The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Picnic Areas in NC & VA

Picnic off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia

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

The 10 Best Cabins for Rent in Gatlinburg TN (1-4+ Bedrooms)

Cabins for Rent in Gatlinburg Tennessee

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

Visiting the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival in Blue Ridge GA

Blue Ridge GA BBG Blues Festival

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

The Top 20 Fall Festivals in the North Carolina Mountains

Wooly Worm Festival Apples

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

The Top 10 Fall Festivals in the Virginia Mountains (2024)

Virginia Fall Festivals - Crowds Explore the Arts and Crafts Booths

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

How to Get to Crabtree Falls VA (Near Lexington/Natural Bridge)

Crabtree Falls in Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains

It’s insane to realize that there are two different Crabtree Falls that are commonly associated with the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, but that is the world we’re living in. These two popular waterfalls get confused all the time– so much so that the Crabtree Falls page on Virginia.org (the state’s official tourism website) actually links to the … Read more

Lakeview at Fontana Soaking Cabana Resort in Bryson City NC

Having a Cabana Soak at Lakeview at Fontana in Bryson City NC

We’ve visited more than 50 towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the last 4 years, staying in some truly exceptional cabin rentals, hotels, and resorts.  But Lakeview at Fontana Soaking Cabana Resort, which is located about 7 miles southwest of Bryson City and overlooks Lake Fontana, was like no other place we’ve stayed.  This Smoky … Read more