One of the interesting things people don’t tell you about taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is how remarkably un-commercialized this 469-mile slice of Appalachian Americana is.
In our experience, you can drive the BRP for 100+ miles and never see any mountain resorts, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, or other signs of development.
It’s precisely what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Virginia Senator Harry Moore had in mind when they envisioned a scenic road connecting Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park back in 1933.
By that time, the Blue Ridge Mountains had been marred by fires, excessive logging, and erosion. The Parkway was artfully designed to protect the region’s natural beauty, and “to reveal the charm and interest of the American countryside.”
Fortunately, there are dozens of great Blue Ridge Mountain towns dotted along the world-renowned scenic route, many of which are located less than 10 miles off the BRP.
Best Mountain Towns Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
1. Waynesboro VA (MP 0)
There’s an impressive array of things to do in Waynesboro VA, with its location at the crossroads of the Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive, and the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Waynesboro is a great place for fly-fishing, hiking, camping, or kayaking on the South River. You can also visit the aptly-named Grand Caverns, or walk the South River Greenway Trail.
Waynesboro has a great cultural scene, including the Wayne Theatre and the Waynesboro Street Art Trail, as well as historic attractions like Swannanoa Palace and the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel.
The town is also close to Wintergreen Resort, which is one of the best ski resorts in Virginia. After a long day on the slopes, you can grab a bite at Heritage On Main, the Green Leaf Grill, or Stella, Bella & Lucy’s.
Other great places to stay in Waynesboro include the Residence Inn (w/indoor pool/hot tub, full kitchens & free breakfast) and Best Western Plus (budget-friendly, w/heated indoor pool, fitness center & full breakfast).
2. Lexington/Natural Bridge VA (MP 45.6)
Established in 1777, the town of Lexington VA is full of historic attractions, including two historic colleges (Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute) and the Stonewall Jackson House.
A horse-drawn carriage tour is a great way to see them all in a few hours, with other Civil War landmarks along the way.
But there are plenty of other things to do in Lexington, even if you’re not a history buff. You’ll also find cute coffee shops, antique stores, tasteful art galleries, and some fantastic downtown Lexington restaurants.
Designated as one of four International Dark Sky Parks in Virginia, the nearby Natural Bridge State Park features the geological formation it’s named for and excellent stargazing, hiking trails, and a disc golf course.
Great places to stay in Downtown Lexington include the Stonegate B&B, Brierley Hill B&B, and the restored historic Hampton Inn. We also recommend Steeles Tavern Manor B&B, a lovely getaway 17 miles north of town.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Picnic Areas in NC & VA
3. Bedford VA (MP 85.9)
Founded in 1890, Bedford is one of our favorite small mountain towns in Virginia, offering an engaging mixture of culture, history, and stunning natural beauty.
Nestled between Lynchburg and Roanoke, Bedford is full of artisan crafts and Appalachian music, with some great restaurants to choose from.
Located right off the BRP at Milepost 86, this charming mountain town is best known for the impressive National D-Day Memorial, as well as the Elks National Home.
Peaks of Otter Lodge, Sharp Top Mountain, and Johnson’s Orchard/Peaks of Otter Winery are just 11 miles from downtown, while Smith Mountain Lake State Park is 22 miles to the south.
For accommodations in Bedford VA, check out the 2-bedroom, pet-friendly Restored 1840s Downtown Loft, a 1-bedroom Guest house for rent, or the 2-bedroom Bedford Town Cottage.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia
4. Roanoke VA (MP 112.2 & 121.4)
Established in 1740, Roanoke is known as the capital of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
The most iconic Roanoke attractions include the 100-foot-tall Roanoke Star in Mill Mountain Park. Originally built for Christmas, it now stands as a “symbol of the friendliness, industrial and civic progress of Roanoke.”
For family-friendly fun, visit Center in the Square in Downtown Roanoke, which is home to the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Kids Square, the Roanoke Pinball Museum, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and more.
You’ll also find many top-notch Roanoke restaurants and breweries in the downtown area.
If you’re seeking outdoor recreation, you can tackle the famous McAfee Knob hike or enjoy mountain biking, boating, and horseback riding in Carvins Cove Natural Reserve.
Great places to stay in Roanoke VA include the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, The Liberty Trust, Shirley’s B&B or the Black Lantern Inn B&B.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Hiking Trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
5. Galax VA (MP 215.8)
Located 7 miles north of the BRP, Galax VA is the epitome of the ideal small mountain town in Southwest Virginia.
It has a historic downtown area, beautiful natural surroundings, great local restaurants, a farmers market, and a rich cultural scene that includes outstanding live music venues such as the Rex Theatre and the Blue Ridge Music Center.
Galax is truly a mecca for old-time music, hosting the annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention since 1935 and serving as a major stop on the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
Other noteworthy Galax highlights include New River Trail State Park, the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, and the annual Galax Christmas celebration.
Great Galax VA lodging options include the Hampton Inn Galax (good value w/great breakfast & indoor pool), Galax Retreat w/ Wraparound Deck (2BR/2BA rental w/great view), and a pet-friendly Secluded Lakehouse (4BR/3BA rental, sleeps 14, w/canoe).
READ MORE: The 10 Best Waterfalls Near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
6. Boone NC (MP 280.8 & 291.8)
Boone is one of the larger towns in NC’s Blue Ridge region. It has a full-time resident population of around 20,000, and a migrating populace of App State students that swell the count when school is in session.
Boone has most of the comforts you could want from Blue Ridge Mountains towns— including breweries, a living history museum, good shopping, fantastic restaurants— without getting too big for its britches.
In addition to being famous for its Christmas Tree Farms, Boone has as much to offer in outdoor recreation as any Western NC town.
It’s a prime location for accessing waterfalls, hiking trails, and campgrounds near Elk Knob State Park, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Pisgah National Forest. There are also several sensational ski resorts nearby.
There are numerous highly-rated Boone hotels and B&Bs to choose from, including Home2 Suites By Hilton, the Lovill House Inn B&B, Hampton Inn & Suites, and the Graystone Lodge, which is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection.
READ MORE: 40 Fascinating Facts About The Blue Ridge Parkway
7. Blowing Rock NC (MP 291.8 & 294.6)
This popular town was named after The Blowing Rock attraction, an iconic geological formation that provides sensational views of the many surrounding summits, forest, and the Johns River Gorge.
Downtown Blowing Rock is home to an extensive assortment of other attractions, including great restaurants, several fine museums, a gorgeous city park with a trail to 2 waterfalls, Mystery Hill, and much more.
And with the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few minutes away, Blowing Rock makes a great base for exploring the area, with nearby highlights like Julian Price Memorial Park, Moses Cone Memorial Park, and Rough Ridge.
Blowing Rock also offers quick access to Tweetsie Railroad, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain State Park, and Linville Caverns.
The town is home to one of our favorite NC mountain resorts, the pet-friendly Chetola Resort, plus great hotels & inns such as The Blowing Rock Manor, The Embers Hotel, The Victorian Inn and Meadowbrook Inn.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall
8. Little Switzerland NC (MP 333.9)
Built around the Switzerland Inn in the early 1900s, Little Switzerland NC is the only commercial access point you’ll find along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
But with its charming Alpine influences, breathtaking views, BRP access, and charming shops and restaurants, this tiny tourist-driven hamlet quickly became one of our favorite Blue Ridge mountain towns.
The panoramic views of the surrounding scenery is spectacular, with the deep valleys and rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretching as far as the eyes can see.
Our favorite things to do in the area include driving the challenging Diamondback route, gem mining at Emerald Village, visiting the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, hiking to Crabtree Falls, and apple-picking at The Orchard at Altapass.
In addition to the Switzerland Inn, other great places to stay in Little Switzerland include the charming Skyline Village Inn and the Alpine Inn, whose balconies offer great mountain views.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in North Carolina
9. Asheville NC (MP 382.5, 384.7 & 388.8)
The largest town in Western NC (population 95,000), Asheville is a burgeoning metropolis with all of the attractions you could want from a small city in the mountains.
Asheville is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway HQ, tons of top-notch restaurants, world-class craft breweries, and fantastic attractions like the Biltmore Estate and NC Arboretum.
Outdoor adventure is a big priority for the Asheville crowd, including mountain biking in Pisgah Forest and great hiking trails and waterfalls in every direction.
There are so many great things to do in Asheville, we’ve visited dozens of times and never get bored. But if you’re in the mood for a day trip, the neighboring town of Black Mountain is also worth checking out.
Asheville has tons of great hotels and B&Bs to choose from, but our favorites include historic and romantic Omni Grove Park Inn, the luxurious Inn On Biltmore Estate, the highly rated Cambria Hotel, the budget- & pet-friendly Hampton Inn & Suites Biltmore Village, and the beautifully appointed Black Walnut B&B Inn.
READ MORE:The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA
10. Cherokee NC (MP 469.1)
Located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town of Cherokee NC is part of the Qualla Boundary, the federally recognized territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The area offers amazing sites devoted to Cherokee history and culture, including The Museum of the Cherokee People, Qualla Arts & Crafts, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and the classic “Unto These Hills” stage production.
There are also excellent natural attractions, such as Mingo Falls, the Oconaluftee River, Oconaluftee Island Park, and lots of Elk hanging out near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center & Mountain Farm Museum.
If you’re planning to visit, the tribal-owned Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort is a great place to stay, with an array of critically acclaimed restaurants to choose from.
Other hotels in the area include the scenic Rivers Edge Motel, the lodge-like Great Smokies Inn, the ever-popular Stonebrook Lodge, and the smoke-free Cherokee Grand Hotel. –by Bret Love
