Now that Spring has officially sprung, temperatures are rising, wildflowers are blooming, and the peak season for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains is just around the corner. If you’re anything like us, this time of year is perfect for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors, hiking trails, chasing waterfalls, and spending long, lingering days … Read more
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the premier scenic drives in the USA, and also the most visited national park in the country. Created by Franklin D Roosevelt to connect Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, construction of the BRP began in the 1930s. By the mid-1960s, most … Read more
Whether you’re taking your very first Blue Ridge Parkway road trip or– like us– you’ve explored the scenic route multiple times, a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a must! Located near Downtown Asheville, just 2.4 miles south of the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center, the Visitor Center is essentially … 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
The Blue Ridge Mountains extend south into North Georgia, a region blessed with beautiful landscapes and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Blue Ridge GA, the town named for the mountains that surround it, is right in the heart of it all! Whether you prefer North Georgia mountain lakes, hiking to magic waterfalls, enjoying award-winning Georgia wines, … Read more
In our experience, wildlife in the Smoky Mountains is both abundant and diverse, including amphibians, birds, large mammals, and reptiles. Some of the amazing animals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be rather secretive, living deep in the forests or hiding under rocks. Others will graze or hunt out in the open, … Read more
Looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in the mountains? There’s no shortage of resorts in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Whether you’re seeking rustic mountain resorts where you can get away from it all, fun-filled resorts with casinos and live music, or serene lakeside retreats, there are tons of options to … 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