Visiting the North Carolina Mountains
Check out our extensive guides to the best things to do in the North Carolina Mountains, including an overview of the best outdoor activities, restaurants, roadside attractions and accommodations in Western NC.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Elkin NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MM 229)
Just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rocky ridges smooth out into the rolling hills and lively mountain streams known as the North Carolina Piedmont.
The 20+ Best Western NC Christmas Events in Asheville, Biltmore, Bryson City & Beyond!
[Updated 12/4/2021] There’s nothing quite like celebrating the holiday season in a magical place, and many of Western North Carolina’s small towns offer something special
The 10 Best Christmas Towns in North Carolina
It’s a bittersweet time when you’re watching the vivid fall colors of the NC High Country begin to fade. Sad because it signals that autumn
The 11 Best Places for Snow Tubing in the North Carolina Mountains
Though the tourist season may have its peaks and valleys, the North Carolina mountains are truly a nature-lover’s playground 365 days a year. Spring brings an abundance
The 15 Best Things to Do in Banner Elk NC
Located in the North Carolina High Country, less than 20 miles from Boone and Blowing Rock, Banner Elk is one of the most beautiful Blue
The 30 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC
[Updated November 6, 2021] For a medium-sized Blue Ridge mountain town with a population of under 100,000, there is a surprising wealth of unique things
The 10 Best Campgrounds in the North Carolina Mountains
One of our favorite ways to take a deep dive into the beauty of nature is to enjoy the myriad campgrounds in the North Carolina
The 15 Best Things to Do in Burnsville NC
Located about 35 miles northeast of Asheville and 40 miles southwest of Banner Elk, the town of Burnsville NC has long lived in the shadow
The 10 Best Hendersonville NC Restaurants for Foodies
[Updated November 1, 2021] From Blue Ridge and Clayton GA to Asheville and Burnsville NC, nearly every great mountain town we’ve visited has had
The Best Boone NC Christmas Tree Farms
The Blue Ridge Mountains are known as “the Fraser Fir Capital of the World.” So the NC High Country region around Boone, Blowing Rock, and
The 7 Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina
Of the 2,000-plus miles of AT stretching up the East Coast, the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina has just under 100 miles of the world-famous
The 6 Best Boone NC Breweries & Brewpubs (with Map)
Boone NC is perhaps best known for its iconic Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks and the easy access it offers to excellent campgrounds, hiking, snow tubing,
The 10 Best Campgrounds In Boone NC
In addition to being one of the best Western NC small towns to live in, Boone NC is also a haven for nature lovers and
The 10 Best Restaurants in Boone NC
The North Carolina High Country (which includes popular towns like Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone) is home to an abundance of delicious eateries. Home
Fall in North Carolina: 20 Great Places to See Fall Colors in Western NC
[Updated September 18, 2021] Fall in the North Carolina mountains is particularly special because the autumn leaves are around for an extended amount of time.
The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes for NC Day Trips
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
The 10 Best Things to Do in Weaverville NC
We started this website in large part because we wanted to explore the small towns of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in the search for
The 15 Best Things to Do in Hendersonville NC
[Updated September 3, 2021] For far too long, Hendersonville NC seemed like the Jan Brady to Asheville’s Marcia, never quite garnering all the accolades and
The Best Hiking in Asheville NC Bucket List (Top 20 Hiking Trails)
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
The 10 Best Waterfalls Near Boone NC
Located in the North Carolina High Country, Boone is a scenic college town with a surplus of art galleries, shopping, restaurants, hiking trails, Christmas Tree Farms,
20 Best Things to Do in Boone NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MM 291.8)
[Updated August 18, 2021] Located just a couple of hours north of downtown Asheville, the town of Boone NC is the county seat for Watauga
The 21 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
[Updated August 12, 2021] Western North Carolina waterfalls are both plentiful and stunning as they cascade down the state’s ruggedly majestic peaks, including the Blue
The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC
The history of the Blue Ridge Mountains is riddled with Appalachian folklore. They range from various age-old superstitions to mythical monsters such as Bigfoot, Mothman,
The Top 25 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC
[Updated Aug 6, 2021] It’s not hard to imagine why so many people love to retreat into the Blue Ridge Mountains, which stretch 550 miles from
The 20 Best Pumpkin Patches in the NC Mountains
When autumn rolls around there are tons of fun activities and annual traditions to look forward to. But you could argue that none are quite
The 15 Best Boone NC Hiking Trails to Explore
[Updated August 3, 2021] The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Boone NC is best-known for its Christmas tree farms and outdoor recreation opportunities, offering everything
The 15 Best Treehouse Rentals in the North Carolina Mountains
Home to the five tallest peaks east of the Mississippi, countless waterfalls, adventurous hiking trails, bustling mountain towns, and spectacular scenery, the North Carolina mountains
Things to Do at the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area (Near Linville Falls NC)
Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains are renowned for their rugged beauty, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area ranks among the most dynamic places to
Apple Picking in North Carolina: The 10 Best NC Apple Orchards to Visit
Most people know Western North Carolina for its beautiful national forests, beloved state parks, charming mountain towns, and scenic routes like the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Top 10 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)
[Updated August 12, 2021] In a region wrought with spectacular waterfalls, no place has as many as Transylvania County, North Carolina. Encompassing 381 square miles,
The Top 10 Treehouse Rentals near Asheville, NC
The Western North Carolina mountains have practically everything you could possibly want if you’re looking for a back-to-nature getaway. Home to the five tallest mountains
Things to Do at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Banner Elk NC
For me, the monolithic majesty of Grandfather Mountain preceded itself. On a few occasions in the past, my wife Emma and I visited friends who
The 10 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC
When we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina for the first time, we didn’t have much time to plan our trip because
The 10 Best Lakes in the North Carolina Mountains to Visit
[Updated August 15, 2021] As anyone who has ever visited will tell you, Western North Carolina is truly a haven for nature lovers. The region
How to Get to Otter Falls Near Banner Elk NC
[Updated August 12, 2021] A relatively new tourist attraction in the Western North Carolina mountains, Otter Falls isn’t anywhere near the biggest of the waterfalls
The 15 Best Downtown Asheville Restaurants for Foodies
[Updated November 3, 2021] The first time we visited the city back in 2012, we were absolutely blown away by the Asheville food scene. For
Things to Do at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Near Blowing Rock NC
The short stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs from just east of Boone NC to just west of Blowing Rock is particularly packed with
How to Get to Hooker Falls NC (in DuPont State Forest)
[Updated August 12, 2021] If you’re looking for challenging North Carolina waterfalls to hike, Hooker Falls is probably not for you. Located between Brevard and
40 Fascinating Facts About Cherokee Culture & History
Before Europeans settlers began spreading throughout the southeastern United States, the Cherokee were the dominant Native American tribe in the Blue Ridge Mountains for centuries. Cultivating
Review of Pinecrest Bed and Breakfast in Asheville NC (Montford Area)
[Updated July 29, 2021] You don’t have to look very hard to find great bed and breakfasts in Asheville NC. In fact, the Montford Area
The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest (Near Brevard NC)
The Cradle of Forestry in America was originally known as the Biltmore Forest School. It was founded in 1898 by Carl A. Schenck, a German
North Carolina Wildflowers Guide (& Where to See Them in Western NC)
Western North Carolina is truly stacked with natural beauty. From the misty hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the towering trees of Pisgah National
Things to Do in Elk Knob State Park Near Boone NC
There is no shortage of stunning state parks in the North Carolina mountains. We’ve been fortunate to visit a good number of them, staring up
Top 15 NC State Parks in the North Carolina Mountains
[Updated April 5, 2021] When we first moved to NC in 2017, I was beside myself envisioning the many cascading waterfalls and breathtaking vistas to
15 Highlights of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Western North Carolina
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (a.k.a. the MST) stretches from North Carolina’s western border with Tennessee all the way east to the Atlantic Ocean. This epic NC
The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum and “Horn in the West” in Boone NC
The Southern Appalachian Historical Association was formed to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Watauga County and the surrounding areas in the North Carolina
The Best Things to Do in DuPont State Forest, NC
The DuPont State Recreation Forest, more commonly known as DuPont State Forest or just DuPont Forest, offers 12,000+ acres of blow-your-mind beautiful wilderness in the
The 20 Best Pisgah National Forest Hiking Trails in North Carolina
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
The 15 Best Western North Carolina Mountains For Hiking
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
How to Get to Crabtree Falls Near Little Switzerland NC
[Updated August 12, 2021] The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited national park unit in the USA, attracting more than 15 million visitors each
Visiting Historic Engadine Inn and Cabins Near Asheville NC
[Updated July 27, 2021] With only one or two Blue Ridge Parkway hotels in North Carolina, it’s not easy to find accommodations along the world-famous
Exploring The 12 Best Asheville NC Breweries
[Updated Sept 15, 2021] For people visiting the North Carolina mountains (or for those simply seeking out great beer), the number of quality breweries in
40 Fascinating Facts About The Blue Ridge Parkway
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
The Best Places for Snow-Skiing in North Carolina
[Updated 11/10/21] 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,
Exploring Emerald Village: North Carolina Gem Mines in Little Switzerland
Located just 31 miles from Asheville and three miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Emerald Village proved to be one of our favorite things to
The 27 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC
[Updated August 12, 2021] Asheville’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only the
The 15 Best Western NC Christmas Tree Farms in Boone, Asheville, & Beyond
Whether you’re continuing a lifelong Christmas tradition or getting your first ever live tree, picking out a tree from a NC Christmas Tree Farm is
The Black Walnut Inn, a Historic Bed and Breakfast in Asheville NC
[Updated July 29, 2021] “You don’t choose Asheville… Asheville chooses you.” This enigmatic insight from Peter White, co-owner of the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast
The Appalachian Culture & History of the Blue Ridge Mountains
If you’ve lived in the Southeast for a good portion of your life (as our team has), chances are you’ve been exploring Appalachia and the
Little Switzerland, NC: Cutest Mountain Town on the Blue Ridge Parkway (MM 334)
[Updated July 12, 2021] One of the things people don’t tell you about taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is how remarkably uncommercialized this
30 Fascinating Blue Ridge Mountains Facts
Stretching north to south across the eastern United States, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains are truly an iconic American landscape. The Blue Ridge range encompasses
Cottages at Spring House Farm: Dog-Friendly Cottages in Pisgah National Forest
As professional travel writers/photographers, our trips are usually tightly packed with adventures. So much so that we often come home feeling like we need a
Asheville River Arts District: A Guide to Galleries & Restaurants
[Updated July 31, 2021] Over the last decade, Asheville has emerged as a progressive haven of arts and culture in the middle of North Carolina’s
The 20 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!)
Western North Carolina is perhaps best known as home to Asheville, one of the most deservedly popular up-and-coming small cities in the United States. But
Pisgah National Forest: A Beginner’s Guide
Pisgah National Forest encompasses over half a million acres of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina. The forest is separated into three ranger districts:
The 20 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking
[Updated July 27, 2021] Spend any time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and you’ll quickly realize that waterfalls are a big
Stone Mountain, NC: State Park Camping, Hiking & History
Stone Mountain State Park (not to be confused with the famous North Georgia park) stands prominently just beyond the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge
The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in NC & VA
[Updated September 14, 2021] In our opinion, taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is one of the finest romantic getaways or family vacations the
Exploring Craggy Gardens, NC (Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 344.1, 382.5 & 384.7)
As a tourist destination, the Blue Ridge Parkway specializes in three things: spring blooms, autumn leaves, and jaw-dropping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While
Visiting Doughton Park (Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Marker 238.5 – 244.7)
Located in North Carolina between Blue Ridge Parkway mile markers 238.5 and 244.7, Doughton Park is actually the largest recreation area along the famous road.
Exploring the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Mills River NC (Near Asheville & Hendersonville)
[Update July 31, 2021] Sometimes when a recipe is right, it is simply right. There’s no arguing the fact that Sierra Nevada nailed its flagship
The Cataloochee Valley Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Created in 1934 and encompassing 522,419 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, attracting more than 10 million travelers
Downtown Asheville, NC History: From Biltmore to the 21st Century Boom
[Updated July 31, 2021] The essence of downtown Asheville, NC exists between two dichotomous extremes, with the outlandish opulence of the Biltmore Estate at one
Highland Brewing: Visiting the First Asheville Brewery
[Updated July 31, 2021] Of the many cities across America currently vying for the title of “Best Beer City,” Asheville, North Carolina has a legit