NC-28 Horseshoe Bend - Franklin NC
The Tennessee River flows from Franklin north to Fontana Lake at the Tennessee border. NC-28 accompanies the Tennessee along its winding path and offers you a lovely panorama, especially in the Autumn. For 'leaf viewers' this is one leg of one of the most beautiful Autumn drives in the country. Formed by the triangle of NC-28 (Franklin to Lauada), US-74 (Lauada to Dillsboro) and US-23/441 (Dillsboro back to Franklin), this drive offers an unusual variety of terrain and colors. Almost all of the US-74 portion is freeway and most of the US-23/441 is divided 4-lane allowing unusual safety in an Autumn drive for leaf-viewing. Dillsboro is very accessible (again, by I-40 and the US-74 freeways) from Asheville. Franklin is a very hospitable town, acclimated to tourists with a lot of great eating places (and motels). Make your reservations well ahead of time!