With the arrival of Fall Break, you may find yourself with time to explore farther than a quick trip up the road would allow. Consider visiting Brevard, N.C., located an hour and 15 minutes from Furman. Brevard is a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains perhaps most famous for its albino squirrels. But in spite of its small size, Brevard has a lot to offer for those who appreciate the outdoors, music, and food.

Brevard is ideally situated next to Pisgah National Park, DuPont State Forest, and the French Broad River. Pisgah has many hiking paths and climbing routes, most notably Looking Glass and the Nose. Pisgah also serves as a destination for many fly fishermen. Trout are prevalent in the Davidson River that runs through Brevard. DuPont forest boasts a plethora of waterfalls including Triple Falls, which was featured in the recent film “The Hunger Games.” The French Broad River is a popular kayaking spot. Brevard also offers a large selection of biking trails and hosts many competitions throughout the year.

Brevard’s quaint downtown area is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, study with a cup of coffee and a change of scenery, or window shop throughout the afternoon. Brevard also features an indoor climbing gym for days when the weather won’t allow for outdoor fun. Visit the Brevard Music Center and check out other local venues for live music performances throughout the week. Music festivals are also a large part of the Brevard cultural scene, and these reasonably priced events are well worth the drive. Their fall music calendar should be up soon, so be sure to check online and catch a show while you are there.

With midterms right around the corner, it’s easy to justify staying on campus and using Fall Break as a quiet study period. But do yourself a favor and take a trip to Brevard, N.C., to enjoy the fall weather and change of pace. Brevard won’t disappoint!