Want to keep one foot in nature while simultaneously turning up the dial on luxury? Try a weekend of glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Glamping (a.k.a. luxury camping) allows you to immerse yourself in the forest, creeks, and mountains while also enjoying modern conveniences like cozy beds, AC/heat, kitchens, private terraces, and maybe even … Read more
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
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
Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are neighboring North Carolina mountain towns with a lot to offer visitors. As their names imply, the town of Lake Lure is home to one of the most popular lakes in North Carolina, while the town of Chimney Rock is best known for its unique geological formations. Both places are … Read more
[Updated on 8/14/24] Fall in North Carolina is a wonderful time, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the leaves put on amazing shows and the cooler weather seems to summon us all outside. For those of us who love festivals and fairs in North Carolina, no season is more alluring than autumn! North Carolina … Read more
EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was published in mid-August 2024, more than a month before Hurricane Helene wreaked devastation in Western NC. The majority of these festivals have been cancelled for this year, but we hope all of them will be back in 2025, and will update once plans are confirmed. I love Autumn, … Read more
We’ve visited more than 50 towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains over the last 4 years, staying in some truly exceptional cabin rentals, hotels, and resorts. But Lakeview at Fontana Soaking Cabana Resort, which is located about 7 miles southwest of Bryson City and overlooks Lake Fontana, was like no other place we’ve stayed. This Smoky … Read more
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
We’ve written about how much Mary and I both love the water many times before. She grew up spending weeks every summer with her grandparents on the Merrimack River in New Hampshire, and I grew up spent weeks every summer with my grandparents on Lake Hartwell in Georgia. Those formative experiences gave us both a … Read more
What would the 4th of July be without a few fireworks? Thankfully, many Blue Ridge Mountain towns in GA & NC are intent on making sure your Independence Day celebrations go off with a bang! In addition to fantastic firework displays, some of these mountain towns go all out, offering enough family-friendly fun to fill an entire … Read more
