The ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear parkway. It extends for an impressive 469 miles connecting Rockfish Gap, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina. A Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is known for being abundant in breathtaking scenery along with outdoor recreation opportunities without tolls or entrance fees! The road also links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the North Carolina and Tennessee border. This opens up even more opportunities for top-tier adventuring.

Though driving non stop on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is doable and ripe with scenery, you’ll want to take your time exploring several of the gems planted along the way. Read on for more information on hikes, attractions, national parks, and bites to eat along a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip and discover what all the hype is about!

Mabry Mill

Located in Meadows of Dan, Virginia, Mabry Hill is an incredible spot to stop, explore, and take photos along your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. Mabry Mill is a historic mill that was built in the early 1900s that is still in operation today! It is set in a dreamy landscape, making it one of the most photographed stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just note that you likely won’t be the only one admiring the view. The backdrop becomes especially magical in the Fall when the trees are adorned with bright autumn colors. Aside from the scenery, Marby Mill is a great road trip rest stop since you’ll find bathrooms, a gift shop selling cornmeal and buckwheat flour ground on-site, and a restaurant (open daily from May 1st - November 1st) to quiet your hunger from all your exploring.

Linville Falls

Distance: 0.98 miles
Elevation gain: 177 ft
Type: Out-and-back

The hike to Linville Falls in Newland, North Carolina is easily accessed along a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. It’s a relatively quick trek to a 90 foot waterfall starting at the Linville Falls Visitor Center that makes for a stunning photo opportunity. If you’re not quite ready to head back to the car after soaking in the sights, continue exploring along the additional four miles of trails around the area. Grab a map from the visitor center before setting off so you can gain a better idea of the whole trail system. Pack a meal to enjoy at one of the picnic spots or flat rocks by the creek for some mid-adventuring fuel and relaxation. 

Blue Ridge Bucha

In Waynesboro, Virginia, you’ll find Virginia’s first full service kombucha brewery and taproom with eight draft lines of certified organic kombucha and available tastings. For those unfamiliar with this beverage, Kombucha is a naturally carbonated, fermented tea high in probiotics, known to benefit the digestive system. Choose from delicious flavors like wild pear, jasmine grape, and elderflower sunrise for a refreshing relief.

Blue Ridge Bucha is a family run business with the mission of sustainability at their core, practicing “green” measures whenever possible. The taproom has an inviting atmosphere for the whole family and includes a charming outdoor patio and kids play area.

Blue Ridge Music Center

If you love bluegrass, blues, or Americana music, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead and check for live performances held at this impressive venue known for its midday mountain music sessions (free of cost!) near Galax, Virginia. 

Beyond fantastic performances, the Roots of American Music Museum will take you through the musical and cultural history of traditional American music. Think strums of a banjo or the sweet harmonious tunes of a fiddle. The music center typically opens in early May and closes the last weekend of October. The hiking trails accessed from the center, however, are open year round. Check for both free and ticketed events here and get ready to dance!

Craggy Pinnacle Trail

Distance: 1.03 miles
Elevation gain: 285 ft
Type: Out-and-back

Just a short 30 minute drive from downtown Asheville, North Carolina, Craggy Pinnacle Trail is an idyllic Blue Ridge Parkway adventure featuring 360 degree views of the gorgeous mountainous terrain. This roughly one mile hike explodes with color when the rhododendrons are in bloom in the warmer months and is also especially enchanting during sunrise and sunset. Morning mist, creating a mystical effect, can make for fantastic photo opportunities too. There’s no question that the summit views are a big reward for this shorter trek.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

For a unique casual farm market experience, be sure to stop by Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, North Carolina. Here you’ll find a farm store filled with goodies, fruit, farm fresh eggs, and farm raised beef, pork, and poultry. Hickory Nut Gap Farm prides itself on using regenerative agriculture and ethical animal welfare practices to produce high quality meats with high quality flavor. 

The farm store is now open Wednesday-Friday from 12pm-5pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Check the website for updates on fun farm events!

Green Knob Fire Tower

Distance: 0.76 miles
Elevation gain: 292 ft
Type: Out-and-back

This quick hike in the thick of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Old Fort, North Carolina leads to a fire tower lookout with exquisite panoramic views. At the top, you’ll be rewarded by the glorious sights of Mt. Mitchell, Craggy Mountains, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and the Blue Ridge Parkway below. The path to the fire tower is lightly traveled and not very well marked– be aware of your surroundings while taking in the beauty of the lush terrain. The view from the top is priceless and a great photo opportunity. And since the Green Knob fire tower isn’t clearly visible while driving along on your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, it’s not typically crowded. This means you can imagine this gem as your very own slice of Blue Ridge heaven!

Folk Art Center

Art lovers need to make this stop along a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip! The Folk Art Center in Asheville, North Carolina is the oldest craft shop in America showcasing traditional and modern Appalachian crafts from local artists. From home furnishings to accessories, there’s a lot to see! Over 250 works from the last century are featured in the galleries and there are many different educational events and craft demonstrations going on at this historic venue.

After browsing and potentially purchasing some unique new art, explore the hiking trail on the property or check out the easily accessed Mountain-to-Sea Trail from the center.

Shenandoah National Park

Located in the state of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park runs alongside the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, the central point of this road trip. This park boasts a range of landscapes and natural attractions from wetlands to waterfalls, forests, and rocky mountain peaks. Shenandoah National Park is also home to over a hundred miles of the famous Appalachian Trail. Be on the lookout for thru hikers, various bird species, and black bears.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

At the border of North Carolina and Tennessee lies 520,000 acres of America’s most visited National Park. It’s an outdoor enthusiast's dream as there’s absolutely no shortage of waterfalls, wooded trails, mountain vistas, valleys, and abundant wildlife. 

Wake up early to witness the low hanging fog eluded to in the park’s name that truly emits a magical aura. Read more here for adventures and places to eat in and near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Pisgah Inn

Right along this Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is the Pisgah Inn in Canton, North Carolina. The inn is open seasonally from April 1st to October 31st and is a comfortable accommodation for visitors as well as a place to stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Located in a serene setting overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, this is the definition of dinner with a view as large windows surround the main dining room. The chefs at the inn prepare daily specials with delicious items including Sorrell’s Creek Farm Whole Mountain Trout, Braised St. Louis Style Ribs, and Southern Corn Fritters. Reservations are recommended. If you want something a bit more casual, The Grazing Deer Cafe is another dining option that offers a decent selection of grab and go foods and beverages for a quick bite, which you can enjoy outside at one of the picnic tables.

Related Reading

Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way to Asheville, NC

Part I: Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville- North

Part II: Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville- South

Cover photo: Mitchell Kmetz