[Updated January 20, 2023] From Blue Ridge and Dahlonega GA to Asheville and Waynesville NC, nearly every great mountain town we’ve visited has had a fantastic, foodie-friendly assortment of restaurants to lure visitors. The Hendersonville eateries we explored during our recent visit proved the town, which lies just 20 miles south of Asheville, … Read more
Located off the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (a.k.a. Pisgah Hwy) near Brevard NC, the Davidson River Campground is a perfect base for anyone wanting to explore Pisgah National Forest. This prime Pisgah campground boasts several of its own attractions. But it’s also just a stone’s throw away from many of our favorite North Carolina waterfalls, … Read more
With its Bavarian architecture, traditional German restaurants, and kitschy gift shops, Alpine Helen GA is arguably the most popular small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. And while there are a plethora of interesting places to stay in Helen, some of the most colorful options for lodging in Helen GA are right near the … Read more
I’ve been exploring the North Georgia mountains since I was a young boy, camping and hiking with my parents and our church youth group (which they led). In my 20s I got my start in professional photography by exploring the North Georgia State Parks, whose myriad hiking trails and waterfalls provided a great escape from … Read more
Many travelers envision their NC mountain getaways in terms of the best mountain resorts in North Carolina. Some resorts are steeped in history, romance, adventure, or roughing it on challenging hiking trails. Others are built around soaking in small town charm, or exploring local arts and culture. I’ve lived in NC and explored its Blue Ridge Mountains region … Read more
Rumored to date back to the 1820s, snow tubing is a fun winter pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and experience levels. A perennially popular Virginia winter activity, snow tubing uses gravity to allow riders to slide downhill on an inflatable tube, with lanes designed to keep them on course. Snow in Virginia’s Blue Ridge … Read more
[Updated January 13, 2023] We’ve explored 40-50 of small towns in North Carolina over the last few years, from tiny burghs like Bryson City and Little Switzerland to major tourism hotspots like Blowing Rock, Boone, and Cherokee. But none of these mountain towns has had more personal relevance for me than Waynesville NC. Located halfway between … Read more
[Updated January 5, 2023] For far too long, Hendersonville NC seemed like the Jan Brady to Asheville‘s Marcia, never quite garnering all the accolades and attention it deserved. But in recent years, Asheville’s immense popularity has proven to be a double-edged sword. Thanks to national media attention, Asheville’s population has grown by nearly 12% since … Read more
We’ve visited 40 to 50 towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the past two years, from like Asheville and Roanoke to tiny burghs like Burnsville NC and Hiawassee GA. But as we begin to narrow down the search for our future mountain home, few towns have impressed us quite as much as Brevard, North Carolina. There … Read more
For approximately 340 days a year, the tiny town of McAdenville, North Carolina (population 900) is a quiet community with a charming little downtown area. But every year from December 1-26, this quaint Charlotte suburb transforms into “Christmas Town USA,” one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina. Ranked among the Top 10 … Read more