6. Grandfather Mountain Overlook
7. Best Places to visit in NC during Fall

Other Interesting Things to do

1. Southport Fort Fisher Ferry
2. Festival of Lights at Tanglewood
3. Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort
4. Charlotte Motor Speedway
5. Carowinds Theme Park

Related posts:

1. Places to Visit in North Carolina During Fall
2. Beautiful Parks in North Carolina
3. List of Attractions in North Carolina