There’s a wealth of beautiful things to see while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. But the 200+ scenic mountain overlooks found along the way are the main attractions for most road trippers. That being said, stopping at all (or even most) of these overlooks while driving the 469-mile scenic route can be overwhelming. We know, … Read more
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is widely regarded as “America’s favorite drive,” with over 16 million annual visitors making it the most popular unit of the U.S. National Park Service. But in order to fully appreciate why the world-renowned scenic route remains so beloved today, more than 90 years after the concept was created, it’s … Read more
When we think of America’s most beloved scenic route, most people envision jaw-dropping Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, amazing waterfalls, and/or the colorful foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall. Commerce and other signs of “civilization” rarely enter our idyllic picture of the BRP, which is America’s #1 most visited National Park. There are actually only … Read more
Founded in 1782 (when it was originally known as Liberty), Bedford VA is one of our favorite small towns in the Shenandoah Valley. Located about 28 miles east of Roanoke VA, Bedford is a popular place to stop during Blue Ridge Parkway road trips. The 469-mile scenic route passes right by two of the most … Read more
Do you love exploring caves and caverns? Do you love hiking interesting trails that don’t involve lots of elevation gain? If you answered yes to these questions, the Blue Ridge Tunnel (a.k.a. the Crozet Tunnel) offers a one-of-a-kind experience! With two entrances (one near Waynesboro VA, the other in Crozet VA), the Blue Ridge Tunnel … Read more
The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles in Virginia and North Carolina, connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though seasoned travelers might attempt to clock such mileage in a single day, that simply isn’t realistic (or desirable) for the world-renowned scenic route. In all, the Blue Ridge Parkway requires about 15 … Read more
Much like Lookout Mountain (which straddles the border between GA and TN), Bristol is a town in two states. The north side of its main street lies in the state of Virginia, while the south side is in Tennessee. Bristol is probably best-known as the birthplace of country music. But it’s also home to the Bristol Motor … Read more
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few hours south of Washington DC, Charlottesville is widely regarded as one of the best mountain towns in Virginia. Foodies will appreciate the fact that C’ville consistently ranks in the Top 20 for having the most restaurants per capita (along with much larger cities like … Read more
We love our home in Harrisonburg VA because it’s close to so many wonderful Shenandoah Valley attractions and activities. Nature lovers and history buffs alike flock to this area all year-round for the national parks, vibrant Blue Ridge Mountain towns, and the plethora of festivals and activities. The Shenandoah Valley begins about 90 miles west of … Read more
Blue Ridge Mountain resorts come in all shapes and sizes. Some upscale luxury resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains focus on foodie-friendly restaurants, outstanding golf courses, and top-notch spas. My favorite mountain resorts go all-in on the rustic feel, offering breathtaking scenic vistas, hiking trails and/or waterfalls. Of course, there are also Blue Ridge Mountain ski resorts for … Read more