Fall Foliage Harold Wilson Memorial Drive
Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah Region
October 20-22, 2023

Friday October 20th

We meet in the afternoon in Franklin, NC.  Lodging will be the Hampton Inn (244 Cunningham Rd, Franklin, NC 28734) for the night of October 20th.

A block of 15 rooms, and the rate is $220 for a King plus tax has been reserved for us.  The deadline to reserve your room is October 10th and after this date the block of rooms will be released.  Call 828-369-0600 to reserve your room before October 10th.  The rooms are reserved under the name: Brett Butler.

We can have dinner together at Motor Company Grill, 86 W. Main St., Franklin, NC and we have a reserved room at the restaurant for 7 pm.

Saturday October 21st

We depart the hotel at 9 am and drive to Cherokee, NC and start the Blue Ridge Parkway at it’s Southern endpoint Milepost 469.  We drive 87 miles of the parkway North, stopping at points of interest along the way, and enjoy the many scenic views. 

Notable Points of interest:

• Milepost 451 – Waterrock Knob – long range views of several mountain chains in the Appalachians including Great Smoky Mountains, Pisgah Range, Nantahala, Cowee and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Milepost 431.4 – Richland Balsam Overlook – Highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway 6,053 ft.
• Milepost 384 – Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Park Store.  Exhibits and 24 minute Parkway movie.
• Milepost 382 – Folk Art Center – exhibits, craft demonstrations and craft shop.

Exit the Parkway and meet in Asheville for lunch.  Return home from Asheville or make your own plans and spend the night in Asheville.Lunch at Wicked Weed Brewing, 91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC -  No reservations so we may have to wait to be seated as a group.

Hotel Options in Asheville

Be prepared for “sticker shock” on the hotel prices in Asheville for October 21-22.  Here is a list of options found that were under $300/night:

• Best Western Asheville Tunnel Road
• Comfort Inn Biltmore West
• Holiday Inn & Suites Asheville SW – Outlet Ctr Area
• Sleep Inn Asheville – Biltmore West
• Quality Inn & Suites Biltmore East
• Extended Stay America – Asheville – Tunnel Road

Event fee is $15.00 per vehicle. Same cost regardless of how many folks you can cram into your Mercedes-Benz.