It’s finally happening. The beach towels have been washed and dried for the last time. The bottles of sunscreen have been used to the last drop. The humidity is giving way to a crisp coolness, red and orange leaves are decorating the ground, and people are wearing shirts with cutesy quotes about pumpkin spice everything. It all could only mean one thing—Fall is happening. While a southern Fall is more like a cooler summer with some whipping winds and greyer skies, it still signals the excitement of heading into the time of year for festivals, gatherings, decorating, and getaways. After getting through the final dog days of summer, everyone looks forward to a fall getaway to enjoy the cooler air and relax a little before the holiday rush sets in. To make determining your destination a little easier, below is our roundup of locations just a short drive away for this year’s Fall getaway.
- Ellijay, GA – 137 miles from Anderson, this charming mountain town in the mountains of north Georgia is the perfect place to enjoy Fall. It is known as the Apple Capital of Georgia. B.J. Reece Orchards has the most unique apple picking experience, where kids can shoot apples out of a cannon. If you’ve already mastered finding your way through the corn maze at Denver Downs, Ellijay’s Hillcrest Orchards has the South’s first apple maze as well as pig races and farm animals you can pet. Like most mountain towns, Ellijay offers scenic hiking trails, mountain biking paths, and Carters Lake, with boat rentals available. After a day of soaking up fall, indulge in a relaxing glass of wine from one of the many wineries in Ellijay and head downtown for dinner, antiquing, and listening to live music that is often played on the town square.
- Little Switzerland, NC – 135 miles from Anderson, the town is located along the Blueridge Parkway. Named for an area where the mountain slopes are said to resemble the slopes of the Swiss Alps, Little Switzerland is akin to Helen, Georgia’s Bavarian inspired town theme. October is the best time to visit since many of the downtown shops close November-March. There is a general store, a café, and the biggest draw, the three-story bookstore, Little Switzerland Books and Beans. This bookstore is big enough that you could spend the better part of your day exploring it. Visit the Historic Orchard at Altapass for apple picking, hayrides, storytelling, crafts, and food. Enjoy fall mountain views all around you in Little Switzerland, and be sure to visit Roaring Fork Falls, a gorgeous waterfall in the Toecane District of Pisgah National Forest.
- Long Creek, SC – 50 miles from Anderson, located in Oconee County, Long Creek is the perfect short, day trip to explore the natural beauty of our local area. Known for its lush waterfalls such as Brasstown Falls Trailhead, Long Creek Falls, and Sids Falls Trail, Long Creek creates a peaceful, picturesque entrance into Fall. For adventure seekers, Wildwater Rafting and Canopy Tours is a well-known spot for a white-water rafting experience on the Chattooga River. If you are more of a land lover, enjoy the mountain views from your seat at the table at Belle’s Bistro at Chattooga Belle Farms. This is a beautiful place for apple picking, exploring the distillery, shopping in the Farm Store, and playing disc golf.
- Highlands, NC – 70 miles from Anderson, Highlands is a mountain town that feels like an upscale Mayberry. If you decide to stay overnight, the Highlands Inn is located right in the center of downtown and is within walking distance to everything. It has a bed and breakfast feel to it and plenty of rocking chairs on the front porch and the balcony so you can rock and enjoy the quaint downtown scene. There are plenty of charming boutiques, wineries, art galleries, and bakeries to fill your day with exploring. The best dining spot in Highlands is Mountain Fresh Grocery, a deli, bakery, winery, restaurant, and upscale grocery store all in one place. There are waterfalls all around Highlands, and if you want to treat yourself after a day of exploring, the Spa at Old Edwards Inn can’t be beat.
- Pumpkintown, SC – 40 miles from Anderson and located in Pickens County, Pumpkintown offers the Fall beauty of Table Rock, Sassafras Mountain, and Caesar’s Head. The Pumpkintown Mountain Opry has shops, a restaurant, and on Saturday nights offers dinner and a show described as “southern mountain theater.” If you want to create the most unique memories of exploring Fall beauty with your family, make an appointment to visit the waterfalls in Pumpkintown while riding horseback with Horseback Waterfall Tours. Riders must be at least 12 years old and tours are led by the owner, Rhett Leonard.
Leave feedback about this