Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said North Carolina’s mountain areas would likely not be ready for visitors until after the fall foliage season.

However, if you want to avoid herds of tourists flocking to the more popular fall-friendly destinations ... and a colonial style downtown, its picturesque setting is straight out of a Norman ...

While Trail Ridge Road allows visitors to coast over the Rocky Mountains, Old Fall River Road offers a more grounded driving experience. The road opened in 1920 and put drivers closer to the park ...