7 Fun Things to Do in Galax VA in Autumn

Sunset in Downtown Galax VA

With a total land area of 8.28 sq miles, Galax is a wonderful little Virginia mountain town to visit at any time of year. But, in our experience, Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is always extra special, and Galax offers a lot of fun ways to celebrate the season.  Galax may be best-known as the “Old-Time … Read more

Highlights of Driving the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway NC (BRP MP 412)

Looking Glass Falls near Brevard NC

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

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

Gravity-Defying Family Fun at Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock NC

Defying Gravity at Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock NC

We’ve visited 50+ Blue Ridge Mountain towns in the 4 years since we launched this site, and several of them we’ve visited numerous times.  Blowing Rock NC is one of our favorites, because it’s located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the heart of the North Carolina High Country, with an amazing array of … Read more

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

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

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

Visiting the Blowing Rock Attraction in Blowing Rock NC

Bret Love at Sunset on The Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock NC is located just a couple of miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drivers simply exit onto US-221N between Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Julian Price Memorial Park. The Blowing Rock, the namesake of the town, is located at the edge of town a couple of miles south of that. This unique … Read more

The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in North Carolina

Fall blue ridge parkway - Motorcycle on Blue-Ridge Parkway NC Linn Cove Viaduct Fall

The state of North Carolina is home to over half of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 469 total miles, and the mountain overlooks in NC are by far the most high-flying along the route. In our experience, many of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway are found along the ridges of the Craggy Mountains, … Read more