Slow down. Breathe easy. Stay as busy or un-busy as you want.
Conquer a mountain or play checkers on the front porch. Stay,
dine, hike, explore, canoe, fish, shop & play. Visitor Center downtown
Sparta. www.authenticallyalleghany.com (336) 372-5473.

Ashe County, NC www.thecoolestcorner.com. Enjoy scenic views, hiking, biking, canoeing, golf, 3 historic towns, arts district, crafts, festivals. Ashe Chamber, PO Box 31, West Jefferson, NC 28694. www.ashechamber.com (888) 343-2743.

This mountain resort city at Milepost 382.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway beckons lovers of festivals, the outdoors, fine restaurants, distinctive shopping, and Biltmore Estate, a 250-room French Renaissance chateau. The Visitors Center at Exit 4C off I-240 is open every day, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. M-F and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends.  www.exploreasheville.com (828) 258-6101.

Home of the Woolly Worm Festival. Christmas trees, top resorts & attractions, skiing hub. Located in the "High Country" in the western mountains of North Carolina. Avery County Chamber of Commerce, 4501 Tynecastle Hwy Unit 2, Banner Elk, NC 28604. Open Monday-Friday from 10-4. Website: www.averycounty.com (800) 972-2183.

Banner Elk is a resort town not far from the Parkway. Basecamp for Grandfather Mtn. with dining & lodging plus 2 ski resorts in winter! www.bannerelk.com (828) 898-5398.

Exit via VA 43 at the Peaks of Otter and take a peek at Bedford's orchards, potteries, country inns, arts, & shops. The Welcome Center is located at 816 Burks Hill Rd. (Hwy 460 & 122 - near the D-Day Memorial), Bedford, VA 24523. www.visitbedford.com (877) 447-3257 or (540) 587-5681.

Bedford Welcome Center - 816 Burks Hill Road (Hwy 460 & 122 - near the D-Day Memorial), Bedford, VA 24523. Toll free (877) 447-3257, (540) 587-5681.

Cresting at 5,506’, Beech Mtn. is the highest town in Eastern America. Summer temps rarely exceed 75 degrees F, creating an ideal climate for hiking, mtn. biking, golf, and tennis. Winters are rich in snowfall, creating ideal ski conditions. Lodging options range from hotels to cabins. www.beechmtn.com

"The Little Town That Rocks." Near Asheville. Arts/crafts, antiques, galleries, museum, specialty shops. Hiking/biking, golf, festivals, breweries, music. 40 restaurants. B&Bs, cabins, hotels. Pet friendly. Free guide. www.exploreblackmountain.com (828) 669-2300.

Charming resort village on the Parkway. Exit Hwy 221 & 321, MP 293 & 295. Lodging, dining, boutique and outlet shopping. Near The Blowing Rock, Mystery Hill, Tweetsie Railroad and Grandfather Mountain attractions. PO Box 2445, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. www.BlowingRock.com (828) 295-4636 or (877) 750-4636.

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area - Protecting, preserving & celebrating one of the most beautiful regions on earth and the cultural heritage of those who shaped its history & traditions. Located in the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, 195 Hemphill Knob Rd. www.blueridgeheritage.com (828) 298-5330.

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine - The trusted resource for adventure travel inspiration for 25 years. www.blueridgeoutdoors.com (434) 817-2755.

Blue Ridge Travel Association - Free travel guide of the attractions, accommodations and events for locations along I-77 and I-81, and scenic byways of the mountains of Virginia. www.virginiablueridge.org (800) 446-9670.

Our welcoming mountain town offers something for just about everyone, any time of the year. From epic outdoor adventures to world-famous spas and cozy mountain cabins to grand historic inns, there are many reasons why it's better in Boone. Visit www.exploreboone.com

Have a big vacation in a small town! Enjoy pristine mountain beauty, whitewater rafting, Fontana Lake, trout fishing, horseback riding, hiking, scenic train ride, shopping or just relaxing. Rich Cherokee and Southern Appalachian history. Lodging includes inns, B&Bs, cabins, resorts, hotels, motels and campgrounds. Call (828) 488-3681 or visit www.GreatSmokies.com.

4 mi. from Parkway Milepost 90.9. Downtown historic district with structures dating from 1750 - 1950. Shops filled with antiques, art, furniture & collectibles. Walk our Swinging Bridge or paddle the James River. www.townofbuchanan.com (540) 254-1212.

Brown Mountain Lights mystery seen near here in the Pisgah Nat. Forest. Parkway MP 312 south on NC Hwy 181. Hike Table Rock and Hawksbill Mtns. See the Linville Gorge. Pristine Lake James State Park. www.discoverburkecounty.com (888) 462-2921.

Enjoy small town charm with bed & breakfasts, inns, handmade crafts, shops, summer theatre, golf, hiking, camping, musical events & festivals on Burnsville's Town Square. www.yanceychamber.com (828) 682-7413.

“your time…our place”. Sculpted by Nature…Crafted by Man, visit Caldwell County; experience our rich history, our quaint towns, live music, live theatre, festivals and car shows, world class sculpture exhibits, local crafts, antiques. Located thirty minutes south of Blowing Rock at Milepost 294. www.explorecaldwell.com (828) 726-0616.

In the heart of the Blue Ridge Plateau, in the middle of VA's famous Crooked Road, and known for scenic mountain vistas plus mountain views and streams. Hiking, fishing, golfing, canoeing, bird-watching, flea markets, gun shows, mountain music and annual festivals are just a few of our many attractions. Our Visitor Center is located at Exit 14 off I-77 only 10 miles from the BRP at Fancy Gap. Contact: Carroll County Tourism, 239 Farmers Market Drive, Hillsville, VA 24343, www.VisitTheBlueRidge.com (276) 730-3100.