As a tourist destination, the Blue Ridge Parkway specializes in three things: spring blooms, autumn leaves, and jaw-dropping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While there are many places to stop along the way that supply all three of these things, Craggy Gardens, NC is the ultimate option in my opinion. Located nearly 5,900 feet … Read more
Looking for things to do in North Georgia this weekend? Visiting downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia offers lots of options, from art, music, and theatre to wine, food, and fun festivals. This calendar of Blue Ridge, GA events will be updated regularly throughout the year, and will include listings for nearby towns such as Blairsville, Cherry … Read more
[Updated November 9, 2021] Visiting Blue Ridge GA in the ’90s (and even as recently as 2009), there was little indication that this tiny town would soon become a tourism hotspot. Spanning just 2.6 square miles, with a population of less than 1300 people at the time, it felt like any number of other sleepy … Read more
[Updated November 9, 2021] There’s something about exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains that always takes me back to my childhood, growing up in North Georgia. When I was 5 my grandparents bought a trailer on Lake Hartwell, where I first fell in love with nature. When I was 12, we helped build their wood house … Read more
Located in North Carolina between Blue Ridge Parkway mile markers 238.5 and 244.7, Doughton Park is actually the largest recreation area along the famous road. This Blue Ridge park spans about 7,000 acres and includes picnic areas, campgrounds, an official Blue Ridge Parkway visitor center, two historic cabins, and a collection of beautiful mountain streams. … Read more
Located in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains (45 miles southwest of Ellijay), the Barnsley Gardens Resort ruins offer a rare glimpse of the state’s pre-Civil War history. Most of Georgia’s early 19th century landmarks were destroyed during Maj. Gen. William Sherman’s march to the sea. The Union Army’s “scorched earth” approach was designed … Read more
[Updated on 7/20/21] Vogel State Park is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Located just 10 miles south of the quaint town of Blairsville GA, this beloved North Georgia park is a popular place for hiking, fishing, family gatherings, and viewing the area’s spectacular fall foliage. Operational … Read more
[Update July 31, 2021] Sometimes when a recipe is right, it is simply right. There’s no arguing the fact that Sierra Nevada nailed its flagship beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, coming out of the gate. The Pale Ale flavor might be somewhat familiar these days, but that’s because most of these newbie challengers continually strive … Read more
Created in 1934 and encompassing 522,419 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, attracting more than 10 million travelers each year. Straddling eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a haven for nature lovers. The most popular Great … Read more
Downtown Asheville, NC History: From Biltmore to the 21st Century Boom. The evolution of North Carolina’s most popular Blue Ridge mountain town.