Autumn annually amazes western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee visitors with fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. In our experience, the best scenic views in the Smoky Mountains can rival any place in the world. And autumn is arguably the best time to visit the Smoky Mountains. Forests on these peaks are thick with deciduous hardwood trees … Read more
Growing up in Atlanta in the 1970s and 80s, the mountain town of Helen GA seemed more like a sleepy Alpine village than the bustling tourism hotspot it has become today. In those days, the biggest draw for visitors was the state parks near Helen GA, especially Unicoi State Park. Home to Anna Ruby Falls, … Read more
Located 16 miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway (and just 11 miles west of Waynesboro), the lively town of Staunton VA is teeming with art, theater, music, and Southern hospitality. Known as “the Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley,” Staunton was settled in 1732, incorporated in 1801, and has grown to a population of over 25,000 … Read more
The Blue Ridge Mountains are famed for their stirring scenic vistas, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall is arguably the crème de la crème. My wife Emma and I both have October birthdays, and autumn is our favorite time of year for many reasons. As avid gardeners, it means the fruits of our labors … Read more
You don’t have to look very far to find some hair-raising haunted places in the state of Virginia. From Civil War sites and haunted hotels to spooky mansions and creepy forests, there’s an endless list of legends about the ghosts of Viginia. Whether you’re into the whole supernatural scene as much as we … Read more
[Updated July 26, 2023] As the temperatures cool and the colors of autumn begin to emerge in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you may find yourself longing to explore the myriad fall festivities and corn mazes in Georgia. The season brings with it all sorts of fun activities, from apple picking and choosing the perfect pumpkin to … Read more
My lady and I are HUGE lake day lovers, and have been for years. Since travel is work for us, a day at the lake feels like a vacation, with time for swimming, enjoying a lake float, grilling food, watching birds and butterflies, and just hanging out with friends and family. We’ve been going to Lake … Read more
Surrounded by an array of farms, orchards, and wineries, Harrisonburg is Virginia’s first official culinary district. The sheer variety of places to eat in Harrisonburg VA is truly astounding for a town of around 51,000 people. There are 80+ locally-owned restaurants that showcase the best farm-to-table food in the Shenandoah Valley region. With more than … Read more
You don’t have to look far to find a company offering to take you on Tennessee ghost tours, simply because there seems to be endless accounts of ghostly goings-on and haunted places in Tennessee. The best haunted attractions in Tennessee range from hair-raising hotels, hospitals, and haunted houses to jitter-inducing jails and thrilling theaters. … Read more
[Updated 7/17/2023] You know it’s nearly fall in Georgia when the sweltering heat of summer gives way to a cool, crisp morning breeze, and you start swapping out bikinis and board shorts for boots and sweaters. When the first maple trees begin to transform and suddenly everything becomes pumpkin-themed and flavored, you know fall in … Read more
