After moving to Western NC, I fell in love with the vast array of small Blue Ridge Mountain Towns to explore. My wife Emma and I eventually built our little cabin and homestead near the towns of Wilkesboro, Elkin, Sparta, and West Jefferson. Each of them is close enough to call our own. In the … Read more
Want to keep one foot in nature while simultaneously turning up the dial on luxury? Try a weekend of glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Glamping (a.k.a. luxury camping) allows you to immerse yourself in the forest, creeks, and mountains while also enjoying modern conveniences like cozy beds, AC/heat, kitchens, private terraces, and maybe even … Read more
The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is a 76.7-mile loop in Western NC that passes through Pisgah National Forest. It’s just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at one end, and close to the mountain town of Brevard at the other. This stunning tree-lined journey is dotted with endless hiking trails, picnic spots, swimming holes, and some of … Read more
There’s hardly an inch of the Blue Ridge Parkway that wouldn’t make a lovely spot to have a picnic. Whether you’ve been taking a scenic drive or hiking for miles, there’s something very nostalgic about pulling out a blanket, a basket full of goodies, and soaking up some nature while you nosh. Thankfully, the US … Read more
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the USA. It straddles the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, with the park headquarters located in Gatlinburg TN. The natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains is certainly enough of a draw on its own to bring visitors to the Tennessee … Read more
Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are neighboring North Carolina mountain towns with a lot to offer visitors. As their names imply, the town of Lake Lure is home to one of the most popular lakes in North Carolina, while the town of Chimney Rock is best known for its unique geological formations. Both places are … Read more
The town of Blue Ridge GA has long been one of the biggest draws to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. So when this little town is throwing a party, it’s best to take notice. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Lodging Association, the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival has been entertaining and feeding people … Read more
[Updated on 8/14/24] Fall in North Carolina is a wonderful time, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the leaves put on amazing shows and the cooler weather seems to summon us all outside. For those of us who love festivals and fairs in North Carolina, no season is more alluring than autumn! North Carolina … Read more
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was published in mid-August 2024, more than a month before Hurricane Helene wreaked devastation in Western NC. The majority of these festivals have been cancelled for this year, but we hope all of them will be back in 2025, and will update once plans are confirmed. I love Autumn, … Read more
Without a doubt, Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is my favorite season. The colors start to change, the heat starts to subside, and the farm markets, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches are putting out awesome produce. Simply put, it’s the right time to be out and about, enjoying the natural beauty of this region we … Read more
