The Blue Ridge Parkway winds from the Shenandoah National Park south to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, winding through some of the most beautiful scenery in Virginia and North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Parkway has been designated an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration. An All-American Road is one that “possesses multiple qualities that are nationally significant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere.” The road must also “provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along highway a primary reason for their trip.” Only a few miles into your trip along the Parkway, you will understand how it came to receive such an honor. As the Parkway winds through miles of natural habitats and historic areas, and panoramic views open up to you, you will agree that the Blue Ridge Parkway is indeed a destination unto itself.
As you travel the Parkway, you will find a wide variety of attractions; some located on the Parkway and others located just a few miles away in the neighboring communities. Banner Elk, North Carolina (located just off the Parkway near MILE POST 305) offers many attractions and diversions for those traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
One of the more breathtaking sights along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct. The Viaduct wraps around Linn Cove on the side of Grandfather Mountain and was the last section of the Parkway to be finished. The Viaduct is one of the most complicated concrete bridges ever built, as it was designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible. There is a Visitor’s Center at the Viaduct with a trail that gives visitors a beautiful view of the Viaduct. (This trail is handicapped accessible.)
Just a mile from milepost 305, you’ll find Grandfather Mountain. It’s the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers spectacular views, several hiking trails, a museum and natural habitats for bears, otters, eagles, cougars and deer. If you view the mountain from Hwy 105, you’ll see where the mountain gets its name – along the profile of the ridge, you’ll see the old man, “Grandfather.” Local legend says that he laid down on the ridge of the mountain to rest, fell asleep and laid there so long that he became part of the mountain. There are also many legends about the mountain in the local Cherokee lore that designate the mountain as a passage to the underworld. The mountain is privately owned, and it is interesting to note that the present owner’s father, Hugh Morton was largely responsible for the Linn Cove Viaduct. It was Hugh Morton’s dedication to protecting the environment on his beloved mountain that produced the Viaduct – one of the environmentally-friendly bridges in existence.
Another attraction you will find just off the Parkway is the Old Hampton Store in Linville North Carolina. The Old Hampton Store began operating around 1920. Here you will find the old fashioned general store and grist mill. (They make their own cornmeal, grits and buckwheat pancake mix! Yummy!) Stop by and enjoy some of the best BBQ in the High Country, served on homemade sourdough bread! Next door is an art gallery, featuring southern folk art, pottery, wood carving, blacksmithing, weaving, blown glass and jewelry. Great old timey family fun!
At the top of Beech Mountain, you will find Fred’s General Mercantile. With a little bit of everything, from groceries to hiking boot and ski rentals, Fred’s proudly boasts, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!” Fred’s is a true general store experience, with everything from groceries to hardware to clothing. Make your trip to Beech Mountain complete by stopping at Fred’s.
For a day of outdoor family fun, try visiting Coffey Lake and Buckeye Lake. There are great places for fishing, walking trails, picnic areas and wonderful views. And don’t forget to stop by Fred’s Mercantile to pick up your license and equipment!
The Weaving Room in Crossnore is an excellent chance to watch the mountain tradition of weaving in action. You can also visit the craft shop and the Blair Fraley Thrift Store. These are all located on the campus of Crossnore school in Crossnore.
Linville Caverns gives you the opportunity to take a guided tour through caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites and watch the trout swim through streams running below the caverns. The Caverns are open year round and are very family friendly. (Remember that if you have children under the age of two, the tunnels are not stroller-friendly.) Don’t forget to visit the gift shop containing souvenirs, local pottery and rock specimens.
The Brown Mountain Lights are a mystery that no one has ever been able to fully explain. The yellow, red or bluish-white lights appear over Brown Mountain in all seasons. There are many legends to explain the mystery of the lights. One of the more enduring stories is that after a clash between the Cherokee and Catawba, several wives went up on the mountain to search for their missing husbands. The legend says that the lights are the torches of those wives as they continue to search for their lost loves. Locals say that while the lights can be visible year-round, the best chance of seeing the lights is on a fall night just after a good rain. There are several overlooks to view the lights: an overlook on NC 181 near Jonas Ridge, Lost Cove Overlook on milepost 310 and Thunder Hill Overlook on milepost 290.
And of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway has access to countless hiking trails, many of which offer breathtaking views of local waterfalls.
As you travel the Parkway, you will find a wide variety of attractions; some located on the Parkway and others located just a few miles away in the neighboring communities. Banner Elk, North Carolina (located just off the Parkway near MILE POST 305) offers many attractions and diversions for those traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway.
One of the more breathtaking sights along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct. The Viaduct wraps around Linn Cove on the side of Grandfather Mountain and was the last section of the Parkway to be finished. The Viaduct is one of the most complicated concrete bridges ever built, as it was designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible. There is a Visitor’s Center at the Viaduct with a trail that gives visitors a beautiful view of the Viaduct. (This trail is handicapped accessible.)
Just a mile from milepost 305, you’ll find Grandfather Mountain. It’s the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers spectacular views, several hiking trails, a museum and natural habitats for bears, otters, eagles, cougars and deer. If you view the mountain from Hwy 105, you’ll see where the mountain gets its name – along the profile of the ridge, you’ll see the old man, “Grandfather.” Local legend says that he laid down on the ridge of the mountain to rest, fell asleep and laid there so long that he became part of the mountain. There are also many legends about the mountain in the local Cherokee lore that designate the mountain as a passage to the underworld. The mountain is privately owned, and it is interesting to note that the present owner’s father, Hugh Morton was largely responsible for the Linn Cove Viaduct. It was Hugh Morton’s dedication to protecting the environment on his beloved mountain that produced the Viaduct – one of the environmentally-friendly bridges in existence.
Another attraction you will find just off the Parkway is the Old Hampton Store in Linville North Carolina. The Old Hampton Store began operating around 1920. Here you will find the old fashioned general store and grist mill. (They make their own cornmeal, grits and buckwheat pancake mix! Yummy!) Stop by and enjoy some of the best BBQ in the High Country, served on homemade sourdough bread! Next door is an art gallery, featuring southern folk art, pottery, wood carving, blacksmithing, weaving, blown glass and jewelry. Great old timey family fun!
At the top of Beech Mountain, you will find Fred’s General Mercantile. With a little bit of everything, from groceries to hiking boot and ski rentals, Fred’s proudly boasts, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it!” Fred’s is a true general store experience, with everything from groceries to hardware to clothing. Make your trip to Beech Mountain complete by stopping at Fred’s.
For a day of outdoor family fun, try visiting Coffey Lake and Buckeye Lake. There are great places for fishing, walking trails, picnic areas and wonderful views. And don’t forget to stop by Fred’s Mercantile to pick up your license and equipment!
The Weaving Room in Crossnore is an excellent chance to watch the mountain tradition of weaving in action. You can also visit the craft shop and the Blair Fraley Thrift Store. These are all located on the campus of Crossnore school in Crossnore.
Linville Caverns gives you the opportunity to take a guided tour through caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites and watch the trout swim through streams running below the caverns. The Caverns are open year round and are very family friendly. (Remember that if you have children under the age of two, the tunnels are not stroller-friendly.) Don’t forget to visit the gift shop containing souvenirs, local pottery and rock specimens.
The Brown Mountain Lights are a mystery that no one has ever been able to fully explain. The yellow, red or bluish-white lights appear over Brown Mountain in all seasons. There are many legends to explain the mystery of the lights. One of the more enduring stories is that after a clash between the Cherokee and Catawba, several wives went up on the mountain to search for their missing husbands. The legend says that the lights are the torches of those wives as they continue to search for their lost loves. Locals say that while the lights can be visible year-round, the best chance of seeing the lights is on a fall night just after a good rain. There are several overlooks to view the lights: an overlook on NC 181 near Jonas Ridge, Lost Cove Overlook on milepost 310 and Thunder Hill Overlook on milepost 290.
And of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway has access to countless hiking trails, many of which offer breathtaking views of local waterfalls.
Call A and W Mountain Rentals today to reserve your Blue Ridge Parkway vacation home! (828)898-9188 Or click here to visit our website, where you can browse through all our rental properties and even search by amenities!
