Blue Ridge Parkway is such an incredibly beautiful drive and well worth taking a few minutes out of the way to enjoy this lovely detour. It should be a crime that the government wants to privatize all national parks and it's a shame that we may not be able to enjoy this stunning area of the United States much longer. Take the long way during your roadtrip and drive through the Blue Ridge Parkway with the windows down, you will not be disappointed! The fresh air and calming scenery is healing to the soul! There are plenty of overlooks, as well. Take your time, enjoy the ride! read more

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The Blue Ridge Parkway spans several hundred miles long and a good chunk of it was unfortunately closed when we came through due to hurricane damage but we were able to do a few hours on the road from the edge of the Smoky Mountains NP all the way to Asheville and it was GORGEOUS. The open stretch was in higher elevations (hence not impacted by the hurricane) which meant we had some really spectacular views of the mountains and terrain. It really was wonderful. There are a ton of scenic overlooks and a few maintained spots where you can pull over and enjoy a picnic or use the facilities (they're barebones restrooms but they have them) but aside from that amenities are few and far between so be sure to pack some food, drinks, and make sure your tank is full of gas so you can enjoy the views and explore stress free! The only trouble was there wasn't a lot of information available on what we'd find on the parkway (meaning what stretch was closed, what was open, must see overlooks, hiking trails, etc) as the visitors centers were closed and the Smoky Mountain NP visitor center we stopped into didn't have any brochures or maps or anything. Luckily once we got onto the parkway we were able to find a scenic overview with some signage that had a map so we took a picture of that and was helpful. The good news is is that I believe right after our trip they reopened another large stretch of the Parkway northeast for Asheville (which I believe has has all the amazing waterfalls) so we'll have to come back another time to enjoy all those views! read more

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Absolutely one of the best place to drive. Amazing roads and breathtaking view! 469 miles of driving heaven! Love this place! read more

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Great but hurricane did damage it Great area to look out for beautiful mountains Lots of pull off area and ease of travel read more

Took a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway while staying in Asheville for a few days. It's quite beautiful with it's hills and plentiful peaceful scenes. There are lots of areas where you can safely pull to the side of the road to take pictures or just enjoy the view a little longer. There are several trails as well which you can explore the area more. Definitely enjoyed the experience. read more

We were in the Asheville area and a local told us that we needed to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway so we did. We only drove it for about 5 miles but the scenic beauty was definately worth it. There are pull offs along the way for picture taking and to see the true beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and yes...they do look blue! Was glad we took the time to experience America's Favorite Drive. read more

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Beautiful and accessible to most of South Carolina. Great place to take a break from the Summer heat of Charleston and the lower elevations.

I've wanted to ride my motorcycle up the entire distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway for over fifteen years now. I've run portions of it before but never the entire thing. Being from Arizona it just always seemed like something I would do later, so finally I decided it was time to follow through. I took several weeks off so I could start at The Dragon down near Robbinsville and then entered from the south end of the parkway heading north. It took me three days to go the entire distance up the parkway but it was worth every minute of it! The views were amazing obviously, but the sense of being alone is something that takes some getting used to. I would sometimes go for over an hour without seeing another car or bike. It was almost eerie when one would emerge from the fog. And yes, there was definitely fog! At those altitudes the weather is totally unpredictable, so I would have sun for a few hours, fog for an hour, warmth, cold, rain, than sun again. All within a day. What I am trying to say here is if you are on a motorcycle you are going to get cold, wet, hot, etc. so plan for weather. I would also suggest not heading up the Parkway on a motorcycle any later than I did which was the middle of September. At some point shortly after that it'll be just too cold. When I got to the top I realized the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park picked up where the Blue Ridge Parkway ended so I just kept going for another day. I would definitely recommend stopping at the visitor center upon entering the park. I had downloaded the maps and tourist info online through the BlueRidge App, but still didn't find all the info I wanted with regards to exits for gas stations and possible road closures. The people at the information center were able to fill in all those blanks with no problem and were super helpful. This as probably the best ride I've ever done on a motorcycle, and I made sure to take plenty of time out to stop and admire the views. Whether you ride or drive I would say this is something everybody should do at least once. read more

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I mean- it's the Blue Ridge Parkway, wonderful cruising roadway with stunning overlooks, plenty of hiking, side parks, visitor centers, art centers and more! The Folk Art Center is always a must go to. This trip we explored Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Linville Falls, Linn Cove Visitor Center, Moses Cone Manor House & the main Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. Not to mention countless overlooks the numerous times we hopped onto the parkway to enjoy the drive. Tips- check the website for road closures- weather and road work can alter your plans. Take bug spray, sun block, water (WATER) and snacks and wear some comfy shoes for hiking. Don't be like me, hiking in flip flops- lol. I love the mountains, the fresh air- the rainforest smells, waterfalls, rivers, streams and enjoying the local wildlife. This stretch of roadway is just magical. Go explore! read more

We explored a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in early July and thought it was beautiful! We enjoyed the Parkway and appreciated all of the turnouts which allow you to pull off the road to take in the views and also take pictures. The parkway is very curvy at times and has many blind corners which results in a speed limit of 45mph. We were happy that this particular weekend was not super busy and we did not feel rushed or pressured as we explored. Our understanding is that the months of September, October and early November are absolutely gorgeous with the turning of the leaves but that it is very busy during these peak times. We will absolutely be back to continue to explore the area! read more

Gorgeous and easy drive with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Easy access with lots of areas to pull off and take in the views.

We haven't visited the full Blue Ridge Parkway yet. We only drove up a bit of north Asheville and all the way to the South end of the parkway (great smoky mountain park). The visitor center for Great Smoky Mountain is great to visit (I'm glad we stopped there) but from the south end of the parkway until the highest elevation overlook, the road wasn't well maintained like the other part and the scenery wasn't special. From the highest elevation overlook to a bit North of Asheville was beautiful. It would be so awesome in the fall with all the colors. We were all impressed by how well the road was and the sides if the road were taken care of too. It made me feel like I was driving on a driveway to a very rich person house. Stops that I'd recommend visiting while driving on the parkway - Oconaluftee visitor center (Great Smoky Mountain park): they have an outdoor historic stuff that you should check them out. You can refill water (free) and use the restroom room here. - Waterroxk Knob visitor center: if you need a restroom stop. They sell water bottles here ($3/bottle) - Looking Glass waterfall: it's ~9 miles off of the parkway. Super short walk to see the waterfall. - Pisgah Inn: near Mt Pisgah camping ground. They have an epic overlook at the restaurant. It's a great stop to sip your coffee and enjoy the view. 2023 room rates: $250-$300/room for 2 people. (Restroom and free water refill stop) - Folk Art Center: interesting place to visit and view handcrafted arts. You can ask for a free map of the parkway here too. (Restroom and free water refill stop) Tips: - Bring lots of snacks and water if you plan to go for a while because there is no place to refill water and no one selling food. - Use the restroom whenever you can because there aren't many tops with restrooms. read more

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This is a STUNNING drive! This is a MUST if you are in the area. We drove south on the parkway from Asheville to the end of the parkway. Im amazed in how well the parkway is maintained. The roads are so good and they are constantly repairing them. The sides of the roads are mowed and so well cared for you feel like you are driving up a driveway of a mansion. The parkway could seem boring after a while of driving as some of the scenery looks similar. However I recommend that you get out of your car often and go for short hikes, hunt for waterfalls and visit the small towns/lodged along the way. Highly recommend. I'll be back to drive the whole thing one day. read more

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Amazing drive. Awesome views. Nice stops. Lots of history. Really great drive. Must have a bike or manual transmission. read more

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What a beautiful sight to see if you're new to the area! A free, accessible place. I'm coming from AVL (the airport) and it's about a 35 minute drive into the city. Be prepared for winding roads and hidden turns. There are not much signs to read but if you have GPS, I recommend searching up "Tanbark Ridge Overlook." Came here early March and it was still snowing at the top, tiny little snow flakes. You definitely need a car to get up here, it's about a 3k elevation. Roads may still be icy so driving a sedan during the winter is not recommended. You get a great view of Black Mountain too! read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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The Blue Ridge Parkway is my favorite thing about North Carolina. First, it's awesome to drive and stop at all of the overlooks for amazing views. I've driven the portion from Asheville to the Virginia state line and I'd love to drive the rest. There are also tons of great hikes along it. Some that I've done are Rough Ridge, Crabtree Falls, Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell, Mount Pisgah, Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Fields, Sam Knob, and Black Balsam Knob. If you live in the state, this is the perfect weekend trip and if you don't, it's worth a longer trip! read more

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The BRP is something every American should see in their lifetime. Truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

I think I found my favorite destination in the world - it's called the Blue Ridge Parkway. I visited with a few friends last month in Asheville and my only regret is we didn't drop other plans and drive the full length to Virginia. The overlooks are absolutely beautiful and the hikes can be challenging but well worth the views. I highly recommend coming here even if you drive and don't get out of the car - the scenery can to be beat. read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

You want some views?! Check out Blue Ridge Parkway!! If you really wanted to, you could spend an entire week (or more!) just exploring all of the cool places right off the parkway. It is a beautiful, scenic drive and whether you are in a SUV or a motorcycle, you will not be disappointed with the views. There are several pull offs off of the Parkway. I only had time to explore two of them, but the two trails that I got to check out were entirely worth it. If you can, check out craggy pinnacle Trail. It is about 30 minutes east of the visitor center in Asheville. I also loved the frying pan lookout tower. This scenic spot is the other direction, about 30 minutes west of the visitors center in Asheville. Even if you have absolutely no plans to get out and explore, the drive alone is worth it. Did you know that the Blue Ridge Parkway is a national park? Don't forget to stop at the visitors center and get your passport stamped. read more

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Less of a highway and more of a park, the Blue Ridge Parkway runs through North Carolina and Virginia to link the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Shenandoah National Park. Operated by the National Park service, the roadway is bordered by US Forest Service property. 469 miles long and I only drove a little bit of it today from Asheville, up to Mount Mitchell (the highest point east of the Mississippi) and then down to Little Switzerland. The road was in excellent condition during my drive and there are tons and tons of spots to stop for a scenic view. Signage is decent and the road is definitely wide enough for traffic. A stunning piece of engineering, the roadway was constructed from 1936 and completed in 1966. Take your time to drive it. Stop often. Enjoy the journey. [Review 12708 overall, 20 of 2020.] read more

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11/21/19 Breathtaking scenery, magnificent foliage, beautiful nature. I drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway while driving from Virginia to North Carolina. Even though it was out of my way and extra driving it was totally worth it. I'm glad they have a lower speed limits here because the roads are really curvy and you'll want to be able to take in the magnificent scenery. I stopped at an overlook to take photos and enjoy my surroundings. I would avoid this parkway in the dark or the rain.Highly recommend during the day and in good driving conditions. read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Many people told me about this parkway, and on the way to Mt Mitchell, I came on this of course. I caught sunrise on the way, and there were a lot of turnouts to take a stop to look at the view, which was quite pretty! I enjoyed the drive, paved roads and didn't wind too much. Not too many cars either on a weekday morning! Would recommend coming for a drive, lots of hikes scattered around as well. read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful and calming drives...at least for my husband and I! We truly enjoying seeing each of the trees and overpasses. We stopped at several of them to capture a pic and take it alllll in. With that being said, I hate the turns and so does my stomach! We stopped at our favorite places to hike up: Craggy Pinnacle (easy hiking level), Black Balsam Knob (mod to severe hiking level with many inclines), and Tennent Mountain (mod level). The views at each are completely breathtaking! We broke a serious sweat on the Knob because there are some areas up with steep inclines, we loved it! read more

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One of the most spectacular roads in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of this country's true gems. We've driven the length of it (469 miles) once, many years ago, and long to do it again. For now, though, short drives suffice, and on each we find ourselves relishing its beauty, the visual gifts it bestows, the peace of mind and refreshment to the soul. It's an awesome place, no matter where you may pick it up or how long you're on it. We're most familiar with the area between Grandfather Mountain and Cherokee in North Carolina, and there's so much to see and experience just in that area. Stopping in Asheville or Boone offer so much to do, and Hwy 276 from the Parkway down to Brevard is our favorite road ever, heavily shaded, curving along the Davidson River with more attractions including Sliding Rock and The Cradle of Forestry. The Parkway has lots of place to pull over, take a break and relish the vistas. The fall colors are stunning, but hardly less are the rhododendrons and mountain laurel of late spring and the icy fringes of winter (though portions of the Parkway may be closed during the snowiest periods. The speed limit is 45; going faster means you'll miss a bunch. Going a lot slower will annoy everyone behind you. motorcyclists can be annoying, as many of them seem to have little respect for the scenery. There was many picnic areas, so do plan to bring some food and enjoy your time. And there are lots of hiking trails off the Parkway, too. It's a roadway that can and should refresh anyone's spirit. read more

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Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. A bit tricky to drive in the Parkway so go during the day. But absolutely worth it. Stop at the Overlooks. Go in every season. Amazing blue mountians appear yo go on forever in the horizon. read more

We went to the Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend while we were in Asheville North Carolina. I really wish when I get to travel the entire parkway but the roads were closed because of the snow or ice or whatever they had unfortunately. However this place is huge so if the travel up and down and take pictures of the mountains hiking some of the Forest see some of the cool things that they had so we really had a great time and if we go back we will definitely have to travel more of the road read more

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The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD! Seriously. You will never get bored. From the sunset over looks to waterfalls, cliffs to climb and everything in between, I can get lost for hours. Every time I go back I see something new. Even the areas that I've been to countless times always offer something new. I even enjoy the parkway in the winter when its closed. Sure most things are a little harder to get too, but thats what makes it special. Plus, I don't have to battle the crowds. Make sure you pay attention to the closures, they are not always updated online so call the visitor center. And stay on the trails when hiking + please keep your dog on a leash. A lot of people don't realize how harmful it is for the ecosystem to hike off trail. And dogs can hurt the wildlife. The visitor center has a lot of information that is helpful if you don't know hiking etiquette. Hopefully this summer I'll be able to drive the whole thing! read more

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Such a beautiful drive! Definitely recommend just taking a drive along any section of the parkway. There's several spots to stop to take in the scenery along the way. Plenty of road to travel and gorgeous views along the way! read more

The Blue Ridge Parkways is a road across a gorgeous stretch of Virginia and North Carolina. There are tons of small and large cities along the way, and so many viewpoints and hikes. We did not drive the whole thing, but passed by several cities that intersect the Blue Ridge Parkways, and also did a few hikes which start right off the Parkway. In the colder months be sure to check out the road closure information as they can make you change up your plans! read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Mt. Pisgah trail off the BRP - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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What a drive! This is an amazing slice of Western North Carolina. This famous route takes you through the mountains and hills, past great forests, babbling brooks and probably Bigfoot. This really is more like a drive through a giant park instead of a typical parkway. There aren't gas stations or billboards every few miles. It's mostly untouched wilderness and the occasional spot to pull over and take in the view. Gasp- magnificent! My favorite thing about driving through here was all the tunnels. Be sure to honk when driving through them for safety. Why is it that you drive on a parkway, and park on a driveway? read more

The best scenic highway on the eastern seaboard! We drove it from Little Switzerland to the Southern entrance at The Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Cherokee, which is about 1/3 of its entire distance. Make sure you are making the drive with clear skies or you defeat the purpose. We were blessed to have perfect weather. read more

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Wow! Just wow! I'd give this drive more than five stars if Yelp would let me. The parkway goes from Virginia down through North Carolina and ends at the Great Smoky National Park. It has to be the most beautiful drive anywhere. It is simply breathtaking! read more

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It's quite a magisterial road, and the Asheville area portion holds plenty of nice sights within an easy day trip of the town. It's windy, but overall a reasonably smooth road in my experience, and with guardrails (which doesn't sound that special until you've tried driving in New Zealand). There are many tunnels, and numerous overlooks and trails at which to stop. During nice weather, it's quite busy, but there's plenty of countryside and you can just keep driving until you find something. And it's all free, other than the gas you should fill up on before you start. Go out and explore! read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Fall is always prettier on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For peak fall foliage, check Asheville's Fall Foliage Forecast website. The website forecasts when the leaves will be at peak color, which is helpful for determining when might be the best time to visit to see the leaves. The farther north on the parkway you go, the more secluded the overlooks become. My favorite overlook was around mile marker 250, which is just past an apple orchard. Some of the best views were at that overlook! read more

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A beautiful drive winding through the mountains The Blueridge parkway is a 469-mile road that travels through the Great smoky mountains. It was designed to connect Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park during President Roosevelt's era in 1935. It was finally completed in 1987. Most of the route is windy 2-lane road at various elevations with about 1/2 of the route in North Carolina and 1/2 in Virginia. Many parts of the road are at higher elevations so driving conditions may be challenging due to limited visibility or changing weather. There is no fee to use the parkway. There are numerous sights and pullouts for you throughout the park. The speed limit is mostly below 45 miles per hour and quite often lower than this. There is something for everybody along the trail from waterfalls to hikes to panoramic vistas. I would recommend that if you want to see the entire trail, you should take vacations and see parts of it on different trips. I highly recommend that you plan your trips on the parkway with the weather in mind so that you can get the best experience. I have taken some beautiful pictures above the clouds from several of the pull-offs. Overall, it is a great path to enjoy the mountain scenery and views. Enjoy! read more

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The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 460 miles through Virginia and North Carolina across the tops of the series of Blue Ridge Mountains, which form part of the Appalachian Mountain line. We drove it from Boone, NC to Cherokee, NC. Most of the road is very, very narrow, extremely winding, many times traversing steep climbs or drops requiring 20 mph slow driving, but the many pull-offs offer spectacular views. I will caution you that many folks I've talked with including us have experienced motion sickness traversing many of those winding roads. In addition, Internet service is marginal in many places, and some areas have no cell service. Having said all of that: every pull off is more spectacular than the last one; it's simply something I'm so glad that we chose to do. I attached a picture of Sue who crawled up the lip of Blowing Rock to get a picture of the vast views there. read more

Blue Ridge Parkway - Sue taking pictures from the top of Blowing Rock. - Parks Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

So. Flipping. Gorgeous!! We actually hopped on the Parkway in order to take me to the peak of Mount Mitchell. Because I *nearly* made it to the top during our hike of the mountain....but in the words of the great philosopher of our time, Brandy...."Almost doesn't count." Anyway, after getting some helpful directions on how to find the entrance to the park and the peak (because...there is very little cell service in the area) we found our way to an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. And then we were surrounded and overwhelmed by the spectacular beauty of the mountains! We stopped at the first two scenic overlook points and just stood agog and the magnificent views! Because we had other things to do that day, we made a concentrated effort to only stop at ONE MORE overlook, visit the Mount Mitchell summit, and then head back to Asheville. But we DID decide that we were going to take the Parkway ALL THE WAY back to Asheville. It wasn't how our GPS got us there, but once we were on it we wanted to enjoy it! And we would have had to double back quite a bit to get to the closest exit in order to get to a highway.... Sure, the Blue Ridge Parkway is twisty and turny, up and down-y, so the speed limit is lower and people drive slower. But if you have the time to spend, it is absolutely worth it to jump on, at least for a little while! It was so gorgeous, I am currently trying to map out a potential road trip driving and camping along the whole of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's just...so pretty, y'all. Be patient, be kind, be friendly, be safe. And enjoy! read more

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This is a gorgeous highway winding through the mountains in North Carolina and Virginia. This drive can take all day though about 500 miles of gorgeous views and magical nature. Along the road are walking trails and pull off points to take pictures. The road wraps around the mountain ranges so take your time and savor the views. The elevation is around 3000 to 5000 feet with swooping views of the mountain ranges. Every season is spectacular with fall foliage season exploding like a vivid painting. I learned to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway when I was 15 years old (many moons ago!) on the way to a family reunion in West Virginia . This parkway is one of the most spectacular drives in America! read more

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When it comes to the Blue Ridge Parkway, there's nothing else like it -- 469 miles through the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Virginia. As a kid, I thought the drive was boring. As an adult, I see now why my parents back then liked it. It's a beautiful drive with a lot to see and do, especially if you like hiking, nature, and the outdoors. Most visitors have only scratched the surface when it comes to all the parkway has to offer. My adult experience with the parkway centers around Asheville. If you're in the Asheville area, interested in visiting the parkway, and don't know where to start, I recommend heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at 195 Hemphill Knob Road in Asheville: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-ridge-parkway-visitors-center-asheville. The visitor center is staffed with helpful and knowledgeable people that know the parkway inside out. They have maps and other travel information such as visitor center closures (some aren't open year-round), road closures, and expected weather and traffic conditions. During the wintertime, stretches of the parkway close and open frequently so it's best to check for closures before you hit the road. The best map I've found for the parkway is from the National Park Service (NPS): https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=e212fcb5-4ff9-4787-bbe4-3d40cc0d0daa#8/36.767/-81.098. Not only does the NPS map show you real-time road closures, but it also has pins for every visitor center (and their hours), store, picnic area, campground, overlook, tunnel, and more. It's incredibly useful. Keep in mind cell service can be spotty throughout the mountains. Therefore, you should consider picking up and bringing an old-fashioned paper map just in case. On my recent trip to the parkway, I seemed to do fine with Waze (T-Mobile), but I only went as far as Craggy Gardens (https://www.yelp.com/biz/craggy-gardens-black-mountain-77) which is about a 40-minute (20-mile) drive northeast from downtown Asheville. The best and most popular time to visit the parkway is in the fall when the leaves change color. This is usually mid-to-late October, but many factors affect the color-change including elevation (the leaves at higher elevations change color first) and weather. Spring is a great time to visit as well because flowers come into bloom. For example, the best time to visit the aforementioned Craggy Gardens is in June when the pink and purple Catawba rhododendron blossoms are at their peak. But really, there is no "bad" time to visit the parkway. Aside from road closures, even in the dead of winter, the mountain ranges still look amazing and magnificent. And one advantage to going when it's cold -- little to no traffic. In the spring and fall, you'll need to have more patience on the road. Plus, in the winter, there are cool visuals thanks to the ice and rime. The most popular attraction on the parkway is the Folk Art Center (https://www.yelp.com/biz/folk-art-center-asheville) at milepost 382. This is on a more developed section of the parkway on the east side of Asheville. The Folk Art Center is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features a craft shop, art galleries, an auditorium, bookstore, library, live craft demonstrations (seasonal), and a parkway souvenir shop and information desk. If you're into arts and crafts, you'll appreciate it. If you're not into arts and crafts, you can skip it. If you need ideas on what to see and do, I recommend checking out RomanticAsheville.com's free comprehensive online guide: https://www.romanticasheville.com/BlueRidgeParkway.htm. It's chock-full of excellent information on the parkway's 175-mile stretch in North Carolina. Finally, before heading out, be sure you have enough gas, food and water (bring some with you), are dressed appropriately (at higher elevations, temperatures can be 20+ degrees Fahrenheit cooler compared to Asheville), and know where your restroom options are (remember, some visitor centers are only open seasonally). read more

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Nice sightseeing area would definitely recommend especially if riding a motorcycle, spring summer time or fall .