One of the most common questions we get is, “Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains?” Most people seem to know that there are Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, and that they poke down into Georgia and up through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. But did you know that they also extend all the way north into … Read more
[Updated April 24, 2023] In a region wrought with spectacular waterfalls, no place has nearly as many as Transylvania County, North Carolina. Encompassing 381 square miles, the area is home to some 250 waterfalls! The county seat of Transylvania is the tiny mountain town of Brevard NC, which has a population of less than 10,000 … Read more
[Updated January 8, 2024] My earliest memories of the Blue Ridge Mountains are of backpacking trips with our church youth group, which my parents led. I was no more than 6 years old the first time we made our way north to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We’d stock up on supplies in town before heading to … Read more
Of all the lovely places to visit in Georgia, the Bavarian-inspired town of Helen is probably the one we’ve visited the most. From its charming Alpine architecture, quirky personality, and traditional German restaurants to an array of outdoor attractions (including the 3,166-foot Yonah Mountain and the Appalachian Trail), there’s a lot to love about Helen. You could … Read more
Is Andy Griffith’s Mayberry a real town? That depends on who you ask. In our experience, many folks living in Mount Airy NC would like to believe so. As you walk down Main Street in this friendly little North Carolina town, you can’t help but notice the many homages to The Andy Griffith Show. Of … Read more
[Updated April 23, 2023] It’s common knowledge that the Georgia mountains are filled with stunning natural beauty, from rolling hills and mountain lakes covered in morning mist to dense forests and tranquil creeks. But it may surprise some visitors to learn that the unique climate and geography of these Blue Ridge Mountains also provides the perfect … Read more
There are plenty of fun things to do in Cherokee NC, which is located on the Oconaluftee River, just 10 miles from Bryson City and 5 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located within the Qualla Boundary (a land trust held on behalf of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee), Downtown Cherokee is … Read more
[Update January 23, 2024] Winnowing down a list of the best mountain towns in NC is a difficult task, and it’s much less rewarding than actually visiting said towns. The North Carolina mountains are renowned for offering up a charming slice of small-town life and local culture, including everything from moonshine and bluegrass music to country cooking … Read more
[Updated April 13, 2023] With a wealth of Asheville breweries earning the mountain town the nickname “beer city,” plus a wealth of breweries in Boone and Brevard, Western North Carolina is known for some of the nation’s best microbrewing. But NC wineries have also been gaining an increasingly high-profile national reputation. Farmers in the area have gradually realized that … Read more
Ancient Indigenous tribes once thrived across the region now known as Georgia, living here for thousands of years before the first European settlers arrived. Many of them were forcibly removed after the Georgia gold rush brought an influx of prospectors to the state in the late 1820s, which led to the Georgia land lotteries. But … Read more
