Blue Ridge Parkway — Attraction in Asheville

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...

Gorgeous views all along. Not a ton of parking at some of the overlooks but plenty of places to pull off and park safely to enjoy the views or hike. Please pay attention to speed limits- it is 35 near the Visitor Center and Folk Art Center and in very curvy spots. A couple tips: -If it's your first time and you want to take it slow, cool; please do not stop anywhere on the road. I guarantee if you see a perfect view there will be a place to pull off and take pictures soon enough. -If you're going under the limit and you see a car/cars behind you, t's polite to pull off to let others pass. -Cyclists share the road and there's no lane and rarely a big shoulder. Just slow down and cross the middle line only on a straightaway. Be VERY careful when passing. -You might see bears, especially in higher elevations and thicker forest areas away from town. Please do not disturb, and do not try to coax for pictures and videos, etc. It's dangerous for everyone. That goes for any wildlife. -Bring a picnic and enjoy one of the overlooks. CLEAN UP everything, please. -EV owners: this is a fun drive for watching your...

Cant beat the blue ridge. Hiking trails are all over. A book helps but not even needed. Just pull off where there is a car or two and chances are its a trail or two. Its cooler in the summer and nice to go and stay cool on a hot day. Go to the pisgah inn for lunch (only open in summer) or dinner, you may and should get reservations but waitng is not bad either. The back overlooks mountains. Chairs for the public could make you fall asleep, but wait, you havent eaten yet. There is an expensive little store selling a bit of everything. The disk looking thing they gave you goes off means your seat is ready. Dining area has very nice view with glass walls on two sides. Blue ridge is well maintained by federal rangers i believe. Many different hikes including water falls. Sliding rock provides sliding down natural stone slide with rushing water into a large pool. Visitor centers with shops and activities litter the blue ridge. The drive is very close to the upper ridge of the mountains. Goes through many tunnels through the mountains and kids can have fun through these....