Visiting the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA

D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA Lead

If you visit Bedford VA (located about 28 miles east of Roanoke), you won’t get far before you realize how much of an impact World War II had on this charming small town.  Bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north and Smith Mountain Lake to the south, the town dates back more than … Read more

Visiting the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival in Hiawassee GA

Scottish Pipe Band at Appalachian Scots-Irish Festival in Blairsville GA

Now in its twentieth year, this popular event was originally held in Blairsville GA, where it was known as the Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Every year hundreds of bagpipers, drummers, Clan representatives, athletes, artisans, and food vendors would gather in beautiful Meeks Park for a weekend-long celebration of traditional Scots-Irish culture and sport.  … Read more

Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville NC: 2025 Events

Peacock Performing Arts Center Tribute Band Performance

Hayesville NC is a tiny mountain town (0.64 sq miles, population under 500) located near the northern shores of Lake Chatuge, which straddles the NC/GA border. Established in the 1860s, the town was named after 19th-century politician George Hayes, who helped the Cherokee people resist deportation and enabled some Cherokee communities to remain after the … Read more

Visiting the Asheville Botanical Garden in Asheville NC

Gazebo at Asheville Botanical Gardens in Asheville NC

Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the seasonal mixed blessing of beautiful wildflowers and bountiful pollen (ah-choo!).  One of our favorite things to do as the weather turns warmer is to go for walks where we can see nature’s blossoming beauty in full bloom.  And whether it’s the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Asheville’s NC … Read more

The 30 Best Blue Ridge Mountain Towns to Visit in 2025

Best Blue Ridge Mountain Towns to Visit in 2025

Over the 5 years since we launched Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, our team has visited 70-80 different towns in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (not including those we’ve driven through, but not actually stayed in).  So narrowing it all down to a list of 30 mountain towns was no easy feat! What makes … Read more

Exploring the Chattahoochee Nature Center on the Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee Nature Center's Kingfisher Pond Reflection

Growing up in the heart of Atlanta GA in the 1970s, nature was something we really only explored during our school field trips. Whether it was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Atlanta Zoo, or Stone Mountain Park, these magical places offered a taste of peace and serenity we rarely experienced in the city. The first … Read more

Celebrating Christmas in Hendersonville NC: Home For the Holidays

Home for the Holidays in Downtown Hendersonville NC

From the Biltmore House Christmas and Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum to the Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread House Competition, Asheville has more than its fair share of nationally-known holiday attractions.    But those seeking a simpler, less crowded, and more budget-friendly small town Christmas celebration may want to head 25 miles south to Hendersonville, … Read more