Pet-Friendly Cabins at Forrest Hills Resort in Dahlonega GA

Interior of Forrest Hills Resort Cabins in Dahlonega GA

From the historic Smith House Inn and Old Storehouse Inn to Barefoot Hills and the Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa, there are lots of different hotels in Dahlonega GA for visitors to choose from.  But for our money, the Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Conference Center ranks among the best places to stay in … Read more

The 15 Best Lakes in the Virginia Mountains to Visit

VA Things to Do - Sunrise on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia

Nothing quite ups the ante on a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains like nestling in beside a beautiful mountain lake. In our eyes, Virginia lakes are some of the most remarkable in the nation. The lakes of Virginia– particularly those in the western reaches of the state- tend to be geared towards tourists, with … Read more

The 15 Best VRBO Cabins in Asheville NC

VRBO Cabins in Asheville NC

Asheville, North Carolina is a special place where the excitement of city life and the thrill of outdoor adventure collide to offer a Blue Ridge mountain town with a seemingly endless list of things to do. In the city, there are countless critically-acclaimed restaurants, an impressive number of quality breweries, and the bustling cultural hotspot … Read more

The 7 Best Restaurants in Dahlonega GA for Foodies

Montaluce Winery and Restaurant

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 25 miles southwest of Helen, Dahlonega is one of the oldest mountain towns in North Georgia.  The small town of around 7,500 residents is best known as the site of the 1828 Georgia gold rush, which predated the California gold rush by 21 years and … Read more

The 30 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC

Waterfalls near Asheville NC

[Updated December 28, 2021]  Asheville NC’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only the 12th largest city in the state, Asheville still ranks among the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina. In addition to the famous Biltmore Estate, the mountain town has … Read more

The 15 Best Pisgah National Forest Waterfalls to Explore

Graveyard Fields Waterfall near Asheville NC

The waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest rank among the best waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Some of their cascades plummet over 100 feet, pushing thousands of gallons of water per minute into crystalline pools. Pisgah NF occupies over half a million acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching from the border with Virginia in the … Read more

The 25 Best Small Towns in North Carolina to Visit

Black Mountain NC - Best Western North Carolina Small Towns

[Updated 12/20/2021] Personally, I’d argue that the best small towns in North Carolina easily rank among the best small towns in America on the whole. Western North Carolina is perhaps best known as home to historic Asheville, one of the most deservedly popular up-and-coming small cities in the United States. However, the Blue Ridge region … Read more

Festive Fun at Tweetsie Railroad Christmas in Blowing Rock NC

Tweetsie Railroad Christmas by Dawson Tozier

[Updated November 5, 2024] One of the most popular NC Christmas events, Tweetsie Railroad Christmas is a must-see for residents and holiday visitors who spend Christmas in Blowing Rock.   Tweetsie Railroad history dates back to 1866, when the Tennessee legislature granted the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad company permission to construct a railroad … Read more

Camping and Hiking in Natural Bridge State Park, VA

The back of Natural Bridge

Though it wasn’t designated as one of Virginia’s State Parks until 2016, Natural Bridge of VA has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1988. It has also been one of the most popular Virginia attractions ever since before the USA was even a country. The famous 215-foot-tall Natural Bridge is so ingrained in … Read more

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights: Atlanta Botanical Garden Christmas Lights

Atlanta Botanical Gardens Christmas Lights- Chihuly

[Updated October 28, 2024] It’s been 13 years since the first Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. And over time, the Atlanta Botanical Garden Christmas lights have grown into one of our favorite things to do in North Georgia.   Located next to Piedmont Park in Midtown, the 30-acre garden has been a popular Atlanta attraction for … Read more