Exploring Julian Price Campground & Memorial Park in Blowing Rock NC

Kayaks on Price Lake in Jullian Price Memorial Park

Much of the press on the Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates it as a wonderfully preserved 469-mile scenic route. But much of what makes the world-renowned road trip so wonderful is the incredible 200 or so Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks you can stop at along the way. Many of these special spots offer amazing vistas of the mountains of North … Read more

The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes for NC Day Trips

Beacon Heights Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook Fall

[Updated on March 9, 2022] The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is truly an American classic. It’s possible to traverse the entire 469-mile route on rubber alone, stopping at some of the 200+ Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks for those famously breathtaking mountain views, without ever breaking a sweat. The list of the area’s natural attractions … Read more

The Best Hiking in Asheville NC Bucket List (Top 25 Hiking Trails)

[Updated 2/16/22] Between the vast Pisgah National Forest, rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, wondrous waterfalls, and countless meandering creeks and verdant meadows, there’s no shortage of natural beauty in Western North Carolina. The area is also home to some of the most charming Blue Ridge mountain towns, from quaint towns such as Banner Elk and Burnsville to larger towns … Read more

The 15 Best Things to Do in Banner Elk NC

Banner Elk, NC

[Updated No 16, 2024] Located in the North Carolina High Country, less than 20 miles from Boone and Blowing Rock, Banner Elk is one of the most beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain towns we’ve ever visited. Once used by the Cherokee people for hunting and fishing, the area surrounding the Elk River was settled by Martin … Read more

The 10 Best Waterfalls Near Boone NC

Couple at Elk River Falls in Banner Elk NC

Located in the North Carolina High Country, Boone is a scenic college town with a surplus of art galleries, shopping, restaurants, hiking trails, Christmas Tree Farms, and beautiful overlooks.  The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through Boone, which is close to small towns such as Blowing Rock, Seven Devils, Wilkesboro, Newland, Linville, and Banner Elk. This … Read more

The 15 Best Boone NC Hiking Trails to Explore

Boone NC Hiking Trails

[Updated August 3, 2021] The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Boone NC is best-known for its Christmas tree farms and outdoor recreation opportunities, offering everything from mountain biking and rock climbing to whitewater rafting and snow skiing. The county seat of Watauga County has a population of around 20,000, which is pretty big for the Western … Read more

Things to Do at Center In The Square in Downtown Roanoke VA

Center in the Square in Roanoke VA

Encompassing 43 square miles, with a population right around 100,000, Roanoke is the largest city on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with loads of great shopping, museums, and other attractions. In our eyes, Roanoke is one of the must-see mountain towns for anyone taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. Downtown Roanoke is home to Virginia’s … Read more

Exploring the Blue Ridge Music Center Near Galax VA (Blue Ridge Parkway MP 213)

Blue Ridge Music Center Sign on Blue Ridge Parkway, VA

The Blue Ridge Music Center was established by an act of Congress in 1985 to celebrate the rich cultural history and ongoing musical traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 17,000-square-foot facility is particularly immersed in the Round Peak style of the North Carolina mountains and the Galax and Grayson County style of Virginia.  But the museum … Read more