Jonathon Engels 
The Smoky Mountains are renowned for their spectacular natural beauty. And in our experience, there’s no better way to see them than by taking a Great Smoky Mountains train ride. Train rides have a rich history in the Southeastern US, and carry a rich sense of nostalgia that bridges generations. Sadly, many old passenger trains have … Read more
[Updated December 22, 2023] From the majestic mountains and scenic coastlines to history and all-out opulence, romantic getaways in NC can take on an incredible array of forms. From the rustic nature of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the art deco architecture of Asheville to the massive dunes of the Outer Banks, options for wonderful romantic getaways in … Read more
The Virginia Mountains were renowned for their beauty long before the first European settlers set foot on this continent. And they’ve been a popular vacation spot for nearly four centuries now! Their landscape is dotted with snuggly mountain towns and rugged lakes. It’s criss-crossed by famous hiking trails and mountain streams, then stitched together with … Read more
[Updated on January 27, 2024] If you’re looking for a vacation filled with relaxation, romance, and pampering, there are plenty of romantic getaways in Virginia that steer Cupid’s arrow to the center of the bullseye. The brooding Blue Ridge Mountains, magical mountain lakes, and wondrous waterfalls provide all the raw natural magnetism necessary to create … Read more
From the sultry Smoky Mountains all the way west to Memphis, there are some fantastic romantic getaways in Tennessee full of enchanted experiences (for those who manage to leave the room). Weekend getaways for couples in Tennessee are loaded with entertainment options, while the abundance of parks, lakes, scenic routes, and waterfalls make the state perfect … Read more
The Southern Appalachian Mountains are renowned for their beauty, and in our experience there’s no better way to see them than taking scenic train rides in Tennessee. East Tennessee train rides are one of the top tourist attractions in the Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina border. But there are also great train trips that pair … Read more
As a longtime Western North Carolina resident (formerly of Brevard, currently of Elkin NC), I’ve spent a lot of time in Asheville over the years. From critically acclaimed restaurants and hip breweries to trendy boutiques and swanky museums, there’s an ever-increasing array of fun things to do in Asheville NC. This burgeoning mountain metropolis is … Read more
The Blue Ridge Mountains are generally a wonderful place to spend the holidays, and celebrating Christmas in Tennessee offers myriad ways to get into the spirit. Of course, the stellar hikes and waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park get a lot of press in the summertime, as do the water recreation opportunities in Tennessee’s lakes. … Read more
[Updated on November 3, 2024] While NC is renowned for an incredible array of popular natural attractions, come holiday time, you can also find dazzling Christmas Lights in North Carolina. Ther are a ton of things to do for Winter in North Carolina and it’s a fantastic place for enjoying festive activities. The temperatures are chilly … Read more
Appalachia music is well-known around the U.S. and highly regarded worldwide. This region’s peaks and valleys were instrumental (pun intended!) in forming the foundation of traditional American music as we know it today. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Southwest Virginia are particularly known for bluegrass and old-time music featuring stylistic fiddling and hot finger-picking on … Read more
