Autumn is officially here, and I created the ultimate North Carolina fall bucket list to celebrate! My husband and I recently relocated from Colorado, and it’ll be our first fall living in North Carolina. I loved fall in Colorado, but the South holds a special place in my heart since I grew up in Georgia, so I’m excited to be back for one of my favorite seasons. We’re still in the midst of moving and unpacking, but I’m itching to get out and experience all the fun fall things to do in North Carolina!

1. Get apple cider donuts from an orchard

Apple cider donuts are some of my favorite fall treats. While you can find them at most grocery stores this time of year, nothing beats authentic donuts from a local orchard. We didn’t have many apple orchards in Colorado, so I’m excited to check some out here in North Carolina.

2. Carve pumpkins

Every fall, my husband and I carve pumpkins to keep on our front porch around Halloween. I love getting creative with different designs and having a friendly competition to see whose turns out better. Once October 1 rolls around, it’s time to start brainstorming what we’ll carve this year!

3. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway

While I’ve driven along portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway before, I’ve never seen it in the fall. It’s one of North Carolina’s most beautiful roads, and I’ve heard it’s especially stunning when the leaves are changing. I can’t wait to go leaf-peeping along the parkway with a pumpkin spice latte while listening to my favorite fall tunes.

4. Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains

It’s been years since I’ve visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I’m eager to explore more of it now that we’re living in North Carolina. The fall foliage is supposed to be breathtaking throughout the park and there are tons of cool hikes, waterfalls, overlooks, and scenic drives to check out.

5. Have a scary movie marathon

A few years ago, I started an annual tradition of watching a scary movie every day in the month of October. Horror is one of my favorite movie genres, so it’s the perfect way for me to celebrate spooky season. I’m excited to rewatch some of my go-to horror movies and see some new ones.

6. Bake a festive pie

My husband is a wonderful baker and we usually make at least one pie every fall season. I love classic apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies—sometimes, we switch things up with a sweet yet tart cranberry custard recipe. I’m already dreaming of whichever pie we decide to whip up first!

7. Take a day trip to Old Salem

Old Salem is supposed to be an adorable area to visit during fall. I’ve never been, but the pictures I’ve seen make it look as pretty as postcard. I think it will be fun to take a day trip to the historic neighborhood to walk around, visit some museums, and do some shopping.

8. Spend a weekend in the mountains

There are so many quaint mountain towns throughout North Carolina that I want to explore, like Black Mountain, Boone, and Hendersonville. I definitely plan to take a weekend this fall to check one of them out when the foliage is at its peak. Nothing beats a relaxing getaway up in the mountains, especially when there’s a chill in the air and you’re surrounded by gorgeous red, orange, and yellow leaves.

Let me know your recommendations for enjoying fall in North Carolina!