The Blue Ridge Parkway
Fall foliage has past. However the Blue Ridge Parkway remains an active destination point for local residents and visitors alike. From the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway offers exquisite vistas with lovely turnoffs for impromptu picnics. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a classic "long and winding road" with surprises to delight around each corner.
Making the decision whether to pull off and take in the sights, or keep going to the next bend in the road, becomes a very difficult decision. The beauty is there, for the taking. The Blue Ridge Parkway is fondly referred to as "America's Favorite Drive", for this very reason. The lovely and gentle rural parkway, our country's first and longest, is home to numerous recreation areas, visitors centers, campgrounds, rustic lodges hiking trails and picnic spots.
If you are lucky enough to call Charlottesville home, you are rewarded with a host of hiking trails close in, such as Crabtree Falls, Mountain Farm Trail/Humpback Rocks and the St. Mary's Wilderness Area. For those who care not to "rough it", rest assured, delightful cabins and accommodations along the way will satisfy every desire.
The Blue Ridge Parkway was designed to be driven at a leisurely pace, for good reason - the scenic vistas are spectacular and memorable. Whether you are seeking a quiet overlook to take in the breathtaking views along the Appalachian Mountain, or simply wishing to commune with nature, The Blue Ridge Parkway offers nature at its finest.