10 Things You Absolutely Must Do Before Fall Ends In North Carolina

Is it just me or is the sight of Christmas decorations a bit overwhelming? Sure, Halloween has passed and we're now into November, but fall still has a good month or so to bless us with some beautiful sights and fun activities that make this time of year so complete. Don't deck the halls just yet, there's nothing wrong with letting the spookiness, fun, mystery and beauty of Halloween persist until Thanksgiving. These 10 activities will help you do just that while fulfilling a 'fall bucket list,' so to speak.

1. Have and/or attend a bonfire

One of the first signs of fall is gathering round a bonfire (or even fire pit) with friends on the first chilly night of the season. The weather is only going to get colder, and those mid-50s temps are perfect for enjoying a bonfire with friends and adding in the mix of some music, a few drinks and of course, s'mores.

2. Try out these spectacular fall hikes

North Carolina has pretty of gorgeous hiking trails, but some really peak come fall. From chasing waterfalls, grassy balds, and even some of the tallest peaks in the Appalachian - these ten are a must-do before the season ends.

3. Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Sure, the leaves won't be quite at the peak or beauty they were in mid-October. Most might even be gone, but that doesn't diminish the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway. With 'leafer' traffic officially over, you'll have more time to cruise, view, and explore.

4. Explore new terrains

There's plenty of coveted overlooks dotting the Blue Ridge Parkway, but there's nothing quite like standing in a wide-open field surrounded by 360-degree mountain views. For a very 'Sound of Music' experience, both Max Patch and Roan Mountain transport hikers to a whole other world rarely found in North Carolina. Read our guide to Max Patch here.

5. Visit a cidery

Pumpkin beer might be a quintessential fall beverage, but cider stands as the original. It doesn't have to be fall to drink cider, but it just tastes better this time of year. From small craft cideries releasing unique concoctions, to even an eclectic cider mill and gift shop,

these six are a must-visit before the season ends.

6. Get a view from the top

From one of the tallest and fastest ziplines in the county, to a more mellow kid-friendly option - zip lines and outdoor adventure parks can be found throughout North Carolina and even as far as Fayetteville. For pristine mountain views though, The Gorge Canopy Tour and Zip Line offers some of the most stunning views of Green River Gorge all while reaching speeds of almost 40 m.p.h. It's part thrill and part beauty.

7. Take a hike

While the water temperatures are a bit too chilly to swim in, there's still plenty of beauty to be had from kayaking, canoeing, fishing, or even a stroll around a large body of water. Between a quiet fall beach trip, or hiking around the stunning Julian Price Memorial Lake - fall views are best reflected when seeing double and in the more eastern to southern regions you'll have an extended fall full of color.

8. Scare yourself silly

It doesn't have to be a Halloween to squeeze in a good thrill - North Carolina is so haunted there's enough to explore year-round. From the enchantingly isolated Ocracoke, to historic port cities where the past still lives, and even haunted hotels - there's a lot of spooks here not just centered for Halloween. For one especially thrilling journey, try out this two-day ghost hunt that will take you to dead-end tunnels, underwater ghost towns, haunted alleys, hotels and mansions and even an eerie ghost town that might look strangely familiar.

9. Enjoy patio season to the fullest

There's not much time left for outdoor dining, some regions of the state have already utilized heaters for those who want to dine outdoors with a view. From grabbing a meal at the top of a mountain (pictured above) at Mountain View Restaurant, to enjoying one last raw oyster beside the ocean, sometimes food tastes better when paired with a view and saying 'outdoor seating' should be the easy option this time of year. Wondering where to start? These ten restaurants are home to some of the best outdoor patios in North Carolina.

10. Get lost in a corn maze

While many pumpkin patches have closed shop come October, corn mazes typically operate until mid-November (with pumpkins to still take home). It doesn't have to be early fall to get lost in a maze, and even better, cooler temperatures make the experience that much better. These 8 corn mazes will be the perfect goodbye to fall.

I'm not quite ready to say bye to fall yet, and November is the perfect month to cram in all of your final fall activities. Which ones do you want to do first? Are there any others you'd add?