North Caroline getaway?????
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:09 AM
#1
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North Caroline getaway?????
My husband and I are planning a long weekend in early November and I would like to visit North Carolina. I have only been to NC once and it was for a business trip in Raleigh - needless to say I didn't get much of a feel for the area, but I knew I wanted to go back. Is this time of year OK and where should we go - Raleigh, Asheville? Any help would be appreciated!
Sep 22nd, 2005, 07:11 AM
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The leaves will probably have turned and fallen off by November in the mountains, but I still think there is beauty in fallen leaves and bare trees. Early Nov. should be peak in the triangle area but that might not happen since the leaves are falling off due to the lack of rain around here.
The weather is usually very nice and shouldn't be so crowded since it's after leaf season in the mountains and still pleasant but not crowded at the coast.
For the coast, Wilmington area offers more than just beachy activities. There are some historic homes and gardens and the USS North Carolina.
I'd suggest starting with the visit NC website (I think www.visitnc.gov but it could be .com or .org).
The weather is usually very nice and shouldn't be so crowded since it's after leaf season in the mountains and still pleasant but not crowded at the coast.
For the coast, Wilmington area offers more than just beachy activities. There are some historic homes and gardens and the USS North Carolina.
I'd suggest starting with the visit NC website (I think www.visitnc.gov but it could be .com or .org).
Sep 22nd, 2005, 07:16 AM
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I'm going to divulge my secret place in the hills of North Carolina--a little town named Saluda. Lots of different kinds of history there, and a few neat B&B's if you really want to get away to some peace and quiet. The Oaks B&B was very nice when we were there a couple of years ago.
Also, it isn't far to drive to places like Asheville, Hendersonville, and such for day trips. I just love the peace and tranquility of Saluda. Now the cat's out of the bag.
Also, it isn't far to drive to places like Asheville, Hendersonville, and such for day trips. I just love the peace and tranquility of Saluda. Now the cat's out of the bag.
Sep 22nd, 2005, 12:42 PM
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Asheville tends to power down that time of year with all the out-of-towners abandoning us after the leaves are gone. 3 questions for you:
Where are you from? Where would you fly into? What types of things to you enjoy doing? e.g. hiking, beach, museums, historic sites ....
Where are you from? Where would you fly into? What types of things to you enjoy doing? e.g. hiking, beach, museums, historic sites ....
Sep 22nd, 2005, 06:31 PM
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To second some of the previous posts:
Ocracoke or Duck for autumn-beach getaway -- quiet, not for swimming but definitely for beach combing.
Wilmington/Wrightsville -- you might be surprised at the historical sites in W'ton, and the quality of restaurants, antique stores, book stores.
An outside chance of snow in the mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway but otherwise lovely, go toward Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain for sights, Asheville for Biltmore and some surprising artisanal culture.
Where, by the way, are you coming from?
Ocracoke or Duck for autumn-beach getaway -- quiet, not for swimming but definitely for beach combing.
Wilmington/Wrightsville -- you might be surprised at the historical sites in W'ton, and the quality of restaurants, antique stores, book stores.
An outside chance of snow in the mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway but otherwise lovely, go toward Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain for sights, Asheville for Biltmore and some surprising artisanal culture.
Where, by the way, are you coming from?
Sep 23rd, 2005, 04:31 AM
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Yes, snow, Gretchen! Maybe not a *good* chance, but definitely a chance. On our first trip to Mast Farm Inn, at the end of October, a few years ago, we drove in a shimmering of snow on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then once we got in the Inn, we sat by the fire with hot cocoa, watching the whole area slowly turn white! It was wonderful ... 
By the next morning, the dusting of snow was melting away, but it was a lovely surprise!
By the next morning, the dusting of snow was melting away, but it was a lovely surprise!
Sep 23rd, 2005, 06:07 AM
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I personally think early November is one of the best times of the year to visit western NC. While the leaf season may have peaked, lower elevations still usually have some color to them, and the weather is still good. Plus, this is definitely a good value season in terms of hotel rates.
Oct 26th, 2005, 06:13 AM
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I had four snows before Thanksgiving at my place (as did Asheville) a few years ago - and then no snow (or ice) at all for the last few years until Jan-Mar.
Ya just don't know. But, the norm is...beautiful fall weather without snow.
Ya just don't know. But, the norm is...beautiful fall weather without snow.
Oct 26th, 2005, 11:00 AM
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Recently we moved to Brevard area, after leaving in Europe and Africa for many years so I cannot contribute much on this board but I was very surprised reading there is sometimes snow in November on Blue Ridge Parkway. I could hardly belive this can happen. On Tusdays my husband doesn't need to be in a hospital so we try to go hiking. Yesterday, we were going to hike in the Craggy Garden but the parkway was closed due to snow and ice on the road. We spoke to a few tourists who were upset the road was closed as they planned this trip months in advance and now they had to travel on different roads than the parkway. the road conditions were not for driving and on the evening news we saw some interesting pictures of snow and very winter like conditions in that area. I think that anyone planning to travel on the parkway should have a plan B. Some of the roads are beautiful. Many leaves above 6,000 feet are already gone. We decided to hike to the top of Pisga Mtn where we hiked to the peak covered with white frost and a very windy condtions. Windbreakers and warm clothes including wool hats, gloves, windbreakers kept us warm. The most beautiful leaves as of yesterday were on routes 276 and 215 from the parkway to Brevard.
