Bret and Mary 
Located at an elevation of 2,825 feet, with a total area of 1.598 square miles, Burnsville is a relatively small North Carolina mountain town surrounded by some of the largest peaks in the eastern United States. Standing in the shadow of the 6,684-foot-tall Mount Mitchell and located 20 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Burnsville … Read more
The Rock Garden in Calhoun, Georgia was intended to be a quick stop on our way home after spending several days in Cloudland Canyon State Park and James H Floyd State Park. We didn’t know much about the place, other than the fact that it was a quirky attraction, and it was located about 7 … Read more
After driving the Blue Ridge Parkway stretch between Downtown Asheville and Boone NC 4 to 5 times in the last two years, it’s become clear that the North Carolina High Country is one of the our favorite places in the world. From Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell to Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain, this … Read more
Located 16 miles west of Boone and 18 miles from Blowing Rock, Banner Elk ranks high among the most beloved small towns in North Carolina‘s High Country. It offers close proximity to major tourist attractions ranging from Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area to Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and some of … Read more
Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, about halfway between Roanoke and Waynesboro, Lexington VA is a small college town with a rich history dating back to the American Revolution. Lexington is part of Rockbridge County, which is home to the Natural Bridge (once owned by Thomas Jefferson), Washington & Lee University (one of the oldest colleges … Read more
Located just 10 miles south of Boone, the tiny mountain town of Blowing Rock (population 1,163) is one of the most tourist-friendly towns in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina. The town is home to major attractions such as the Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill, and Tweetsie Railroad. And its proximity to the Blue Ridge … Read more
[Updated October 23, 2024] The first time we visited the city back in 2012, we were absolutely blown away by the Asheville food scene. For a 45-square-mile mountain town with a population of around 84,000, the sheer number of critically acclaimed downtown Asheville restaurants was staggering even then. As it turns out, the city is … Read more
From the historic Smith House Inn and Old Storehouse Inn to Barefoot Hills and the Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa, there are lots of different hotels in Dahlonega GA for visitors to choose from. But for our money, the Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Conference Center ranks among the best places to stay in … Read more
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 25 miles southwest of Helen, Dahlonega is one of the oldest mountain towns in North Georgia. The small town of around 7,500 residents is best known as the site of the 1828 Georgia gold rush, which predated the California gold rush by 21 years and … Read more
[Updated October 28, 2024] It’s been 13 years since the first Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. And over time, the Atlanta Botanical Garden Christmas lights have grown into one of our favorite things to do in North Georgia. Located next to Piedmont Park in Midtown, the 30-acre garden has been a popular Atlanta attraction for … Read more
