Autumn is the famous season. From early October through early November the hardwood forest on the Blue Ridge turns red, orange, and yellow, and weekend traffic on the parkway slows to a crawl. Book accommodation months in advance for October. The flip side is that the air is crisp, the light is good, and the city's outdoor patios are at their best.
Spring (April to early June) is the second-best season: rhododendron and mountain laurel in flower, dogwood in the city's parks, and reliably mild days. Summer is warm and humid in the valley but stays cool in the high mountains; it is also peak family travel season, when the Biltmore is busiest. Winter is quiet, sometimes snowy, and a good time for the Grove Park Inn's gingerbread competition and seasonal markets. The parkway closes in sections during winter storms but the city itself rarely loses access.