Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway
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 … Read more
There’s a wealth of beautiful things to see while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. But the 200+ scenic mountain overlooks found along the way are the main attractions for most road trippers. That being said, stopping at all (or even most) of these overlooks while driving the 469-mile scenic route can be overwhelming. We know, … Read more
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is widely regarded as “America’s favorite drive,” with over 16 million annual visitors making it the most popular unit of the U.S. National Park Service. But in order to fully appreciate why the world-renowned scenic route remains so beloved today, more than 90 years after the concept was created, it’s … Read more
Founded in 1782 (when it was originally known as Liberty), Bedford VA is one of our favorite small towns in the Shenandoah Valley. Located about 28 miles east of Roanoke VA, Bedford is a popular place to stop during Blue Ridge Parkway road trips. The 469-mile scenic route passes right by two of the most … Read more
The Southern Highland Craft Guild has been an advocate for high-quality crafts being made and sold in the southern Appalachian Mountains since the 1930s. Their mission is to ensure that generation after generation of locals and visitors alike continue to value both the traditional and modern arts and crafts of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Originally designed … Read more
[Updated Sept 5, 2025] The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles in Virginia and North Carolina, connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though seasoned travelers might attempt to clock such mileage in a single day, that simply isn’t realistic (or desirable) for the world-renowned scenic route. In all, the Blue Ridge … Read more
There are countless hiking trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each offers a little something special. But the relatively short Rough Ridge hike ranks high among our personal favorites. Starting at the Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8), this 1.5-mile Blue Ridge Parkway hike will have you crossing a bridge over a creek, standing atop … Read more
[Updated August 6, 2023] Fall in North Carolina is particularly special because the autumn leaves are around for an extended amount of time. The vibrant fall colors almost seem to develop in shifts, gradually working their way down the sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains as seasonal temperatures begin to drop. Leaves changing in North Carolina … Read more
The Blue Ridge Mountains are famed for their stirring scenic vistas, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall is arguably the crème de la crème. My wife Emma and I both have October birthdays, and autumn is our favorite time of year for many reasons. As avid gardeners, it means the fruits of our labors … Read more
[Updated January 28, 2025] Stretching 469 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the #1 most visited unit of the US National Parks. The world-famous scenic route attracts nearly 16 million visitors each year. And Mabry Mill in Virginia is one of … Read more
