The Blue Ridge Parkway has a rich cultural and political history, but you will forget all about that when you see the jaw-dropping view around the next turn. This ribbon of a Park winds through many communities and cities, but the buffer zone of woodland on both sides of it gives you the Twilight Zone feeling and after a while you may start to think that the world you left behind was only a "figment of your imagination". Do your research as there are many more campgrounds and places to eat than what you will see from the road itself, and for your own enjoyment, sloooowww dowwwwnnnnn!!! The Blue Ridge is a feast for your senses, and it is best enjoyed slowly.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has been a favorite place of mine since I met my husband. We love packing a picnic and stopping at one of the many beautiful places along the parkway. Linville Gorge makes for a great quick hike. A slight detour into Pisgah Forest near Hendersonville will take you to Looking Glass falls, right by the road! There is plenty to do and see along the parkway!!! Bonus: In the fall you can't choose a better way to view the changing leaves!

the view was so magnificant that you can experience it untill you visit that place. there are many small trails along the way which take you to the top of some moutains and let you see the real beauty from the top...

Winding very nice drive through scenic mountains... take a side trip to the top of GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN [very close to the VIADUCT and BLOWING ROCK, NC]... view of several states at once... small habitat for wild animals too... hikers will enjoy the trails there need to have permit from National Park Service for hiking trails... another good side trip is to stop for lunch at small cafe in BLOWING ROCK, NC... small town with nice Public Park for children and picnic lunch... currently twig season... enjoy, ciao

You can drive for miles with no speeding cars, no honking horns and stop frequently at the magnificent overlooks to have a picnic, or just gaze out over the gorgeous blue hued mountains. If you are looking for unspoiled, undeveloped wilderness to enjoy for hours, then this is the trip to take.

Going on the blue ridge parkway is the best thing to do in Western North Carolina. (I am from there, I have done all the tourist things and I know) Take an afternoon and just drive!! It is absolutely beautiful!! The best date for any age. Extremely romantic. Wear comfy shoes so you can hike to the waterfalls at some of the stops. It's not steep or difficult but the waterfalls are beautiful! DONT FORGET YOUR CAMERA! It is also very cheap compared to everything else obviously you don't have to spend any money but on gas and even though that is expensive compare it to how much you would pay to do anything else. (Hey guys! pack a picnic dinner, save some more money, and make it even more romantic!!)

I grew up in McDowell County and during my beginning years a visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains was the most exciting thing we would do. I never saw the ocean until I was 22, but I still cherish the memories of riding with my family to the Blue Ridge just to stop, have a picnic, or just look at the scenery. It was always so quiet there and beautiful. We didn't have much money, but Dad always made these trips special by imparting his knowledge of the area to us. The only thing I disliked was the smell of skunks, but my older sister thought they smelled good and I wonder about her sanity.

i loved the scenery and all the water activities, also camping and such.

Driving the entire Parkway makes for a great vacation! Breathtaking vistas, unique places to stop on the way, fabulous hiking.

Call their number first to see if they're open! I went in April thinking everything would be fine. But the forecast called for wind, which could break branches and cause falling rocks, so therefore it was closed off in some sections. But it's completely free! And for the greatest vistas I have ever seen how can you resist not going!? I cannot see how anyone can give this any less than 5 stars. It was just incredible, incredible, incredible!! If you have kids, please don't let them out of the car and keep them under control inside the car. You are literally driving (at 35-45MPH)on a mountain side and almost the entire road has no guardrails. Any slight turn of the wheel and . . ouch!! Great for couples though! If you're in Asheville, this is a must!