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25 top things to do in blue ridge, georgia.

Explore outdoor adventures, wineries, breweries and more in the mountains of the Peach State.

25 Top Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GA

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Blue Ridge is a beautiful mountain town with plenty to see, do and explore.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, Blue Ridge is the perfect vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly in the fall when the air starts to cool and the colors of the leaves begin to change. The area has 300 miles of hiking trails, including the famed Appalachian Trail, and 100 miles of trout streams – the town is officially designated the Trout Capital of Georgia. Zip lining, whitewater rafting and kayaking are also on the list of outdoor activities in this mountain town, and if you're looking for something more laid-back, you can visit one of the many craft breweries and wineries in the area, go apple-picking or enjoy a round of golf. If you're planning a trip to Blue Ridge or you're considering the town for an upcoming vacation, this guide can help you make the most of your experience. (Note: Some tours, events and attractions may be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Check local tourism boards before traveling.)

Lake Blue Ridge

Courtesy of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce

The reservoir, formed when a dam was constructed on the Toccoa River, is 11 miles long and boasts 65 miles of shoreline, only 25% of which is developed. You can spend a day here or settle down at one of the campgrounds for your entire trip. You can relax on the beach, go swimming or pull out your fishing rod, and if you visit the marina or one of the boat ramps, you may be able to rent kayaks, paddleboards or a pontoon boat. Depending on where you go and what time of the year you visit, the lake also has concessions, a waterfront restaurant, picnic areas, public restrooms and showers. You'll also find well-maintained hiking trails weaving through the woods and around the lake, where you can go for a stroll on your own or with your family.

Toccoa River Swinging Bridge

Measuring 270 feet in length, the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River. The bridge is about 21 miles southeast of downtown Blue Ridge, but it's only a short hike from the parking area once you arrive. You can plan a short visit just to see the bridge, or you can make it part of a day hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail. Past visitors note that the gravel road leading to the bridge can be rough on smaller vehicles, and recommend arriving early in the day to avoid a parking jam. But the bridge is a great option for families who want a short hike or adventurers who plan to stay in the area longer. Along the way, you'll drive through the scenic Wilscot Valley, where you can book a room at the Wandering Wilscot Lodge.

Mercier Orchards

Opened in 1943, this family-owned apple orchard dates back four generations. Bring your family for a U-Pick event, where you'll be able to pick fresh apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and peaches. You can also check out the market, where you'll find more fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a variety of jams, jellies, preserves, apple butter and more. While the U-Pick events are subject to weather and availability, the market is open year-round (with the exception of select holidays). While you're there, stop by the café for breakfast or lunch. You may also want to try out some of the orchard's hard ciders on tap – Mercier is the only apple orchard in the state that grows, presses, ferments and bottles their own cider – or take your pick from the orchard's robust wine collection. The only drawbacks to consider are that prices can be a bit high, and the orchard can get crowded on weekends and during apple-picking season.

Address: 8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

If you want the full Blue Ridge Mountains experience, look no further than the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Guests can take a two-hour ride or a four-hour excursion with a stop. With the latter option, visitors will start in downtown Blue Ridge and embark on a 26-mile journey along the Toccoa River. You'll spend the first hour on the train, which has both open-air and closed, climate-controlled rail cars, depending on your comfort level and the weather. After the first leg, you'll stop at the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, where you'll have two hours to explore the towns, grab a bite to eat and do some shopping. Then, you'll take the one-hour trip back through the forest to Blue Ridge. Visitors especially love this scenic ride during the fall and winter. There are two- and four-hour excursions in the fall, allowing you to see the changing colors of the leaves. The special Holiday Express ride is only one hour long, but there is a four-hour option in December as well.

Go horseback riding

Blue Ridge Mountain Trail Rides offers the chance to go horseback riding with a view of the Cohutta Mountains. Rides range from one to two hours, with six departure times throughout the morning and afternoon. Hell's Hollow Adventure Outpost, where the tour starts, is located roughly 14 miles northwest of downtown Blue Ridge and the tour operator recommends using the Waze navigation app to get here instead of other GPS maps. Although children younger than eight years old aren't allowed to ride, the outpost has baby goats they can see. Past guests have mentioned that the horses are calm and the guides are helpful and knowledgeable.

Hike to one of 16 waterfalls in the area

Whether you're an avid waterfall hunter or you simply enjoy a good hike, Blue Ridge is an excellent choice for an adventurous getaway. While about half of the trails to the waterfalls are relatively easy, some are strenuous. Among the more difficult ones are some views that are worth your while, however. At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Recent visitors called the sheer size of the falls mesmerizing. Meanwhile, the trails leading to Jacks River Falls will take you through rugged, remote wilderness, which may be perfect for more experienced hikers. Other popular waterfalls in the area include Fall Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls and Helton Creek Falls. Before you go, do some research on the difficulty of the hike and whether the parking areas require a fee to enter.

Tank Town USA

Courtesy of Tank Town USA

In nearby Morganton, you'll find Tank Town USA, where visitors will have the opportunity to drive a 17-ton steel tank. It's just a 10-minute drive from Blue Ridge, and once you're there, you'll learn the basics of how to operate a tank. Afterward, you'll be able to test your skills on a rugged outdoor course for 10 minutes or half a mile, whichever comes first. If 10 minutes sounds too short, don't worry – visitors have the option to extend their experience or upgrade to the car crushing package, which includes a 25-minute drive and a car that can be smashed from every angle. If you're not dying to drive a tank, you can also pay to operate an excavator or shoot 100 rounds with an M-1919 machine gun. Keep in mind that there are age restrictions for all activities, including for those who want to ride along in the tank. While the activities are pricey, past visitors have called them a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Some even mentioned that kids can join in by spray painting and busting the windows of the car before the crushing starts.

Address: 10408 Appalachian Highway, Morganton, GA 30560

Cohutta Cove Mini Golf

This 18-hole mini-golf course is located just south of Blue Ridge and is ideal for families with small children. The course has a concession stand that serves up refreshments like coffee, tea, smoothies, soft drinks, chips and candy, and when you're done with a round, you and your kids can step over to the gem mining station, where you'll receive a bag with a mixture of various gemstones, such as topaz, sapphire, emerald, quartz and more. If you're planning to do both, be sure to buy a combo package for discounted rates. The course is fun, clean and well-maintained, and compared to other gem mining spots in the area, guests have said you receive good value for what you pay.

Address: 64 Dunbarton Farm Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Arts Center

Courtesy of Jerry Mucklow

Located in downtown Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association is the artistic center of the town, which is listed as one of the top five arts towns in the state of Georgia. The center features a variety of multi-cultural works and mediums, running more than 35 different exhibits and events throughout the year, with exhibits changing every four to six weeks. They also offer an array of classes and workshops suitable for all ages, including a summer art camp for kids between the ages of 6 and 14. But if you don't have time for a class, the center offers to-go art kits that can be completed at home. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to participate in the center's Cork and Canvas event, where you'll be able to sample a selection of local wines paired with savory food. The setting of the center in an old courthouse is unique, according to past visitors, who called the collection of works from local artists beyond beautiful and eclectic.

Address: 420 West Main St., 30513

Baugh House Historic Museum

Operated by the Fannin County Heritage Foundation, the Baugh House Museum offers a glimpse into Blue Ridge's intriguing past. The home's architecture was rare when it was first built in 1893, with its two stories and I-house style – one room deep and two rooms wide. Brick houses were also rare in Georgia at the time. In addition to the exhibit, the museum also houses a genealogical library and research center, which can be a good place to do some family history work if you have ancestors who lived in the area. As an added bonus, there's no admission fee to see the period clothing, antiques and other historical items the museum houses. Consider the museum if you're looking to learn about the history of Fannin County or want to do some genealogical research.

Address: 411 West First St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park

This well-maintained park is home to a full-size helicopter and a memorial honoring veterans from the area who served in conflicts ranging from the War of 1812 to the modern-day Iraq War. Visitors say the park has a reverent atmosphere, and with its open spaces, it's a good place to relax on the grass, have a picnic and pay respects to the county's veterans who served their country.

Address: 4560 Old Highway 76, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Bear Claw Vineyards

Courtesy of Bear Claw Vineyards

This women-owned vineyard is a 10-minute drive from downtown Blue Ridge. If you visit on a Saturday, you can take a tour of the vineyard, which includes seven wine tastings complimented by cheese and crackers. Plan in advance, though, as the tour is offered on a limited basis. You can also stop by for a tasting, with a few options to choose from, or a wine slushy. On the weekend, the vineyard hosts live music with local bands. The vineyard even has a treehouse on the property, which you can rent for a night or longer. Just be sure to plan ahead of time to ensure availability. Past visitors loved the beautiful property and high-quality wine, noting that the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. If you'd like to expand your palate even further, consider Serenberry Vineyards, Cartecay Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry, Ott Farms and Vineyard or Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa, all of which are located in Blue Ridge or nearby towns.

Address: 2281 Tennis Court Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Fly-fish on Noontootla Creek

The small mountain stream Noontootla Creek is well-known for its ample opportunities for trout fishing. Located about 20 miles southeast of Blue Ridge, the stream's name is derived from a Cherokee term meaning "land of the shining water" or "middle sun." Live bait isn't allowed, and you can only keep one trout up to 16 inches, otherwise this creek adheres to catch and release fishing only. You can fish the stream on your own, or you can take a guided fly-fishing excursion with Noontootla Creek Farms, a privately-held farm that's open to the public and has more than 1,000 acres of land and access to two miles of the creek. The farm also offers other activities, including quail hunting and a clay-shooting course. If you want to spend a little more time in the mountains, the farm has a four-bedroom farmhouse you can rent. Past guests have marveled at the size of the trout in the stream and the quality of the activities the farm offers.

Grumpy Old Men Brewing

Established in 2013 by two retired beer enthusiasts, Grumpy Old Men Brewing has 24 beer taps, giving you ample opportunity to try out some of the beers that have become a staple in the region. The taproom only serves its own beer and doesn't provide any other drinks or food – though it may occasionally host a food truck. On Fridays and Saturdays, the taproom hosts live music, and if you arrive on a Thursday, you can even show off your vocal skills at the brewery's karaoke night. Visitors can choose to sit at the bar or relax on the outdoor patio, and while some past guests said the seating is limited, visitors agree that the beer is top notch.

Address: 1315 East Main St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Fannin Brewing Company

If you're a beer aficionado, you may want to try out Fannin Brewing Company's excellent variety of beers. The brewery began selling beer in 2012, and since then, has expanded to include an outdoor beer garden with yard games like cornhole and ladder golf. While you won't get a full meal with your beer, the taproom does sell snacks such as chips and warm pretzels. Other breweries near Blue Ridge include Buck Bald Brewing, Copperhill Brewery and Angry Hops Brewery.

Address: 3758 First St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Expedition: Bigfoot Museum

Courtesy of Expedition: Bigfoot

One of Blue Ridge's more unique experiences is the Expedition: Bigfoot Museum. A self-guided tour takes an hour or less, and you'll get to see various pieces of "evidence" that the elusive Sasquatch exists. The museum, which lies about 7 miles southwest of Blue Ridge in nearby Cherry Log, includes the largest permanent display of footprint casts in the U.S., several interactive exhibits and the world's only Bigfoot research and tech vehicle on display. When you're done with the exhibits, step into the gift shop for some one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home. The museum is open daily but closed for certain holidays, and offers free admission for kids younger than five and active military service members. Past guests say that admission is affordable and the experience is fun for all ages.

Address: 1934 Highway 515, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Lilly Pad Village

Located eight miles from Blue Ridge in the Aska Adventure Area, Lilly Pad Village offers a few different family-friendly activities. With the gem mining experience, visitors can buy a bucket and sift through the sand to find treasures like emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets and amethysts. Meanwhile, those who want to spend some time fishing will find catfish, bass and brim in the village's one-third acre pond. The activity is catch and release only, and you can either bring your own poles or rent some from the operator. Finally, step into a mountain setting at Lily Pad Village's nine-hole mini-golf course. Shaded by a canopy of trees, this golf course is a great way to cool off on a warm day. With one ticket, visitors can play through the course as many times as they want, or even leave and return later for another round. Past guests raved about the gem mining experience, and agreed that Lilly Pad Village is a must-do if you're traveling with children.

Address: 24 Adelaide Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Do some shopping in Downtown Blue Ridge

Whether you're looking to bring home the perfect souvenir or you simply want to spend the afternoon window shopping, head to downtown Blue Ridge, where you'll find plenty of interesting shops. At the Sweet Shoppe, you'll find a variety of gourmet desserts, including cupcakes that were featured on Food Network's hit television show, "Cupcake Wars." You'll also find a few different boutiques, including Juliana's Boutique, Blue Ridge Cotton Company and Blue Ridge Adventure Wear. At Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company, visitors can sample 65 varieties of olive oil and balsamic vinegar from around the world, and at Out of the Blue Gourmet Living, visitors can browse an extensive collection of fine wines and gourmet food. If you love antiques, check out Blue Ridge Antique Mall & Consignment Inc., which guests say is worth a visit, even if it's just to look around.

Take a day trip to one or more of the surrounding towns

Northern Georgia is filled with interesting mountain towns, so it's not uncommon for travelers to take daytrips from Blue Ridge to experience the entire region. Situated about 50 miles southeast of Blue Ridge is Helen , a Bavarian-style town that will make you feel like you've traveled to southern Germany – without having to cross the Atlantic Ocean. While you're in the area, consider stopping in Cleveland , where you'll find the North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park and the original home of the Cabbage Patch Kids, Babyland General Hospital. If you want to do a full wine tour, make the hourlong drive to Dahlonega, which is considered the heart of Georgia's wine country and the site of the first major gold rush in the country. Ellijay, just a 30-minute drive from Blue Ridge, is nicknamed "The Apple Capital of Georgia" and is home to the Georgia Apple Festival and the Georgia Apple Blossom Festival. Meanwhile, McCaysville, which is only a 20-minute drive from Blue Ridge, sits on the Georgia-Tennessee state line and has some great dining and shopping options.

Go zip lining

Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge offers some excellent activities for travelers who want a more adventurous experience. Located just 6 miles from downtown Blue Ridge, the tour operator offers a one-hour zip lining tour with seven zip lines ranging from 150 to 550 feet in length, as well as a two-hour tour with 13 zip lines ranging from 150 to 1,000 feet in length. Or, visitors can try out the aerial challenge course, which has up to 35 obstacles, including tight ropes, zip lines, climbing walls and suspended bridges that range in height from 15 to 45 feet off the ground. Another summer-only option is the raft and zip combo, which includes a two-hour zip lining tour and a whitewater rafting trip on the Middle Ocoee River with Ocoee Rafting. The Middle Ocoee rafting trip is a 5-mile tour that takes about 90 minutes. Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge comes highly recommended by recent travelers, with many visitors calling the tour guides the highlight of their trip.

Address: 891 Old Cashes Valley Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Golf at Old Toccoa Farm

Courtesy of Old Toccoa Farm

Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Blue Ridge, Old Toccoa Farm was ranked the eighth-best new golf course by "Golf Digest" in 2020. As a mountain golf course, Old Toccoa Farm has features that golfers typically don't get from traditional links courses, such as more trees and manicured fairways. However, it also has some of the hallmarks of links courses, including sandy soil and plenty of dunes. You'll also find natural hazards along the way, including rock outcroppings and beautiful wildflower meadows and mountain laurel shrubs. The course is immaculate, according to previous golfers, and each hole has beautiful views for an incredible overall experience.

Go canoeing on the Toccoa River

The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is a 13.8-mile beginner trail for those who want a relaxing canoe, kayak or tubing trip with only a few rapids. The trail is also an excellent place for trout fishing. If you want, you can stop at the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge before you continue your trip downstream. If you don't have your own equipment, you can rent kayaks and canoes or even take a guided tour through operators like Jon Ron Toccoa River Outfitters and Toccoa River Tubing Company. According to past travelers, the river is a great place for a scenic float, regardless of your watercraft. Keep in mind, there's a $5 fee to park and launch at Deep Hole Recreation Area, the starting point of the trail.

Attend one of the many festivals in the region

Throughout the year, Blue Ridge and other North Georgia towns host a number of festivals. The Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival in April, the Fire & Ice Chili Cook Off and Craft Beer Festival in February and the Blue Ridge Mountains Wine and Jazz Festival in June are just a few examples of what Blue Ridge has to offer. In the surrounding area, you'll find the Ride the Rails fundraiser on select weekends between May and November in Mineral Bluff, and the longest-running Oktoberfest in the U.S. in Helen. As you plan your trip, check for festivals and other events, so you can join in the celebration of local traditions.

Hike Springer Mountain

One of the state's most popular hiking destinations, Springer Mountain is the starting point of the Appalachian Trail – or the endpoint, depending on which direction you're going. The mountain peaks at 3,780 feet, and there are plenty of trails for hikers of all skill levels. For example, you can take a hike as short as the 1.9-mile round-trip trail from the Springer Mountain parking area to the summit of Springer Mountain, or you can start at Amicalola Falls for a 15.5-mile round-trip hike. Hiking enthusiasts note that even the short trail isn't necessarily easy and may not be a good fit for occasional hikers, but say that the views from the peak are worth the effort.

Take an electric bike tour

Pedego Blue Ridge is a locally-owned electric bike shop that offers tours and even rentals if you want to explore the town on your own. Guided tours can last up to two hours and take you along the Toccoa River and through the rolling countryside. You can also book a tour that takes you around Lake Blue Ridge, starting and stopping at the marina. This tour lasts up to 90 minutes. Reviews of the tours are almost exclusively positive, with the bikes providing an easy way to cover the beautiful mountainous terrain without a lot of effort.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in Georgia
• The Top Things to Do in Helen, Georgia
• The Top Things to Do in Augusta, Georgia
• The Top Romantic Getaways in Georgia
• The Top Water Parks in Georgia
• The Top Things to Do in Tennessee
• The Top Things to Do in North Carolina
• The Top Things to Do in Columbia, South Carolina
• The Top Things to Do in Greensboro, North Carolina
• The Top Things to Do in Mobile, Alabama

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Plan your Trip

Plan your trip.

Planning a trip to the Georgia mountains? Check out our self guided tour maps of special places and experiences in the area.

Download detailed maps of activities, information and links to other websites (like the US Forest Service), outfitters and other resources.

Be sure to also download our new Visit Blue Ridge app by following the link in the directory below. Or select the trip planning tool in this site by clicking the visit button shown in the top left corner of every page.

A word to the wis e .. . GPS doesn't always work in the mountains, and your mapping APP might not be accurate for every destination. Also, there's a chance you might lose cellphone service on some mountain roads. Always check the directions for your destination before you go, and use our Self Guided Tour Maps to help you find outdoor attractions.

Where to Stay

Surround yourself with beauty, relaxation, and natural fun. Georgia's Blue Ridge is only 90 miles north of Atlanta, but a…

Top 20 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA

Here are some great ways to make the most of your visit from mountain views, to parks, to family adventure…

Scenic Drives & Self-Guided Tours

When you drive in any direction from Blue Ridge Georgia, you'll meet with beautiful scenery and gorgeous views.

Visitors Guide

Download our Visitors Guide or request one to be sent by mail.

Weather & Average Temps

Average Monthly Weather Data and Current Weather Forecast.

Getting Here & Maps

Maps and Directions to Georgia's Blue Ridge. Only 90 miles north of Atlanta via I-575.

Newsletter Signup

Sign up to get a once a month newsletter with information about Blue Ridge and Copper Basin events with suggested…

Travelability and Accessibility Resources

Welcome to Blue Ridge, Georgia! Blue Ridge welcomes visitors of all abilities!

Get the App

Free apps and info from Georgia's Blue Ridge. Download our Blue Ridge App for 'On-The-Go' Guidance.

Top 20 Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA

More planning tools, keep exploring.

Mountain Towns & Countryside

Fall in love with the mountain towns of Blue Ridge and McCaysville. They are as different as can be, but…

Arts & Culture

Blue Ridge is recognized as one of the top arts towns in Georgia, and is also one of the Top…

Where to Shop

During the early 1900's, visitors journeyed to Blue Ridge by train to enjoy the health resort's pure mineral waters.

Hiking Trails in Blue Ridge & the Copper Basin

Discover more than 300 miles of hiking trails, including the start of the Appalachian Trail and three local waterfalls.

There are 100 miles of trout streams in Fannin County.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip | Our Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

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• Destinations
• North Carolina
• Road Trips In The U.S.
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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

There are more than 450 mileposts in the Milepost Guide of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which showcases the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains which are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Highlands range.

It includes everything travelers look for: small towns, tunnels, overlooks, campgrounds, cabins, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels, restaurants, a visitor center, National Park Service, parking areas, picnic areas, wineries, hiking trails, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, rivers, and other attractions along the way.

This is why the parkway is the most visited single unit in the U.S. National Parks System. Driving straight through without stopping would take about ten to twelve hours, but three to seven days is needed to explore it well. To avoid the summer heat, visit in early spring.

There are many visitor centers, but to plan our exploration, we went to the main Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (MP 384) near the city of Asheville and our campground in Lenoir, North Carolina. Based on the information from the visitor center, we grouped visits to our chosen landmarks into five parts and planned a day to see each grouping. We’ve ordered them chronologically, based on our itinerary, and I’ve provided milepost numbers for guidance when going on the Blue Ridge Mountains run.

jamee Kennedy / Shutterstock

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip: The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: blowing rock.

The town of Blowing Rock (MP 219.9) was only about 30 minutes away from our campground. Its population of 1,500 balloons to 10,000 during the tourist season in summer. It takes its name from an unusual rock formation named The Blowing Rock that juts over 1,500 feet above the Johns River Gorge.

Wind currents from the gorge often blow vertically, causing light objects to float upward into the sky. Legend has it that a pair of lovers from warring tribes, the Cherokee and Catawba, separated by war, were reunited only when the woman prayed to the Great Spirit, who sent gusts of wind to blow him back up the cliff. And the winds stayed.

Whether you’re drawn by Blowing Rock’s history or its legend, you can’t afford to miss the views. Apart from the famed rock, you’ll find a scenic overlook and a sizable observation tower offering sweeping panoramic views. What further captivated us were the enormous, gorgeous exhibited crystals in the official gallery.

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum was our next stop. Admission was free so we enjoyed creative paintings and sculptures and took our time at the history exhibits. It’s interesting to read how Blowing Rock evolved over the years. From this museum, you can walk right outside into the heart of downtown.

The other popular tourist attraction near Blowing Rock is The Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park, which is home to the only remaining fully-functional steam engine train in North Carolina. Visitors to Tweetsie can ride the train for three miles to enjoy the lovely Appalachian trail mountain scenery, which is especially gorgeous in the fall. There are other park rides to enjoy, plus a deer park and shows, and this mountain town has many little craft shops. too.

Cvandyke / Shutterstock

Day 2: Grandfather Mountain And Linn Cove Viaduct

Grandfather Mountain (MP 307.4) has been designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve because of the seven environmental habitats it encompasses (one each for black bears, river otters, cougar, bald eagles, golden eagle, and white-tailed deer). Additionally, the flamboyant Catawba rhododendron blooms here at lower elevations by April. The huge purple blossoms progress to high peaks by late June when they become a real spectacle. The mountain is also famous for the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, which was built to give visitors a breath-taking 360-degree view — especially during fall — from Linville Peak. The 228-foot suspension bridge is more than one mile high and spans an 80-foot chasm.

Further down the parkway, there is a great view of the Linn Cove Viaduct (MP 304.4) from the Linn Cove Visitors’ Center (MP 304). The Viaduct, a 1,243-foot concrete segmental bridge which snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain, is a sight to behold. It was completed in 1983 at a cost of $10 million and was the last section of the parkway to be finished.

I should tell you that one of the things included in your park admission is a CD that you can listen to on your skyline drive through this National Park. Listening to the fun facts about the historic sites we were passing by was very interesting actually. In fact, nobody had the faintest idea that a part of Forrest Gump was filmed here.

In the end, to sweeten up our trip to Grandfather Mountain, we turned to “Grandfather Mountain Fudge Shop”. To place an order for pickup and enjoy the cool flavors like peppermint or pumpkin call Mildred’s Grill .

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Day 3: Asheville To Linville Falls

On day three, we headed to Asheville , where we took a peek at America’s great castle, the beautiful Biltmore , but we didn’t have the time to explore it. Instead, we trekked up the parkway to the Folk Art Center (MP 382), which exhibits quality products from North Carolina’s talented craftsmen. I especially liked the handwoven scarves, stoles, and purses I saw there, but they were a little expensive.

It would have been spectacular had the rhododendrons been in full bloom, but they were just starting when we went to our next stop: Craggy Gardens at MP 364.6. Here, the parkway is literally lined with walls of the plants that are sometimes as tall as trees. The best time to visit is late June to early August when the pinkish purple blooms are at their peak everywhere. But another good visit time is fall, when you can witness the deciduous trees’ majestic display of yellows, reds, and golds.

Next up: Mt. Mitchell at MP 349. This is the highest peak on the East Coast at 6,700 feet. Climbing up to the Mt. Mitchell Observation Tower, I was alarmed when my heart pounded so much. I began to think of nothing else except how to keep fit while RV cruising. But I got a great treat after reaching the top. It wasn’t only the panoramic view but also the wonderfully hot chili and dogs at the restaurant we found there.

It was already getting late, so we skipped the other stops so we could reach Linville Falls (MP 316.4) before nightfall. The beautiful waters cascade down from the 2,000-foot Linville Peak of Grandfather Mountain. It took a brisk hike to get to the falls and the walk back was done even more hurriedly. In fact, we got back to Lenoir past 8 p.m., just before the library closed, to take out a movie for the night.

Carol Colborn

Day 4: Meadows Of Dan To Roanoke, Virginia

Next we tackled the Virginia section of the parkway. The sounds of the banjo, fiddle, and guitar greeted us at the Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213) just after the North Carolina border. But it was Puckett Cabin (MP 190) that held our interest for some time. Orelena Puckett was a famous midwife in the late 1800s. Legend has it that, traveling miles on foot when called, she assisted in giving birth to about a thousand babies in 50 years — she lived to be 102 — and was paid about a dollar for each childbirth. The sad irony is that although she gave birth to 24 children herself, none of them survived beyond infancy.

After Puckett Cabin, we headed for the main destination of the day. Mabry Mill (MP 176.1) is the most photographed (and painted) scene along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I tried to capture its magic in photos, but it is truly best seen in person. The Mabrys were jacks of all trades, so the property even had a blacksmith shop in addition to the centerpiece mill and pond. To this day, the serene paradise depicts the way subsistence farmers lived during those days, especially how water was managed.

We ended the day in the charming mountain city of Roanoke (MP 120.4) which has a population of 300,000. As we proceeded to our motel, we saw a big star shining from atop the mountains. The next day, I found out that it was the eternally lit Mill Mountain Star, the world’s largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. Constructed in 1949 at the top of Mill Mountain, it stands 88.5 feet tall with 2,000 feet of neon tubing powered by 17,500 watts. It was red, white, and blue for six years after the Twin Towers attack and was switched back to all white after the Virginia Tech massacre. Now it turns red whenever there is a traffic fatality in the city.

Jill Lang / Shutterstock

Day 5: Beyond Roanoke And Toward The Northern Terminus

The following day was our last, as we’d almost reached the northern terminus at MP 0 near Shenandoah National Park. We started with a short drive from Roanoke to the Peaks of Otter (MP 86), which are called Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. To hike up any one would have taken around three hours, so we opted to satisfy ourselves by taking lovely pictures from the lodge instead. Then we took a peek at Poplar Forest, the summer home of Thomas Jefferson, a short drive from the peaks.

Our next stop was the town of Glasgow. Fifteen miles from MP 61.4 is the Natural Bridge. For the last 500 million years, it has been a continuing work of art carved out by the waters of Cedar Rapids. Look for the letters GW that are inscribed on the rocks about 23 feet from the stream’s surface at the middle below the bridge; they’re said to have been carved by George Washington. All around the grounds are 1,600 year-old trees that have died and are in the process of becoming petrified. It was worth the hefty price we paid for entry, but it’s too bad that it’s been over-commercialized with a toy museum and wax factory, where we felt we wasted considerable time.

By the time we got out of the Natural Bridge area, we’d missed the open hours of the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington (MP 46). They say that had he not been accidentally killed by one of his men, the Confederacy would have won the Civil War. The Virginia Military Institute, just a few miles away, is dubbed the West Point of the South and is responsible for managing the Stonewall House and museum.

After we’d packed up camp, we drove the parkway toward its southern terminus at MP 469. This section had so many tunnels, coming one after another and sometimes even back to back. It was an amazingly scenic skyline drive that inspired our next adventure at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Want more on our RVing adventures? Here’s what we learned from eight years of cruising North America in an RV and five fabulous glaciers to visit in Alaska .

How Long Would It Take to Drive Through Blue Ridge Parkway?

It would theoretically take 15 hours to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway straight through. But with the countless overlooks, waterfalls, and other attractions along the way, you will stop more than once to see the sights.

How Many Overlooks Are There Along the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Even though there are about 280 pullouts on the parkway, only 200 are listed as overlooks. Out of those, 68 are in Virginia and 132 in North Carolina. They’re notated using mileposts, from VA’s Afton Overlook to NC’s View Oconaluftee River.

How Many Blue Ridge Parkway Campgrounds Are There?

There are only eight official Blue Ridge Parkway campgrounds. They are seasonal camps with restrooms, drinking water, picnic area with tables, and grills, but without RV hookups. However, there are many other private campgrounds located right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Are There Visitor Centers Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Yes. There are 15 Visitor Centers located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with 6 located in Virginia and 9 in North Carolina. Three visitor centers are open year-round, but most of them are seasonal and open only from May through October. 

Can You Drive an RV or Pull a Camper on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Yes, but it can be risky because tunnels and overhanging tree limbs may be a problem for tall RVs and campers. Also, you must exit off the parkway to fuel up because gas is not available on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Carol retired as a CEO for pioneering IT companies in the Philippines. Curious about the world she missed while stressing out working, she migrated to the U.S., ended up an adjunct professor and small business counselor while babysitting her grandson during the day. That is, until she met her travel partner on the internet! After the wedding ceremony, they honeymooned for eight years in an RV to 49 states, nine Canadian provinces, and six Mexican states.

They now call Mesa, Arizona, home. From this base, they embark on great road trips to meet family at reunions in picturesque resorts around the U.S. Visits to their kids’ homes in Anchorage, Boise, and Denver (his) and in San Francisco, Calgary, and Melbourne (hers) allow for exploring the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Carol has been to 48 countries but their 3-month all-inclusive winter escapes to Mexico in Mazatlan, Cancun, or Cozumel are their best times.

Carol maintains a blog, Carolina: Cruising Past 70 , and has published two travel books: Carolina: Cruising to an American Dream about her RVing years and Cruising Past Seventy: It's Not Only About Outer Journeys . It's Also about Inner Ones , is a collection of her most widely-read blog posts and articles. She has a BS in math, MBA, and DPA.

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The Blue Ridge Traveler's Visitor Guide

Explore our region of the spectacular North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains when you visit our towns and trails, including Marion, Old Fort, Little Switzerland, Lake James/Nebo, and the Linville Falls area. Ramble or ride across 70,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest where you'll explore close to 200 miles of trails and the country's most visited national park, the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Elevations vary greatly and contribute to our mild weather. We are a true four-season destination. Downtown Marion's elevation is just over 1,400 feet above sea level, Old Fort clocks in around 1,500 feet above sea level, Little Switzerland, and our Parkway communities measure between 3,000 - 4,000 feet above sea level. The highest point east of the Mississippi River is close by, Mt. Mitchell State Park at 6,684 feet. You'll find stunning views and vistas, hiking, biking, and waterfall trails along with attractions and sites less traveled.

Our quaint downtown neighborhoods are filled with locally-owned shops, restaurants, taprooms, breweries, and more. Ask about our museum and niche attraction guides. We're here to help. 828-668-4282

Request The Blue Ridge Traveler's Visitor Guide

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Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

15 Cutest Blue Ridge Mountain Towns Across The South

February 26, 2021 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you looking to visit some of the cutest Blue Ridge Mountain towns across the Southern United States? We have you covered with our list of the best places to take a trip!

The Blue Ridge Mountain range covers over 500 miles of the Southern United States. Part of the larger Appalachian Mountain Range they span Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Whether you are looking for a weekend escape with family and friends, or a romantic couples get-a-way there is Blue Ridge Mountain Town that fits the description. From small quaint villages and towns to large cities and everything in between you are just a few hours drive from one of the many mountain towns across the south!

Enjoy the great outdoors, drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit wineries and breweries, visit museums and local shops or head to one of the many festivals taking place throughout the year these cute blue ridge towns won’t disappoint!

15 Cutest Blue Ridge Mountain Towns Across my The South

Helen, georgia.

Helen , Georgia is one of the most popular small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains to visit. It is actually the third most visited town in Georgia and located just 75 miles from Atlanta! A visit here, will transport you to Germany as the town has a Bavarian influence on culture, food and architecture.

At just over 2 miles, the downtown is comprised of restaurants, shops and cobblestone streets! There is so much to do in the surrounding area from wineries, breweries, festivals, nature and more! You can float down the Chattachoochee river , do some fishing and hiking or come for one of the many festivals.

If you happen to be in the area during Oktoberfest (September to October), Helen Georgia throws one the largest festivals in the Unites States, as well as numerous other festivals such as Wine week and Christmas markets! This has to be one of the Blue Ridge Mountain Towns on your list to explore in the South!

Boone, North Carolina

If looking for a Blue Ridge Mountain Towns that has something for everyone, Boone , North Carolina needs to be on your list! Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone is the perfect starting point to explore the outdoors around the area.

This historic town has a “small town” vibe despite being a a large university town now as it is home to Appalachian State University. The downtown area has delicious restaurants and local shops located along Main Street, which runs along the University along with athletic buildings and older churches.

In the surrounding areas you will find nature trails, hiking, parks, ski resorts as well as wineries, museums, white water rafting and more. Making it the perfect place to visit year round, whether looking for snow adventures in the winter, or outdoor exploring in the summer time!

Dahlonega, Georgia

Dehlonega is one of the best Georgia mountain towns ! It was one of the first cities in the United States for the Gold rush back in 1829, and is also in the heart of Georgia viticultural wine region.

Located just an hour north of Atlanta, this is one of the Blue Ridge Mountain towns know for getting outdoors. Visit one of the 8 award winning wineries or 12 wine tasting rooms in the area.

For those looking to hike through nature in the Chattahoochee National Forest, visit a waterfall, go panning for gold, or shop and explore museums in the downtown you are in for a treat! Make sure to check out some of the Best Things To Do In Dahlonega!

Bryson City, North Carolina

The motto in Bryson City, North Carolina is “have a big vacation in a small town”. This is one of the best North Carolina mountain towns that is known for its proximity to Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

Located just an hour west of Asheville , this small town is an outdoor lovers paradise. For those who love adventure you must try white water rafting down the Nantahala River or zip lining through the Nantahala National Forest!

From the historic downtown filled with shops, local artisans, restaurants and the historic courthouse it is the perfect starting point for a trip to Bryson City.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Southern Living Magazine voted Blue Ridge, Georgia one of the best mountain towns! Located just 90 minutes from Atlanta, it is perfect for a romantic get a way or a family mountain vacation!

Known for its Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, wineries and brewers as well a more upscale dining and shopping destination.

Blue Ridge is a great year round town to visit for the outdoors where you can hike on the Appalachian trail, go trout fishing or tubbing, visit a brewery or winery, enjoy a scenic drive or play golf!

Roanoke, Virginia

One of the best Virginia mountain towns, Roanoke, is located in the southwest area of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For those interested in arts and culture this is the town for you! There are a variety of museums ranging from arts with Norman Rockwell to science and more.

For those looking to get outdoors there are plenty of parks, Mill Mountain that acts as a backdrop to Roanoke and is home to iconic Mill Star, Read mountain preserve with hiking and biking trails. If looking to explore the Blue Ridge by car explore the Blue Ridge Parkway!

When you have finished exploring the great outdoors around Roanoke head downtown and visit one of the many restaurants, shops or numerous breweries around the area!

Charlottesville, Virginia

Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is one of the towns in the Blue Ridge mountains located near the Shenandoah National Park. With over 500 miles of trails in the surrounding areas, amazing farm to table restaurants, and wineries Charlottesville is for both foodies and adventurers.

The downtown area is known as the pedestrian mall and is home to many of the local restaurants and shops and is a great place to spend an afternoon people watching and wandering around!

For wine lovers you can drive along the Monticello Wine Trail and visit one of 33 wineries all within driving distance from Charlottesville many of which have amazing full service restaurants.

If looking to visit museums there are several on the campus of the University of Virginia as well as a walking historical tour of the campus that is offered daily!

Make sure to check out all of the Best Charlottesville Restaurants too!

Asheville, North Carolina

Votes as the top destination in the United States by Lonely Plant, Asheville is one of the amazing North Carolina Blue Ridge towns! Home to the Biltmore estate the largest private owned home in the United States is a must visit for anyone coming to Asheville!

For foodies there is a cheese and wine trail, amazing restaurants, and for beer lovers Asheville is called “beer city USA” and has over 26 craft breweries around town.

Explore the great outdoors, from hikes and waterfalls, throughout the blue ridge parkway, Pisgah National forest, Lake Lure and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

Head to French Broad River, for water activities, like swimming, kayaking, tubbing or stand up paddling! A great place to enjoy during the summertime.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Blowing Rock, North Carolina is one of the best Appalachian towns, and located just 10 minutes from Boone it has a small village vibe. Named after blowing rock that is located 4000 feet above sea level the town has sweeping vistas, and is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Downtown has tons of shops, restaurants and a community park. Just a short drive from downtown, you will find Moses Cone Memorial Home and Bass lake a perfect place to explore for an afternoon. As well as Julian Price Memorial Park.

Or take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Grandfather mountain is also just a short drive from Blowing Rock where you can go on the swimming bridge or view the wildlife habitats . Ski resorts and wineries are located a close drive as well!

Lewisburg, West Virginia

If looking to visit one of the small towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains head to Lewisburg is West Virginia. Known its underground caverns as well as being both a foodie destination, an arts destination there is a ton to do in this small town!

You can explore the caverns just outside town at Lost World Caverns. First discovered in 1942 there is now more than a mile of underground to explore!

For those looking for arts and culture visit one of four remaining Carnegie Halls’s left for musical performances, lectures and art exhibits hosted year round.

This small town hosts a First Friday event where local shops, restaurants and artists have a community event with free refreshments and entertainment on the first Friday each month. The town also offers a free historic walking tour!

And hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year. From chocolate festivals to Taste of the town in Fall and a winter music festival.

Ellijay, Georgia

Ellijay is one of the small Blue Ridge towns located in Northern Georgia. This town is perfect for visiting in the fall for apple picking as it is known as the apple capital of a Georgia!

Often referred to as a nature lovers playground, there is so much to explore outdoors here! From hiking and biking on the Appalachian trails, to the Amicalola waterfall the tallest cascading waterfall in the southeast, to tubing down the Ellijay River, to farms and apple orchards, to wineries and outdoor festivals, Ellijay offers year round entertainment.

Harrisonburg, Virginia

If Virginia is for lovers, Harrisonburg is for arts and culture lovers . Named the first arts and culture district in Virginia this is one of the best small Virginia mountain towns to visit in the Shenandoah Valley!

What makes Harrisonburg a unique Blue Ridge town is that you can walk and bike throughout the downtown area. Enjoy the over 40 restaurants, locally owned shops, museums, art and history!

If you want to explore the surrounding area, head to the valley for many of the areas local wineries. Or take the Shenandoah Beerworks Trail for the area breweries.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

The motto of Pigeon For ge is “memories are made in the mountains”. This resort town is located just north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is known for Dollywood Theme park.

Bring the family to Dollywood to live country music performances, rides, food and more! Or visit one of the other theme parks, water parks, or museums like Ripely’s Believe it or not.

If coming for an adults only trip not to worry, there are several wineries and breweries to explore as well as comedy and musical shows around town.

Bristol, Tennessee

If you are looking for one of the Appalachian towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee head to Bristol just an hour and half from Asheville. Bristol, is located on the Virginia and Tennessee border.

Often refereed to as the birthplace of country music there is a Smithsonian museum downtown. After visiting the museum you can head to one of the area breweries, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, shop on Main Street or head outdoors!

If looking for water sports head to South Houston Lake for some fishing and boating! Or come to a NASCAR race at Bristol Motor Speedway. There are also caverns located in the area where you can explore the underground cabers and view rock formations.

Clemson, South Carolina

Known as an art town Clemson , South Carolina is also one of the popular collage towns along the Blue Ridge Mountains. An adventure destination located in Pickens County this is the town to head to if you want to explore the outdoors.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with lake Hartwell there is a mix of things to do in Clemson. From waterfalls, hikes, enjoying the mountains or just relaxing the lake you visit to Clemson combines southern charm and the great outdoors.

Whether visiting the botanical gardens, the Fort Hill Plantation which is John Calhouns historic home on the Clemson Campus, one of the Clemson Stadiums or museums there is tons to explore here!

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This Stunning Mountain Destination Is an Outdoor Adventurer's Paradise — With Epic Hikes, Scenic Campgrounds, and Waterfall Views

Your guide to the dreamy Blue Ridge Mountains, including excellent hikes, beautiful drives, and the best hotels and campgrounds.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

The Blue Ridge Mountains region is a 600-mile-long segment of the mighty Appalachian range. Like all Appalachians, these rock formations are far older than the Rockies, their counterpart to the west. While the Rockies are sharp and sheer, the Blue Ridge Mountains are rounded and relatively low, with more than a billion years of wind, rain, and snow behind them. They're famous for their bluish haze, which can appear deep ocean blue, pale purple, or somewhere in between.

Where Are the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Most definitions agree that the range stretches more than 600 miles from Georgia's Mount Oglethorpe to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Between those two points, the ridge spans South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, and some maps include West Virginia and even Alabama and Kentucky. Yet its cultural heart and the bulk of its mass belong to North Carolina and Virginia.

The range is predominantly associated with the western parts of North Carolina and Virginia, so we'll focus on those two states in this guide to all things Blue Ridge, which includes when to go, where to hike, and more.

Best Times to Go to the Blue Ridge Mountains

Nature lovers will find year-round nirvana in the Blue Ridge Mountains, though spring, summer, and fall are the best times of year to visit for exuberant flora, pleasant weather, and an array of outdoor activities.

During the spring, the region bursts with green buds and wildflowers. Animals emerge and spring rains feed gushing streams and waterfalls. By April, most river tours have kicked off whitewater-rafting season (typically through September). Wildflower hikes and spring festivals are among the top things to do.

Temperatures climb in the summer, yet the elevation keeps humidity at bay. And spring's to-do checklist (camping, kayaking, fly-fishing, biking) grows even bigger, with swimming and local events like music festivals, farmers markets, and craft fairs.

In the fall, fiery colors blaze across the Blue Ridge. This is perhaps the most popular time of year to visit, as leaf-peepers pour in to see the region's famously beautiful fall foliage.

Many attractions shut down in the winter, though skiing and holiday festivities enter the equation. You can find several family-friendly ski resorts with relatively easy terrain, including North Carolina's Sugar and Beech mountains and Virginia's Wintergreen resort. The region takes on a magical appearance around Christmas, with small-town celebrations, holiday light displays at Asheville's Biltmore Estate, and Christmas train rides like the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Georgia and the Polar Express in North Carolina.

Where to Hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains

There's perhaps no better way to feel the life force of the Blue Ridge Mountains than to set out on one of its hiking trails. There are hundreds to choose from, many located off or near the popular Blue Ridge Parkway. (The long-distance Appalachian and Mountains-to-Sea trails both shadow sections of this famous drive.)

One such region, Virginia's Roanake Valley, has some of the most sought-after hiking spots in the U.S., including McAfee Knob (thought to be the most photographed site on the Appalachian Trail), panoramic Sharp Top andTinker Cliffs, and rocky Devil's Marbleyard.

The north end the Blue Ridge Parkway brings you just near the waterfalls, wildflowers, and woodlands of Shenandoah National Park. Here, 500 miles of hiking trails crisscross 200,000 acres of protected land; the most popular route is Old Rag Circuit , a 9.4-mile loop that features rock scrambling and panoramic views from the summit.

Down closer to the North Carolina-Virginia border, you'll find Grayson Highlands State Park about an hour west of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 4,500-acre park is often compared to the Scottish Highlands for its open meadows, mossy-floored spruce forests, mountain balds, and rocky ridgelines. You might even spot a wild pony grazing near a trail.

Part of the Appalachian Trail, the shrubby Roan Highlands section is a string of five separate summits. In the summer, this high-elevation area along the North Carolina-Tennessee border is full of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other wildflowers. (Tip: Don't even think about hiking here without a brimmed hat.) Like Grayson Highlands, this is worth a detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Scooting south, you'll get to North Carolina's Linville Falls (within ​​Linville Gorge Wilderness). It's the waterfall to see on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with three trails leading to the plunge from different viewpoints. Further down by milepost 408, you can access the Summit Trail of Mount Pisgah, which travels through oak forest to the scrubby peak. There's also the 16-mile Shut-In Trail, part of a route originally used by industrialist George Vanderbilt for hunting retreats (now part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail).

And, of course, Great Smoky Mountains National Park , where the Blue Ridge Parkway ends (or begins, for northbound travelers), is rich with hiking options for all levels. The UNESCO-listed national park has 850 miles of trails; two favorites (both on the hard end of the spectrum) include Chimney Tops and Alum Cave trails. The easy-ratedLaurel Falls Trail (blooming with the namesake mountain laurel each May) takes hikers to an 80-foot waterfall.

Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge region provides an astonishing abundance of activities beyond hiking, too.

In the hotter months, there's nothing like cooling off in crisp, clear mountain water. Sliding Rock in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest is a special summer favorite. Here, visitors line up to take their turn zipping down the natural 60-foot stone "sliding board" before plunging into the icy pool at the bottom.

Cool, clear mountain streams and lakes offer ample opportunities to reel in a fish as well. Fly-fishing fans will find mountain creeks, streams, and rivers teeming with trout (brook, brown, and rainbow), while those who prefer fishing the still waters of lakes and ponds might snag a largemouth bass, whitefish, or catfish.

One of the best ways to experience the surrounding mountain scenery is from the water. If you're cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway, pristine Price Lake (milepost 296.7) is a great pullover spot with boat and canoe rentals. The fast-moving currents of the French Broad River outside Asheville attract experienced paddlers and rafting tour groups. And the popular Deep Creek recreation area near Bryson City, North Carolina, features two tubing runs for both wild and leisurely rides.

One of the best biking trails in the country is found in a rural Blue Ridge corner of Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a former Native American footpath (once used by Daniel Boone) and early 1900s rail line whose steam engine trains once delivered lumber to thriving Virginia and North Carolina sawmills. The railroad corridor-turned-recreation trail rolls through farmland and mountain scenery, with a gentle grade for cyclists (and walkers, joggers, and horseback riders) of all levels.

Creek crossings, moonlit rides, and backcountry jaunts — you can find trail rides for all ages and experience levels throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Just hitting the road in this part of the world is an unforgettable experience. There's the Blue Ridge Parkway, of course, as well as Shenandoah's famous Skyline Drive and the 42-mileCherohala Skyway, a sports car and motorcycle magnet split between the high-altitude ridges of North Carolina and Tennessee. One stretch of U.S. 129, dubbed Tail of the Dragon, packs 318 curves into 11 miles. New River Valley Byway follows an old trail stamped out by buffalo, winding through Christmas farm country.

If mountain peaks and dizzying viewpoints still aren't high enough, you can go even further with an early morning hot-air balloon ride. Seeing Blue Ridge scenery from the sky is truly unparalleled.

The beauty of the Blue Ridge come fall — when the mountains are gleaming with turning leaves — indelibly impacts those who witness it. Colors first begin to change in the higher, cooler elevations around late September and early October, followed the lower elevations into November. The stunning display of vivid reds, oranges, and yellows makes October the busiest month on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Where to Stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains

What Vanderbilt described as his "little mountain escape" is, in fact, a 250-room château and the largest private home in the U.S. The Biltmore and its 8,000 surrounding acres form one of the top attractions in the region. Tour its over-the-top rooms (see how many of the mansion's 65 fireplaces you can count) and Frederick Law Olmsted-designed gardens and grounds, which include a historic farm, on-site winery, 20 miles of bike and nature trails, and more.

History, culture, and natural beauty collide in Asheville, one of the most popular mountain home bases in the Blue Ridge. The well-loved Windsor Boutique Hotel puts guests in the center of Asheville's brewpub/vintage shop/indie restaurant heart. The famous Biltmore Estate, meanwhile, offers three lodging options — a wallet-friendly hotel, a high-end inn, and luxury cottages — all immensely popular. The views, spa, and fireplace-framed Great Hall of the 1913 Grove Park Inn (an Omni hotel) inspire reverence among travelers.

Yet many want to rent a cabin or pitch a tent. Perfectly located between Asheville, Biltmore, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mountain Springs Cabins lets you relax on your porch swing and grill out at night amid a sea of fireflies.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its natural beauty, extensive wildlife, and 850 miles of hiking trails. Nearby accommodations include cabin rentals, campgrounds (sites at in-park Cades Cove, Smokemont, and Balsam Mountain are in high demand), chain hotels, and rustic mountain retreats (like the Lodge at Tellico and LeConte Lodge ). In a crook of the Cheoah River, River's Edge Treehouse Resort is a summer-camp-like collection of cabins between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the pristine Nantahala National Forest.

The small North Carolina town of Bryson City makes a great home base for Great Smoky and Blue Ridge exploration. Bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the banks of the Tuckasegee River, the scenic town has a great local scene that includes lovely places to stay like the charming Folkestone Inn , the boutique Everett Hotel (right on the historic town square), the group-friendly Calhoun House Inn & Suites , and the immersed-in-nature Lakeview at Fontana Inn & Treetop Soaking Cabanas .

This beautiful corner of North Carolina near the South Carolina-Georgia border is famous for its waterfall-heavy scenery — Dry Falls, Glen Falls, Cullasaja River Gorge, Bridal Veil Falls, Secret Falls, and Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, are all worth a trip. A destination known for its natural beauty, the area has built an impressive tally of boutique hotels and lodges, including the reimagined motor courts of Hotel Cashiers and Skyline Lodge , as well as Fire Mountain , a mountaintop inn with cabins and tree houses.

There are five seasonal campgrounds within the park boundaries, all amid picturesque mountains and pristine fishing streams. Big Meadows Campground is a good pick for first-timers, as it's near Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center and the popular Dark Hollow Falls Trail, while Loft Mountain Campground at the top of Big Flat Mountain offers incredible sunrise and sunset views. Skyland Resort sits on the highest point of Skyline Drive, the gasp-inducing road that winds more than 100 miles through the park along the main mountain ridge.

Related Articles

15 Best Things to do in The Blue Ridge Mountains

While in all honesty there’s 100s of things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s something that is easy to miss out on if you’re not aware of how to properly explore this area and in this post that’s what I’m going to show you how to do, alongside 15 of the best activities and places to check out in this area!

I’ve personally driven through the Blue Ridge Mountains twice so far and the first time I came here, I completely missed out on about 90% of what was possible to see there and that’s because I didn’t understand the layout of the region and how to explore it correctly, something that happens to many first time visitors too but on the second visit, I was able to do and see way more thanks to knowing what I’ll be sharing with you in this post (with map listings included below).

Here are the 15 best things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains for your first visit:

• Drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Visit Gatlinburg
• Hike to Falling Spring Falls
• Explore the Linn Cove Viaduct
• Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia
• Stay in one of the countless cabins in Blue Ridge
• Grandfather Mountain State Park
• Visit Sliding Rock
• Cheaha State Park
• Visit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
• Hike to Rough Ridge Lookout
• Check out Stone Mountain State Park
• Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
• Little Switzerland

Before I get into the details of these places, let me first explain some important things about the Blue Ridge Mountains just to give you some background/context on them so you can properly understand how to explore the area:

What are the Blue Ridge Mountains? 

The Blue Ridge Mountains are basically the southern part of the Appalachian Mountains. I have included a Blue Ridge Mountains map to show you the overall Appalachian Mountain range plus where the Blue Ridge section of them is. To be clear, all of this is part of the same Appalachian Mountain ranges.

Where are the Blue Ridge Mountains located?

So you’ve seen which section of the US they are in in term of the Appalachian Mountains, but there are actually 9 states in which the Blue Ridge Mountains officially run through and here are the details:

• The southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains begins in Alabama.
• It then crosses through Georgia, up through North Carolina, Tennessee and several other states.
• It officially ends in Virginia but the mountain range (the Appalachian Mountain range of which it’s part of) continues further northeast all the way until Maine.
• The Blue Ridge Mountains range is over 500 miles long.

Here is a Blue Ridge Mountains map:

Best ways to explore the Blue Ridge Mountain range:

Although the 15 things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains below will show you specific spots to check out throughout the 500+ of this area, it’s important to know that because this area is so large, some people to choose to explore either the whole area, some parts of it or stay within the state where the Blue Ridge Mountains are located and see spots there. In other words, there’s many ways to do a road trip through this area and here are some common options:

• There are many people who do a Blue Ridge Mountains road trip along what is known as the Blue Ridge Parkway road. This typically takes about 4-5 days in total and I’ll cover more details on that drive below. They will either start in Georgia and go up to Virginia, or vice versa. 
• There are also some people who travel along the same drive via motorcycles.
• Some people do a Blue Ridge Mountains road trip through an individual state where it runs through and it also the case that every single state along the Blue Ridge Mountains range has tons of things to see and do (hikes, parks, attractions, hotels, cabins, etc…).

The best way for you to decide what type of road trip you want to do through this area is to do the following:

• Decide if you want to do a road through the Blue Ridge Mountains via multiple states (or all of them). 
• Decide if you want to stick to one state and just explore the Blue Ridge Mountains there. 

You can use the 11 attractions below to decide which places look most interesting to you and let that help you decide whether you want to explore the whole area, or stay in a specific part of it.

The 15 best things to do in the Blue Ridge Mountains:

Each of the following activities can be found in one or more states that make up the Blue Ridge Mountains and I’ll be showing you where to locate these areas/spots:

1) Blue Ridge Parkway scenic drive:

The Blue Ridge Parkway is basically the main road that takes you through the entire Blue Ridge Mountains Range. The best way to explain why this road is so famous is that it’s basically a VIP look into the most popular parts of this whole Blue Ridge Mountain range.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is also in my opinion one of the best scenic drives in North America (based on the ones I’ve done so far) and it’s ideal to travel through it anytime but winter (you’ll see many more beautiful sights throughout the other 3 seasons there).

The great news about this drive is that there’s countless access points within the Blue Ridge Mountains, between Georgia and Virginia that will put you on that drive and from there you can elect to drive however long on it that you want, including the entire road that spans for over 400 miles!  In addition to that the Blue Ridge Parkway also has countless scenic stops you can make which take you to amazing overlooks like this:

There’s a stop every few minutes or so on this road that will usually allow you to park your car and take a look at the views. The bottom line is that if you wish to enjoy the most beautiful areas in the Blue Ridge Mountains, hope into the road there, and let it take you to those spots (you won’t be able to miss them).

2) Great Smoky Mountain National Park:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is actually the most popular place to visit in all of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s located in Georgia and the southern section of the mountain range. Within it there are so many beautiful overlooks, hikes and things to do. 

It’s also worth noting that within the entire range, the highest peaks are located in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. However if you keep following the Appalachian Mountains further northeast, you will eventually come across even larger regions known as the White Mountains in New Hampshire (that’s not part of the Blue Ridge Mountains though).

3) Gatlinburg:

It’s arguably the most popular city to visit and stay at if you’re visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains and it’s located right by Smoky Mountains National Park. I’ve stayed in Gatlinburg twice and there is so much to do in this city that I will soon be writing up an entire article on that. Overall it has many amenities such as hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, and entertainment areas to check out such as extension bridges overlooking the national park, amusment parks, ski lifts to check out, even a “space needle” type area and much more! 

4) Falling Spring Falls:

This is one of the most amazing waterfalls and hiking trails I’ve seen in the entire region. This particular one is located in the Virginia section of the Blue Ridge Mountains. While there’s plenty of trails and waterfalls to explore all across the Blue Ridge Mountains, I’m going to recommend this one because it’s one of the largest waterfalls in the area, mixed in with beautiful swimming holes and hiking trails around it. You can hike to the top of the waterfall but the best trail to see it is from the bottom and you will see signs to check that out on the parking lot to this place.

5) Linn Cove Viaduct:

The Linn Cove Viaduct is the most iconic bridge in the entire Blue Ridge Mountains region! It’s also located in the North Carolina section of the area. In fact, if you ever look up images for Blue Ridge Parkway, mountains or similar terms, you will often see pictures of this famous bridge. 

This was actually one of the sights I sought to explore on my Blue Ridge Mountains road trip but again because of a lack of proper research and/or knowing where to look for it, I missed it. I am happy to say that I did drive over it the second time I visited this place. Besides driving over it, there is a parking lot and hiking trail on the southern end of it that takes you parralel to it to get great photos from. That same trail continues further to another great overlook I’ll be talking about shortly in this post!

6) Natural Bridge State Park:

Natural Bridge State Park is located in Virginia and is slightly outside the Blue Ridge Parkway (maybe a 1 hour drive), but if you are starting your road trip from the south, around the Virginia area is where things may get a little repetitive in terms of views, so a good way to stray a little of course but stay within the confines of the Appalachian Mountains is to visit this incredible park. It’s very scenic, is easy to walk around and of course the main natural bridge there is stunning to check out.

7) Cabins and lodging:

As amazing as it is to do a road trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains, another thing to consider doing here is renting a cabin near one of the most popular spots in the region. This is another highly popular thing many people do when they travel here which is why there are a plethora of cabin availability there. For example:

Most people who check out Blue Ridge Mountains generally check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the nearest town to it (Gatlinburg) has a lot of awesome cabins you can rent. By staying there, not only are you close to this park thereby letting you explore more of it but the cabins here are awesome too, offering a lot of amenities and this doesn’t just apply to the cabins near Great Smoky Mountains, but all throughout the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. 

8) Grandfather Mountain State Park:

Grandfather Mountain State Park is easily a top 5 place you have to explore when you travel through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s located in North Carolina and is also really close to the Linn Cove Viaduct bridge I mentioned earlier. Although you do need to pay to enter the park, the sights and attractions on it are worth it. Aside from seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains from this area, this place also has an amazing extension bridge you can across and get amazing photos and experiences from, alongside great hikes in the area like this:

9) Sliding Rock:

Sliding Rock is an awesome attraction to add to your Blue Ridge Mountains road trip in my opinion as it is right by the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s one of the longest natural rock formations which is incredibly fun to water slide on and it’s also easy to find. There are also additional places right by it worth hiking to including another waterfall called Moore Cove Falls. One thing to know before going there is that you will have to slightly deviate from the Blue Ridge Parkway to get to the parking area of this attraction, but it’s only about a 5-10 minute drive from it.

10) Cheaha State Park:

Cheaha State Park is located in the southernmost section of the Blue Ridge Mountains (it’s actually in Alabama) and within this park is also the highest point in the state. I had visited Cheaha State Park in 2023 and at the time had no idea that is was actually part of the same Blue Ridge region, but when I saw the mountains there, it made total sense why that would be the case.

Although my visit to Cheaha State Park I got to do a few hikes, see some nice overlooks and check out a few attractions in the park that really made me appreciate and recommend this place for you as well. Now I would only come here if you’re actually planning to do a Blue Ridge Mountains road trip from Alabama, because otherwise it’s better to just start in Georgia or Virginia. 

11) Moses H. Cone Memorial Park:

This is another iconic spot in the North Carolina section of the range where you can explore a beautiful mansion and resort. The Moses Memorial Park area is great for people looking to check out more historical types of activities on the Blue Ridge Mountains. Aside from the area, you can explore the popular Cone Manor, do horseback riding, explore the hiking trails and some small lakes in the area. I would say this is one of the top family spots to check out on your trip to this area.

12) Rough Ridge Lookout:

The Rough Ridge Lookout is a few miles north of the Linn Cove Viaduct (you may be able to see it from the photo above) and the same trail which takes you to the Rough Ridge Lookout does intersect with the same hiking trail from the Viaduct I talked about earlier, but if you’re more looking to explore beautiful spots in the Blue Ridge vs doing long hikes, then I’d do that hike separately from this one. In this overlook’s case, you will stop by the Rough Ridge trailhead, and head south for about 1/4 miles to the lookout. On the same lookout, you will have a boardwalk that gets you amazing views.

13) Stone Mountain State Park:

Stone Mountain is one of the most unique mountains in the entire region because it’s basically a “bald” mountain you can hike on and in addition to that there are also several other sights within the park you should see too including:

• Stone Mountain Falls (it’s a very tall waterfall, cascading too).
• There are campgrounds across Stone Mountain.
• Another beautiful waterfall hike there worth checking out is Widow Creek Falls.
• Now if for whatever reason you can’t go into the park because of timing, you can actually see the Stone Mountain Overlook right from the Blue Ridge Parkway which I linked to.

14) Blue Ridge scenic railway:

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is one of the most unique ways to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains because it is entirely by train and a loop ride meaning you can continue exploring the rest of the activities above (or before). The attraction is 20+ miles, several hours long, very affordable, highly rated and I would personally recommend you try to do this train ride in the fall if you can.

15) Little Switzerland:

This is a small town located right on the Blue Ridge Parkway (within North Carolina). I came across this place on my last trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a seasonal place to stay in but it’s basically a very small village with a lot of sights, attractions (not just the Blue Ridge Mountains but within the town) that you can enjoy. In addition to that, there’s also lodging within Little Switzerland worth checking out that is also right on water (it’s very scenic).

Blue Ridge Mountain Map Listings:

• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Smoky Mountain National Park
• Falling Spring Falls
• Linn Cove Viaduct
• Natural Bridge State Park
• Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rentals
• Sliding Rock
• Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
• Rough Ridge Lookout trail
• Stone Mountain State Park
• Blue Ridge scenic railway
• Little Switzlerland

Other questions about the Blue Ridge Mountains:

Where are the blue ridge mountains.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are in the eastern United States and officially span from Georgia up to Pennsylvania.

Which state has better Blue Ridge Mountains?

The best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are around the Georgia and South Carolina areas.

Are the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains the same?

Yes, the Smoky Mountains are part of the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What is Blue Ridge Mountain known for?

The Blue Ridge Mountains are mostly known for having amazing mountain views and the blue hue in the distance of them.

What is the best time to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains?

In my opinion, mid April (better for spring colors and less crowds) or late September (to see the autumn colors) is the best time to visit and explore the Blue Ridge Mountains.

More places to see near the Blue Ridge Mountains:

• Daniel Boone National Forest
• Red River Gorge
• Providence Canyon State Park

Finishing up your Blue Ridge Mountains road trip:

With these 15 spots, you now have an awesome opportunity to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains and if it’s possible for you to pick when to go, I would recommend during the fall (usually mid to late October) so you can see the fall foliage throughout. Keep in mind that because this area is so large, the foliage may differ depending on how far south or north you are, so make sure to plan the trip based on that.

As I also said before, there are 100’s of sights to see in this area, but the good news is that the first option in the above list (which is driving through the Blue Ridge Parkway), you will be able to have access to most of those sights and will be able to add on as many as you like in addition to the spots I mentioned above, meaning you’ll be able to do way more on your road trip here! 

Hi I'm Vitaliy, I love nature travel and this blog encapsulates all of my adventures and top recommendations of what to see (and what to avoid).

Learn More Here

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Additional snow is forecast for our area and with the low temperatures, there could be ice on the roads. Use caution if driving in the North Carolina mountains and stay safe.

EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF THE NC SMOKIES IN HAYWOOD COUNTY

When you visit North Carolina, make Haywood County your first stop for a truly authentic Appalachian experience filled with outdoor adventure and family-friendly activities. Haywood County is best known for its 46 miles of scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, and affordable vacation home rentals with spectacular views.

Haywood County is comprised of five mountain towns— Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Lake Junaluska, Canton, and Clyde—each of which brings its own culture and Appalachian heritage to the area.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway stretches through Haywood County and offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, valleys, and countryside. The Parkway is a destination for tourists all year round and is most popular in the fall when the leaves begin to turn shades of bright red, orange, and yellow. Along the Parkway, you’ll find incredible hiking spots and places to pull off and experience more of what Haywood County has to offer.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

There’s a reason why Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park. Filled with hiking trails of all kinds, plus diverse plant and animal life, this world-renowned park encompasses over half a million acres. Camp, picnic, explore to your heart’s delight. 

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The Blue Ridge Parkway: 20 Places to Visit Along the Most Scenic Drive in the East

Posted: June 25, 2024 | Last updated: June 25, 2024

For 470 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway, administered by the National Park Service, winds through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park on its North Carolina side.

There’s not a single stoplight, and with plenty of campgrounds and lodges, gas stations, restaurants, and camp stores available, you can drive the entire length without ever leaving it. Along the way, there are a lot of great things to see and do, and we’ve listed several here, arranged from north to south.

1. Humpback Rocks

This is the first major attraction as you head south on the Parkway, or the last if you’re traveling north. A short, moderately strenuous trail leads to the top, where there are excellent views of the Shenandoah Valley. Because the trail is short, this makes a good place for sunsets.

2. Otter Creek

A campground and restaurant here make this a popular stop, and it’s a good place to start or end your day. Close by, the road crosses the James River, and this is the lowest elevation along the entire drive, at 649’.

3. Peaks of Otter

This is another popular overnight stop since it has a lodge, campground, restaurant, and store. You can tour an old homestead, hike to the top of Sharp Top for amazing views, and hike the short but highly scenic Fallingwater Cascades Trail.

4. Roanoke River Gorge

The Parkway crosses the Roanoke River here, and the gorge is an impressive sight. It’s not part of the Parkway proper, but you can park at a turnout and hike down into the gorge.

5. Rocky Knob

Here’s another good place to spend the night since there’s camping and lodging available. While there, take the short, easy hike out on Rocky Knob, where there are openings that yield nice views of the valley to the east.

6. Mabry Mill

This is one of the most popular stops on the entire drive. A vintage water-powered mill in perfect working order is the main attraction here. During really cold winters, the water sometimes freezes and the mill’s wheel is draped in huge icicles.

7. Blue Ridge Music Center

This is the last stop in Virginia as you drive south. With concerts, exhibits, and programs, the Center celebrates the history of music in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

8. Doughton Park

You’re in North Carolina now. Here, open meadows dominate, and people like to go to the overlook of historic Brinegar Cabin way down in the hollow (valley) below. Some like to hike all the way down to it. Gas, lodging, camping, dining, and supplies are available here.

9. Cascades Trail

This is a very quick hike in E.B. Jeffress Park that leads to a pretty waterfall. It’s definitely worth the stop since it takes so little time, and picnic tables are available as well.

10. Grandfather Mountain

At 5,890’, Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Parkway runs along its shoulders, but the summit is in a state-run park that’s a quick detour from the Parkway. The mile-high swinging bridge they make a big deal of is a little gimmicky, but the hike to the top of the mountain is scenic and enjoyable.

11. Linn Cove Viaduct

This engineering marvel is one of the most photographed features of the Parkway, and it’s been in countless pictures, calendars, and ads. You’ll drive along it, but you may also want to stop near one of its ends to enjoy its looks.

12. Flat Rock

A few miles south of the Linn Cove Viaduct is a turnoff marked for Flat Rock. From there, an easy trail leads to the aptly named summit, where there’s a spectacular view of Grandfather Mountain. Interpretive signs along the way educate you about the trees and plants you’re passing.

13. Linville Falls

At this location, the quiet Linville River narrows dramatically and then plunges over a high drop and races away through the rugged Linville Gorge. Trails lead the overlooks of the falls and also down to the base, appropriately named Plunge Basin.

14. Museum of North Carolina Minerals

This area is rich in mineral resources and mining history. Hands-on interactive exhibits help visitors learn about the geological history of the Blue Ridge and about the region’s mining history and legacy.

15. Crabtree Falls

Crabtree Meadows is a busy spot since it offers dining and camping. A moderately strenuous trail there leads to Crabtree Falls, one of the prettiest waterfalls along the Parkway.

16. Mount Mitchell State Park

Mount Mitchell, 6,684’ in elevation, is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. A short spur road from the Parkway gets you there. The summit is mostly tree-covered, but there’s an observation platform that allows for 360-degree views. The park also has a restaurant and a small campground.

17. Craggy Gardens

The easy trails here yield excellent views of the surrounding mountains, but that’s not the main attraction here. Instead, it’s the profuse blooms of azaleas and rhododendrons that take place around late May each year.

18. Folk Art Center

This spot is close to Asheville, the largest North Carolina town that the Parkway passes by or close to. The Center’s purpose is to highlight traditional and contemporary arts and crafts of the Appalachian region.

19. Graveyard Fields

It’s unusual to see mostly open areas in these mountains, but that’s what you get here. Hundreds of years ago, powerful winds knocked down most of the trees here, and people thought the remaining stumps looked like gravestones, hence the name. In the 1900s, two fires ruined the soil here, making the regrowth process very slow. Today, a loop trail through the area takes you to two pretty waterfalls.

20. Devils Courthouse

This is a large rock outcrop right by a pullout. It makes for a good picture, but you can also take a short, easy trail to the top and enjoy the views.

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The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities

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When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.

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23 Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the Blue Ridge

Things To Do

Fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the best places to see fall foliage in the entire world. With its vibrant colors, it's no wonder why this region is often at the top of "best places to see fall foliage" lists.  For those looking for peak leaf times, our Fall Foliage Forecast & Guide  offers up-to-date forecasts and advice on when to get out and start seeing the majestic color displays.

But, the Blue Ridge Mountain range is huge, with tons of various options to visit and see.   What are the best places to visit to see the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge?   

We spend nearly the entire month of October traveling around the Blue Ridge Mountains to see and photograph the fall colors.  We've compile our personal list of best places to see fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains here in this guide for you.

Here are our top picks for the best places to see fall foliage and fall colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains:

Take a drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway

In our opinion, the very best place to see Fall Foliage in The Blue Ridge Mountains is along the Blue Ridge Parkway.   The Parkway provides breathtaking scenic vistas where you can literally see for more than 50 miles on a clear day.

The Parkway also varies in elevation, guaranteeing that if you travel it in October, you will see Fall foliage, and at different colors based on elevation

Check out our Blue Ridge Parkway Guide  and also read over our tips for traveling the parkway .  

Take a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Highway 441

One of the most stunning and beautiful drives in the Blue Ridge is along highway 441 between Cherokee NC , and Gatlinburg, TN .  

Whether you start from Gatlinburg or Cherokee, Highway 441 will weave and wind its way up to Newfound Gap , at an elevation of 5, 049 feet.   Along the way, you'll pass numerous scenic overlooks that offer wonderful views of the color.  The best time of the year for these views is the last two weeks in October.

While you're traveling, be sure and stop by Newfound Gap and take a walk along the famous Appalachian Trail.

Also, take the time to drive out to Clingmans Dome and hike up to the observation tower, where you will see fall views like you've never seen before.   You might even see a bear are two.  We often do.

Read more about the fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on their fall color page .  Learn all about the Park using our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide !

Take A Fall Tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway through the many Fall Foliage Guided Tours. Fall guided tours offer an exceptional way to experience the stunning beauty of fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Rather than navigating the winding roads yourself, these tours allow you to sit back, relax, and fully immerse yourself in the colorful scenery. Knowledgeable guides enhance your journey, sharing fascinating insights about the region's ecology, history, and culture. They know the best spots for viewing fall colors, often taking visitors to hidden gems missed by most.

Another advantage of fall guided tours is their timing. The peak of fall colors can be elusive, varying each year based on numerous factors including temperature and rainfall. Guided tours, with their expert knowledge of the area, are adept at predicting the best times to witness the color change. This ensures visitors experience the Parkway at its most vibrant.

Here are some of the very best Blue Ridge Parkway Tour available:

Visit Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There is something magical about Cades Cove, in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.   Cades Cove attracts people from all of the world to savor its history, historic buildings, varied wildlife, forests, trails, and mountain vistas.   

Cades Cove offers numerous fall photo opportunities and amazing array of color.   Visit during the last two weeks in October for the brightest an most beautiful colors.

See our Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide for more information on Cades Cove  and other areas of the park.

Visit Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

Fall at Biltmore - Courtesy of Biltmore Estate

When many people think of Asheville, NC , visions of Biltmore House often come to mind.  

Biltmore House is the "vacation estate" for George Vanderbilt.   Asheville and Biltmore became on of George's obsessions and became more of his permanent home than a vacation estate.  If you've never seen the grand Biltmore Estate, fall is the perfect time to visit.  

The house is simply gorgeous surrounded by vibrant fall colors and the scenic views from Biltmore house are beautiful.  While you're there, stop off at the Biltmore Winery for a sample of some wonderful tasting wines.

More information is available in our Biltmore Guide .  While you're there, make sure you stop by and visit the Grovepark Inn too.

Visit one of the many waterfalls, surrounded by fall color

The Blue Ridge Mountains are full of waterfalls .  Frankly it's hard to do much of anything without coming across one while driving to your destination, or experiencing one while at your destination.   This is particularly true of Western NC, where there are literally thousands of waterfalls, and hundreds in excess of 10 feet.

Waterfalls are beautiful to behold any time of the year, but they are particularly beautiful when surrounded by vivid fall colors.   There is just something magical about the combination of white water falling over rock, mixed in with colorful leaves that have already fallen, and surrounded by trees full of color leaves waiting to fall.

Not sure where to go?  Try one of our favorite NC waterfalls this fall.  All of them are gorgeous and offer amazing fall views.   Looking Glass Falls , Soco Falls and Upper and Lower Falls at Graveyard fields are all particularly beautiful in the Fall.

Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (GSMR), located in Bryson City, NC offers a fun and unique way of enjoying the Fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

The Best Part?   

The GSMR offers a number of different "excursion" which wind along side rivers, mountains and over bridges.   The GSMR also offers a number of "special" trains like the Peanut's Pumpkin Patch Express , Halloween Dinner Train , and at Christmas, the wonderful Polar Express .

We've ridden the train a few times, and had a wonderful time.  The staff there is top notch and the whole experience is great.   While in Bryson City NC, there is also plenty to do, including visiting Deep Creek , where the fall colors should really provide some excellent photo opportunities.

Read more about The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and book your reservations on their website .

Go hiking on one of the many trails with scenic views

Frankly, pretty much any trail you take in The Blue Ridge Mountains will offer fantastic views, but there are a few trails that offer exceptional views. These include:

• Black Balsam , off The Blue Ridge Parkway
• Rough Ridge near Grandfather Mountain
• Craggy Gardens , near Asheville
• Alum Bluff Trail to LeConte, in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Any of the trails in Cataloochee Valley or Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Appalachian Trail anywhere in GA, NC or Virginia

Read up on our Favorite Hiking Trails  in the Blue Ridge or our favorite hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , all of which would provide outstanding fall foliage views and scenery.  You can read about all the trails we've visited on our hiking page .

Visit Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one probably the most famous mountains in The Blue Ridge, and definitely the most famous in North Carolina.  Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway , and Linville NC, Grandfather Mountain is also one of the tallest mountains in NC.   Because of it's height, Grandfather is one of the first peaks to begin showing fall colors.

Grandfather mountain is famous for it's "Mile High Bridge", zoo, and numerous trails and camping areas around the mountain.  We've camped there many times as a family.

Read more about Grandfather Mountain .

Drive on Skyline Drive in VA

The Skyline Drive in Virginia is a wonderful place to view the fall colors and enjoy a nice drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  

Skyline drive weaves its way through some of the higher elevations of Shenandoah National Park.  It runs 105 miles From Rock Fish Gap, where it joins The Blue Ridge Parkway to Front Royal, VA.  

Driving the full distance of Skyline drive takes about 3 hours, give or take depending on how often you stop at one of the 75 different overlooks.

Peak leaf time for Skyline drive is the last two weeks in October.

Visit Max Patch Mountain

Max Patch, located west of Asheville near Tennessee is one of our favorite family hiking locations , and is a great place to visit and hike during the fall, due to the outstanding high elevation scenic views.  Max Patch offers multiple trails, and the Appalachian Trail runs through as well.   Elevation on the higher trail reaches 4600 feet.

Max Patch is a hidden gem, not often known by most tourists, which makes it less congested and great for taking photos.   Get more information and directions to Max Patch in our Max Patch Guide .

Visit Asheville NC

Asheville, NC , the city the mountains.  Asheville, NC is the largest city in Western NC and the 11th largest in NC.  Asheville serves as the main gateway to Western NC and provides a very diverse and culture rich city life, that is close to many of the most popular destinations in Western NC, including The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Asheville is a great place to stay if you are visiting Western NC for the fall leaf season AND you want to stay in a more modern area with standard city life. Asheville is full of nice hotels, top rated restaurants, and plenty of evening activities such as clubs and bars.  

Asheville, NC is also home to a number of excellent breweries if you enjoy micro-brewed beer.  Asheville is also home to the Biltmore Estate, #4 on this list.

If you are looking for more rustic and "mountain like" accommodations, other smaller towns surrounding Asheville would be better suited.

Learn more about about  Asheville, NC

Chimney Rock NC

One of our favorite places to visit in Western NC, is Chimney Rock State Park , located in near Lake Lure NC .

Chimney Rock State Park houses some great trails, beautiful waterfalls, and one of the most gorgeous views in Western NC from atop its famed "chimney rock". We spent many weekends at Chimney rock while we were dating and after we were married.

Fall foliage at Chimney rock are breathtaking, especially along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail to the base of Hickory Nut Falls.

Visit Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN

Gatlinburg Tennesee is one of the most famous mountain resort cities in the world.  Gatlinburg is an incredibly popular vacation spot due to it bordering The Great Smoky Mountains National Park , and almost serving as a main entrance.  

Many of the most beautiful areas of the National Park are accessible from Gatlinburg and just a few minutes away.  Gatlinburg is a neat town, filled with history, and surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains .  For fall leaf viewers, it's hard to find a better place to visit.

Learn more about both of these locations, and book discounted travel using our Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Vacation Planners.

Visit Charlottesville, VA / Shenandoah National Park

Located just a 22 miles from the intersection of  The Blue Ridge Parkway of NC and the Skyline Drive of VA, Charlottesville is a true a city in the mountains and a popular destination for hikers interested in hiking trails in The Shenandoah National Park.  

Charlottesville is also home to the University of Virigina, and as a result, the city offers a number of nice evening restaurants, bars and clubs.  While in Charlottesville, you can also visit Monticllo, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit, and a great place to call "home" while visiting the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.

For more information on Charlottesville, visit the city's website .  For information on the Shenandoah National Park, visit the National Park website .

Hike at Linville Falls

Linville Falls, located at MP 316.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a gorgeous area for relaxing, hiking, enjoying the scenic views and for mainly seeing breathtaking views of Linville falls.  The Linville Falls area off the parkway has 2 different hiking trails.  An easy trail leading to the upper falls area, and a more difficult area leading to the larger lower falls.

The easy trail also leads to a couple of overlooks that provide some wonderful fall color opportunities in October, as seen in the above photo taken in early fall.   Linville Falls is one of our top NC waterfalls to visit, and makes for an excellent day trip while traveling along the Parkway.

While you're there, make sure you stop by Linville Caverns  and visit #20 on our list, Wiseman's View.

Visit Cataloochee Valley in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While at #19 on our list, Cataloochee Valley in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be at the very top of our list if we were ranking in order of awesomeness.  

Cataloochee Valley is one of the most amazing and beautiful places in the National Park, and offers some incredibly opportunities to see and photography fall colors.   One of the really neat things about Cataloochee, in a addition to the numerous Elk , and the old historic buildings.   These buildings surround by the vivid fall colors of late October should be on your "must see" list.

Cataloochee Valley has a number of hiking trails, historic buildings, waterfalls, creeks and streams.   Read more about Cataloochee Valley in our Cataloochee Valley Guide .

Visit Wiseman’s View in Linville Gorge

Linville Gorge is one of the more amazing and beautiful areas of North Carolina.  Linville Gorge is often called "The Grand Canyon of North Carolina" and rightfully so.  Linville Gorge Wilderness comprises of 11,786 acres.  The Linville river is 1400 feet below the upper ridge, and gorge towers over the river for 12 miles.  Linville Gorge is a popular location for serious hikers, camping and rock climbing.

One of the most popular places to view the gorge is at Wiseman's View, a rock out-cropping overlooking the gorge.  Wiseman's View is accessed via a short and paved trail.  

To get to Wiseman's View, take I-40 to Marion.  Exit onto Highway 221 and go north until 221 intersects with NC 183. Turn right onto NC 183 and continue one mile to NC 105, Kistler Memorial Highway.  Wiseman's View overlook is about four miles down the road, you will see signs.

Read more about Linville Gorge and Wiseman's view on the National Forest page .

Enjoy the view at Clingmans Dome

At 6,644 feet, the Observation tower at Clingmans Dome offers one of the most beautiful and scenic 360 degree views you can get on the east coast, and definitely in the most beautiful in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smoky Mountains and the 3rd highest peak in North Carolina.

Clingmans Dome is located off of Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441), by a 7 mile access road near the Newfound Gap overlook and observation area.  Accessing the Observation tower requires a short, but steep, hike up.   The Appalachian trail comes through the area, and is easily accessible as well.  

This is a popular destination for tourists, so expect large crowds in the fall.

Take a hike at Roan Mountain

Roan Mountain is a majestic mountain located in Roan Mountain State Park and peaks at 6285 feet in elevation.  located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tennessee.  The area offers stunning and clear views, due to the elevation and "balds".  Balds are were the tops of the mountains have been cleared off for pasture.   There are a number of trails to hike, and the Appalachian trail crosses through the area as well.

Read more about Roan Mountain, also called Roan Highlands on Wikipedia .

Visit Dupont State Forest

Dupont State Forest is located near Brevard NC and is famous for it's waterfalls and for being featured in the first Hunger Games movie.  

Remember the scene where Katniss is crossing the large creek?  That was filmed at Triple Falls (shown above) in Dupont State Forest.  The main trail is a 3 mile roundtrip hike, and is often full of people during the summer and fall.

Dupont is popular in the Fall due to the beautiful combination of waterfalls and fall colors.  Peak times for fall color at Dupont is the 3rd week in October.   Find out more information on Dupont State Forest on the Friends of Dupont Forest website .

Visit Blue Ridge GA

Blue Ridge, GA is located in North West Georgia in Fannin County.  Blue Ridge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Georgia.  Blue Ridge is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and has Lake Blue Ridge an the Toccoa River.   The combination of water and mountains is the cause of it's popularity.

There is also a really nice scenic railroad, called the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway  which operates out of the town's historic 100-year-old depot. The downtown area also serves as host for several seasonal festivals.

Get more information on Blue Ridge GA on their website .  Get more information about Northern Georgia too.

Visit Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

One of the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina is Boone and Blowing Rock.   The areas was also voted as one of the top 10 places to retire in 2012 by US News.  In addition to the areas beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone and Blowing rock are home to the Tweetsie Railroad , Appalachian State University, and home to the most popular skiing location in North Carolina, Sugar Mountain Ski Resort .

The Blue Ridge Parkway also goes through the area as well.  The Boone and Blowing Rock is a wonderful destination for fall colors, with lots to do and see.

>>> Don't forget to visit our Fall Foliage Forecast and Guide too!  <<<

Larry Deane

About the author

Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. Along with his wife Jenn, they combined these passions to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel guide to these stunning mountains they are fortunate to call home. Larry has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, and has established himself as a leading voice and expert for Blue Ridge Mountains. He is also an avid hiker, photographer, and videographer. He loves sharing his mountain adventures and knowledge with more than 500,000 people per month on Blue Ridge Mountain Life.

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Virginia's Blue Ridge to Host 2025 & 2026 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships

Monday, June 24, 2024 9:00 AM by Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge

Roanoke, VA – June 24, 2024 — Virginia’s Blue Ridge is slated to host the 2025 and 2026 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships . This event will be a collaboration between the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and Hollins University, consisting of seven days of racing events with over 1,500 athletes competing for national titles. 

“We’re still buzzing from the experience of hosting the 2022 and 2023 Amateur Road National Championships there,” said Brendan Quirk, USA Cycling’s President and CEO. “And now, with this exciting announcement of the Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships, it’s evident why Virginia’s Blue Ridge is one of America’s foremost cycling destinations,” continued Quirk.

"We are thrilled that Virginia's Blue Ridge has been selected as the host destination for the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships in 2025 & 2026. This prestigious event will help build on our already shining reputation as America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital,” said Landon Howard, president of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

These athletes will compete through the trails of Explore Park, Elmwood Park, and Carvins Cove, offering a wide variety of landscapes throughout Virginia’s Blue Ridge. 

“Elmwood Park is a true gem in the heart of Roanoke, offering a perfect blend of central location, beautiful green spaces, and modern facilities,” said Mayor Sherman P. Lea. “Our careful planning ensures minimal traffic impacts, so both the cycling event and downtown Roanoke remain easily accessible for residents and visitors. This event highlights our commitment to making outdoor recreation a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.”

"We are thrilled to host a national cycling event at Explore Park,” said Chairman Phil North of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. “This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our unique outdoor amenities and the warm hospitality of our community.”

This multi-day event will combine Cross-Country and Marathon Mountain Bike events, inspiring an assortment of mountain biking enthusiasts to travel to the region for one exhilarating race week. 

“With an estimated $2.2 million in direct visitor spending, this event will not only highlight our beautiful trails and vibrant community but also contribute significantly to our local economy. We are excited to welcome USA Cycling and its athletes, from enthusiasts to professionals, for this historic week-long championship," said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Media Contact Kathryn Lucas (Director of Public Relations) Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge [email protected] 540-342-6025 ext. 129

About Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) Visit VBR is the official destination marketing organization for Virginia’s Blue Ridge which includes the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke. The region is easily accessible via the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Interstate 81, and Amtrak’s northeast regional route. Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing a metro mountain mix of exciting outdoor adventure with refined culture.  For more information, go to  www.VisitVBR.com .

Author: Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge

Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge is the region's official destination marketing organization.

We work to provide information on accommodations, attractions, recreation, dining, and more in Virginia's Blue Ridge for convention, meeting, and leisure travelers.

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Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge is committed to cultivating an atmosphere that welcomes and celebrates the unique backgrounds, abilities, passions, and perspectives of our vibrant community. As our region’s only destination marketing organization, we have a responsibility to showcase the best the Roanoke Region has to offer, and those assets and strengths come in varied forms. We embrace differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, language, visible and invisible disabilities, and all the intersecting identities that make Virginians and visitors alike so unique. We believe our differences make us stronger– and better.

Rooftop swimming pool opening this summer in Asheville: How to get passes

ASHEVILLE - Lay back, relax and take a splash in a newly renovated outdoor swimming pool with landscape views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In early July, Splash! Rooftop Pool and Lounge at Aloft Asheville Downtown and the soon-to-open Moxy Asheville hotels will reopen for the season after extensive renovations with a new look and improved amenities.

The swimming pool is slated to reopen ahead of Moxy Asheville, which is projected to have its grand opening in mid-August.

Dexter Hazel, dual general manager for Aloft and Moxy, said Moxy is a new concept from Marriott with 36 properties in the U.S.

“It will be the first Moxy hotel in Asheville and the first dual hotel in Asheville,” Hazel said. “We’re going to have to introduce this brand to the travelers in Asheville because no one knows what a Moxy is.”

Aloft and Moxy, properties of Marriott, are connected sister hotels at 51 Biltmore Ave. and 61 Biltmore Ave., respectively.

Splash will be accessible to both hotels’ overnight guests, and the public is welcome to visit using a day or season pass.

Aloft’s renovations and Moxy’s grand opening

In August 2012, Aloft opened and is undergoing several upgrades to the facility including the pool area.

Aloft’s WXYZ Bar on the second floor has an outdoor ledge overlooking Biltmore Avenue. Hazel said the balcony lounge area is being remodeled with a new tile floor and plant décor.

WXYZ Bar has remained open with hours from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The ledge will tentatively reopen in early July.

Also, Aloft offers a lobby-side café called Re:fuel, a breakfast bar and pantry serving Starbucks coffees and self-service gourmet food open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily.

The Re:charge fitness center, between Aloft and Moxy on the same floor, is being remodeled and open to the hotels’ guests.

The Moxy brand is designed with a contemporary concept unique from Aloft that includes check-in and check-out services that will occur at the bar. Guests will receive their room key and a cocktail or mocktail upon check-in. The “smart bedrooms” are compact at about 185 square feet with modern furniture, walk-in showers, LED guidelights and other features to maximize the space.

“Moxy is all about fun, playfulness; we want all of our guests to enjoy the public spaces,” Hazel said. “The rooms are designed to get you out of the room.”

Wildwood Still, an American-Japanese fusion restaurant on Moxy’s rooftop, will overlook the pool and out to the city and mountains. It’s intended to open with the Moxy in mid-August.

Hazel said the floor-to-ceiling windows are NanoSteel doors that will fully open the restaurant to offer unobstructed mountain views.

Aloft and Moxy are constructed with 115 guest rooms each. Both properties' prices begin in the mid-$200s for midweek and mid-$300s on weekends.

Reservations for Moxy will open on Sept. 29. The “New Kid on the Block” grand opening offer provides a 20% discount for a two-night stay, available on Moxy’s website.

Aloft and Moxy hotels are dog-friendly.

Aloft’s dog adoption program, in partnership with Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue, invites hotel guests and the public to meet and apply to adopt the featured pup at the check-in desk.

Splash! Rooftop Pool and Lounge

Splash! Rooftop Pool and Lounge, which has been under renovation since January, has a regular operations season from May to October.

Once Splash reopens in July, guests may access a full bar, lounge seating with umbrella covering, a firepit, rentable cabanas and a gated 4-foot deep swimming pool.

“We’re the only rooftop pool in downtown,” said Hazel, adding that Splash! will be one of two outdoor commercial pools downtown.

He said the expanded gated area surrounding the pool will allow nearly 60 people ― an increase from about 40. The rooftop will have a max capacity of 260 people.

Five cabanas will be available for rent through Aloft’s website, starting at $100 for half-day and $250 for full-day use.

Overnight guests may request to book one of the seven cabana rooms ― hotel rooms that open to a private, attached cabana.

The bar, open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, will offer a menu of draft cocktails, local craft beer, a full spirits list and more. The small bites dining menu will feature salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, wings, flatbreads and tacos.

Splash’s special events will be designated for adults ages 21 and up including deejayed pool parties twice a month, live music, hair braiding and jewelry making, tarot and oracle card readings, yoga sessions, fitness classes and beer and spirits tastings with local partners.

Hazel said the pool-adjacent firepit becomes a communal space for hotel guests.

The living garden ― a pollinator garden of wildflowers and plants managed by a third-party organization ― lines the rooftop deck and adds to the scenic view.

How to visit Splash! Rooftop Pool and Lounge

Splash! Hours will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for hotel guests and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the public.

The pool will be family-friendly, except for the adult-only pool party events.

Access to the pool area is included with hotel guests’ stay.

A day pass for the public costs $20 per person and includes two passes for children ages six and under.

A season pass costs $300 plus tax per person and includes three friend passes, three drink tickets and access to all 21 and up seasonal parties. Quantity is limited.

To purchase passes, visit Aloft’s second-floor front desk which is open 24 hours. Purchasers must be 21 or older with a valid ID.

Where: 51 Biltmore Ave., Aloft Asheville Downtown.

Info: For more, visit marriott.com and moxy-hotels.marriott.com .

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times .

20 Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

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The Virginia mountains encompass much of the western half of the state. Most of the mountain lakes, stunning summits, and incredible scenic vistas are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains  range.

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia offer an endless assortment of natural attractions, including activities ranging from camping and hiking to snow skiing and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I live less than 30 minutes from the Virginia/ North Carolina border, and am often wowed by the drive up. In my eyes, the southernmost section of I-77 is something people should go out of their way to see.

In the state of Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains run through Shenandoah National Park, George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, and about 15 award-winning Virginia  state parks .

At the far western side of the state, the mountain ranges in Virginia become more dramatic in the Valleys and Ridges section of the Appalachian Mountains .

Read on for our in-depth guide to the best things to do in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, including everything from the best hiking trails and waterfalls to the most interesting museums, live music venues, and more!

READ MORE: The 10 Most Festive Christmas Towns in Virginia to Visit

Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Guide

• Boogie at the Blue Ridge Music Center 
• Catch the View at Crabtree Falls
• Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Explore Shenandoah National Park
• Groove on Down the Crooked Road
• Hike the Appalachian Trail
• Hop Borders at Breaks Interstate Park
• Learn about American History in Lexington VA 
• Lower into Luray Caverns
• Make It to the Top of McAfee Knob
• Nip into Natural Bridge State Park
• Peak Around at Peaks of Otter
• Reflect at National D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA 
• Relax like Royalty in Hot Springs VA
• Root Around Roanoke VA Museums 
• Sample Roanoke VA Breweries 
• Saunter through Smith Mountain Lake State Park 
• Snow Skiing in Virginia
• Taste at Shenandoah Valley Wineries
• Walk through Washington/Jefferson National Forest 

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Staunton VA

1. Boogie at the Blue Ridge Music Center

Found at Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Marker 213, the Blue Ridge Music Center is a museum and performance venue celebrating the musical traditions of the Blue Ridge region.

Special attention is paid to the Round Peak style (which originated a few miles south in North Carolina ) and the Galax and Grayson Country styles, which were born the mountains of Virginia.

The museum has a permanent Roots of American Music exhibit, live performances daily in the Breezeway, and a couple of hiking trails that allow visitors to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, they offer ticketed Saturday evening concerts at the amphitheater, with picnicking and flat-footing encouraged.

READ MORE: 20 Incredible Places To See the Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall

2. Catch the View at Crabtree Falls VA

Both North Carolina and Virginia have a spectacular Crabtree Falls  to visit.

But the one in Nelson County VA  has the highest vertical drop of any cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi.

This wondrous waterfall has 5 big drops, with several smaller ones between, all of which add up to 1200 feet of cascading beauty.

The Crabtree Falls VA Trail is about 2.5 miles and provides 5 different overlooks, as well as stunning views of the Tye River Valley.

This moderately difficult hiking trail can be accessed by exiting the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 27 and heading east on VA-56. Follow the signs for around six miles or so.

READ MORE: Non-Venomous vs Venomous Snakes in Virginia (ID Guide)

3. Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia

Split fairly evenly between North Carolina and Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of scenic driving, overlooks, waterfalls and hiking trails .

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway is considered the first half of the journey, starting at Rock Fish Gap at Shenandoah National Park and crossing into North Carolina just south of Galax VA.

The best Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks in this section include the Ravens Roost Overlook (Milepost 10.7), Otter Lake Overlook (63.1), Great Valley Overlook (99.6), and Mabry Mill (176.1).

Some of the top Virginia hiking trails on the BRP include the Humpback Rocks Loop (4.3 miles) and White Rock Falls (4.4 miles), with Fallingwater Cascades (1.2 miles) being a nice easy hike and Flat Top (5.7 miles) and Sharp Top (3.3 miles) a bit more challenging due to incline.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels & Cabin Rentals in NC & VA

4. Explore Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is only 75 miles from Washington DC, connected to Great Smoky Mountains National Park via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This national park is full of interesting history and staggering vistas of the famous Shenandoah Valley, which is home to charming mountain towns and lots of great wineries . 

Shenandoah NP encompasses over 300 square miles of the  Blue Ridge Mountains  in VA. Skyline Drive runs for 105 miles right along the crest of them before turning into the Blue Ridge Parkway .

Awesome hikes here include the 5-mile Dickey Ridge Loop, the 7.2-mile Marys Rock via the Pinnacle (which includes the park’s most beautiful section of the Appalachian Trail ), and the 5.2-mile Whiteoak Canyon Falls trail (which passes six large waterfalls ).

A Virginia Mountains vacation spot for the well-to-do in the 1920s, Shenandoah is also home to historical lodges like Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge, and Lewis Mountain Cabins .

READ MORE: Apple Picking in Virginia: The 15 Best VA Apple Orchards to Visit

5. Groove on the Crooked Road (Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail)

The Crooked Road is Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.  It weaves mightily through the mountains of Virginia, where Appalachian culture is deeply embedded in the local communities.

Its central path cuts across Southwest Virginia, where it weaves through the Appalachian Arts Center , Chestnut Creek School of the Arts , and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum .

Many music enthusiasts time their journey to coincide with major events, such as the Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention (Aug 7-12, 2023) and the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival .

Travelers can also visit musical landmarks like the Carter Family Fold, Floyd Country Store, Rex Theater, and Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace.

READ MORE: What is Bluegrass? The History & Evolution of Appalachian Music

6. Hike the Appalachian Trail in VA

More miles of the Appalachian Trail are in Virginia than any other state… 544 miles to be exact. That’s nearly a quarter of the 2,194-mile trail!

In Virginia, the AT goes through George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway for a while, and cuts through Shenandoah National Park .

There are lots of noteworthy AT  hikes in Virginia . Wilburn Ridge via Grayson Highlands State Park (4 miles) is fairly close to my house, and there are wild ponies to spot along the way.

We also like the 5-mile loop on the Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus, for some communing with nature and a bit of small town living.

Angels Rest (5 miles), Kelly Knob (4 miles), and Black Rock Summit (1.1 miles) are three other Virginia hiking trails with stunning views. 

READ MORE: The Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia

7. Hop Borders at Breaks Interstate Park

Straddling the Virginia-Kentucky border, “The Breaks ” is one of only two interstate parks in the United States. It isn’t run by either state’s park service, but is instead an entity all its own.

The park is a full-service family getaway with cabins for rent, hotel accommodations, and campgrounds .

It has lakes with boat rentals, a waterpark, and zipline tours. There is even a restaurant on site.

This area has incredible geology. The Russell Fork River Gorge is called “the Grand Canyon of the East,” the Geological Trail cuts through massive rock formations, and the Overlook Trail provides dramatic scenic vistas.

An insider’s tip that’s not for the faint of heart: Center Creek Trail (just outside the park) is absolutely stunning, with awesome swimming holes . But it is a difficult hike, with slippery rocks and stream crossings.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in SWVA (Southwest Virginia)

8. Learn about American History in Lexington VA

The town of Lexington VA is located in the Shenandoah Valley between Roanoke and Waynesboro , and it has a history that dates back to before the American Revolution .

It was named after the 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord, which launched the war for independence. The Civil War is also part of the town’s history, and both Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson are buried there.

Lexington is home to America’s first military college, Virginia Military Institute (est. 1839), and one of the oldest academic colleges, Washington & Lee University (est. 1749 as Augusta Academy).

There are also great historical tours, on foot or via horse -drawn carriages, to learn about all these special places.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Lexington VA & Natural Bridge VA

9. Lower into Luray Caverns

The Blue Ridge Mountains of VA are dotted with deep caverns that visitors can explore on guided tours for a taste of spelunking (but without all the mud).

Luray Caverns is a 99-acre cave system that was discovered by five men in 1878, and it is now a protected National Natural Landmark.

Within the caverns , there are clear pools, cascades, columns, stalactites, and stalagmites, including celebration formations like Titania’s Veil, the Giant Redwood, and Giant’s Hall.

Visitors can also listen to music played on the amazing Great Stalacpipe Organ, which uses stalactites and a rubber hammer to make haunting tunes (similar to a gigantic music box).

READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Luray VA (Gateway to Shenandoah)

10. Make It to the Top of McAfee Knob

The hike up to McAfee Knob may be the most popular day hike on the Appalachian Trail, and the photo op of hikers standing on the rocky outcrop is the most iconic representation of America’s famous footpath.

Located right outside of Roanoke VA , McAfee Knob should be a top feature on your to-do list when visiting the Blue Ridge Mountain Town . Even if it is a proper 8-mile hike, with lots of elevation gain.

The views from the summit are totally worth the trouble, with the Catawba Valley , Roanoke Valley, and the City of Roanoke all visible on clear days. And the sunrise views are beyond spectacular.

Inside tip: Get there very early if you want to hike, as the small parking lot at the trailhead fills very quickly. I showed up at 8AM and was lucky someone was just leaving from the sunrise hike.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Roanoke VA

11. Nip into Natural Bridge State Park

A late addition to Virginia’s fine collection of  State Parks , Natural Bridge and the area around it has been a place of distinction since before the United States even existed as a country.

Natural Bridge State Park is a monolithic limestone formation 215 feet above Cedar Creek that spans 90 feet from cliffside to cliffside. It’s a remarkable sight– one I personally find difficult to top.

The Cedar Creek Trail used to get to the stone  bridge  also features a phenomenal Monacan Indian Exhibit, Lace Falls, and the Lost River. The Skyline Trail is attached to a Virginia State Park Children’s Discovery Area.

Visits to the park should also include a stop at the Visitors Center, a peak at the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center, and the nearby Caverns at Natural Bridge.

READ MORE: The Best Restaurants in Lexington VA & Natural Bridge VA for Foodies

12. Peek Around at Peaks of Otter

Located at milepost 86, Peaks of Otter is one of the more famous attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway . It includes several tall mountains surrounding one of the area’s most beautiful mountain lakes .

The popular BRP landmark has a visitor center with a gift shop and exhibits on the animals, birds , and wildflowers found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA.

The  Peaks of Otter Lodge is a nice place to stay, with enchanting views of Abbott Lake and easy access to the best historical sites, hiking trails , and wineries in the region.

The 24-acre Abbott Lake is ringed by a one-mile loop trail. It’s also stocked with smallmouth bass, catfish, sunfish, and bluegill.

READ MORE: The 20 Most Beautiful Wildflowers in Virginia (& Where to See Them)

13. Reflect at National D-Day Memorial in Bedford VA

Many of the soldiers who stormed the French coastline on D-Day were from Bedford VA, including Company A of the 29th Infantry Division.

When you consider the incredible losses the small mountain town suffered in World War II, having the National D-Day Memorial  in Bedford makes a lot of sense.

This Memorial was dedicated to those who died in the famously bloody battle by President George W. Bush in June of 2001, and it now attracts some 60,000 visitors a year.

The monument itself is a 44-foot tall arch with the word “Overlord” (the code name of the D-Day operation) inscribed on it. It’s highlighted by a reflecting pool, and surrounded by statues honoring the fallen soldiers. 

Other parts of the grounds explain the journey through WWII, including the politics, major battles, and troops.

READ MORE: 10 Great Places to Celebrate Christmas in Virginia

14. Relax like Royalty in Hot Springs VA

Hot Springs VA is just a few miles down the road from Warm Springs in Bath County. As the name suggests, this area is full of naturally heated springs that have been attracting people to visit since (at least) the mid-1700s.

So it’s no surprise that the “census-designated place” of Hot Springs is home to several long-standing resorts and other fine places to hang your hat.

The standout is the 2300-acre  Omni Homestead Resort (owned by the same folks behind NC’s Omni Grove Park Inn ), which includes a spa, restaurant, golf course, outdoor pool, hiking, trails and more.

But there are plenty of other spots in Hot Springs on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Mustoe House, The Yard, Barton Lodge, and more. It’s a fabulous and famous place for relaxing like royalty.

READ MORE: The 15 Best Places To See Christmas Lights in Virginia

15. Root Around Roanoke VA Museums

The Blue Ridge mountain town of Roanoke VA has a lot of interesting sights and museums to visit downtown, including the Historic Roanoke City Market and Center in the Square.

Center in the Square is a special collection of museums and non-profits, all under one roof.

For the kids, there are the Atrium Aquariums, The Roanoke Pinball Museum (where unlimited play is included in the entrance fee), Kids Square, The Roanoke STARCADE, and the Science Museum of Western Virginia .

Other features of Center in the Square include the Mill Mountain Theatre, the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture, and the rooftop and observation decks.

Elsewhere downtown, you’ll find several history and art museums. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a personal favorite that would be great fun for the whole family.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Roanoke VA

16. Sample Roanoke VA Breweries

What Asheville is for craft beers in North Carolina, Roanoke does for the local beer scene in Virginia.

There are loads of great Roanoke  breweries , many of which can be visited on a walking tour of Downtown Roanoke (conveniently, since we are drinking here).

Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery (my #1 choice), Deschutes Roanoke Tasting Room, Big Lick Brewing Company, Golden Cactus Brewing Company, and A Few Old Goats Brewing are all within about a mile of each other.

Starr Hill Pilot Brewery makes a good stop when visiting Mill Mountain Park and the Roanoke Star .

The Parkway Brewing Company is ideal after hiking to McAfee Knob in the Roanoke VA mountains, and Olde Salem Brewery is the stop to make when touring the nearby town of Salem VA.

READ MORE: The 8 Best Breweries in Roanoke VA

17. Saunter through Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Located about 20 miles from the town of Bedford VA, Smith Mountain Lake State Park encompasses over 1200 acres of wilderness on the northern banks of Smith Mountain Lake.

This lake is the second largest in the state, with over 500 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of over 200 feet.

Lake activities  steal the show at this state park. Fishing is extremely popular, and there’s a beach with a lifeguard during the summer.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park also has 13 hiking trails , a visitor center with educational exhibits, a historic tobacco barn, a Discovery Center, and lots of scenic spots for a picnic. 

READ MORE: The 15 Best Lakes in the Virginia Mountains to Visit

18. Snow Skiing in Virginia

While North Carolina and West Virginia might have more impressive ski resorts to choose from, Virginia does have its own winter resorts for snow recreation.

Bryce Resort and Massanutten Resort are both located near Harrisburg VA, while the Omni Homestead Resort is in Hot Springs and Wintergreen Resort is close to Charlottesville and Waynesboro .

In addition to snow skiing, all of these resorts have snow tubing and snowboarding options. Bryce Resort and The Omni Homestead have ice skating rinks, too.

These resorts also have snow-making machines to keep the skiing going through the winter , with a season that runs from early December through March.

READ MORE: The Best Ski Resorts in the Virginia Mountains to Visit

19. Tastings at Shenandoah Valley Wineries

In the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Wineries have quietly been in operation for a while now, and they produce some nice wine choices.

One thing we love about the Shenandoah Valley Wineries  is that they include not only nice sipping wines, but also beautifully picturesque scenery.

Crosskey Vineyards (125 acres in Mt Crawford VA), Brix & Columns Vineyard (160 acres in McGaheysville VA), and Muse Vineyards (40 acres in Woodstock VA) are local hotspots, some of which offer  award winning wines .

Near Charlottesville, oenophiles can sample vintages from Jefferson Vineyards, Eastwood Farm & Winery, and Afton Mountain Vineyards. More vineyards can be found near Roanoke VA and Luray VA.

READ MORE: The 10 Best Virginia Wineries to Visit for Wine Tastings & Tours

20. Walk through George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

Clocking in with nearly 2 million acres of wilderness, the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests occupy a lion’s share of the Blue Ridge Mountain range in Virginia.

Major highlights of these massive national forests include 325 miles of the Appalachian Trail, gorgeous waterfalls in the Cascades Day Use Area, Hungry Mother State Park , the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (home to the highest peak in VA), and the Sherando Lake Recreation Area.

Top hiking trails to check out include the Dragon’s Tooth Trail (4.5 miles) near Roanoke, the Roaring Run Hoop Hole Trail (1.7 miles), the Cascades Fall Trail (3.8 miles), and the Virginia Creeper Trail (17.2 miles).

The forests are also riddled with campgrounds , for those who want to stay in the wild and explore more of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. –by Jonathon Engels; featured image of Mabry Mill VA  by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

We encourage anyone who loves the Blue Ridge region to learn about the  Leave No Trace   principles of responsible environmental stewardship. 

Stay on marked trails, take only pictures, pack out your trash, and be considerate of others who share the trails and parks you explore. 

Remember that waterfalls and rocky summits can be dangerous. Never try to climb waterfalls or get close to a ledge to get a selfie.

When you're exploring the wilderness, it's better to be safe than to be a statistic!

Jonathon Engels

After visiting North Carolina for the first time, Senior Writer Jonathon Engels and wife Emma spent 2 years exploring Western NC in search of a homestead property. They first lived in Brevard, where Jonathon taught writing at Blue Ridge Community College and extensively explored the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. For the last several years they have lived just off the BRP near Elkin, Southwest Virginia, and the NC High Country. The couple also volunteers with the Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention, the Elkin Valley Trail Association, and Reeves Downtown School of Music.

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Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge to Host the 2025 and 2026 Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships

Athletes will come together in Virginia’s Blue Ridge to compete for the Stars and Stripes jersey in both the Cross-Country and Marathon Mountain Bike events.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge is set to become the capital of American mountain biking as it will proudly host the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships for the next two years. This thrilling event will bring together cyclists of all categories from across the country to compete for coveted National Titles in 2025-2026, starting with the first event tentatively slated for July 2025.

“It’s an absolute joy to return to Roanoke. We’re still buzzing from the experience of hosting the 2022 and 2023 Amateur Road National Championships there. And now, with this exciting announcement of the Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships, it’s evident why Virginia’s Blue Ridge is one of America’s foremost cycling destinations,” said Brendan Quirk, USA Cycling’s President and CEO.

The Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships will combine Cross-Country and Marathon Mountain Bike events, creating one exhilarating race week.

“The incredible variety of riding terrain and the passion for all forms of bike racing is a huge community strength,” continued Quirk.

Athletes will vie for gold on the formidable trails and stunning landscapes of Explore Park, Elmwood Park, and Carvins Cove, providing best-in-class racing while showcasing the natural beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

"We are thrilled that Virginia's Blue Ridge has been selected as the host destination for the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships in 2025 and 2026. This prestigious event will help build on our already shining reputation as America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital,” said Landon Howard, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge President.

The remaining locations for the 2025 and 2026 National Championship seasons will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, contact [email protected] .

ABOUT VISIT VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE (visitvbr.com)

Visit VBR is the official destination marketing organization for Virginia’s Blue Ridge which includes the Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke. The region is easily accessible via the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Interstate 81, and Amtrak’s northeast regional route. Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VBR) is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and along the Blue Ridge Parkway, providing a metro mountain mix of exciting outdoor adventure with refined culture.  For more information, go to:  https://www.visitvbr.com/ .

This Article Updated June 24, 2024 @ 09:09 AM

For more information contact: [email protected]

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