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See the state from a fresh, active perspective by taking advantage of these eye-opening experiences.

Leaf Watcher's Favorite: Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Board the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for an amazing tour across the colorful valleys and river gorges of the Great Smoky Mountains. Choose from a variety of round trip excursions originating from Bryson City, including the popular Mystery Dinner Theatre Train and the Rapid Transit with the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
http://www.gsmr.com or (800) 872-4681

Bike Off the Beaten Trail: Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle Tours

Take less traveled roads while enjoying breathtaking views of beautiful pastors dotted with grape vines on the Carolina Tailwinds Bicycle Tours in Winston-Salem. These tours offer the perfect mix of the great outdoors, historic attractions and fine wine. Relax at the charming farmhouse at Hanover Park Vineyards with its creaking wood floors and homey porch; walk the cobblestone streets of historic Old Salem; buy old-fashioned candy at Rockford's General Store; stay in a historic inn; and test your cycling mettle on rolling hills with a few challenging climbs along the way.
http://www.carolinatailwinds.com/winetour.htm or (888) 251-3206

Fly Above the Heart of NC's Wine Country: Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures

To enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace, try hot air ballooning. Soar thousands of feet in the air watching the colorful landscape unfold from above. Imagine skimming over a pond or touching the colorful treetops. Yadkin Valley Balloon Adventures offers flights with certified pilots ready to take you on an adventure of a lifetime.
http://www.balloonadventure.net/ or (336) 922-7207

Ride the River Wild: Whitewater Rafting on Nantahala River

For over thousands of years, the swift currents of the Nantahala River have carved an incredible gorge, lush with vegetation, in the mountains of western North Carolina. Winding eight miles through this gorge, the clear waters of the Nantahala offer plenty of practice on easy Class II rapids before culminating to the exciting Class III whitewater of the mighty Nantahala Falls. The Nantahala Outdoor Center has been leading trips since 1972 and can help make your trip a splash!
www.noc.com or (888) 905-7238

A Must See: Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is like taking a journey through fall colors. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular ways to view North Carolina's changing fall foliage. To honor the building of the Parkway, as well as the history, music and culture of the region, an unveiling of the Parkway's 75th Anniversary Commemorative Print is set to kick off the celebration in September. More upcoming events include a benefit concert in November, Winterfest in January and the Blue Ridge Kite Festival in April. To make the most out of your adventure, before you go purchase the Go Blue Ridge Card, a premium attraction pass that offers fully prepaid access to 29 top tourist attractions, including discounts on dining and shopping and a full color guidebook. Or exhibit things to see and do in the region first hand by stopping at the 12,000 square foot Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Destination Center at Milepost 384 near Asheville, where you can also shop for books and souvenirs.
www.blueridgeparkway75.org
www.nps.gov/blri or (828) 271-4779
www.goblueridgecard.com or (800) 887-9103
www.brpfoundation.org or (336) 721-0260

Autumn Leaf Train Excursions from Spencer’s NC Transportation Museum

Two unique train adventures, equally beautiful and exciting, offered by the North Carolina Transportation Museum will travel through vibrant fall foliage and spectacular views of the North Carolina mountains and more. First the "Virginia Autumn Special" will travel from Spencer/Greensboro, NC to Charlottesville, VA on October 31. In Charlottesville travelers will spend time exploring the historic downtown area, full of boutiques, specialty wine, coffee and tea shops and outdoor dining. Next the "Blue Ridge Special" will take you from Spencer, NC into the foothills and on to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville on November 1. Stopping near the entrance to the Biltmore estate, travelers will then have the opportunity to explore Biltmore village, a community established in the 1890's by taking a walk along the brick sidewalks and visiting the locally-owned boutiques and restaurants.
www.nctrans.org or 704-636-2889 ext. 232

Bonus - Local Favorite: The Road to Nowhere Scenic Drive

"The Road To Nowhere", as most local residents call it, is a six-mile scenic drive into the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where it dead-ends. The drive provides spectacular views of Fontana Lake and the Appalachian Mountains and was originally named "Lakeview Drive", but since the road was never completed (as the government promised) residents, who were forced to leave their homes in order for Fontana Dam to be built, gave it the name of  "The Road To Nowhere".
http://www.westernncattractions.com/hazelcreek/The_Rest_of_the_Road_To_Nowhere_Story.htm

Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.

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Contact
Susan Dosier
704-953-9408
sdosier@visitnc.com

Wit Tuttell
919-733-7420
wit@visitnc.com