The Blue Ridge Parkway isn't technically a national park, but it might as well be. It connects two—Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains—and each year, more people drive it than visit the Grand Canyon.
Honestly, you can't pick a bad time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. In summer, the parks along the road 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 can be a tad precarious, especially if it's snowy, but in spring, flowers bloom across the route. No matter the time of year, here are a few of our favorite stops to see along the way.
Head up to Clingman's Dome in the Smokies for 360-degree views of the park from Tennessee's highest point, then plan out your hikes through Cades Cove and to one of the waterfalls. There are plenty of hikes during which you can stretch your legs after your road trip, and there are many ways to relax in the park's peaceful setting—just watch out for black bears.
The Smokies has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S., and is home to several species of wildflowers that range from white to pink to orange and every color in between. The secluded Cades Cove is a great place to take it all in.
The most distinctive feature about Grotto Falls is that it's the only waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that you can actually walk behind. The 25-foot-high waterfall offers a cool, shady, and moist retreat for hikers in the summer and provides an ideal habitat for salamanders.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the area is incredibly awe-inspiring. Fall is a popular time to visit the Smokies, and with good reason: The changing colors are unlike anything you'll find anywhere else in the world. Avoid the crowds and still get awesome views by visiting in the summer or when everything is blooming in the spring.
Pigeon Forge is a very popular tourist destination, and you can't go wrong staying at the Music Road Resort, which is located half a mile from the Titanic Museum. It features an outdoor water park and an indoor pool and hot tub open 24/7. Enjoy the free hot breakfast and ask to upgrade to a room with a whirlpool tub and fireplace.
Ole Smoky is the first legal moonshine in Tennessee (a state that loves moonshine so much, at least one of its state songs outright mentions it), so you know it’s the real deal. A tour of the distillery offers a chance to learn about moonshine legends and the opportunity to taste its many flavors (from the original to the classic staple apple pie flavor to other fun varieties).
Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Sylva, North Carolina, United States
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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. The waterfall, known as Sliding Rock, is on Looking Glass Creek in Pisgah National Forest, just outside Asheville. Slide down a 60-foot slope which ends with a plunge into a big 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.
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Get a true taste of luxury by visiting the largest house in the U.S., Biltmore Estate, with 250 rooms set on 8,000 acres. There’s no bad time to visit; winter means the famous Christmas decor is up (and Christmas pricing is in effect), autumn brings stunning foliage, and during spring, the gardens are in full bloom. You don’t need a tour to appreciate the massive grand house, grounds, and furnishings—but don’t miss the pool, the ballrooms, and the conservatory.
