Visiting the Peaks of Otter Lodge & Campground in Bedford VA
We’ve been fortunate enough to drive the entire 469-mile length of the Blue Ridge Parkway several times over the past two years. And though the
The 13 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds to Visit
The best Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds including info on facilities, unique features and nearby attractions.
The 20 Best Things to Do in Waynesville NC & Haywood County
[Updated September 25, 2022] When my wife and I explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s typically with two main goals in mind. The first objective
Fall in North Carolina: 25 Great Places to See Fall Colors in NC
[Updated September 7, 2022] Fall in North Carolina is particularly special because the autumn leaves are around for an extended amount of time. The vibrant fall
The 33 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking
[Updated August 20, 2022] Spend any time in the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll quickly realize that Westen North Carolina waterfalls are a big thing here.
The 8 Best Breweries in Roanoke VA, the Heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge
[Updated August 16, 2022] The fact that a Blue Ridge mountain town the size of Roanoke VA (population 99,411) has enough breweries to create an “8
Things to Do at Wintergreen Resort in Summer (Near Waynesboro VA)
Things to Do at Wintergreen Resort in Summer, including all the best hiking trails, waterfalls, family activities and Wintergreen restaurants.
Exploring Julian Price Campground & Memorial Park in Blowing Rock NC
Much of the press on the Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates it as a wonderfully preserved 469-mile scenic route. But much of what makes the world-renowned road
The 10 Best Things to Do in Maggie Valley NC
Located about halfway between Bryson City and Asheville, Maggie Valley NC is a small mountain town with something of a split personality. The town has historically
The 15 Best NC Wineries to Visit
With a wealth of Asheville breweries earning the mountain town the nickname “beer city,” plus the wealth of breweries in Boone and around Hendersonville, Western North Carolina is known
The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes for NC Day Trips
[Updated on March 9, 2022] The Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is truly an American classic. It’s possible to traverse the entire 469-mile route on
The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina, from Boone and Burnsville to Asheville, Cherokee and beyond!
3 Great Places for Ziplining in Boone NC (and Other Aerial Adventures)
The Blue Ridge Mountains are known to blow visitors away with its jaw-dropping panoramas. Nature abounds in the region, with countless hiking trails, thunderous waterfalls, mountain
The Best Hiking in Asheville NC Bucket List (Top 25 Hiking Trails)
[Updated 2/16/22] Between the vast Pisgah National Forest, rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, wondrous waterfalls, and countless meandering creeks and verdant meadows, there’s no shortage of
15 Best Things to Do in Little Switzerland NC (Blue Ridge Parkway MP 334)
[Updated January 21, 2022] One of the things people don’t tell you about taking a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is how remarkably uncommercialized this
The 15 Best Things to Do in Roanoke VA
[Updated January 15, 2022] With a population of around 100,000 people, Roanoke is both the largest city along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the largest
The 30 Best Waterfalls Near Asheville NC
[Updated December 28, 2021] Asheville NC’s reputation as a forward-thinking, nature-loving town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains precedes it. Despite being only
The 15 Best Pisgah National Forest Waterfalls to Explore
The waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest rank among the best waterfalls in Western North Carolina. Some of their cascades plummet over 100 feet, pushing thousands
Festive Fun at Tweetsie Railroad Christmas in Blowing Rock NC 2022
[Updated 12/2/2022] One of the most popular Western NC Christmas events, Tweetsie Railroad Christmas is a must-see for residents and holiday visitors who spend Christmas
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 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,
The Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC
The history of the Blue Ridge Mountains is riddled with Appalachian folklore, including the Mysterious Brown Mountain Lights of Morganton NC. They range from various
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
Things to Do at Center In The Square in Downtown Roanoke VA
Encompassing 43 square miles, with a population right around 100,000, Roanoke is the largest city on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with loads of great shopping,
Exploring the Blue Ridge Music Center Near Galax VA (Blue Ridge Parkway MP 213)
The Blue Ridge Music Center was established by an act of Congress in 1985 to celebrate the rich cultural history and ongoing musical traditions of the
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
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
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
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 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
Exploring Emerald Village: North Carolina Gem Mines in Little Switzerland
Emerald Village is located just 31 miles from Asheville and three miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The family-friendly attraction proved to be one of
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
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 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.