[Updated August 17, 2025] With a population of around 100,000 people, Roanoke is both the largest city along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the largest in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. Roanoke has a lot of the small Blue Ridge mountain town charm that’s customary to the region, with a historic town center, wilderness just minutes … Read more
The Civil War in Tennessee was epic. Aside from the state of Virginia, TN saw more battles than any other state. During the Civil War, Tennessee sent 120,000 men to fight for the Confederacy, and 31,000 to fight for the Union. There are so many Civil War sites in Tennessee, it would take a monumental … Read more
[Updated June 13, 2023] As a small town with a total population of around 700 people, Blairsville isn’t as big or as bustling as popular North Georgia mountain towns such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Ellijay. But for many people, therein lies a big part of its charm. Measuring just 1.1 square miles, Blairsville may seem … Read more
People head to the Smokies of North Carolina and Tennessee for many reasons. Some want to go on epic Great Smoky Mountains hikes, while others want to witness the mysterious Great Smoky Mountains fireflies (a.k.a. Blue Ghost fireflies). Many Smoky Mountains visitors come on a pilgrimage to see lots of waterfalls, but some just want … Read more
[Updated June 7, 2023] When my wife and I explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s typically with two main goals in mind. The first objective is to create in-depth guides on the best things to see and do there. The second is to use that information to decide whether or not we want to move … Read more
If you’re interested in exploring caverns and underground caves in Tennessee, a visit to the Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater TN is an absolute must. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains an hour north of Chattanooga TN and Lookout Mountain, the Lost Sea refers to the tourist attraction and underground lake, while … Read more
River rafting in Tennessee is one of the great outdoor adventures to be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In our experience, the best white water rafting in Tennessee is in the eastern part of the state, in the Appalachian region. Opportunities for Upper Pigeon River rafting and Ocoee River white water rafting are so good, the … Read more
[Updated August 18, 2025] In the three years since we launched this site, we’ve visited more than 50 Blue Ridge Mountain towns in the search for our future mountain home. From Blue Ridge and Blairsville GA to Bryson City and Waynesville NC, there have been several different places that made their way onto our shortlist. … Read more
Of all the Great Smoky Mountains attractions, chasing waterfalls is arguably among the most popular and rewarding activities. The Great Smoky Mountain waterfalls are abundant and breathtaking, with hikes that appeal to every age and ability level. In our experience, many of these Smoky Mountains waterfalls are among the most impressive natural attractions … Read more
If you’re eager to spend time at one of the best campgrounds near Canton NC, look no further than the ever-popular Mt Pisgah Campground. Located at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 408.8, at an impressive elevation of 4,980 feet, this particular Pisgah campground is in a perfect spot for exploring the surrounding areas. Camping in the Pisgah … Read more