If you enjoy getting deep into the forest, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, and looking up as gorgeous waterfalls cascade down, then Pisgah National Forest is going to be a winner. Encompassing over 500,000 acres in Western North Carolina, Pisgah Forest offers lots of room to roam. Its hundreds of miles of trails provide an ample … Read more
The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is an American classic. It’s possible to traverse the entire 469-mile route on rubber alone, stopping at some of the 200+ overlooks for those famous scenic mountain views, without ever breaking a sweat. The list of the area’s attractions is so extensive, your Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary could easily … Read more
North Carolina is home to the five highest mountains east of the Mississippi: Mt. Mitchell, Clingman’s Dome, Mt. Guyot, Richland Balsam, and Potato Knob. In fact, over half of the tallest 20 mountains in the eastern US are in Western North Carolina! And we aren’t talking run-of-the-mill mountains here. These are the Appalachians, replete with … Read more
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited national park unit in the USA, attracting more than 15 million visitors each year. It’s far more than just a beautiful scenic roadway, encompassing nearly 500 miles in NC and VA and protecting wilderness areas extending far beyond the road’s shoulders. Within these protected areas (much of which … Read more
Located just a couple of hours north of downtown Asheville, the town of Boone NC is the county seat for Watauga County. This hub of North Carolina’s High Country is a slice of the Blue Ridge Mountains that’s choc-a-block with outdoor activities and other attractions. Boone was named for American pioneer/explorer Daniel Boone, who is … Read more
With only one or two Blue Ridge Parkway hotels in North Carolina, it’s not easy to find accommodations along the world-famous route during the peak season in Autumn. We wanted to bring our furry friends (Boo-Boo and Huckleberry) along for the ride when we visited in October, so instead we searched for pet-friendly Blue Ridge … Read more
[Updated Jan 23, 2021] For a relatively small Blue Ridge mountain town with a population of under 100,000, there is a surprising wealth of unique things to do in Asheville NC. Thanks to an infusion of wealth brought in by the Biltmore Estate in the early 20th century, there’s historic art deco-influenced architecture. There is … Read more
For people visiting the North Carolina mountains (or for those simply seeking out great beer), the number of quality breweries in Asheville NC is astonishing. The burgeoning mountain metropolis has been noteworthy in the US craft brewing scene since the 1990s. But after Sierra Nevada set up shop in nearby Mills River NC, Asheville exploded … Read more
Arguably ranking among the world’s great road trips, the Blue Ridge Parkway was built in the 1930s to connect Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Shenandoah National Park. Spanning 469 miles in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the BRP offers sensational scenic vistas, historic landmarks such as the Daniel Boone Native Gardens and the … Read more
The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains may not have the jaw-dropping 13,000- to 14,000-foot peaks you’ll find in the Rockies of Colorado or Utah. But for those looking to see the snowy summits of Appalachia, there are actually numerous great places to go snow skiing in North Carolina. There are impressive options for skiing near Asheville, … Read more