Many people road trip to get to a destination, but there are some roads that are destinations themselves, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of those roads. The 469-mile ribbon of pavement winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains linking Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Parkway, not only takes travelers through some of the prettiest natural scenery the United States has to offer, but the route is also home to charming small towns, historic hotels, parks, wineries, trails, lodges, and other attractions. While you can drive the route in about twelve hours straight through, I suggest giving yourself a full week to really enjoy the drive and to take in all that this amazing road trip has to offer. Most of the businesses do close for the winter, this is a trip for April-October, and no matter what time of year you go the Parkway offers amazing views.
I like to start from the North so once the trip is wrapped up I can keep heading south back home to Texas, but you can enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway in either direction, BlueRidgeParkway.org is a great tool for planning your trip and offer a very helpful interactive map that includes lodging, attractions, tours, and other visitor information.
I suggest taking it easy and enjoying the many scenic outlooks and views along the Parkway as you drive through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. If you are a wine lover 12 Ridges Tasting Room and Vineyard is a short drive and a great stop for a light lunch. Plan on stopping earlier in the day as you'll want to spend some time in Roanoke to take in the museums and history. I enjoy the Peaks of Otter Lodge which is a beautiful resort and offers a relaxed setting. Take breakfast at the lodge or drive the 45 minutes into Roanoke for a bite.
The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke is with a visit and features an amazing collection of cars, trains, planes, and interactive displays. The Harrison Museum of African American Culture is also a must-visit while in Roanoke and hosts an annual street festival in September. If you have time the Roanoke Pinball Museum is also a fun stop and yes, you can play most of the machines. If outdoor activities are more your speed there are over 60 trailheads along this stretch of the Parkway the Roanoke River Loop and Roanoke Mountian Loop are popular day hikes.
Pushing on south towards Hog Mountain where Chateau Morrisette Winery & Restaurant makes an ideal lunch stop if you are a fan of the arts just down the road is Granatelli Pottery where Silvie Granatelli crafts unique tableware and fine art. Mabry Mill is and its on-site restaurant is another great lunch stop set against the backdrop of the picturesque historic mill. For the night head down the road to Blue Ridge Manor Bed and Breakfast, the idyllic property owned by Dave and Darlene Juliana is a hidden jewel tucked away just off the parkway.
The next morning plan a stop at the Mountain Star Gallery, home to an amazing collection of local wares produced by local artists, including pottery, jewelry, and custom knives. Enjoy the last of your drive through Virginia because you will be eating lunch in North Carolina. Thistle Meadow Winery is the first winery you will come to in North Carolina and are known for their award-winning small-batch wines. The first place to stop for lunch that will have options is the town of Blowing Rock, named for the vista over John's River Gorge where the prevailing winds create an updraft that has drawn crowds for decades. The city also offers a lot of attractions like the Mystery Hill, Zipline adventure parks, and the Tweetsie Railroad plus the city is home to great hotels like the Hemlock Inn, or Swiss Mountian Village. Just down the road is The Pedalin Pig BBQ, this is a required stop any time I am within driving distance, order the pulled pork and banana pudding and you will understand why.
Heading south, a great stop is Linville Caverns, the caverns have been a tourist attraction since 1937 and are the only caverns that can be toured along the parkway, the tour is just 30-minutes, but check their website as their hours are seasonal. If you have children along for the trip, the Gem Mountian Mine is a fun experience that includes hiking and the chance to mine for actual gemstones. Reservations are required and the mine trips do take 4-5 hours including the hike. They also have artisans on staff making unique jewelry from the locally sourced gemstones. For lunch, along this stretch of the Parkway, the Switzerland Cafe is a go-to serving regional favorites, they are known for the Applewood Smoked Trout and offer picnic items to go if you want to eat on the road or stop at one of the many picnic grounds along the way. For the night I recommend stopping in Asheville which is full of top hotels and resorts.
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