Autumn looks good on the Appalachian Mountains. When the rolling hills and bouldering peaks unfurl their spatters of reds, yellows, and fiery oranges, there’s nothing better than wrapping up in your favorite fall clothes and setting out on a leaf-looking adventure.

The colorful views abound almost everywhere you turn in Franklin, so where do you go for the optimal landscape overlook?

For the hikers

For anyone who likes to venture out into the mountains themselves, Wayah Bald Tower is a can’t-miss during the fall. The old stone fire tower is perched at 5,342 feet elevation with a massive 180-degree overlook, and you can see how Autumn paints the landscape as far as the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and all the way to the Georgia foothills.

If you want to feel more perched on the edge of the mountain, check out Pickens Nose! Yes, that’s actually it’s name, and it really will take your breath away. After a short half-mile hike—just enough to make you feel like a mountain explorer without having to break out the boots—the view is absolutely stunning.

Looking for a challenge? Hike the Bartram Trail to William’s pulpit, and you truly feel like you’re clinging to the edge of the mountain. The gorgeous rising-and-falling trail dotted with waterfalls leads to a bare rock where you can lay back and soak in the cool breeze and riot of color.

For the drivers

Maybe you’d like to be in the middle of it all while staying in your AC and reclining car seats. No judgement here! If that’s the case, so the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway is a must see. While it checks in at 61 miles, you can wind through some of the most spectacular country in the Nantahala National Forest, including multiple waterfalls, a roaring whitewater river, and tremendous mountaintop views, without getting too far from Franklin itself.

Keeping it even closer to home is feasible, too! If you’d rather shoot for the road less traveled by with a much shorter distance, the views from Onion Mountain are exactly what you need. Checking in at only 25 minutes from Main Street, the scenic overlook and trail are perched above a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The road itself winds through residential areas, so traffic is low and the solitude is sweet at the overview itself.

For the strolling wanderers

Some of us simply want to enjoy the comforts of civilization and the rugged beauty of the mountains at the same time, and to that we say “yes, please!” Downtown Franklin sits on a hill in the valley, so you can enjoy an elevated view of the basin itself from either end of Main Street as you shop, dine, and play.

For those who want to dive deeper into the valley, check out Parker Meadows Complex! The park has several baseball and softball fields, a playground, and a walking trail that flirts with the tree line. There’s even creek access if you’d like to dip your toes in and wade through a mountain stream!

Wrap yourself in Autumn beauty!

No matter how you prefer to enjoy the colors of fall in the mountains, you’ll never forget a trip to Franklin, North Carolina when the leaves are out in full array—and we hope to see you again next year!

Family is a beautiful thing, but raising one isn’t always a peace and quiet sort of thing. Now that your kids have flown the nest and are off to make their own way, you can take a deep breath and enjoy your own glorious freedom.

It’s high time for a laid-back, ambling, refreshing vacation to ring in this new stage of life, and we believe the mountains of Franklin, North Carolina have just the thing.

Get cozy in an old-fashioned bed and breakfast

Once you’ve decided to get away, choosing the right home base is absolutely key to a first-time empty nest vacation. Franklin has so many to choose from, whether you want the historical richness of the Franklin Terrace or the roomy remoteness of Cat Creek Lodge.

Natural views without the hike

While many North Carolina visitors don’t count a vacation complete until they check out the hiking trails, you may want to take a more laid-back approach. Stops like Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are visible from the road and have convenient parking access for one-stop waterfall chasing.

Scenic drives are in surplus, too! Soak in the mountain views from the comfort of your seats as you wind your way around the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway.

Wine, beer, and whiskey

Sure, the kids are grown and might be old enough to join you, but why not pamper yourself and your spouse with a vineyard or distillery tour? Savor the local wines within an hour’s drive of Franklin at Biltmore Winery, 12 Spies Vineyards and Farms, Deep Creek Winery, or Hightower Creek Vineyards.

If beer is more your speed, look no further than our very own breweries a stone’s throw from Main Street! The Lazy Hiker is just down the hill from the shops and gazebo, and Currahee Brewery is a short drive down to the base of town hill where the Little Tennessee flows.

Whiskey on the mind? Check out the stronger stuff at R.M. Rose and Co. Distillers or Moonrise Distillery for local flavor that’s sure to astound you.

The Biltmore Estate

America’s very own castle, the Biltmore Estate’s rolling grounds and lush gardens are prime spots to soak up any season. The Biltmore Winery is open for tasting, and be sure to tour the inside of the Vanderbilt’s breathtaking home! The Estate is just over an hour away from Franklin by car, and you can even catch a bit of the Blue Ridge Parkway while you drive!

Antiquing and local history

With all that time saved from doing kid-centric activities, it’s time to dive in to the sort of treasure-hunting that can only be found when you go antiquing. Franklin has many different stores and specialties to offer, and you never know what sort of unique finds are in store.

Be sure to explore our many historical sites, too! Franklin has a wild and wonderful history that you certainly wouldn’t expect from a seemingly quiet and demure mountain town—let us surprise you!

Need help planning your trip?
Look no further than our 3-day Franklin getaway, also on the blog! We can’t wait to have you, and we hope it will be a memorable first-time empty nesting experience!

Vacation planning can get tricky if you’re laying out the trip months in advance.
Perhaps you heard of an awesome indoor attraction, but the lady at the hotel really sells you on enjoying the sunshine on a hiking trail—and what do you do when your excursion gets flipped because it’s not so nice outside? Maybe you realize upon arrival that you’d really rather stay in with a sprawling view of the mountains to keep you company.
Lucky for our tourists, Franklin is a great destination for vacations of all sorts. Whether you want to revel in the outdoors, explore the indoor attractions, or kick back at a lodge for a lazy day in the clouds.

Sunny Days
Franklin is the hub of outdoor adventures galore! When the weather’s nice, time’s your only limit for the things you can do in a day.
Want to cannonball into your vacation? Check out the swimming hole at Bust-Your-Butt Falls, just an hour’s drive from Franklin on roads with spectacular mountain views. Fishers also have a dream come true, with multiple spots for fly fishing in the cool rivers, but if adrenaline’s more your speed, white water rafting is the way to go!
For you adventurers who’d rather not get wet, we’ve got hikes and bike trails from the easy-going, paved Little Tennessee River Greenway to more ambitious mountain trails and waterfalls.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip to Franklin without gem mining! We’re the ruby capital of the world, so make sure to set aside some time to get muddy and dig for treasure in the mountains!

Rainy Days
Don’t let rainy days get you down! There’s plenty to see and do indoors while you listen to the rain pattering the roof outside.
For instance, you can kick it back in one of our local breweries or taprooms for dark beers and friendly conversations. Downtown, you can pop in and out of our Main Street shops without getting drenched and bring home snazzy new outfits and mountain-made souvenirs.
Want to delve into Franklins wild and peculiar history? Check out our museums and drop into any number of antique stores for a taste of our past. You’ll be surprised at what you find in our quiet little town!
Now, the kids are in for a real treat if you visit the Factory! Our massive arcade is outfitted with everything from ticket games to laser tag and bumper cars—and all indoors. Time to get rid of some rainy-day energy!

Lazy Days
While venturing out is exciting, sometimes you just need a day to relax and recover from the craziness of everyday life. What’s the point of vacation if you just end up being stressed as you try to cram everything into a few days?
Whether you want the space and privacy of a personal balcony at Cat Creek Lodge, the old-fashioned hominess of Oak Hill Country Inn, or the mid-town location of Franklin Terrace, a lodge or bed and breakfast is absolutely the way to go.
For some, bed and breakfasts just isn’t the right speed—and that’s okay! We have hotels, motels, and AirBnB rentals galore for anyone hunting a great place to stay.
Whatever day it is, have a great one!
Franklin is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to breath that mountain air, enjoy the view from the porch, and explore what Western North Carolina has to offer. We can’t wait to have you, rain or shine!