We’ve explored more than 50 different Blue Ridge Mountain towns over the last few years. Thanks to research skills I’ve developed over 25+ years as a professional travel writer, it’s pretty rare for a place to surprise me in the way Franklin NC did. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, just 2 … Read more
[Updated May 22, 2023] Located about halfway between Bryson City and Asheville, Maggie Valley NC is a small mountain town with something of a split personality. The town has been home to colorful characters such as bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild, bootlegger Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, and Deliverance actor Herbert “Cowboy” Coward (who got his start at the … Read more
Once you start digging into all the different Virginia waterfalls, you’ll quickly realize that there are far too many Virginia hikes with waterfalls to possibly see them all in one trip. It would be difficult just to see all the best waterfalls in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park during a single getaway, or to visit the … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is Tennessee known for?” the answer is, well, quite a lot of things! In fact, there’s a huge list of fun facts about Tennessee, including important Cherokee and Civil War history, Tennessee landmarks, famous Tennessee celebrities, and more. This beautiful state is home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the … Read more
[Updated May 16, 2023] As a lifelong metro Atlanta resident, I’ve always felt that the natural beauty of the state of Georgia is vastly underrated. In my experience, even locals tend to forget the amazing amount of green space we’re blessed with, which offers endless excellent opportunities for recreation and ecotourism adventures. But taking day … Read more
Although it has a population of less than 2,000 residents, Ellijay GA is the seat of Gilmer County. It’s a town so nice that President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had a second home there. Ellijay is located about 22 miles north of the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of … Read more
[Updated May 14, 2023] Drawing more than 50 million visitors each year and listed fourth on Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2022,” Atlanta GA is one of the most visited cities in the USA. But in our experience, many of the people who visit Atlanta are unaware of the remarkable array of fun things to do … Read more
“Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” is a question we get fairly often, and it’s understandable why so many people are confused by the geographical definition of the region. Stretching 550 miles from North Georgia to Southern Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge Mountain range is part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range. So all Blue Ridge … Read more
Springtime offers endless opportunities to catch glimpses of the different types of wildflowers native to Tennessee. Many wildflowers in Tennessee bloom throughout spring, while others start to pop up in the summer. Some even give the splendid fall colors of changing leaves a run for their money, blooming later in the year. While native wildflowers … Read more
Though we’ve lived within an hour of Mount Airy, North Carolina, for the last five years, we’ve rarely found time to make our way over to the beloved mountain town. For those who haven’t heard of Mt Airy, actor Andy Griffith was born there, and it was the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry … Read more
