Hiking Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC

Hiking Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Grandfather Mountain

There are countless hiking trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each offers a little something special. But the relatively short Rough Ridge hike ranks high among our personal favorites.   Starting at the Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8), this 1.5-mile Blue Ridge Parkway hike will have you crossing a bridge over a creek, standing atop … Read more

Exploring the Fontana Dam and Visitors Center on Lake Fontana NC

Lake Fontana Dam near Robbinsville NC

Visiting the Fontana Dam and Visitors Center was high on our list of things to do during our latest car camping trip around the Great Smoky Mountains.   Having already spent several days camping in the Nantahala National Forest, the dam was an unmissable, stop-off on our way to campgrounds in Bryson City NC and Cherokee … Read more

Visiting the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee NC

Museum of the Cherokee Indian

On our latest Great Smoky Mountains camping trip, the Cherokee NC attraction I most looked forward to visiting was the Museum of the Cherokee People (formerly known as the Museum of the Cherokee Indian).   I hoped the museum would give me some good background on the Cherokee people. It did not disappoint, and proved to … Read more

Exploring Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem NC

Reynolda House at Reynolda Village in Winston Salem NC

If you find yourself looking for fun things to do in Winston Salem NC, look no further than Reynolda Village.   Of all the Winston-Salem attractions we’ve visited, Reynolda Village is definitely among our favorites.    We could easily spend an entire weekend there shopping, dining at local restaurants, walking the historic grounds, taking in … Read more

The 10 Best Georgia Mountain Towns to Visit

Best Mountain Towns in Georgia

There are lots of quaint Georgia mountain towns that offer Southern hospitality, and spectacular views, with Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains vistas stretching for miles.  The mountains in Georgia are a playground for nature lovers, with fun activities ranging from amazing hiking trails and waterfalls to river tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip lining, and more.  After … Read more

The 10 Best Things to Do in the Great Smoky Mountains in Winter

Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains in Winter

The Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee are spectacular at any time of year, including Winter. Sure, the chilly Smoky Mountains Winter weather drives some folks indoors. But for visitors interested in snow skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, hiking, and/or exploring waterfalls, Winter is a perfect time to visit! Whichever category you fall into, … Read more

The 10 Best Small Towns in Virginia to Visit

best virginia small towns

There are dozens of charming small towns in Virginia, but in our experience the ones in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley easily rank among the best.    Each of these quaint little VA towns offers a plethora of reasons to visit, including a diverse array of attractions to keep you busy for days.    Whether … Read more

The 10 Best Christmas Tree Farms in Tennessee (2023)

Best Tennessee Christmas Tree Farms

Though we live just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Elkin NC, we’ve enjoyed visiting the Tennessee mountains numerous times over the last few years.    In our experience, there’s something undeniably quaint and charming about the Tennessee Mountain Towns, no matter what time of year you visit.    But when we visit Tennessee during … Read more