When we think of fall foliage, we think of the North Carolina mountains, and for good reason. The spectacular vistas are one of a kind. We have put together a list of scenic drives for fall color in the mountains, as well as some drives closer to us in Charlotte. The peak fall color season in most of the mountain regions is in October, so if you’re reading this in November, you might be a little bit too late.
But here in Charlotte, we can enjoy leaf changing season for much longer. And there are plenty of beautiful spots right here in town. We’ve taken some pictures of our favorite spots for fall colors, including botanical gardens, parks, waterfronts, and more. Disclaimer: fall color varies widely, and some leaves will still be green while other trees are already bare. That’s how it goes!
The last couple years, we’ve been putting together a Google map where you can see where the pictures were taken. Enjoy the pictures below, but keep scrolling to find the Google map. Each spot is marked with a leaf on the map, and if you click on the leaf you can see the pictures taken there, and you can get directions.
We’d love to add more pictures of fall colors in the Charlotte area. Would you like to help? If so, you can submit a picture that you took. We have a form for you to fill out as you upload your picture. We’ll need to know that you took the picture yourself, where it was (as specifically as possible) and the date you took it. And we’ll need you to give us permission to include it on our map, this post, and our social media. We might not be able to use every picture sent to us.
By including the date with each picture, we can have a general idea of when the leaves in a specific place will change, and plan ahead.
Even if your picture is from a place we’ve already covered, we’d still love to see it, because the scene will change with each day, with the time of day, and the angle you took the picture from.
Read on to see some of the pictures of fall colors in Charlotte, and keep scrolling to see the Google map. Or you can jump right to the map of fall leaves in Charlotte.
You might also be interested in:
- Subscribing to Charlotte on the Cheap's email list
- Charlotte on the Cheap Deals
- Free and cheap things to do this week
- Scenic drives for fall colors in the North Carolina mountains and Piedmont
- Charlotte Hotel Deals
- 8 self-guided walking tours in Charlotte
- Hike through the woods to another time -- the Robinson Rock House ruins from the 1700s
- Evergreen Nature Preserve: walk through an unspoiled hardwood forest in Charlotte
- Big Rock Nature Preserve
- 7 must-see Charlotte area gardens
- Guide to Charlotte's historic cemeteries
- Photo guide to 7 breathtaking North Carolina waterfalls
- Photo guide to hiking at 8 North Carolina State Parks
- Charlotte area farmers markets