The 10 Best Hiking Trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Otter Creek Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway VA

Spanning 469 miles in North Carolina and Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway should be on the bucket list of any avid hiker or road trip enthusiast. With more than 200 overlooks along the ever-popular scenic route, you don’t have to get out of the car to savor stunning scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. … Read more

20 Fun 4th of July Celebrations in the NC & GA Mountains

4th of July celebrations in Blue Ridge Mountains of GA & NC

What would the 4th of July be without a few fireworks? Thankfully, many Blue Ridge Mountain towns in GA & NC are intent on making sure your Independence Day celebrations go off with a bang!  In addition to fantastic firework displays, some of these mountain towns go all out, offering enough family-friendly fun to fill an entire … Read more

The 10 Best Things to Do in West Jefferson NC

West Jefferson NC

Located less than 18 miles from the Virginia border, the town of West Jefferson is a jewel in the crown of North Carolina’s best small mountain towns. Downtown West Jefferson has a picturesque, pedestrian-friendly Main Street, with classic components like antique shops and vintage theaters. But the town also offers quirky surprises, including an escape … Read more

The 10 Best Waterfalls on/near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Waterfalls in Virginia- Upper Crabtree Falls

There are over 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway  in Virginia. That stretch is riddled with marvelous Blue Ridge Mountain views that leave little doubt why the BRP is the most popular of all US National Parks. Virginia’s BRP highlights include the Peaks of Otter, Mabry Mill, Groundhog Meadow, and Mill Mountain. There are … Read more

Visiting Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger GA

Tiger Mountain Vineyards Barn

Though it may not be as well-known as California’s Napa Valley, the climate and geography of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers great conditions for growing grapes and producing wines. Wine grapes have been growing in the state of Georgia for hundreds of years, and there are countless respected wineries near mountain towns like Dahlonega, Ellijay, … Read more

Visiting the Abandoned Ghost Town Amusement Park in Maggie Valley NC

Ghost Town Theme Park in Maggie Valley NC

Ghost Town In The Sky (later rebranded as Ghost Town Village) was a beloved Wild West-themed amusement park in Maggie Valley NC. Conceived by Virginia native R.B. Coburn, Ghost Town opened atop Buck Mountain (elevation 4,650 ft) in 1961, and was widely known as “North Carolina’s Mile High Theme Park.” In its ’60s and ’70s … Read more

Exploring Downtown Blowing Rock NC: Restaurants, Shopping & More

Elk at Timberlakes Restaurant in Blowing Rock NC

Blowing Rock is a quintessential little North Carolina mountain town with an upscale vibe, located right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in the North Carolina High Country, and it’s located about 1 mile off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (at Milepost 291.8). The first time … Read more

How to Get to the Soco Falls Trail Near Cherokee & Maggie Valley NC

Soco Falls in Maggie Valley NC

Located on US-19, just 1.5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Soco Gap (Milepost 455.7), Soco Falls is an extremely popular place to visit in Summer and Autumn. In addition to being very close to the BRP, people love Soco Falls because it’s a rare (and gorgeous) twin waterfall, meaning that two streams come … Read more