Top 10 fall activities in Burke County

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway to the North Carolina mountains or looking for a new way to enjoy the season close to home, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite fall activities in Burke County. Grab a sweater, bring your sense of adventure and start checking off your fall bucket list.

1. Go for a hike

Few things beat hitting the trail on a crisp fall day, especially when the mountains are showing off their autumn colors. With nearly 300 miles of trails throughout Burke County, there’s an adventure for just about every skill level.

Take in sweeping mountain views, wander along the shores of Lake James, explore the forests around Valdese and Morganton, or head out for a bigger adventure in the Linville Gorge Wilderness.

Not sure where to start? Download our Burke County Hiking Guide here, or stop by the Burke County Visitor Center in Morganton to pick up a free copy and talk with our staff about finding the right trail for your adventure.

2. Pick some apples

Nothing says fall quite like a trip to the apple orchard. Head to Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill for a classic fall day surrounded by the foothills.

If you want to pick your own apples, be sure to purchase your picking pass ahead of your visit for $4/person, as availability can be limited. Didn't snag a picking pass? You can still enjoy plenty of fall goodness. Stop by the Apple Hill market for pre-picked apples, fresh apple cider, cider doughnuts, fried apple pies and other seasonal favorites.

3. Enjoy a fall family outing

Round up the family and spend a day at Henry River Farms, where fall fun comes with a farm-country backdrop.

Pick out the perfect pumpkin, get lost in the sorghum maze, hop aboard the cow train, take a tractor wagon ride, bounce on the inflatable pillow and visit the farm animals, including the always-popular Highland cows. Before you leave, stop by the bakery for something sweet to complete your fall day.

There’s plenty to keep little adventurers, and their grown-ups, busy.

4. Get spooked

Ready for something a little scarier?

Make your way to Lake Hickory Haunts for an evening filled with haunted attractions, creepy characters and plenty of reasons to scream. The first lakeside haunted attraction features 13 different scare areas. This immersive haunted experience is a fall tradition for thrill seekers who like their autumn adventures with a side of fright.

5. Take a drive

Sometimes the best way to enjoy fall is to roll down the windows, turn up your favorite playlist and see where the road takes you.

Explore the mountains on the Pisgah Loop for dramatic scenery and higher-elevation fall color, or take the Lake James Driving Loop for a beautiful ride through the foothills and around the lake.

Fall color can change quickly, and mountain roads aren't one-size-fits-all. Give the Burke County Visitor Center a call or stop by before you head out. We can help you decide which route is best for your vehicle and point you toward the areas showing the best color during your visit.

6. Have a fall beer

Sweater weather and a good local brew just belong together.

Make a stop at Fonta Flora Brewery, Sidetracked Brewery or Brown Mountain Bottleworks and see what's on tap for the season. Keep an eye out for Oktoberfests, Märzens, pumpkin ciders and other fall-inspired pours that pair well with a cool afternoon in the mountains.

Better yet, make your own fall craft beverage crawl and try a few local favorites along the way.

7. Try to see the Brown Mountain Lights

Fall nights are perfect for chasing one of Burke County's greatest mysteries: the Brown Mountain Lights.

For generations, people have reported seeing mysterious lights appearing over Brown Mountain, and theories about their origin range from science to folklore and everything in between.

Head to the Brown Mountain Overlook after dark, find a spot to watch the mountain and see if the lights make an appearance for you. There's never a guarantee you'll see them, but that's part of the adventure. Bonus: Stop in the Visitor Center before for a Brown Mountain Lights Viewing Guide.

8. Warm up with Honey Crisp Apple Moonshine

Need something to warm you up from the inside out after a chilly fall adventure?

Stop by South Mountain Distilling Company in Connelly Springs and try their Honey Crisp Apple Moonshine. It's a taste of fall with a little Appalachian kick.

While you're there, learn more about Burke County's moonshine-making heritage and the story of J.D. Rader, whose legacy lives on through the distillery's spirits. Take a tour, enjoy a tasting and browse the bottles and merchandise before heading home.

9. Go on a ghost tour in downtown Morganton

The mountains aren't the only place with stories to tell.

This fall, take a walk through Downtown Morganton and discover some of the history, legends and ghost stories hiding behind familiar streets and historic buildings.

More information about this year's Downtown Morganton Ghost Tours is coming soon. Check back for tour dates, times and reservation information.

10. Attend a fall event

Fall calendars fill up quickly in Burke County.

From festivals and live music to farmers markets, art events, Halloween celebrations and community traditions, there's almost always something happening somewhere in the county.

Before your visit, check our Fall Events Calendar to see what's happening while you're here. You may find a new favorite tradition.

Start planning your fall adventure

Whether your perfect fall day includes hiking through colorful forests, picking apples, sipping a seasonal beer, searching for mysterious lights or simply taking the scenic route, there's more than one way to experience autumn in Burke County.

Save this list, pick a few favorites and start planning your Burke County fall adventure.

Need help putting together your trip? Stop by the Burke County Visitor Center in Morganton and let us help point you toward trails, scenic drives, local attractions and some of the best fall color happening during your visit.