Western NC locations named best for apple picking and fall colors

Fall is here, and two Western North Carolina locations were named among some of the best destinations to celebrate the season countrywide in a new roundup of fall-themed 10BEST Readers' Choice awards from USA TODAY.

10BEST Readers' Choice lists are chosen by voters across the country who choose favorites among locations nominated by an expert panel. The recent roundup included lists naming the top Oktoberfests, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, overall best places to visit for fall and more.

In past years, the Citizen Times has reported on Western N.C. wins in categories including best glamping locations, fishing lodges, arts districts and more. Western N.C.'s wins in the recent roundup included a city named among the best in the U.S.

for viewing fall colors and a favorite apple orchard with u-pick fruit. Here's what to know.

Fall colors in Bryson City, NC

Bryson City ranked No. 7 for best destination for fall colors in the nation on this year's 10BEST list, with list writers noting, "Bryson City is especially beautiful in autumn, when the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains blaze with brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold."

The area's miles of hiking and biking trails, waterways for paddling and sweeping mountain views were all mentioned as reasons why the area is particularly perfect for leaf peepers. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was mentioned as an ideal location for foliage viewing, with writers suggesting a scenic ride through the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a memorable fall trip.

Bryson City has previously taken home 10BEST awards, including No. 8 for best small town in the South for 2025, No. 10 for best small town beer scene in 2024 and more.

Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock, NC

Sky Top Orchard, located at 1193 Pinnacle Mountain Road in Flat Rock, was awarded No. 7 for best apple orchard in the U.S. in 2026, with writers noting, "cool summer nights and warm days create perfect conditions for growing over 22 varieties of apples."

The list entry noted that U-pick season lasts from July through the end of October, with Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Pink Lady and more among available apple varieties.

Sky Top Orchard has also had previous wins, ranking among the best apple orchards according to 10BEST lists every year since 2021, plus in 2017 and 2015.

Best fall colors in the U.S. 2026

The full 10BEST list of top areas to see fall colors in the U.S. this year included:

1. Upper Peninsula of Michigan
2. Hocking Hills, Ohio
3. Roanoke, Virginia
4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
5. Hot Springs, Arkansas
6. Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
7. Bryson City, North Carolina
8. White Mountains, New Hampshire
9. Adirondacks, New York
10. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Best apple orchards in the U.S. 2026

The full 10BEST list of top apple orchards in the U.S. this year included:

1. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards, LaFayette, New York
2. Minard's Family Farm, Cintondale, New York
3. Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, Connecticut
4. Red Apple Farm, Phillipston, Massachusetts
5. Bishop's Orchards, Guilford, Connecticut
6. Knaebe's Apple Farm, Rogers City, Michigan
7. Sky Top Orchard, Flat Rock, North Carolina
8. Apple Hill Orchards, Mansfield, Ohio
9. Marker-Miller Orchards, Winchester, Virginia
10. Mercier Orchards, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Western NC locations named best for apple picking and fall colors