[Updated 9/15/24] If you’re looking for the best pumpkin patches in VA, you’ll find a seemingly endless array of options to choose from in every corner of the state of Virginia. Of course when you’re choosing a Virginia pumpkin patch, it isn’t always just about the pumpkins. Sure, picking out a pumpkin that’s … Read more
There are many fine Cherokee NC campgrounds that make a fantastic hub for exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway is at the national park’s entrance, just 3.5 miles north of Cherokee and the Qualla Boundary. Other awesome attractions in … Read more
I’ve been a big fan of hiking for as long as I can remember. My love of nature was inspired by my parents, who led our church youth group on camping trips to hike the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and explore the North Carolina mountains when I was a young boy. In my 20s, I … Read more
Although there are always a myriad of things to do in our home state, hiking in North Carolina ranks high among my favorite activities. Many of the best North Carolina hiking trails involve hiking in the mountains in the western part of the state. But the Central Piedmont and Atlantic Coast also have some stellar places … Read more
[Updated August 8, 2023] North Carolina’s state history is deep and sometimes sordid, with lots of interplay between cultures, humans and nature, and even some inexplicable phenomena. From the mysterious disappearance of the “lost colony” of Roanoke Islan) to the dark history of the Cherokee removal and the Civil Rights era, this history is riddled … Read more
[Updated August 6, 2023] Fall in North Carolina is particularly special because the autumn leaves are around for an extended amount of time. The vibrant fall colors almost seem to develop in shifts, gradually working their way down the sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains as seasonal temperatures begin to drop. Leaves changing in North Carolina … Read more
[Updated 8/6/2023] When autumn rolls around there are tons of fun activities and annual traditions to look forward to. But you could argue that none are quite as iconic as picking out the perfect pumpkin for the season. Whether you’re looking forward to spending an evening carving jack-o-lanterns, baking pumpkin pies, or creating unique seasonal … Read more
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
