The Blue Ridge Parkway isn't technically a National Park, but it might as well be. It connects two National Parks (Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains) together and the parkway itself is the most visited unit controlled by the National Parks System. Each year, more people drive along its roads than visit the Grand Canyon. True fact. People flock to it with good reason, though...it's pretty gorgeous. Plus, there's tons to see and do along the way. Here's a few highlights to see along the way.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the area is incredibly awe-inspiring. Fall is a super popular time to visit the Smokies, and with good reason: the changing colors are unlike anything anywhere else in the world. However, you can avoid the crowds and still get awesome views in the summer, and when everything is blooming in the spring, it's absolutely stunning!
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Don't forget to pack a swimsuit for your trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway, because there's an awesome natural slip 'n' slide along the route. This awesome waterfall, known as Sliding Rock, is on Looking Glass Creek in Pisgah National Forest, just outside Asheville. It takes sliders down a 60-foot slope, and they are then dumped into a big ol' plunge pool of icy cold water. Eleven thousand gallons of water pour over the smooth slab of granite every minute, so expect a swift ride down the rock and into the splash pool. Between the wind in your hair and and the cool, refreshing water, it's the perfect way to spend a sticky, sweltering, Southern summer day.
And get a taste of luxury by visiting the Biltmore Estate itself. The 250-room house sits on 8,000 acres, making it America's largest house.
While in Asheville, visit The Inn on Biltmore Estate: it's the perfect place to unwind amongst 19th century luxury. It's probably the Blue Ridge Mountains' most opulent estate, and a stay here will make you feel like Gilded Age royalty. There's free wifi, 24/7 room service and an onsite fine-dining restaurant, spa and bar.
A favorite Asheville stop for road travelers is the Lexington Avenue Brew. The pub food is locally sourced, and there's often live music. The industrial setting is pretty amazing, too.
Next, you'll arrive in Asheville, NC. This is a fantastic stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here's you'll find plenty of historic and bed and breakfasts and cozy campsites where you can rest your head, and there's tons of good eating, from old-school diners to places serving up the next great food trend. Asheville is the perfect place to stop and do a little exploring (and eating and drinking). The town is full of unique characters, quirky galleries and boutiques, plus it's a beer-lover's dream, with dozens of microbreweries scattered around town...they don't call it the "Brew" Ridge Parkway for nothing, you know!
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If you're feeling lucky, stop by Sugar Creek Gem Mine and prospect for precious stones. They'll help you identify anything of value and even set it in jewelry for you!
Once you reach Banner Elk, NC, Grandfather Mountain State Park is definitely worth a stop. It's a hiker's paradise. There are challenging trails for more skilled hikers, and rocky cliffs that offer breathtaking scenic views. You can also get a permit and camp in the park.
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The Natural Bridge Hotel is a very charming hotel close to a lot of local attractions. You're a minute walk to the wax museum, and a little over a mile to the zoo, and there's free WiFi. TIP: Request a mountain view room. There's also a restaurant, cave and bar on site.
Further south in Virginia, and another short detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can find the ginormous Natural Bridge. It's 20 stories of solid rock, carved out by nature and it has boggled the minds of everyone who's seen it, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
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Amherst, VA, US
Next up is a short side-trip to Amherst Virginia, a scenic and bucolic town along the Blue Ridge Parkway. A few key attractions to check out include, Sweet Briar College (one of America's most beautiful colleges), several golf courses, the Moncan Indian Ancestral Museum and the historic James River.
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In Montebello, VA you'll come to Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest. It's one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, so you know it's going to be magnificently gorgeous.
Once you reach Lyndhurst, VA, check out Humpback Rock, a massively scenic rock close to the peak of Humpback Mountain. At a stunning elevation of over 3,000 feet, Humpback Rock provides a breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
If you're spending some time at Shenandoah National Park, Big Meadows Lodge is a fantastic place to spend the night. Located directly within the park, this historic lodge is close to the Harry F. Byrd Visitor Center and is just over three miles to Dark Hollow Falls. The rooms are rustic and charming with wood paneling, and there are cabins available as well. Be warned: there aren't any TVs or phones in the cabins. But, there's an onsite restaurant and taproom, as well as free wifi in the lodge.
Sperryville, VA, US
Then you'll come to Sperryville, an historic river town along the Thornton River. It was founded in the early 19th century and is currently listed on the Virginia Landmarks Registry and National Registry of Historic Places. The town is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, you'll find another access point for Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.
Take your Blue Ridge Parkway adventure underground at Luray Caverns. You can rock out to their one-of-a-kind stalacpipe organ, and make sure to toss some money into their wishing well and make a wish. You'll get instant good vibes once you find out that all the change tossed into the well goes to charity!
75 miles outside Washington D.C., the pristine 200,000 miles of Shenandoah National Park wait to be explored! Shenandoah National Park offers 500 miles of trails within the park, plus dense forests, ancient caves, swooping mountains, misty waterfalls... need I go on?
Honestly, you can't pick a bad time drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. In summer, the parks along the Blue Ridge Parkway are lush and green. In the fall, the entire drive is covered in fiery foliage (usually from early October to early November). In winter, the driving is a tad precarious, especially if it's a snowy winter. But, the Blue Ridge Mountains become blanketed in snow and it looks like a white wonderland. In spring, the flowers bloom across the route: the best to see them is between April and May.