Over the 5 years since we launched Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, our team has visited 70-80 different towns in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (not including those we’ve driven through, but not actually stayed in). So narrowing it all down to a list of 30 mountain towns was no easy feat! What makes … Read more
Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, as it was one of the few times of year my extended family (25+ aunts, uncles, and cousins) got together in the spirit of fellowship. The family has shrunk some over the years: My beloved grandparents, my father, my uncle Steve, and my cousin Jon … Read more
Now in its 11th year, Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum ranks right alongside Biltmore Christmas among our favorite things to do during Winter in Asheville. With all proceeds supporting the Arboretum’s annual programming, this is their largest fundraising effort of the year. And this year, like most of Asheville, they need those funds more … Read more
Located near the northern shores of Lake Chatuge, just 10 miles north of Hiawassee GA, Hayesville NC is a tiny North Carolina mountain town with a population of less than 500 people. With the Hiwassee River cutting through the town’s eastern edge, this area has long been settled by indigenous people. The South Appalachian Mississippian culture … Read more
Much like pumpkin patches and apple picking, visiting corn mazes in NC makes us feel like the glorious days of Autumn have officially arrived. The state of North Carolina has more than its fair share of vast corn fields. So it’s an ideal place to seek out kid-friendly corn mazes, as well as massive adult-sized challenges … Read more
If Fall for you means apple picking, pumpkin patches, wagon rides, and corn mazes, Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard in Hendersonville NC can help you check all those things off your list in one fantastic, family-friendly day out! Stepp’s is a wonderful, fully functioning farm and orchard that doubles as a giant playground for kids and … Read more
The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is a 76.7-mile loop in Western NC that passes through Pisgah National Forest. It’s just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at one end, and close to the mountain town of Brevard at the other. This stunning tree-lined journey is dotted with endless hiking trails, picnic spots, swimming holes, and some of … Read more
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
Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are neighboring North Carolina mountain towns with a lot to offer visitors. As their names imply, the town of Lake Lure is home to one of the most popular lakes in North Carolina, while the town of Chimney Rock is best known for its unique geological formations. Both places are … Read more
[Updated on 8/14/24] Fall in North Carolina is a wonderful time, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the leaves put on amazing shows and the cooler weather seems to summon us all outside. For those of us who love festivals and fairs in North Carolina, no season is more alluring than autumn! North Carolina … Read more