The 10 Best Rental Cabins in Shenandoah Valley VA

Restored Buchanan Log Cabin Shenandoah Valley VA

The Shenandoah Valley is a breathtaking region of Virginia, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Potomac and James Rivers. In addition to natural beauty, this fertile valley is also rich in Virginia mountain towns, traditional Appalachian culture, and endless outdoor adventures. As a base for your exploration of the area, what … Read more

7 Fun Things to Do in Galax VA in Autumn

Sunset in Downtown Galax VA

With a total land area of 8.28 sq miles, Galax is a wonderful little Virginia mountain town to visit at any time of year. But, in our experience, Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is always extra special, and Galax offers a lot of fun ways to celebrate the season.  Galax may be best-known as the “Old-Time … Read more

The 15 Best Places for Glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains (GA, NC, TN, VA)

Glamping Smoky Mountains

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 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Picnic Areas in NC & VA

Picnic off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Wintergreen Resort in Virginia

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

The Top 10 Fall Festivals in the Virginia Mountains (2025)

Virginia Fall Festivals - Crowds Explore the Arts and Crafts Booths

(Updated August 11, 2025) Without a doubt, Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is my favorite season. The colors start to change, the heat starts to subside, and the farm markets, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches are putting out awesome produce. Simply put, it’s the right time to be out and about, enjoying the natural … Read more

How to Get to Crabtree Falls VA (Near Lexington/Natural Bridge)

Crabtree Falls in Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains

It’s insane to realize that there are two different Crabtree Falls that are commonly associated with the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, but that is the world we’re living in. These two popular waterfalls get confused all the time– so much so that the Crabtree Falls page on Virginia.org (the state’s official tourism website) actually links to the … Read more

The 10 Best Things to Do in Galax VA (Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 215)

Downtown Galax VA Shopping

Located about 7 miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Galax VA is the epitome of the ideal small mountain town in Southwest Virginia. Some of our favorite places to visit in Galax include a historic downtown area, beautiful natural surroundings, and outstanding live music venues. The modern history of Galax VA is largely steeped … Read more

The Best Lake Gear of 2024 (Floats, Grills, Coolers & More)

Lake Day Fun

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

The 10 Best Hiking Trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Otter Creek Overlook Blue Ridge Parkway VA

Spanning 469 miles in North Carolina and Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway should be on the bucket list of any avid hiker or road trip enthusiast. With more than 200 overlooks along the ever-popular scenic route, you don’t have to get out of the car to savor stunning scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. … Read more