I'm From the South and This Charming Smoky Mountains Town Is the Best Place to See Fall Foliage in the U.S.

"Every fall, this region of the Appalachian Mountains puts on an incredible display as shades of scarlet, gold, and orange cascade over the rolling peaks between North Carolina and Tennessee. And while the Smokies are home to a variety of cute mountain towns with front-row seats to the show, in my opinion, you can't do better than Cherokee, North Carolina. From mid-October to early November, this small town on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park -and the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway-is surrounded by a tapestry of brilliant colors."

""I just can't express enough that our outdoor living here is incredible," says Collette Coggins. Born and raised in Cherokee, Coggins owns and operates Native Brews Tap & Grill, a craft brewery with locations in Cherokee and neighboring Bryson City. "We have so much outdoor space with a lot of hiking and a lot of fishing. And then you top it off with the people. Not only on the reservation, in the surrounding counties-we have beautiful community members.""

Cherokee, North Carolina sits at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering prime fall foliage viewing. From mid-October to early November, ridgelines and valleys turn scarlet, gold, and orange. The town provides direct access to hiking, fishing, and trails such as the challenging Alum Cave Trail. Local businesses include Native Brews Tap & Grill, and community members emphasize strong outdoor living and hospitality. Cherokee combines cultural and historical attractions with small-town Southern charm, making it a popular base for leaf-peeping and outdoor recreation in the Smokies.

Read at Travel + Leisure