Since we are fortunate enough to live two hours from the mountains, Ryan and I have prioritized visiting beautiful mountain towns nearly every fall since we moved to North Carolina. To the people who actually live in these stunning towns, we’re known as “leaf peepers” and the nickname is well-deserved. Trying to time our trip into the mountains with peak leaf color changes is always a little tricky but this year we got it right.
We got it very, very right.
Vibrant red, yellow and orange leaves clung tightly to the trees and stretched over the mountains for miles and miles. I had to tell myself to stop taking a billion pictures but it was hard to put my camera away when the colorful leaves seemed to follow me everywhere all weekend.
Thursday
Aside from gazing at the gorgeous leaves that surrounded us, Ryan, Chase, Sadie and I managed to fill our time in the mountains with a myriad of activities and relaxation. It felt like our trip officially began on Thursday evening when we leashed Sadie up and strapped Chase in our hiking backpack and made the short drive from Black Mountain to Montreat to hike to the top of Lookout Mountain. It’s a short hike but a strenuous one that’s nearly all uphill but the hard work was worth it because we were rewarded with stunning 360-degree views.
Sadie thoroughly impressed us with her agility and we once again decided she must be part mountain goat. The steep incline, rough terrain and large rocks we had to climb to get to the top didn’t phase her in the least. She was one happy dog and Ryan and I are convinced she goes to bed every night wondering why in the world we don’t taking her hiking every single day of the week. (We would if we could, believe me!)
After our hike, we drove through the small but picturesque campus of Montreat College before arriving at Robert Lake Park, home to what may be the most beautiful playground I’ve ever seen. The playground had three different wooden jungle gyms nestled among shady trees and fast-flowing streams with bridges over them to allow you to cross safely from one play area to the next. I’ll go ahead and make the obvious statement now: Chase loved it!
Between our hike and playground fun, we worked up an appetite and ended up grabbing takeout sushi for dinner from Sake Sushi to bring back to our cabin, a Carolina Mornings Vacation Rental in the Village of Cheshire Cabins. We stayed in Cardinal’s Cove which was a quirky but cozy place. (The quirky part? The bedroom was located on a separate floor from the main living area and kitchen, accessible only by an outdoor staircase. Other Carolina Mornings cabins near us had more traditional layouts.)
The location of the cabin was perfect; close enough to I-40 with quick access to Asheville but tucked into the quiet town of Black Mountain that we absolutely adore. (We stayed in Black Mountain with my family last year.) Our cabin was also walkable to the Village of Cheshire which is home to a couple of local restaurants and a spa and we loved popping into the Artisan Gourmet Market for sandwiches and coffee a few times during our visit. We called it an early night on Thursday and woke up feeling energized for more hiking on Friday morning!
Friday
Once we were all up for the day on Friday, we made breakfast at our cabin before piling into Ryan’s car and driving a little less than 20 minutes to the Catawba Falls trailhead. The hike is perfect for new hikers and children and features large, well-maintained trails and mostly flat terrain. We chose the hike thinking Chase might want to walk but he seemed quite content in the hiking backpack which was ideal since it allowed us to keep a decent pace and easily point out the beautiful sights without amazing things like rocks and sticks distracting our toddler along the way.
The entire hike took place along a large stream and we passed a bunch of smaller waterfalls on our hike up to Catawba Falls. The falls are huge and breathtaking and we only saw a small handful of people during the short three-mile hike. It felt like we had the trails to ourselves which was a treat since the falls felt like they should be a big tourist attraction based on their magnitude alone.
The rest of our Friday was a bit more low key and included a trip into Asheville for doughnuts from Vortex (we loved them but Chase was not impressed because they didn’t have any with sprinkles), pizza from Black Mountain Mill & Pizzeria and a cozy night back at the cabin watching Harry Potter on TV.
Saturday
Saturday was the first day we didn’t see the sun, as fog and cloudy weather loomed over Black Mountain and Asheville all day. Despite the dreary weather, the rain held off for most of the day with the exception of a light, wet drizzle that followed us around most of the morning. It was the perfect cozy coffee shop kind of morning, so we made our first trip of the day a visit to The Dripolator, a local coffeehouse located in the heart of Black Mountain.
With hot beverages in hand and sweet pastries in our bellies, we were ready to start the day!
When we asked Chase what he wanted to do on Saturday he said he wanted to see animals and since we had so much fun at the WNC Nature Center during our previous visit to the area, we decided to spend the morning among the wolves, bears, coyotes, deer and otters!
We made a pit top at the Artisan Gourmet Market for lunch on our way back to our cabin and then as Chase took his nap, I began working on this blog post and Ryan leashed up Sadie for a walk. Chase took an extra long nap but still seemed tired and a bit fussy when he woke up so we figured we should keep our evening activities rather low-key. We drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway for a bit to soak up some more mountain views before stopping for dinner at The Trailhead Restaurant, followed by dessert at Kilwin’s in Black Mountain.
Sunday
Sunday passed in a bit of a blur. We were up early and after packing up the car, we drove to Lake James State Park for a quick hike on our way back home. It was a great way to break up the drive and do something active to kick off the day. We spent the rest of the day in our pajamas at home, getting organized for the week ahead. Lots of laundry, unpacking, cooking, baking and a bit of Stranger Things-watching to round out the evening.
I hope you all had a good weekend and enjoy your Monday!
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I’m so glad you guys had such a wonderful trip!
Thank you, Shelby! Really hope you had a great weekend as well.
Hi Julie! It looks like you had a lovely weekend in the mountains 🙂 Just a quick question, where is your crossbody bag from that is in some of the pictures in today’s post?
Hi Natalie! It’s from Marc Jacobs but I bought it one RueLaLa during a sale! I found the exact one on Zappos though — I have the “Mink” color: http://bit.ly/2hhocR8
Wow the mountains look absolutely gorgeous! I love that you take a annual trip every Fall, so worth it just to see the color of the leaves on the trees!
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! The picture are beautiful and making me want to pack up and hop on a plane right now 🙂
Don’t ask me why but this morning in the shower I was thinking about you and the heartache you have dealt with this year. I hope that you and Ryan are healing <3
Thank you so much for thinking of us, Maureen. <3 I really appreciate it!
What a fun and beautiful trip! We went hiking in the Pocono Mountains this summer and loved looking at the views 🙂
I’m totally with you on the mountain love! It’s just the perfect getaway and I love the feeling of ditching society/social media for a few days while being immersed in such a majestic setting 🙂
My bf and I live in CT and we took a trip up to New Hampshire’s white mountains a few weekends ago and it was such a lovely weekend just disconnecting from the world for a bit <3
I started Stranger Things this weekend per your recommendation. I know you said it wasn’t scary but I kind of think it is! Although now I am too curious to stop watching….
It is definitely unnerving and suspenseful!! It hooked me pretty fast though so I also had to keep watching!
So glad you had such a wonderful trip! I live in Asheville, and am so thankful for your instagram about Lookout Mountain because my husband and i leashed up our pup for a hike there Sunday for a visit to Montreat (its one of the few hikes in the area we havent done) and it was perfect! (plus two stops at dripolator never hurt). Have a wonderful week!
THIs is my dream weekend getaway! The foliage is insane- so freakin’ pretty! I love those booties you wore on Saturday!
Wow – this weekend sounds absolutely perfect. My husband and I have been dreaming about a mountain vacation for some time now and are looking to plan one in the spring. This might just be the spot we go to! On a totally different note, the second season of Stranger Things was SO good. Enjoy it!
We are SO into it right now!! I think it’s almost better than the first one!
Looks like an amazing trip! Makes me want to book a cottage in the white mountains near me.
Where is your white sweater from?
Wow! This looks like the most beautiful place, this whole post makes me want to get away now! 😉 I am so glad you had a great weekend! Love your sweater, you always wear the best outfits and look so pretty!! Have a great Monday! Xoxo
So sweet of you to say. Thank you, Kayla!!
The mountains look just beautiful! What a great fall getaway!
I saw your Insta stories of the waterfalls and they look absolutely beautiful. I live about an hour from the mountains and I always try to take advantage of how close they are.
I finished watching season 2 of Stranger Things yesterday and I really liked it.
I have been to the mountains in every season except fall. I’ve got to plan a fall trip. It’s so beautiful. Glad you had a good weekend!!
Your pictures are gorgeous! So glad y’all had a great time.
WOW!! Beautiful place.
Look how stinking beautiful! I am a sucker for fall leaves. Last year was my first time ever experiencing them after my move to D.C. from New Orleans. And I’ll admit to pulling over on the side of the road to snap some shots. 😉 They’re just too beautiful not to. Also, cute outfit with the booties and pale pink sweater! Thred Up finds? My FAVORITE way to shop now!
These pictures are amazing! I’m from New England, so out optimal foliage time is already passed:(
Oh my goodness those views are breathtaking! I’m thinking we need to take a trip out there…Virginia’s not too far away!
Loved seeing your updates on Instagram – Chase looks like he had a great time and I always love seeing Sadie on hikes 🙂
Oh man I miss the color changing leaves of the East coast — what a fun weekend!
i cannot get over the colors of those leaves!!!! and the views from your hike? UNREAL. glad you had such a beautiful weekend!!!
Sorry if you’ve answered this before. Where does Chase sleep when you travel with him? We haven’t taken my 2.5 year old too many places, but I hate dragging the pack ‘n play and she doesn’t sleep well if we are in the same room.
Thanks!
He sleeps in the Pack ‘n’ Play. Thankfully he doesn’t seem to mind it! It is a pain to lug around but it seems to work well for us.
This post has me craving planning a trip with my boys!
What a wonderful trip 🙂 The mountains are definitely my happy place too, it has been way too long since we’ve had a mountain trip, I need to make that happen soon!
Gorgeous!! Those leaves are so pretty! We’re heading to Colorado before Christmas and I can’t WAIT to see something with a little more altitude than this Texas stuff! Ha! Chase looks like he had a blast!
I am glad you enjoyed your time here! It is a wonderful place to live. Come back soon!
This sounds like SUCH a lovely leaf-peepin’ mountain weekend! We did Shenandoah last year and I’m a bit sad we likely won’t make it this year. If you feel like doing Shenandoah for your mountainous leaf-peepin’, Getaway now has a tiny house there that I am really curious to try, since I’ve never even seen a tiny house in person before! (https://getaway.house/land/dc)
So glad Chase and Sadie (and you and Ryan, of course) had a great time!
So beautiful! I love that area, especially this time of the year.
So glad you enjoyed my hometown! Nothing compares to the mountains this time of year.
I loved reading this as my husband and I lived in Montreat about 20 yrs ago – we loved Black Mountain and then bought a house in Asheville where we lived for only a year due to job change. It is such a gorgeous area! Our favorite place in Black Mountain was ‘sweet treats’ which sold incredible ice cream/yogurt with amazing mix ins to create your own flavor. So nice that you take advantage of being so close to the mountains.
We actually tried to stop into Sweet Treats on Saturday night but it was already closed by the time we stopped by! I’m still bummed we missed it!
Ooooh – I did not know it was still there! I used to get the chocolate frozen yogurt with peppermint pieces (SO fresh – I had no idea such fresh peppermint existed!) on a homemade waffle cone with a little piece of marshmallow at the bottom to prevent ice cream drips! I am drooling just thinking about it!
My children go to camp every summer in Black mountain…that’s when I fell in love! I usually stay a couple of days after dropping them off (with one of my besties, who flies in from CA. her daughter attends camp with mine) and go early to pick them up, so I can squeeze a little bit more in!
Try the Monte Vista Inn next time you are around! It’s lovely…they have ‘dog nights’, feature different artists work throughout the inn and rotate every month or so, a small bar and patio…the restaurant has a great brunch, etc. I usually just have the breakfast for the guests, because I sleep in?.
Chase will like their cats and we saw several little bunnies on our last visit. Have fun & enjoy! Blessings to you and your family…
Do they go to Camp Rockmont by chance?
They go to Merri-Mac and Timberlake.
The girls have their dance w/ Rockmont! I know several boys that attend Rockmont, as well.
It’s a beautiful area…Montreat too!
Oh fun!! My aunt and uncle own Rockmont so I was curious! Beautiful area!
Rockmont campers come to vend at the Black Mountain Farmers Market! We are just south of old Fort, Catawba Falls area and sell there too!
Sounds so fun! We’re already itching to go back so I appreciate the recommendation!
PLEASE write a book about traveling with toddlers and dogs! I love that you try to include Sadie as much as possible. We have an 8 month old Lagatto Romongnolo (an Italian Water Dog) who loves the car! We took her on her first long trip from Chattanooga to Illinois last weekend where she stayed in a hotel room for the first time. We found some dog friendly activities; but it was more difficult that I thought. Next time, we will do a VRBO or cabin type accommodation so that she can roam a little more inside. Any insights on your blog will be helpful.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family,
Rhonda
Hi Rhonda! I do think renting a cabin/house and going the VRBO route is soooo helpful! It makes it way easier to just be able to let Sadie out when she needs to go to the bathroom and we don’t worry about her barking when we leave (she’s not a big barker anyway but I know I’d be a bit nervous in a hotel). We pack her normal food, a cozy blanket she loves and her favorite toys and she’s always been pretty good about adjusting! We do tend to try to incorporate more dog-friendly activities when she’s with us (hiking on this trip, for example) which is also so helpful. If you have any specific questions, please let me know!
I am looking forward to our family’s trip next September to the area! We are going for the 2018 World Equestrian Games (held in Tryon, SC- bordering on NC) but plan to spend a few days in the Asheville area, exploring the Biltmore, and hiking in the Smokey Mt Nat’l Park. The mountains are also my happiest place (okay, maybe on the lake, too!), and can’t wait to see the Smokies after many years away.
Looks like you had a great trip!
I love reading about your trips to the mountains and I’m definitely adding this to my must visit destinations in the Fall!
Was your trip sponsored? I notice it was featured on the Visit Asheville Facebook page.
How old is your toddler? Wondering about taking my young grandson to these places especially the playground/park.
We were in Black Mountain the same time as you! We also hiked the lookout trail, went to thr dripolator, and the artisan market. Did yiu check out Dobra tea, roots and fruits cafe, or black mountain yoga? Those are must sees! This town is so magical.
PERFECT TIMING! We head to Asheville next week – and were hoping to find something to do outside (assuming the weather is tolerable). Thank you for this!!!
Awesome family trip you have there with your loved ones 🙂 I’m currently based in Black Mountain NC but I haven’t found the time to go for hikes. I will probably go hiking soon after feeling very inspired by your post. When is the best time to hike because I’m trying to avoid sunburns LOL