The diverse history and culture of the southern Appalachian Mountains awaits you along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads, and historic structures complement views of neighboring valleys and distant mountains. While traveling this road, observe the smoke-like haze that gives the Smoky Mountains their name. Following the Appalachian Mountain chain, you'll enjoy the endless views of the many parallel ranges connected by the scattered hills.
Built during the Depression, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the nation's longest rural parkway. Drive its entire 469 miles and your journey will connect Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in southern North Carolina. Along the way, stop and visit towns whose beginnings date back to the settling of America. Owing its name to the famous explorer, Daniel Boone, Boone, NC is now known as the 'Firefly Capital of the World'. Asheville, NC is home to cultural and historic Parkway attractions such as the Biltmore Estate. And to experience a 'wild west' in the east, check out the storefronts and saloons at the 'Ghost Town in the Sky.' This theme park town nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains in Maggie Valley, NC provides an appropriate backdrop for thrilling gunfights staged in the streets from May to November.
Beauties in nature surround you on all parts of the Parkway, whether you are exploring trailways above ground or below. The rooms of Linville Caverns, NC are filled with strange formations such as orange flowstone draperies and the 'guess what'--people have seen anything from a bowling pin to upside-down praying hands. Be sure to add your own guesses to the long list. The sound of crashing water greets you as you return to the surface, with the water of the Linville Falls tumbling over the rugged sides of Humpback Mountain.
The Blue Ridge area is not just known for its scenic routes, but also its history. This comes alive with the help of costumed actors at Humpback Rocks in Virginia, who demonstrate 19th Century Appalachian skills and traditions for visitors. And get a second glimpse (and a taste) of early Appalachian lifestyles at Mabry Mill on the Parkway in Floyd County, VA. Their fresh apple butter is a treat worth coming back for. Tour a prime example of the historical houses on the Parkway at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It was the most technologically advanced home of its time, boasting such luxuries as electric lighting, telephones and a fire alarm system.
Places along the Parkway offer a rare glimpse into Native American culture, such as Cherokee, NC, which is home to the eastern band of the Cherokee Indians. At the Oconaluftee Indian Village, you can learn the language, walk around the restored dwellings, and take part in hands-on experiences such as mask carving, basket weaving and canoe hauling.
The stories of the people who settled here centuries ago can be heard today. Listen for them in old time folk music at places such as the Blue Ridge Music Center in Virginia or in the chatter at a crowded farmer's market; the crashing roar of Crabtree Falls or the steady tapping of a blacksmith's hammer at a living history demonstration. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides a memorable experience for anyone who visits this beautiful part of the country.
