I’ve lived in the Carolinas for years. There’s one small town I swear by visiting every fall.

When I visit Brevard, I love stopping in the downtown area, which has a variety of boutique clothing shops, art galleries, and restaurants (more on those later).

One of my favorite places to visit is the original O.P. Taylor’s toy store. I think both kids and adults can be entertained by its levels of puzzles, stuffed animals, craft materials, dolls, Legos, and more, which take over every available space in the shop.

Another favorite store of mine is D.D. Bullwinkel’s Outdoors, which has a fantastic selection of outdoor gear, from hiking boots and backpacks to clothing and jackets.

Plus, the area really gets into the festive fall spirit. Every Friday and Saturday evening during the first four weeks of October, Silvermont Park hosts Pumpkin Fest, an event complete with carved pumpkin displays, food trucks, face painting, and other family-friendly activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

One of my favorite restaurants in Brevard is Pescado’s and Sunrise. The menu has everything from bagel sandwiches and omelettes to tacos and burgers. I really like the veggie bowl, which comes with chips and salsa on the side.

Another one of my favorites is Gordingos, a self-described taco fusion restaurant located inside Ecusta Brewing. I recommend ordering the Nachos Gordos or any of the bowls.

My mother-in-law has limited mobility, and when she comes to visit Brevard with my family, I still want to show her all the pretty sites nearby.

One of our favorite places to visit is Looking Glass Falls, a 60-foot waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest located less than 20 minutes from downtown Brevard.

Although the area is beautiful any time of year, I think it’s especially worth seeing in the fall when the colorful leaves frame the waterfall.

I always stop at the roadside parking area off US 276 South so that my mother-in-law can appreciate the scenery from a viewing platform while I walk down to the base of the falls to feel the mist.

We also like to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves changing colors. The views are seemingly endless, and it feels like you’re driving straight through a colorful painting.

In my experience, my family isn’t the only one that loves to do this, though, so I recommend going early in the morning for fewer crowds.

I don’t think it gets any better than camping in Brevard in the fall. The days are warm and the nights are cool — the perfect weather to hang out at the campfire before curling up in a sleeping bag.

One of my favorite campgrounds in the area is Davidson River, about 5 miles from Brevard. Some of the campsites are closer to the river, which is calming to hear in the evenings.

My favorite thing about this campground, though, is that it’s a great base for exploring more of the area’s hiking trails. When there, I like to travel a little further and hike to Twin Falls in the Pisgah National Forest.

However, if you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that the campground will be closed for renovations from November to May 2026.

Brevard lies within North Carolina’s Transylvania County, which is home to over 1,000 miles of trails.

One of my favorite treks is Moore Cove Falls. It’s located in the Pisgah National Forest, less than half an hour from Brevard. I think it’s unique because visitors can walk behind the waterfall. Plus, the hike is only 1.5 miles round-trip, so it’s a relatively easy journey to tackle.

If you’re willing to drive a bit farther, I also enjoy hiking at Black Balsam Knob, Sam Knob, and Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, which are all less than an hour from downtown.

And finally, to see a seasonal sunset phenomenon known as the Shadow of the Bear, I suggest driving about 45 minutes west to Whiteside Mountain, near Cashiers, North Carolina.

From mid-October to early November, typically between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., the sun sets behind the mountain, creating a shadow that looks like a bear.