Lonely Planet Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trips

WELCOME TO
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

The Blue Ridge Parkway unfurls for 469 sumptuous miles, stretching from Virginias Shenandoah National Park to North Carolinas Great Smoky Mountains. A national parkway, the lofty road rolls past a mountain landscape home to historic farms, scenic rivers, grazing wildlife, leafy trails and a lifetimes supply of waterfalls. Old-time mountain music can be heard regularly, and nearby wineries and craft breweries off er tastings on mountain slopes with sweeping views. What you wont find? Billboards or a single stoplight.

Vibrant mountain towns dot the foothills, bringing oomph to the party with delicious farm-to-table fare, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, and story-filled inns.

With this book youll buckle up for Parkway trips in Virginia and North Carolina, a cruise down Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and a toe-tappin trek along Virginias Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail.

Blue Ridge Parkway in fall
ANTON ERMACHKOV / SHUTTERSTOCK

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY HIGHLIGHTS

Lively fiddle-and-banjo tunes drift over hills and hollers at outdoor music venues across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hear it on Trips and .

GINGO SCOTT / SHUTTERSTOCK

Catch some serious air at the highest point on the parkway and watch the best sunset east of the Mississippi. See it on Trip .

MARGARET.W / SHUTTERSTOCK

Hikers, bohemians, craft beer lovers and architecture buffs all converge in this vibrant mountain town. See it on Trip

MILESBEFOREISLEEP / SHUTTERSTOCK

CITY GUIDE

Roanoke skyline
SEAN PAVONE / SHUTTERSTOCK

This former railroad town is finally embracing its outdoor bona fides. Flanked by the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail and numerous lakes and waterways, Roanoke is working hard to promote itself as an ideal launchpad for regional adventures. Farm-to-table restaurants, new microbreweries and a burgeoning arts scene help make the case.

Valley Metro (www.valleymetro.com) runs the city bus service, which includes the free Star Line Trolley. The trolleys loop through downtown on weekdays (7am to 7pm) and connect shops, restaurants, lodgings and several hospitals. Pedestrian- and cyclistfriendly greenways (www.greenways.org) crisscross the city.

On-street parking downtown is typically easy to fi nd and there are several large garages near the City Market Building (www.citymarketbuilding.com). At metered spots the first hour is free, the second hour is $1. The cost for three hours, the maximum time allowed, is $4.

There are numerous good eating and drinking options downtown. Many can be found in the City Market Building and along surrounding streets. Others are found in suburban shopping strips in Crystal Spring and Grandin Village.

National chain hotels are located near the airport and theres a historic hotel downtown. Theres great camping in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, with several nice spots along the Appalachian Trail.

Visit Roanoke (www.visitroanoakeva.com) City tourism website.

Roanoke Outside (www.roanokeoutside.com) Outdoor opportunities across the region.

Trips through Roanoke:

Battery Park Ave, Asheville
MILESBEFOREISLEEP / SHUTTERSTOCK

Hikers, cyclists and road trippers descend from the mountains to unwind in downtown Asheville. In this overgrown mountain town, innovative chefs create culinary masterpieces while small-batch breweries bring good cheer. Sidewalk buskers provide the background music. The Biltmore shares the good life for a fee.

The 18 local bus routes run by Asheville Transit (ART) typically operate between 5:30am and 10:30pm Monday through Saturday, and shorter hours Sunday. Tickets cost $1, and there are free bike racks. Route S3 connects the downtown ART station with Asheville Regional Airport.