Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg TN, and Pigeon Forge TN are huge vacation destinations complete with theme parks, ski resorts, and other fun attractions. Smoky Mountains Hotels provide a comfortable place to recharge for the next day’s adventures. The southern boundary of GSMNP in North Carolina is the town of Cherokee in the Qualla … Read more
The state of Tennessee is widely known for its music scenes, including the Delta blues of the Memphis area and the Appalachian music (including bluegrass, country, and folk) created by the Scots-Irish people of central and eastern TN. But anyone who’s explored the state in any depth knows it also boasts stunning natural beauty, including the Blue Ridge … Read more
Escape rooms in North Carolina are a unique way to spend an afternoon (or evening) with friends and family. For an hour or so, you can pretend to be in an entirely different world, be an entirely different person, step out of your comfort zone, and challenge your problem-solving skills.. In our experience, … Read more
While Nashville may be considered the home of country music today, many experts consider Bristol TN/VA to be the birthplace of the genre. After all, it was in Bristol where the earliest recordings of country music took place. To my pleasant surprise, rather than being a museum focused on modern music, The Birthplace of Country … Read more
[Updated November 30, 2024] Boone NC is the undisputed king of Christmas trees in the Appalachian Mountains region, annually providing millions of Frasier firs for families from Georgia north to New England. But there are lots of great Christmas Tree Farms in Virginia too. The Virginia mountains are nothing to sneeze at when it comes to … Read more
[Updated January 31, 2024] The historic town of Charlottesville is at the center of the State of Virginia, both geographically and historically. Here you’ll find presidential homes, college hangouts, a vast array of great restaurants, and stunning natural beauty. C’ville (as it’s known among us locals) is home to the University of Virginia, which was started … Read more
I truly love October in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s when Autumn temperatures cool things down, the amazing Fall foliage gets into full swing, and I excitedly pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving a jack-o-lantern. As a fan of horror and the supernatural, this is also when we start watching our favorite … Read more
The 15 Best Places To See Christmas Lights in Virginia from SWVA to Norfolk and Virginia Beach including drive through Christmas lights.
[Updated November 18, 2024] Celebrating Christmas in the Blue Ridge Mountains is truly magical, whether you’re visiting charming small towns like Dahlonega and Helen GA or exploring a burgeoning metropolis like Asheville. But if you’re looking for depth and diversity of holiday attractions, it’s difficult to beat Christmas in Atlanta. There’s such a vast array … Read more
My wife Emma and I are foodies, so for us an outing to the big city simply must involve getting something special to eat. We love living rural life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina for many reasons, but the diversity of restaurants isn’t typically one of the major benefits. Thankfully, a recent … Read more
