Apparently been a great leaf season this year. Football game tonight too. App State hosts the 15th ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. ESPN2 7:30 Eastern
Stunning. Next fall, I want to rent a place up there for a week or 2. Is it best to stay near Boone or Asheville? Is peek color change typically mid-Oct?
Peak in Boone is usually second week in October, third to fourth week in Asheville. Peak can vary a couple of weeks either way. A lot depends on the weather, both rainfall and temps. More rain and warmth they change later. Not enough rain and they go straight brown and fall off. I prefer Boone but Asheville has more to offer in restaurants and more hotels. The Boone area has better views and the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby. Asheville is more of a city and you have to drive out of town to get to the better views. The good news is you can stay in one and drive to the other depending on the leaf peak. If it's past peak in Boone just drive south an hour or so, from Asheville go north. Hotels usually book up that time of year in advance around Boone. Between App State football weekends and leaf season it can get pretty crowded and restaurant waits can go over an hour.
And Down go the beach chickens (chanticleers) https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401309623