The 15 Best Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Things to do in the Smoky Mountains - Couple at Newfound Gap Cherokee NC

[Updated Sept 19, 2024]  Straddling the boundary of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 500,000 acres and is the most visited of all the U.S. National Parks. Part of it is located in the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee people, who occupied the territory prior to the 1830s … Read more

The 20 Best Hiking Trails In Atlanta GA (& Hikes Near Atlanta)

Couple watching Sunset atop Stone Mountain GA

From the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail to an endless array of State Parks, WMAs, and waterfalls scattered throughout the region, North Georgia is an amazing place for anyone who loves hiking.  But even if you can’t make the drive to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains of North GA, hiking in Atlanta offers a surprising … Read more

The Top 30 Blue Ridge Mountain Towns in GA & NC

Bell Mountain Overlook of Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee GA

[Updated Sept 3, 2022] It’s not difficult to understand why so many people love taking getaways to the Blue Ridge Mountains, which stretch 550 miles from North Georgia to southern Pennsylvania. From hiking trails that lead to sensational scenic vistas and breathtaking waterfalls to pastoral valleys filled with wildflowers and wildlife, there’s something mesmerizing about exploring this … Read more

Hiking the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge Near Blue Ridge GA

Toccoa River Swinging Bridge in Blue Ridge GA

Adventures in the great outdoors almost always offer a reward of some sort.  Maybe it’s a waterfall, or a scenic mountain overlook. Maybe it’s a cool cave, spotting some interesting wildlife, or a trail through a meadow filled with North GA wildflowers.  Last week I took an excursion to see a bridge. Specifically, the swinging bridge over the … Read more

Fall in the Mountains of North Georgia: 25 Places to See Fall Colors

Lake at Fort Mountain State Park

[Updated August 10, 2022] The infamous heat of summer in the Deep South will soon start to wane, thankfully replaced by the cool, crisp air that signals autumn’s arrival. This is that magical time of year when more and more people are increasingly inclined to explore outdoor adventures in North Georgia. Fall in the mountains … Read more

The 35 Best Things to Do in Asheville NC

Things to do in Asheville

[Updated January 2, 2024]  For a medium-sized North Carolina mountain town with a population of under 100,000, there is a surprising wealth of unique things to do in Asheville NC. Thanks to an infusion of wealth brought in by the Biltmore Estate in the early 20th century, there’s historic art deco-influenced architecture. There are also … Read more

Review of Aloft in the Smokies: Downtown Bryson City NC Cabins

Sunrise-in-Bryson-City-NC-view-from-Aloft-cabin-rental

When we started the Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide in 2019, we had two major goals in mind.  The first was to explore the countless Blue Ridge Mountain towns in-depth, and share all our favorite things we experienced while rediscovering the simple pleasures of small town Americana. The second was to find our future home in the … Read more