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Mountain Adventures
Grandfather Mountain
One mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305.
Grandfather Mountain is popular for its mile-high pedestrian Suspension Bridge (also called "Swinging Bridge").
Various Hiking Trails inside the park.
Admission fee required to enter park.
An area next to the Nature Discovery Center allows visitors to observe animals such as bears, otters, elks etc in their habitats.
Beech Mountain
This Mountain Town at 5,506' is considered the highest town in Eastern America.
Highlights:
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Ski resort
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Trails of Beech Mountain
Scenic Lift Rides, Hiking, Mountain biking, Snowshoeing, Bird-watching etc
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Land of Oz - theme park
and much more
Sugar Mountain
Ski Resort near Banner Elk, NC.
Ski Lift, Skiing, Mountain Biking
Blowing Rock
A small, picturesque mountain resort village along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mileposts 293 & 295. filled with art studios and galleries, boutiques and eateries amidst gardens and green spaces. This tourist center surrounded by various opportunities for outdoor adventures including nearby winter ski areas.
Pilot Mountain State Park
About 20 miles northwest of Winston-Salem & 10 miles south of Mt. Airy, NC
Various Hiking Trails
Chimney Rock Park
25 miles southeast of Asheville
315 feet granite monolith which is over 500 million years old, with an American flag blowing atop allows for panoramic views when standing atop.
Accessible with an elevator built inside the mountain.
Park also offers hiking trails and waterfalls such as the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls.
Biltmore Estate
Near the arty mountain town of Asheville, NC is the Biltmore Estate, America's largest private home. Built in 1895 for shipping and railroad heir George Washington Vanderbuilt II.
The gorgeous century-old grounds and gardens and the house can be toured with admission tickets.
Antler Hill Village on the estate features wine tasting from the estates own winery and restaurants.
Mount Mitchell State Park
With 6,684', Mt Mitchell is the highest point in Eastern North America.
About 35 miles northeast of Asheville, NC
Observation deck on top of the mountain for beautiful views
Fall Colors
Experience beautiful scenery when the leaves change their colors in the fall.
Beautiful views from mountain tops, various trails, or perhaps a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway?
New River Gorge Bridge
Just north of Fayetteville,
West Virginia
Iconic steel arch bridge
one of the longest & highest in the world.
Glade Creek Grist Mill
This gristmill sits on a waterfall in Babcock, West Virginia.
The mill was completed in 1976 and is fully functioning today and used to grind corn. Parts of three older nearby mills contributed to its construction.
Mabry Mill
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 176
Mabry Mill is a restored historic gristmill and sawmill.
Walking around the grounds, enjoy the cultural history demonstrations by park rangers. Blacksmith shop.
Old time live music.
Restaurant & Giftshop
Moses Cone Memorial Park
Located at Milepost 294 Blue Ridge Parkway
near Blowing Rock
Former Estate of Moses & Bertha Cone
Cone Manor
Beautiful trails for Hiking as well as Horseback Riding
Lakes
Blue Ridge Parkway
Scenic Highway from Virginia to North Carolina & Tennessee
The 469-mile highway offers beautiful views and overlooks as well as stops along the way of featuring significant natural, cultural, and historic sites.
Some Highlights
Linn Cove Viaduct - MP 304
Grandfather Mountain - MP 305.1
Linnville Falls - MP 316
Moses Cone Memorial Park - MP
Biltmore Estate - MP 388.8
Sunsets & Star Gazing
Away from city lights and on a clear night, one can lose oneself among the stars in the sky.
Maybe a stargazing trip to the mountains during meteor showers like the Perseids?
Vineyards & Wineries
North Carolina has many Vineyards & Wineries.
Many offer wine tastings and tours.
Most have beautiful indoor/outdoor sitting areas. Most offer snack food but you can bring your own picnic. Some vineyards have restaurants, others occasional food trucks.
Waterfalls
The mountains have lots of waterfalls to offer. Many are easily accessible, others more hidden and require a bit of a hike.
Examples:
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Hickory Nut Falls
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Linville Falls - MP 316
Linville Falls
The Linville Falls are one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's top destinations. Located at Milepost 316.
The Linville River, known by the Cherokee as "Eeseeoh" or "river of cliffs", flows and cascades its way from Grandfather Mountain into the gorge ...
Natural Bridge
The 215-foot tall, natural arch has a span of about 90 feet. This geological formation is the main attraction of the Natural Bridge State Park which isocated near Lexington, Virginia.
The state park has several trails including a beautiful trail from the Natural Bridge along the creek towards a beautiful waterfall.
Peaks of Otter
Three mountain peeks along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia
Hiking along various trails
Lake in the valley between the peaks
Restaurant, Lodge
Winery & Orchard
Asheville, NC
Mountain city in Western North Carolina right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The thriving downtown invites with shops, boutiques, studios as well as lots of food choices among the different eateries, breweries. Asheville is also known for its art and music scene which one can get a glimpse of in the River Arts District.
The city provides easy access to the surrounding mountains. The Biltmore Estate is close by.
Lexington, VA
Small charming Southern university town in Virginia, not far from Natural Bridge.
Explore by foot or take a tour in horse-drawn carriage.
Highlights:
Historic Downtown & Residential District
Washington & Lee University
Virginia Military Institute - maybe catch a football game
Shops, Restaurants
Mount Airy, NC
Small walkable town in NC.
It is mostly known for its connection with the
Andy Griffith Show.
Mt Airy is the inspiration for the fictional town of "Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Tv show.
West Jefferson, NC
Small mountain town, 20 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Highlights: Mainstreet with restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
Banner Elk, NC
A small mountain town in between two ski resorts: Sugar mountain and Beech Mountain. Grandfather Mountain with its swinging bridge is also not far.
Various Restaurants
Land of Oz
Autumn at Oz Festival
Located on Beech Mountain, NC,
this theme park opens its doors for three weekends in September for the Autumn at Oz Festival
based on the "Wonderful World of Oz" book and the "The Wizard of Oz" movie.
Interacting with the characters, you are immersed in the journey that takes you from Kansas through the twister and along the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wizard. Simply beautiful scenery.
Carolina Balloon Fest
In Statesville, NC
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