There’s something about eating a fresh-from-the-plant strawberry that takes me right back to the days of strawberry picking in my grandma’s garden. If you find yourself a little underwhelmed by the mild flavor of store-bought strawberries, local farms are the way to go. Fortunately there are plenty of options for farms that offer opportunities for picking … Read more
We’ve explored nearly 50 different Blue Ridge Mountain towns since we launched this site in 2020. But we’ve probably stayed in less than a dozen hotels during all that time. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with hotels, mind you. Many of them offer budget-friendly prices, proximity to popular activities and attractions, and plenty of … Read more
The State of Virginia has a cool collection of historic and covered bridges, all of which are well worth a visit if you’re traveling in the area. Many of the stunning VA bridges on this list date back to the 1800s, with the oldest bridge in Virginia built in 1857. But no matter how old … Read more
In the 15+ years we’ve been exploring Blue Ridge Mountain towns, we’ve had a chance to visit many of the best places to stay in Asheville NC. From charming B&Bs and hotels in Downtown Asheville to cabin rentals and historic inns nearby, there are countless options for accommodations around town. In fact, there are nearly 80 … Read more
With the endless array of things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it can be difficult to figure out which activities and attractions to prioritize. If you’re even remotely interested in the history of the Appalachian range, don’t miss a chance at visiting Mingus Mill in NC. Located just 4 miles north of Cherokee, … Read more
There are over 400 species of native birds in Tennessee, with over 100 of them being birds common to Tennessee. In other words, there are a lot of feathers flashing around in the Volunteer State! Tennessee is home to 14 national parks, 1 national forest (over 650,000 acres worth of one), and a whopping 56 … Read more
As someone who has been reviewing restaurants for 25+ years, I found the quality and diversity of the restaurants in Sylva, North Carolina impressive, especially for a small town with a population of 2,600. Although the town encompasses just over 3 square miles, there are nearly 40 Sylva restaurants to choose from, including an assortment … Read more
[Updated March 19, 2023] As the metro Atlanta population continues to grow and expand, more and more people are heading for the wide open vistas of the North Georgia mountains. And it’s not difficult to understand why. With lots of charming towns surrounded by scenic summits and the wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest (with its … Read more
[Updated March 19, 2023] Widely known as “Georgia’s Alpine Village,” Helen is a former mining town nestled near the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains range. The tiny Georgia mountain town (population: 582) resurrected itself in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a quaint re-creation of a traditional Bavarian village, providing a taste … Read more
If you want to explore the state the way travelers did before the advent of automobiles and airplanes, nothing beats taking one of the many train rides in North Carolina. The U.S. railroad system dates back to the 1820s, with its “Golden Age” in the late 19th and early 20th century. Many of the great … Read more
