Here’s a list of 11 fall road trip destinations within a 2.5 hour drive of Charlotte

Chyna Blackmon
·3 min read

While most people tend to venture out for a vacation during summer, there are several fun fall destinations to visit in the Carolinas this season, too.

You can find cities and towns that are perfect to visit during this time of year, especially if you want to go hiking, pumpkin picking or leaf peeping for fall foliage — even for a day.

Here’s a guide to popular places across the state to road trip to this season that are within a 2.5-hour drive from Charlotte:

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 26.8 miles

What to do: Take a hayride and pick a pumpkin at Cherry Place Farm, go apple picking at Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill or plan a YoCo Brew Trail brewery crawl.

Kings Mountain, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 32.1 miles

What to do: Hike to the top of Crowders Mountain, sign up for a wine tasting at Veronét Vineyards & Winery or go to the Great Pumpkin Parade.

Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, N.C., on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain, N.C., on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

Lake Norman, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 37.4 miles

What to do: Go pumpkin picking at Carrigan Farms, book a boat cruise to see fall foliage or stroll through the corn field maze at Rural Hill farm.

Pumpkins out in the fields. Carrigan Farms is a family owned fifth generation farm located in Mooresville on over a 100 acres. The farm has been a place where guest can pick their own pumpkins for Halloween and hay ride and haunted trails in the corn fields for the more adventure seeker.
Pumpkins out in the fields. Carrigan Farms is a family owned fifth generation farm located in Mooresville on over a 100 acres. The farm has been a place where guest can pick their own pumpkins for Halloween and hay ride and haunted trails in the corn fields for the more adventure seeker.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 79.2 miles

What to do: Explore the trails at Pilot Mountain State Park, take part in a scavenger hunt around Salem Lake or visit Winston-Salem’s most haunted historical sites.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 91.3 miles

What to do: Take the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad, zip through the treetops at High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park or go fishing at a local lake, river or stream.

Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train is recommended for children 8 and older.
Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train is recommended for children 8 and older.

Columbia, South Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 92.2 miles

What to do: Explore Riverbanks Zoo after hours at Boo at the Zoo, shop for fresh fall produce at the South Carolina State Farmers Market or catch a movie at The Nickelodeon theater.

The Nickelodeon shows first-run independent films, special curated series, and one-off screenings of films relevant to the community.
The Nickelodeon shows first-run independent films, special curated series, and one-off screenings of films relevant to the community.

Boone, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 99.3 miles

What to do: Take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, admire the fall foliage along a waterfall trail or shop for seasonal foods at a farmers’ market.

Photographers crowd a rock above the Linn Cove Viaduct to shoot the fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Grandfather Mountain.
Photographers crowd a rock above the Linn Cove Viaduct to shoot the fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Grandfather Mountain.

[RELATED: Fall bucket list: Pumpkin picking, haunted houses and other activities around Charlotte]

Greenville, South Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 101 miles

What to do: Stroll around Falls Park on the Reedy, admire art at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts or check out Vault & Vator, the city’s first and only speakeasy-style cocktail lounge.

Falls Park on the Reedy is located in downtown Greenville’s Historic West End.
Falls Park on the Reedy is located in downtown Greenville’s Historic West End.

Banner Elk, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 111 miles

What to do: Walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain, take a thrill ride through the forests at Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster or enjoy a glass of wine and live music at Grandfather Vineyard and Winery.

Wilderness Run opened in Banner Elk in May 2020 as the state’s only Alpine Coaster ride.
Wilderness Run opened in Banner Elk in May 2020 as the state’s only Alpine Coaster ride.

Asheville, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 128 miles

What to do: Stroll through the 434-acre North Carolina Arboretum, sign up for a haunted ghost tour, or check out work from local artists in the River Arts District.

Durham, North Carolina

Distance from Charlotte: 143 miles

What to do: Plan a picnic at Falls Lake, pick the perfect pumpkin at Holder Hill Farm or take a trolley tour to see seasonal blooms at Sarah P. Duke Gardens.