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

Visiting the Chetola Resort, Lodge & Spa in Blowing Rock NC

Timberlakes Restaurant at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock NC

After driving the Blue Ridge Parkway stretch between Downtown Asheville and Boone NC 4 to 5 times in the last two years, it’s become clear that the North Carolina High Country is one of the our favorite places in the world.  From Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell to Linville Falls, Linville Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain, this … Read more

The 10 Best Restaurants in Banner Elk NC for Foodies

Outdoor Patio at Sorrento's Italian Bistro in Banner Elk NC

Located 16 miles west of Boone and 18 miles from Blowing Rock, Banner Elk ranks high among the most beloved small towns in North Carolina‘s High Country.  It offers close proximity to major tourist attractions ranging from Grandfather Mountain State Park and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area to Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and some of … Read more

3 Great Places for Ziplining in Boone NC (and Other Aerial Adventures)

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The Blue Ridge Mountains are known to blow visitors away with its jaw-dropping panoramas. Nature abounds in the region, with countless hiking trails, thunderous waterfalls, mountain streams, vibrant wildflowers and wildlife. And there’s an inherent peacefulness that comes with these pastoral landscapes.  A road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best ways to take … Read more

The 20 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains

Tree House on the Farm Rental near Boone NC

[Updated Feb 22, 2022] Home to the five tallest peaks east of the Mississippi, countless waterfalls, adventurous hiking trails, and bustling Blue Ridge mountain towns can be accessed from one of the many nature-based treehouse rentals in the North Carolina Mountains. After a full day of exploring the great outdoors, you’ll obviously need a place … 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

Visiting Linville Falls Campgrounds, RV Park & Cabins in Linville Falls NC

Upper Linville Falls in Linville NC

Located about 55 miles northeast of Asheville NC at milepost 316.4, Linville Falls is perhaps the most famous of the many waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The waterfall’s popularity is largely due to the ease with which it can be reached. But it also offers amazing geological formations, a spectacular three-tiered dance down to Linville Gorge, … Read more

The 10 Best Restaurants in Blowing Rock NC for Foodies

Elk at Timberlakes Restaurant in Blowing Rock NC

Located just 10 miles south of Boone, the tiny mountain town of Blowing Rock (population 1,163) is one of the most tourist-friendly towns in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina.  The town is home to major attractions such as the Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill, and Tweetsie Railroad. And its proximity to the Blue Ridge … Read more

30 Fun Facts About North Carolina State History & Culture

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North Carolina, nicknamed the “the Tar Heel State,” is filled with a rich history of colonial heritage, Appalachian culture, and noteworthy natural landmarks. Encompassing 53,819 square miles, the state’s diverse landscape ranges from coastal plains and fertile Piedmont to placid mountain lakes and towering mountains that are perfect for snow skiing and snow tubing. Although … Read more