6 Scenic Road Trip Stops Along The Blue Ridge Parkway

Stretching from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the jaw-dropping beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway makes it a once-in-a-lifetime drive. The 469-mile route traverses the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, passing numerous cultural, historic, and scenic sights. Along this route, you can stop by a historic mill, snap a stunning vacation photo at an alpine overlook, catch a mountain music concert, or climb a dazzling waterfall. Below, we share some of the highlights of this incredible road trip so you can make the most of your Parkway adventure.

Know Before You Go

The Parkway is open year-round; however, sections may be closed due to road maintenance or weather conditions, so it’s always a good idea to check for current alerts before you hit the road. There are around 15 visitor centers along the way where you can check for current information, grab maps, get a snack, or simply stretch your legs.

The parkway is free to drive through, but some attractions, such as Shenandoah National Park, have an entrance fee. It’s best to make park reservations ahead of time during the busy summer months. If you’re looking to catch the fall foliage, the best time to travel the parkway is mid to late October when colors are generally at their peak. The leaves begin changing first at higher elevations, so if you want more color, head for the higher sections of the drive.

Mabry Mill, Virginia

Located at Milepost 176, Mabry Mill is a historic mill that’s so picturesque it looks like a scene from a storybook. The rustic mill, with its large waterwheel, sits by a pond with the forest as its backdrop, much as it did when owners Ed and Lizzie Mabry operated the gristmill in the early 1900s.

The quintessential image of rural Appalachia, the Mabry Mill hosts cultural demonstrations on weekends in the summer and fall, allowing visitors to experience what life was like for the Mabrys as they sawed lumber, ground corn, and practiced blacksmithing. There’s also live music and dancing performances, so check the events schedule to see what’s on offer. There’s also a pretty hiking trail among the grounds of the mill for those who want to get some exercise after their drive. The 0.5-mile path winds around the historic buildings, offering plenty of scenic views.

Blue Ridge Music Center, Virginia

Rustling trees and birdsong aren’t the only sounds you’ll hear in the mountains. The rich musical heritage of this unique region is celebrated and shared at the Blue Ridge Music Center, located at Milepost 213.

Established to commemorate the musicians who created the distinctive Appalachian sound, the Center contains a museum, a visitors center, an outdoor amphitheatre, and an indoor theater. This lively event space has outdoor weekend concerts in the summer and fall, as well as daily performances in the breezeway. Additionally, there are two hiking trailheads at the Center. The 1.35-mile High Meadow Trail, which meanders through hayfield, wetlands, and forest, and the 2.24-mile Fisher Peak Loop, which climbs the side of Fisher Peak.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, North Carolina

The son of German immigrants, Moses Cone was a 1800s textile magnate known as ‘the Denim King’. At the peak of his fortune, he decided to build a country estate in the mountains of North Carolina. Completed in 1901, Flat Top Manor is a Colonial Revival mansion set among sprawling grounds that include two man-made lakes, a family cemetery, and about 25 miles of carriage roads.

Today, Flat Top Manor and its grounds are preserved as Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at Milepost 294, the estate includes a Visitors Center, gift shop, and hiking trails along the former carriage roads. Ranger-led tours of the house are available in the summer and fall.

Craggy Gardens, North Carolina

If you really want to capture some magical Blue Ridge moments, visit Craggy Gardens at sunset or sunrise. This high-elevation pit stop around Milepost 364 is known for its stunning views at dusk and dawn as the sun moves over the rugged Craggy Peaks. Sitting at 5,500 feet, Craggy Gardens is also renowned for its alpine flora, particularly its vibrant Rhododendron blooms. Visit in early to mid-June to see the slopes burst into purple, pink, and white flowers.

The best way to see the flowers up close and enjoy some incredible mountain vistas is to take the Craggy Gardens Trail from the southern end of the visitor center parking lot. The trail gently climbs 0.3 miles to a trail shelter where you can join a short spur trail that leads into a high-elevation meadow. From the Rhododendron-filled meadow, you can look out over the mountains and the Pisgah National Forest.

Folk Art Center, North Carolina

As the parkway approaches Asheville, there’s a must-see stop for artists and culture vultures. The Folk Art Center at Milepost 382 contains a vast gallery of Appalachian arts and crafts that’s open year-round. Headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Center has a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits. It also hosts regular sales, pop-up fairs, events, and demonstrations. Pick up a unique souvenir or gift, view cultural exhibits, see a demonstration, or visit the craft library to browse a treasure trove of local artistic ingenuity. The Center also has access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a long-distance hike that shares a section of the parkway.

Waterrock Knob, North Carolina

Some of the parkway’s highest points are found around Waterrock Knob, located at Milepost 451.2. The Waterrock Knob Visitors Center is the highest point on the route, at 5,820 feet, and another great spot to catch a sunrise or sunset, thanks to its 360-degree views of several mountain ranges, including the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s also known as an idyllic location to stargaze if you’re in the area when night falls.

You can catch some jaw-dropping views from the Visitor Center or, if you’re in the mood for a challenge, take the Waterrock Knob Trail to the 6,273-foot summit, the highest peak on the parkway. It’s a mile-long loop hike that climbs 460 feet. While parts of the trail are paved, there are also sections with rough terrain, so come prepared. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views of jagged mountains rising into the far distance.

Making Memories in the Mountains

The Blue Ridge Parkway is more of an experience than a road trip. Covering natural landmarks, cultural centers, and historic sites, this unique route tells the story of the mountain communities that called this area home. Construction of the parkway began in 1935 with the idea of showcasing the best of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. At the time, the region had been severely impacted by the Great Depression, and the public works project provided much-needed employment while also attracting visitors to the area. The route’s popularity has endured throughout the decades, earning it the nickname "America’s Favorite Drive." See what all the fuss is about with our itinerary of the best stops along this fascinating route and enjoy the ultimate Blue Ridge road trip.