The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to an extensive array of caves and caverns, many of which have significant historical importance. There are more caves and caverns in Tennessee than any other U.S. state, with more than 8,000 having been officially registered to date. So no matter which region of the state you plan to … Read more
Although we’ve visited 50+ Blue Ridge Mountain towns over the past 3 years, the town of Hot Springs NC remained a fixture on our bucket list until April 2023. Located just 5 miles east of the border with Tennessee, the tiny town is home to one of the most famous natural hot springs in North … Read more
[Updated Jun 20, 2023] Located in the heart of Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, Luray is the county seat of Page County and one of just four access points for entering Shenandoah National Park. Established in 1812 on 10 acres of land near Hawksbill Creek, the small town of around 4,800 residents is a warm, welcoming … Read more
[Updated August 17, 2025] With a population of around 100,000 people, Roanoke is both the largest city along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the largest in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. Roanoke has a lot of the small Blue Ridge mountain town charm that’s customary to the region, with a historic town center, wilderness just minutes … Read more
Before the advent of automobiles, Georgia railways were essential for both transportation and business. Railways in Georgia began in the mid-1830s with the Central of Georgia Railway (Savannah to Macon), Georgia Railroad (Augusta to Athens), Monroe Railroad (Macon to Forsyth), and the Western & Atlantic Railroad (to Chattanooga). By the 1850s, trains in Georgia had linked all … Read more
The Civil War in Tennessee was epic. Aside from the state of Virginia, TN saw more battles than any other state. During the Civil War, Tennessee sent 120,000 men to fight for the Confederacy, and 31,000 to fight for the Union. There are so many Civil War sites in Tennessee, it would take a monumental … Read more
[Updated June 13, 2023] As a small town with a total population of around 700 people, Blairsville isn’t as big or as bustling as popular North Georgia mountain towns such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Ellijay. But for many people, therein lies a big part of its charm. Measuring just 1.1 square miles, Blairsville may seem … Read more
If you’re a food and wine lover and you’ve never explored the Yadkin Valley in NC, you’re really missing out! The Yadkin Valley region is full of wineries and vineyards to visit, with 44 Yadkin Valley wineries to choose from. Encompassing 1,400,000 acres, the Yadkin Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) includes 7 counties in … Read more
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others want to witness the mysterious Great Smoky Mountains fireflies (a.k.a. Blue Ghost fireflies). Many Smoky Mountains visitors come on a pilgrimage to see lots of waterfalls, but some just want … Read more
Plaza Midwood, a neighborhood just southeast of Uptown Charlotte NC, is one of the fastest growing (and fastest changing) areas of the Queen City. As a longtime local resident, it is also one of my personal favorites! I love to explore Charlotte’s eclectic and culturally diverse neighborhoods, with their always intriguing mix of new and … Read more
