Things to do / Travel Guide
For the outdoors lover, the southern Appalachian Mountains is a mammoth of a region. Eastern West Virginia is acclaimed for its wild natural beauty, as one of the most mountainous areas of the United States. The Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, both in western Virginia, are wondrous in their store of fascinating recreational activities. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, finally, is one of the most-visited National Parks in the U.S. The famous Appalachian Trail runs the length of the region. Any trip to this region, to any of its variegated parts, will yield a bounty of beautiful scenery; with more just over the next ridge.
Speaking of ridges, two landmarks of parkways, revealing to the driver the true lay of the land, run directly through the southern Appalachian Mountains. These are none other than the scenic Skyline Drive, running the distance of Shenandoah Valley National Park, and the awesome Blue Ridge Parkway, which makes its way from the Shenandoah Valley National Park's southern exit all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's northern entrance. That's 600 miles of windy road, open just for drivers who crave outdoor experiences. There are official overlooks on the Drive and on the Parkway roughly every two miles. Aside from the mountains and valleys, you'll come across rustic log cabins, sparkling waterfalls, and colorful wildflower meadows.
Aside from nature, the southern Appalachian Mountains is famous for its historical and architectural masterpieces. The Civil War figures high on many visitors' interests, and the Shenandoah Valley is marked throughout with sites relating to this momentous upheaval in the history of the U.S.
The cities of Charlottesville, Virginia and Asheville, North Carolina have inspired onlookers with their beauty since Colonial times. Charlottesville's main draws are its downtown district, and the hallowed Monticello, built by President Thomas Jefferson and the model for great architecture throughout the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th.
Asheville's downtown is acclaimed for its gorgeous neighborhoods built in Victorian times, but also for its architectural innovation in the early 20th centuries - check out City Hall, among other gems. A monument to vision and grandeur is Biltmore Estate, just outside the city. Built by a scion of the Vanderbilt family in the early 20th century, it is the largest private estate in the U.S. Visit the mansion and the grounds and be awed.
If you're looking for great places to shop for antiques and classical furniture, Charlottesville and Asheville and their surroundings are loaded with shops and boutiques.
Another high point for the region is music: The southern Appalachian Mountains served as the fountainhead for much of what we hear on country radio today, only back then, in the 1930s and before, things were of course much more stripped down. The Carter Family got their start in the region, in Bristol. Hank Williams passed through the region countless times, to gain inspiration. Bluegrass will overwhelm fan in joints like the Country Cabin and the Floyd Country Store - join in a jam, though be warned you may never want to leave.
Find yourself tackle and bait in the country store, and head to the lakes, rivers, and streams that are almost as numerous in the region as the many mountains from which they flow. Big in this region is trout fishing, and you can find yourself many a monster trout in the streams from West Virginia to Tennessee - and they're mighty tasty, too. The stories you'll hear about Fontana Lake south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are just as epic as they sound.
Kayaking and canoeing on the lakes in the region, especially the larger ones in Kentucky and Tennessee, provides access to many hidden spots, coves, and fantastic views of the nearby mountains. These lakes aren't only for fishing.
And wildlife in the region isn't limited to fish. From north to south, you'll bask in sightings of birds like eagles and owls, critters like raccoons and possums, and larger mammals such as whitetail deer.
Not to be missed is the opportunity to bike in West Virginia. Snowshoe Mountain, which doubles as one of the site of one of the East's best skiing adventures (among many), will sweat you to the bone with awesome downhill and cross-country routes. Biking also rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smokies, thereby including the entire region in the fun.
The southern Appalachian Mountains, located fully in the Eastern Time Zone, can be appreciated for many things. Above all there's nature; but history and architecture, music, and the many forms of outdoor recreation, all come together to make this region a prime destination to visit. Find yourself an adventure in the wild beauty and the refined culture of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Though the region might be oft-visited, there's room and a half for everyone!
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