(800) 872-4681
1. Leaf Watcher?s Favorite: Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
Board Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for an eye-popping tour across
colorful valleys and river gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains. Choose
from a variety of round trip excursions originating from Dillsboro or
Bryson City, including the popular Mystery Dinner Theatre Train and the
Rapid Transit with the Nantahala Outdoor Center. www.gsmr.com or
(800) 872-4681
2. Bike Off the Beaten Trail: Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle Tours
Take less traveled roads while enjoying breathtaking views of beautiful
pastoral scenery dotted with grape vines. Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle
Tours in Winston-Salem offers the perfect mix of the great outdoors,
historic attractions and fine wine. Relax at the charming farmhouse at
Hanover Park Vineyards with its creaking wood floors and homey porch.
Walk the cobblestone streets of historic Old Salem, buy old-fashioned
candy at Rockford?s General Store, stay in an historic inn and test
your cycling mettle on rolling hills with a few challenging climbs
along the way. www.carolinatailwinds.com/winetour.htm or
(888) 251-3206
3. Fly Above the Heart of North Carolina?s Wine Country: Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures
To enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace, try hot air ballooning.
Soar to thousands of feet watching the colorful landscape unfold from
above. Imagine skimming over a pond or touching the colorful treetops.
Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures offers flights with certified pilots
ready to take you on an adventure of a lifetime. www.balloonadventure.net or
(336) 922-7207
4. Ride the River Wild: Whitewater Rafting on Nantahala River
Over thousands of years, the swift currents of the Nantahala River have
carved an incredible gorge, lush with vegetation, in the mountains of
western North Carolina. Winding eight miles through this gorge, the
clear waters of the Nantahala offer plenty of practice on easy Class II
rapids before culminating in the exciting Class III whitewater of the
mighty Nantahala Falls. The Nantahala Outdoor Center has been leading
trips since 1972 and can help make your trip a splash! www.noc.com or
(888) 905-7238
5. A Must See: Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the most popular ways to view the changing leaves is by driving
the Blue Ridge Parkway, designated an All-American Road by the Federal
Highway Administration. This is the highest designation bestowed on any
road. Before you go, purchase the Go Blue Ridge Card, a premium
attraction pass that offers fully pre-paid access to 29 top tourist
attractions and discounts on dining and shopping. It also comes with a
full color guidebook that includes maps and describes each of the
offers in detail. Also, plan a stop at the Blue Ridge Parkway
Destination Center at Milepost 384 near Asheville, opening on Oct. 1,
2007. This 12,000-square-foot facility will house exhibits featuring
things to see and do in the region as well as a shop with books and
other items. Plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge
Parkway in 2010 are already underway. Stay tuned for upcoming events
along the Parkway during 2010 to celebrate the building of the Parkway
as well as the history, music and culture of the region. or
(828) 271-4779
; or
(800) 887-9103
; or
(336) 721-0260
Bonus -- Local Favorite: The Road to Nowhere Scenic Drive
"The Road To Nowhere", as most local residents call it, is a six-mile scenic drive into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where it dead-ends. The drive provides spectacular views of Fontana Lake and the Appalachian Mountains and was originally named "Lakeview Drive", but since the road was never completed (as the government promised) residents, who were forced to leave their homes in order for Fontana Dam to be built, gave it the name of "The Road To Nowhere."
Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience
for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come
together in North Carolina. Call
1-800-VISIT NC
or go to VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.
Contact:
Jennifer Frings,
(704) 364-8969
Susan Dosier,
(704) 364-8969
Wit Tuttell,
(919) 733-7420
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