A roadway 469 miles long makes up the Blue Ridge Parkway in the states of Virginia and North Carolina. Attractions both natural and man-made can be found along the parkway. Some of the roadway closes in winter, but in the warmer months tourists come for the beautiful scenery and for the chance to get close to nature. Summer brings the flowers, and fall brings the brilliantly hued leaves at the end of the warm season for which the Blue Ridge Parkway is famous.
Historic Lifestyles
Located at the southernmost point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Oconaluftee Indian Village is a re-creation of a typical Cherokee settlement. Guides at Oconaluftee Indian Village explain the history of the Cherokee to visitors, with on-site artisans who demonstrate the way of life through the arts and crafts common in the past. Visit the restructured Cherokee homes from the past. Oconaluftee Indian Village is closed during winter.
It took six years and an army of workers to complete the construction of Biltmore, the palatial Vanderbilt home in Asheville. By the end of 1895 George Vanderbilt took residence in what was the largest home in the United States. Built on 125,000 acres, the mega-mansion is now open to tourists. It offers visitors choices of estate tours, dining options, hotel accommodations, an equestrian center, a winery and a stroll through the fabulous Vanderbilt gardens.
Mountains
A favorite visitor stop along the Blue Ridge is Grandfather Mountain. Famous for its mile-high swinging bridge, the mountain is also a protected habitat for many of the animals that live in the Blue Ridge mountains. Visit the museum on Grandfather Mountain for a peek into the past and for information about the natural world of the mountain. Bring a picnic and enjoy your repast while viewing the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge.
Enjoy the mountain vistas atop Mount Mitchell, North Carolina's first state park. Mount Mitchell is approximately an hour's drive north of Asheville. Mount Mitchell Park's observation deck, picnic areas and trails are open year-round but the shop and concession are closed during the winter when the stretch of parkway from Asheville is also closed. Alternate routes are available in the winter.
Arboretums and Gardens
Known for its abundance of colorful rhododendron bushes and wildflowers during the warmer months, Craggy Gardens offers one of the best Blue Ridge observation areas on the Parkway. Bring a picnic hamper and make a day of birdwatching and enjoying the scenery. Craggy Gardens is closed during the winter months.
Walk the pathways of the North Carolina Arboretum and discover beautiful flowers and shrubs that are tended here. Enjoy the bonsai gardens and the quilt garden among the many themed exhibits. Bring your leashed dog and have a picnic on the grounds. Check for special showings throughout the year, such as orchid, rose and rhododendron exhibits.
Hiking Trails
Hiking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway give the more adventurous visitors an additional opportunity to get closer to nature. Most attractions on the parkway feature hiking trails, so you are never far from a good walking opportunity. Some of the trails are short and easy, allowing for hiking experience for novices, while other trails are longer and present more of a challenge.
Grandfather Mountain has a mixture of easy and difficult trails. Take a short stroll to experience the natural beauty of the mountain, or take a route that requires scaling steep cliffs. Another rugged climb is found at Mount Mitchell State Park, where rising to the summit takes strength and perseverance, but it you reach the top and climb the tower, you will be at the highest elevation in the United States on the eastern side of the Mississippi River.
Waterfalls
With a dozen or so locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will have no trouble finding the primary waterfalls that are tucked away in the countryside. Some, like Glassmine Falls in North Carolina, are close to the parkway, but others require a bit of hiking from a parking area. Douglas Falls in North Carolina is six miles from the road, requiring the longest hike. Most average just under or just over a mile.
When curiosity gets the better of you, check out some of the more colorfully named falls. Skinny Dip Falls has a small, natural pool at the bottom. Graveyard Falls is actually a group of three different falls. Grassy Creek Falls feature a taller waterfall followed by a series of rabbit-hop mini-falls. Mingo Falls, located on the Qualla Indian Reservation, is one of the taller falls.
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