Whether you’re taking your very first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip or– like us– you’ve explored the scenic route multiple times, a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a must!
Located near Downtown Asheville, just 2.4 miles south of the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center, the Visitor Center is essentially a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the BRP.
This is one of over a dozen different Visitor Centers located along the 469-mile scenic route, which was built to connect Great Smoky Mountains National Park in NC to Shenandoah National Park in VA.
But the one located at Milepost 384 is the official Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters, and offers an array of exhibits on the cultural, natural, and recreational resources of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Read on to learn why you need to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, including an overview of all the exhibits, amenities, and attractions you’ll find there!
READ MORE: How to Plan an Amazing Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
Need a hotel near the BRP Visitor Center? Check out our recommendations!
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GLo Hotel Asheville-Blue Ridge Parkway (3-star hotel w/free breakfast & indoor pool)
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Best Western Asheville-Blue Ridge Parkway (Pet-friendly hotel with breakfast & pool)
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Holiday Inn Asheville East-Blue Ridge Pkwy (Budget & pet-friendly, quiet w/heated pool)
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Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville (Great views, stylish interior & rooftop terrace)
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Mountain Springs Cabins (We loved these pet-friendly cabins 10 minutes west of Asheville)
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center Info
ADDRESS: 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville NC (BRP Milepost 384)
PHONE NUMBER: 828-298-5330
HOURS: Open daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM (except major holidays).
ADMISSION: Free
Driving Directions from Downtown Asheville
From Downtown Asheville, take Haywood St. towards College St. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto I-240 E. Go 4.2 miles, then keep right to continue on US-74 ALT E, following signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway. In 1 mile, exit towards the BRP and turn right onto it in 0.2 miles. Go 0.7 miles, then turn left onto Hemphill Knob Rd. The BRP Visitor Center will be on the left in 0.2 miles.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA
Things to Do at the BRP Visitor Center
Learn About Blue Ridge Parkway History
If you’re interested in learning more about the 90+ year history of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Visitor Center is a great place to start.
There are all sorts of exhibits about the construction of the world-renowned scenic route, the engineering marvel known as the Linn Cove Viaduct, and the mid-20th Century heyday of auto touring in the USA.
They also have a 70-seat surround sound theater that regularly shows a 24-minute film, “The Blue Ridge Parkway-America’s Favorite Journey.”
This movie follows a father-daughter road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, incorporating its fascinating history as well as the stunning sights you’ll see while driving the 469-mile route today.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Restaurants in VA & NC
Plan Your Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
There are more than 200 Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia and North Carolina, not to mention hundreds of incredible hiking trails, waterfalls, historic sites, state parks, and charming mountain towns.
Whether you’re planning to explore the entire 469-mile route or just one of the four main sections, figuring out the must-see places to go and things to do can be challenging for even the most organized travelers.
The Visitor Center has a ginormous detailed map of the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as an information desk staffed by knowledgable rangers who can help answer your travel questions.
There’s also a regional visitor info desk staffed by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, a non-profit that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of Western NC and the Qualla Boundary.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA
Hiking & Picnicking
During our first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip in 2020, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at a picnic table right in the Visitor Center parking lot.
But there’s also a 1.5-mile TRACK Trail loop that begins in the parking lot (which is right off the BRP) and follows along a small portion of the 1,175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Created by Kids in Parks, TRACK Trails are designed to engage children and their families in activities that get them outdoors and connected to nature.
Kids can track their outdoor adventures in an online journal, log their miles of hiking trails completed, see the badges they’ve earned, and receive prizes in the mail.
It’s a great way to get kids excited about exploring the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
Explore Nearby Blue Ridge Parkway Attractions
Even if you’re not planning a full-on road trip, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville offers proximity to some of our favorite BRP overlooks, hiking trails, and other attractions.
Our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in the area include View Chestnut Cove (Milepost 398.3), the French Broad Overlook (MP 393.8), the Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7), and View Craggy Dome (MP 364.1).
In addition the Visitor Center Loop, other popular Blue Ridge Parkway hikes nearby include the moderately difficult Craggy Pinnacle Trail (MP 364.2, o.7 miles), the strenuous Mt. Pisgah Summit Trail (MP 407.6, 1.3 miles), and the relatively easy Buck Springs Trail (MP 407.6, 1.06 miles).
Other nearby BRP attractions include the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Folk Art Center (MP 382), the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (MP 364.7), and the array of incredible North Carolina waterfalls (including Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, and Sliding Rock) along Hwy 276 (MP 411).
All are worth visiting if you can make time! –by Bret Love; all photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
