Fall Color & Events

Visit us in the smokies this fall when the mountains and valleys are transformed by the changing leaves into a cornucopia of color.

The Maggie Valley and Waynesville area boast some of the most spectacular places to view fall color. Nestled in between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park our high elevations ensure that you will experience the fall foliage like no place else.

See Breathtaking Autumn Colors on a Blue Ridge Parkway Loop Tour

Maggie Valley 19 Loop
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 102B. Left at U.S. 19 (Dellwood Road). Stay straight through Maggie Valley (Dellwood turns into Soco Road). At top of Soco Gap, take a right at half-loop to stop sign, then turn right onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Maggie Valley/Waynesville Loop
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 102A. Follow Russ Avenue to Main Street. Make a right onto Main Street into downtown Waynesville. Left onto Pigeon Street, which becomes U.S. 276 South. Follow through light at N.C. 110 intersection. Continue through Bethel and Cruso to Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Make left onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow Parkway to Soco Gap, exit onto U.S. 19 (Soco Road). Stay on U.S. 19 through Maggie Valley. Right Russ Avenue. Right onto U.S. 23/74. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Waynesville 276 Loop
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 102A. Follow Russ Avenue to Main Street. Make a right onto Main Street into downtown Waynesville. Left onto Pigeon Street, which becomes U.S. 276 South. Follow through light at N.C. 110 intersection. Continue for several miles through Cruso to Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Make left onto Blue Ridge Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Canton/Clyde 215 Loop
Directions: U.S. 23/74 to Exit 106. Follow U.S. 19/23/74 through Clyde. Enter Canton. Stay straight onto Main Street. Make hard left onto Park Street. Make left onto N.C. 215. Stay on N.C. 215 to Blue Ridge Parkway. Take right onto Parkway. Exit Parkway at Balsam Gap. Return to Balsam Visitors Center.

Trees in and Around Haywood County

The Sweetgum is a favorite because it offers several colors including reds, purples, and yellow. These trees are found mostly in the lower elevations will peak mid-to-late October.

The Scarlet Oak gives us a brilliant scarlet color and can be found in the low-to-mid elevations.

The Sugar Maple can be found all the way to 4,000 foot elevations and presents yellows and oranges for our enjoyment.

The Red Maple gives us reds and yellows and ranges up to 6,000 feet.

The Dogwood evolves to a deep red color and can be found anywhere below 3,000 feet.

Fall Events

The Maize
Opening Date: September 15
Closing Date: November 1
Get lost and have fun in The Corn Maize. For more information Click Here.
4168 Pisgah Dr. Canton, NC 28716

Art After Dark
10/05/2012 through 10/06/2012
Stroll downtown Waynesville's numerous galleries and studios the first Friday of each month, May thru December.  Enjoy demonstrations, artist receptions, music and refreshments from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Admission FREE

828-456-9284
www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com

HART Theater Presents "The Light in the Piazza"
10/05/2012 through 10/21/2012
Location:  Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House (250 Pigeon Street, Waynesville NC  28786)
Times:  Friday and Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 3:00pm
Haywood County's semi-professional theater company presents a romantic Broadway musical set in Florence Italy of the 1950's.  This award winning show will leave you wistful for summer nights, fine wine and love.  One of Broadway's newest hits.
Admission:  Call for details
828-456-6322
www.harttheatre.com

High Country Quilt Show
10/11/2012 through 10/13/2012
10am - 4pm
Maggie Valley Town Hall (3987 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751)

Lake Junaluska Singers Concert
10/12/2012 through 10/13/2012
The Lake Junaluska Singers will be performing at 7:30pm (each night) at the Stuart Auditorium.
828-452-2881
www.lakejunaluska.com

Maggie Valley October Leaves Craft Show
10/13/2012 through 10/14/2012
Location:  Maggie Valley Festival Grounds
Time: 9am - 5pm
Talented artists and crafters from throughout the southeast will sell and demonstrate their original handcrafted work at the October Leaves Craft Show.  The craft show takes place from 9am - 5pm on Saturday October 13th and Sunday October 14th at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds in lovely downtown Maggie Valley. 
Admission:  FREE
828-497-9425, 828-736-3245
www.maggievalleycraftshows.com

29th Annual Church Street Art & Craft Show
10/13/2012
Main Street is transformed into an art & craft market place for this one day event.  Now in its 29th year, the show is widely known as one of the finest juried art shows in the region.  You will discover a variety of art & craft including pottery, jewelry, woodworking, watercolors, photography, fiber art, candles, quilts, and more.  Live entertainment includes traditional mountain music, clogging, and Scottish pipes.  Downtown shops and restaurants are open along with festival food vendors on the street.
Admission:  FREE
10:00am - 5:00PM
Main Street, Downtown Waynesville
828-456-3517
www.downtownwaynesville.com

Maggie Valley Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Show
10/20/2012 through 10/21/2012
Our second juried craft show of the year is a long running favorite of the leaf peepers.  Who can pass up a craft show with a spectacular 360 view of the mountains?  Crafters from all over the southeast gather at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds to sell their unique wares.  Always a great selection of seasonal items, yard art, woodwork, paintings and much more.  Chainsaw art demonstrations and a variety of food.  Free Parking.
9am - 4pm Daily
Free Admission
800-624-4431
www.maggievalley.org

Apple Harvest Festival
10/20/2012 through 10/20/2012
Savor sights, sounds and food sensations at the 23rd Annual celebration of The Apple Harvest in Haywood County.  Downtown Waynesville's Main Street is transformed into Arts and Crafts and Food booths with authentic mountain music to delight you on a crisp fall day.
Admission: FREE
10am-5pm.
828-456-3021
www.haywoodapplefest.com

Sunday Concert Series
10/21/2012 through 10/21/2012
Concert featuring Tom Fisch with folk songs and stories from around the world.
Admission:  FREE
Location: Haywood County Public Library, 678 S. Haywood Street, Waynesville NC 28786
Time: 3pm
828.452.0593
www.haywoodarts.org

Ghosts & Goblets at the Shelton House
10/27/2012 through 10/27/2012
Location:  Shelton House & Barn (49 Shelton Street, Waynesville NC 28786)
Time:  7pm - 9pm
Come hear stories of ghosts and other happenings set in historic rooms of the Shelton House and enjoy refreshments while sharing your own stories.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 children over 8
828-452-1551
www.sheltonhouse.org

Treats on the Street
10/31/2012 through 10/31/2012
Downtown Waynesville Merchants and the Waynesville Fire & Police Departments offer a safe and fun Halloween treat to young children. Stroll the sidewalks to visit participating merchants.
Free Event
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Street, Downtown Waynesville
828-456-3517
www.downtownwaynesville.com

Art After Dark
11/02/2012 through 11/03/1912
Stroll downtown Waynesville's numerous galleries and studios the first Friday of each month, May thru December.  Enjoy demonstrations, artist receptions, music and refreshments from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Admission FREE

828-456-9284

www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com

Moto Touring

NC 209 “The Rattler”
This ride from Lake Junaluska to Hot Springs only takes an hour but it packs in everything you come to the mountains to enjoy.

The Pisgah Triangle
An outstanding ride from Bethel Valley to the highest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Combine with US 64 further South, or go all the way to South Carolina and back in a triangle. Waterfalls, winding roads, wonderful views!

The Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Lies between US 276 South of Waynesville and US 19 West of Maggie Valley. Enjoy panoramic long-range views on the highest section of the parkway from numerous breathtaking overlooks. If you see no other part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, see this one.