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Things to do / Travel Guide
Appalachian Getaways
The stunning views, peaks, meadows and small towns of Appalachia span the borders of five states: Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Mountains, and the Smokey Mountains are among the most popular nature destinations in the U.S. Whitewater activities, hiking, and scenic drives are suitable for most travelers to the area.
Blue Ridge Mountains Tourist Attractions
The Blue Ridge Mountains provide the serene and beautiful backdrop of the Shenandoah Valley and the Shenandoah National Park. While there are a number of ways to experience the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the most popular way is to drive the 105-mile Skyline Drive connecting with the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic drive takes you from Shenandoah National Park to the Smokey Mountains, from Virginia down into North Carolina. The drive is spectacular year round, offering snow capped mountain views in the winter, bright green and floral views in the spring and summer, and some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the fall. You'll also see loads of animal life, bird life, and plant life throughout the calendar. Several hundred miles of the Appalachian Trail are located in Shenandoah National Park.
Make sure to get a good map of the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the various detours and even shortcuts if the tourists are out in force. A good route covering a portion of the parks and 2 very interesting destinations on either side is an Asheville to Roanoke roadtrip.
Tourist attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains obviously revolve around the outdoor activities that take advantage of the scenery, but there are also museums and events along the way, including the interesting Crabtree Meadows & Museum of North Carolina Minerals and Virginia's Peaks of Otter. There are also a number of local wineries that are worth an afternoon's visit.
Asheville, North Carolina Getaways
If you take Skyline Drive down to the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park and keep on going you'll hit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, another stunning park that provides ideal camping and trekking conditions. The parks will then lead to another, and then another as you move south into North Carolina, east into Tennessee, and then north into West Virginia.
While you're in North Carolina, make sure you stop by Asheville (not Ashville!) to recharge your batteries and take a little break from living on the trails. This little city, which appears to be out in the middle of nowhere, is actually home to the Blue Ridge Motion Picture Studio, a real working film studio and museum. You'll also find nice shopping malls, an arboretum, a golf course, spa, zoo, and the historic Biltmore Estate.
West Virginia Getaways and Tourist Attractions
Many of the mountain ranges that begin in Virginia or Tennessee end up in West Virginia. A few parks found in West Virginia's Alleghany Mountains of mention in West Virginia include Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia, the Bluestone National Scenic River, New River Gorge National River, and the Pipestern Resort State Park. Each park offers its own unique characteristic: rivers, mountains, gorges, canyons, forests, lakes, and other features that transform each area into an adventurer's playground. Plan a relaxing getaway in West Virginia and you'll have no choice but take on some of the native attitude—active, laid-back, and ready to tackle those level five whitewater rapids that seem to run everywhere you look!
In addition to hiking and rafting, West Virginia tourist attractions include shopping, spa-ing, golfing, and skiing.
For a real treat, stop by the small WV town Lewisburg for a place to stay, a good hearty meal, and then a visit to Organ Cave, a Civil War-era national and natural landmark.
North Carolina & Virginia Road Trip Getaway Planner
Unless you are hiking the whole Appalachian Trail, traveling through the entire region is a bit much. It's best to choose an area to visit that best fits in with the rest of your trip plans. Also, expect lots of company, as the scenery attracts crowds. Bring your hiking boots, your Southern charm, and get ready to enjoy the hospitable mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Tourist Attractions and Highlights in Ashville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah Mountains
Tourist-Attractions-Highlights
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