Secret Spots on the Blue Ridge

By Annette Thompson
Photo: Art Meripol
Fall is the time to explore the South's most iconic road. Here, we share our favorite stops for stunning views, quaint country stores, and hidden mountain lodges.
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Drive the Blue Ridge

Photo: Art Meripol

An asphalt ribbon some 469 miles long, the parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the country's most visited national park) and the Shenandoah National Park (one of the least). The road gets more travelers than any park, in fact, yet it rarely feels crowded. Stop awhile, and then drive awhile. You won't see many signs or much development. Every turn reveals something special—a split rail fence, an awe-inspiring vista, a stacked-stone bridge.

Driving the parkway can be overwhelming. After all, it covers 469 miles across two states—Virginia and North Carolina. These don't-miss spots will give you the best of this scenic road. It takes about three days to drive it at a leisurely 45 mph pace with time for stops.

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Virginia Stops

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 60: James River Visitor Center
Uncrowded lakeside view, ideal for fall photos of turning leaves reflected on water

Mile 86: Peaks of Otter Lodge
The parkway's only year-round hotel, with mountain and lake views. peaksofotter.com or 540/586-1081

Mile 154: Smart View Picnic Area
Large wooded picnic and day-use area with restrooms and a 2.6-mile moderately easy trail

Mile 170: The Saddle Trail
Hike 0.2 mile from the Saddle overlook to the original parkway shelter, a stone hut.

Photo: Mabry Mill, located off Milepost 176

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Poor Farmer's Market

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 178

Best fried pies, jams, and jellies on the parkway, plus quilts and pottery. Open year-round at Meadows of Dan, poorfarmersmarket.biz

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Mayberry Trading Post

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 180

An old-timey country store selling homemade wooden bowls and apple butter

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Blue Ridge Music Center

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 213

This interpretive center honors Appalachian music, and concerts fill the amphitheater; noontime jams on the deck. blueridgemusiccenter.net

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North Carolina Stops

Art Meripol

Mile 294: Flat Top Manor
Southern Highland Craft Guild houses a crafts gallery in the 23-room Beaux Arts mansion.

Mile 304: The Lincove Viaduct
The last bit of parkway opened in 1987, preserving Grandfather Mountain

Photo: Milepost 303, near Grandfather Mountain

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Orchard at Alta Pass

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 328

Apple store offering heirloom varieties grown on the parkway, altapassorchard.com

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Mountain Top Views

Photo: Art Meripol

Mile 355: Mount Mitchell State Park

5-mile spur road to highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet; offers hot apple cider, ncparks.gov

Mile 451: Waterrock Knob
A 360-degree, four-state view; it's the best view of the Smokies, the Nantahalas, the Pisgahs, and the Cowee Mountains and the best sunrise/sunset spot

Photo: Eseeola Lodge, five minutes off Milepost 308 in Linville, eseeola.com

For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit blueridgeparkway.org.

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