Stretching from the northern region of Georgia all the way to Pennsylvania, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a section of the massive Appalachian mountain range. Those who travel to the Blue Ridge Mountains will find that it is at times obscured by dense clouds and covered by millions of oak and pine trees. The mountains get their distinctive dark blue hue from the presence of the chemical isoprene found in many regional plants. Science aside, Blue Ridge Mountain travel is a great way to explore one-of-a-kind mountain towns like Asheville, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Morgantown, West Virginia. It also offers plenty of adventures for outdoorsy types, wonderful views for those interested in nature and a host of great local restaurants for gastronomes along for the ride. Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains and see what sets this corner of the world apart from all others. Let Travel + Leisure’s Blue Ridge Mountain travel guide lead the way.
Things Not to Miss in the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Take an epic road trip on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic highway that runs through the mountains
• Go hang gliding at Raven’s Roost in Virginia
• Climb to the top of North Carolina’s Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the Appalachian Mountain chain
• Check out Mabry Mill and see how blacksmiths and millers did their work centuries ago
• Take part in the many arts and crafts festivals in the small town of Berea, Kentucky
• Visit the lovely small town of Hot Springs, North Carolina, or get your beer drinking on in nearby Asheville, home to more than a dozen breweries
• Tour Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Center, which chronicles the history of mountain music
• Camp out in Shenandoah National Park or Great Smoky Mountains National Park, connected to one another by the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Explore the wonderful Blacksburg, Virginia, one of the fastest-growing towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Go for a hike near Humpback Rock and see old Appalachian farmhouses in the area
When to Go to the Blue Ridge Mountains
Due to their size, weather in the Blue Ridge Mountains varies greatly from region to region, but one thing is always true: the mountains are far from alpine and you won’t find much in the way of winter sports while in the area. To see the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visit the area during the summer and fall when the region’s extensive flora are at their most vibrant. Just be sure to bring along a rain jacket as precipitation occurs year-round.
-
6 National Parks You Can Visit via Amtrak — and a few More You Can Spot From the Train
America’s national parks are a treasure, and a visit to one of them is one of the best — and most breathtaking — ways to celebrate the country... Read More
-
Hikers Find Dog After He Spent 11 Days Lost in Shenandoah National Park (Video)
Humans aren’t the only creatures who apparently get lost in the woods.Last week, Kelly McDuffie of Tampa, Florida was hiking through the Shenandoah... Read More
-
Top 10 Resort Hotels in the South
The South is often painted with a broad brush — regarded as a monolithic region of angel oaks, indulgent food, and honeyed accents. But in truth, the... Read More
-
Top 15 Continental U.S. Resort Hotels (Video)
Travel + Leisure readers know you don’t have to whip out your passport to check into one of the finest resort hotel destinations in the world. From the... Read More
-
The Best U.S. Cities to Visit This Fall for Foliage, Food, and Fun
There’s a lot that goes into making the perfect fall destination.Not only does it need fantastic displays of leaves (in all colors: red, orange and... Read More
-
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in the American South in 2018
The South is one of the rare places where the touristic clichés — a rich culinary history, warm hospitality, and picturesque scenery, from the loblolly... Read More
-
This Is the Happiest City in the U.S. (Video)
When deciphering who leads the happiest lives, it’s likely their surroundings probably involve open water, nature and lots of bikers.That’s according to... Read More
-
Trump Winery Isn't the Largest and Donald Doesn't Own It
At the end of a press conference concerning violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend, President Donald Trump said that he owns... Read More
-
Obama's Response to the Charlottesville Violence Becomes the Most Liked Tweet of All Time
This story originally appeared on Time.com. Former President Barack Obama’s Twitter response to the deadly violence in Charlottesville, Va. over the... Read More
-
11 Southern Getaways Perfect for Your Next Girls' Trip
This story originally appeared on SouthernLiving.com.Once the craziness of summer has come and gone, our excitement for all things fall can sometimes be... Read More
-
America's Most Iconic Drives
Automobile ads love to show shiny vehicles cruising open highways under blue skies, with mountains and beaches nearby. But when was the last time you... Read More
-
A Guide to Shenandoah National Park
Just an hour and a half from the bustling city of Washington, D.C. is Shenandoah National Park, a sprawling wonderland with a full 500 miles of... Read More
-
America’s Favorite Towns 2016
Three important things draw Daniel Howard to Park City: History, wildlife, and rooftop bars.“I like the no-chain-store ambience along Main Street, and... Read More
-
The Coziest Places to Stay in America
It’s hard to define what makes a hotel feel cozy, though it helps when the properties are off-the-beaten path, serve regional fare (sometimes plucked... Read More
-
The Seven Best Bakeries in Washington, DC
This is a good time to be a Washingtonian: in recent years, bakeries have been opening their doors in neighborhoods across the city, with still more... Read More