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.
1250 Sandy Lane, Titusville, United States
1776 D Street Northwest, Washington, United States
Whether you're starting or ending the trip in Shenandoah, the park's Skyline Drive is one of the most unforgettably epic parts of the trip.
Skyline Drive, Washington, United States
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?
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!
Skyline Drive, Crozet, United States
via Blue Ridge Pkwy & Blue Ridge Pkwy
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.
via Blue Ridge Pkwy
124 Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke, United States
via Monet Dr
Blue Ridge Parkway, Callaway, United States
216 Conner Lane Southeast, Callaway, United States
1742 Blue Ridge Parkway, Meadows of Dan, United States
via Blue Ridge Pkwy & Skyline Hwy
33271 Blue Ridge Parkway, Glade Valley, United States
51271 Blue Ridge Parkway, Laurel Springs, United States
48271 Blue Ridge Parkway, Laurel Springs, United States
Blue Ridge Parkway, Deep Gap, United States
via Elk Ridge Rd
Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, United States
via Cone Rd & Holloway Mountain Rd
Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, United States
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.