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Route: Charlottesville, Virginia, to Asheville, North Carolina
Estimated Distance: 350 miles
Total Drive Time: 5.5 hours
The 469-mile stretch of road known as the Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Blue Ridge portion of the Appalachian Mountains, is regularly cited as one of America’s most picturesque drives, and it’s easy to see why. The entire roadway could be considered one big scenic overlook. While it’s a particularly popular spot for leaf-peeping in the fall, summer offers its own delights; plan an early warm-weather trek and you’ll likely catch the tail end of wildflower season, where rhododendrons and azaleas abound. And the lower speed limits (usually 45 mph or under) mean you won’t miss a thing. The open road is the journey on this drive.
Starting Point: Charlottesville, VA
Though Charlottesville, Virginia, is not officially part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s a great place to prepare for the journey ahead. It’s always been known as a college town, but the University of Virginia’s hometown has grown up. It still understands the importance of its past, however. Among its many venerable historic sites are Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home and gardens; The Paramount, a landmark 1931 theater that hosts movie screenings and live theatrical performances; and Michie Tavern, a more than 200-year-old public house that serves hearty Southern-style dishes.
Second Stop: Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is the official beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the next stop on your agenda. The park features 200,000 acres of protected land, thousands of animal species (including white-tailed deer and black bears), and breathtaking topography, from vistas to waterfalls. Skyline Drive is the park’s only public road, with a whopping 75 overlooks in its 105 miles.
Before gearing up for the long haul, pop into the Blue Mountain Restaurant and Brewery in Afton, Virginia, a popular brewpub boasting above-average pub fare (nachos, wings, burgers, and pizza), the area’s original local craft beer, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Get a preview of the next several hundred miles at Humpback Rocks, at Milepost 5.8, an enormous rock outcrop that served as a landmark for wagon trains in the 1840s. The 3,000-acre property keeps the past alive with its Outdoor Farm Museum, where basket-weaving demonstrations are regular occurrences.
You’ll take a slight detour at Milepost 61.6 to see The Natural Bridge, a geological limestone formation that forms a 215-foot-tall arch that’s been cited as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and designated a National Historic Landmark.
Summer is the best time to get the full experience of Mabry Mill, a restored gristmill/blacksmith shop at Milepost 176, which happens to be one of the Parkway’s most photographed sights. The summer calendar is jam-packed with events, from live music to milling and blacksmithing demonstrations. Fortunately for you, there’s also a restaurant on-site that focuses on Southern-style cuisine like fried green tomato, pimento cheese, and bacon sandwiches. Also offering a taste of Southern hospitality is the nearby Poor Farmer’s Market, an old-fashioned farm stand, country store, and community gathering place where you can stock up on goodies for the rest of the drive.
If the music on your car radio is getting a bit repetitive, pull off at Milepost 213, near Galax, and see what’s happening at the Blue Ridge Music Center. Founded in 1977, the venue—which includes an outdoor amphitheater, indoor theater, and small museum—pays particular interest to local artists with evening concerts and midday mountain music sessions.
Just a few miles farther down the road, you’ll cross over into North Carolina, the favorite part of the trip for some veteran motorists. And right near this state border you’ll find Cumberland Knob, the very place where construction on the Parkway began all the way back in 1935.
Near Blowing Rock, at Milepost 294, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (better known as Flat Top Manor to locals) is the former country estate of this Gilded Age entrepreneur and philanthropist. The stunning Colonial Revival property—all 20 rooms and 13,000 square feet of it—is now home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, an organization that represents nearly 1,000 craftspeople around the world, and makes their wares available via art shows and fairs and a select few retail locations like this one (plus the Allanstand Craft Shop, Southern Highland Craft Gallery, Guild Crafts, and Folk Art Center in Asheville).
At Milepost 305.1 you’ll find the highest peak in the Blue Ridge chain, Grandfather Mountain, a private park that offers encounters (at a safe distance) with bears, cougars, deer, otters, and eagles, plus Mile High Swinging Bridge, a masterpiece of engineering that beckons visitors to cross it in search of the perfect 360-degree view.
In Pineola, at Milepost 312, Christa’s Country Corner General Store offers yet another taste of nostalgia, right down to the overalled, straw-hat-wearing mannequin (named “Monroe”) that has a permanent seat on the front porch. Whether you need to stock up on clothing, beauty supplies, or sundries, Christa’s probably has what you need. But it’s the deli that keeps customers coming back for everyday delicacies like pulled pork, and daily specials (who needs Taco Tuesday when Christa’s has Meatloaf Monday?).
If you want to see an impressive waterfall, turn off at Milepost 316.4 and hike your way to Linville Falls, where a pair of waterfalls deliver a constant supply of water to Linville Gorge, a whopping 2,000 feet below.
One of the oddest sites on this drive requires a small detour at Milepost 334, to a town known as Little Switzerland. Though it was dubbed that because of its resemblance to Switzerland with all those surrounding mountains, the town has fully embraced its moniker and maintains a Swiss vibe throughout. Check out the similarities for yourself with a meal at Chalet Restaurant; just be sure to request a terrace table, so that the vistas are laid out in front of you. The hills are alive.
Last Stop: Asheville, NC
The end of the road, for you, is Asheville, North Carolina—one of America’s coolest small towns, which has been slowly earning a reputation as a cultural hotspot. It’s artist-friendly, food-forward, and quirky in all the right ways. See what we mean at Cúrate, an impressive tapas bar in Asheville’s historic downtown where the executive chef/co-owner logged time at the world-renowned Spanish restaurant El Bulli and the building used to be a bus depot.
For a grander affair, Biltmore Estate (former home of George Vanderbilt) is the largest home in America. The 250-room château is surrounded by two and a half miles of manicured walkways, open meadows, a river, and massive gardens—plus a winery. The estate hosts regular tours and other special exhibitions and events.
Where to Stay Along the Way:
Playing up the college thing, Graduate Charlottesville is designed to bring back memories of dorm life, without the terrible roommate or paper-thin walls. Located across the street from the University of Virginia campus, the smartly designed property is right in the thick of it, surrounded by hip restaurants, bars, galleries, and boutiques.
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia’s Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center has been welcoming travelers to the region since 1882—welcoming being the keyword. The grand Tudor-style hotel houses 330 spacious rooms, including a number of suites that work well when you’ve got a carload of people (or are just a light sleeper).
It’s easy to get lost at Blue Ridge Village in Banner Elk, North Carolina, which embraces its wooded location and popularity among adventurous travelers with decor that feels straight out of a charming winter lodge. The all-villa property is a smart choice for those who plan to spend a few days on the road, as washer/dryers and full kitchens are part of the deal.
Located in Asheville but set far enough away from the center of town to feel like its own quiet retreat, The Omni Grove Park Inn will have you searching for a good-enough reason to ever leave. Guests have a choice of style, too: Guest rooms in The Main Inn are decorated in a more traditional manner, while bright colors and modern details rule in the hotel’s Sammons and Vanderbilt Wings. And this isn’t some tiny boutique hotel: An 18-hole, Donald Ross–designed golf course, six tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, a sports complex, and a 43,000-square-foot spa are all part of what you’re getting.
From the outside, the Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville looks like a stately Tudor mansion. But step inside and all bets are off, as this is one hotel that lives up to the “Bohemian” in his name. The very best part might be that it’s located right at the entrance to the aforementioned Biltmore Estate, making the visit especially easy.
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