First Peak of the Blue Ridge. I-26E, Exits 59 & 67. Explore gorges, hiking, birding, waterfalls, kayaking, scenic drives & historic small towns - Saluda, Tryon & Columbus. Enjoy horse shows, wineries, inspired shops/galleries, local restaurants & year-round events. Rejuvenate at historic inns, cozy cabins & hotels. www.firstpeakblueridge.org. (800) 440-7848.

Pulaski County Visitor & Tourism Center - Information on Pulaski County and New River Valley. www.visitpulaskiva.org (540) 674-4161.

Radford Visitor's Center - Rt. 8 to I-81 Exit 109. "Find it in Radford" - Mary Draper Ingles statue, outdoor play and other sites. Easy access to the New River for tubing, fishing & kayaking. Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery. Radford University planetarium, College of Visual & Performing Arts series and Highlander athletics. Crooked Road Affiliated Venue, Monday evening Fiddle & Banjo Jam. www.visitradford.com (540) 267-3153.

The Roanoke Valley and the neighboring scenic towns and counties - together known as Virginia’s Blue Ridge - is the quintessential mountain destination. As the largest metropolitan region along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia’s Blue Ridge has so much to offer visitors. Endless choices for creative cuisine and more shopping than you can squeeze into a weekend are just the beginning. The vibrant arts and culture scene includes one-of-a-kind opportunities like the Taubman Museum of Art, the renovated Center in the Square, the Virginia Museum of Transportation and more. It’s all surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, which means outdoor fun on the rivers, streams, lakes, trails and back roads. Get a bird’s eye view of Virginia’s Blue Ridge from the Roanoke Star and Overlook, featured on the cover, just off of Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 120. Then head to the Visitor Information Center, open daily 9am to 5pm, to plan a perfect Blue Ridge Day. Contact: Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, 101 Shenandoah Ave, Roanoke, VA 24016. www.visitvablueridge.com or 800-635-5532 or 540-342-6025.

RomanticAsheville.com - Insider's Guide to Asheville & surrounding mountains Biltmore, hiking, waterfalls, Parkway, packages www.RomanticAsheville.com

Welcome Center 2932 Memorial Hwy. Lake Lure NC 28746, MP 384.7. Have the Time of Your Life! www.visitblueridgenc.com (828) 287-6113.

Salem, Virginia's Championship City. Visit historic downtown Salem, only 30 minutes from the Parkway.

11 miles from MP 305.2 - Via 221S to 105N. Awesome views from rental cabins! Otter Falls Park, hiking trails, tennis & pickleball courts, playground, zipline, tubing. www.sevendevils.net (828) 963-5343.

Dolly’s hometown, where shopping, entertainment, attractions, accommodations and mountain history come together in Sevierville to create an atmosphere that can't be found anywhere else in the Smokies. www.visitsevierville.com (888) 738-4378.

Venture off the Pkwy and experience OUR Rush Hour. Scenic drives, hiking, paddling, history, vineyards, breweries, restaurants, caverns. There's only one Shenandoah County in the Shenandoah Valley! www.VisitShenandoahCounty.com (540) 459-6227.

Shenandoah Valley Travel Association - Request an official Shenandoah Valley Travel Guide at www.VisitShenandoah.org or call (800) VISIT-SV. Mail requests to P.O. Box 261, Luray, VA 22835.

500 miles of glistening shoreline. Year-round appeal, history & wine anytime, fish, boat, golf, dine, shop, stay. FREE Visitor’s Guide: www.visitsmithmountainlake.com (540) 721-1203.

Smoky Mountain Host of NC - The region boasts 300+ travel attractions & businesses and national treasurers: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway, and Nantahala & Pisgah National Forests. www.visitsmokies.org or (800) 432-4678.

"Mountains of Possibilities" include: outdoor recreation, great motorcycle trails, history & heritage, music & arts, museums & shopping, events & festivals, and beautiful scenery. www.visitvirginiamountains.com (877) 255-9928.

Staunton's historic downtown delights visitors with its vibrant arts scene & great restaurants. The amazing architecture & compact downtown make for great walking & exploring opportunities. www.VisitStaunton.com (540) 332-3865.

From almost 7,000 acres of Hanging Rock State Park to 58 miles
of the Dan River, Stokes County offers outdoor entertainment for
everyone. Hiking, kayaking, golfing, antiquing, farm tours,
mountain biking and much more! HangingRock.com (336) 593-2496.

8 mi. from Parkway, exit MP 305.1, Hwy 221 S. to 184 N. Enjoy golf, clay tennis courts, mountain biking, scenic lift rides, rafting, gem mining, skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. Stay for a special event like Oktoberfest or SugarFest. Ample lodging from efficiency to large homes, for information visit www.seesugar.com.

Surry NC, S of the Parkway on Hwys. 21, 18, 89 and 52. Lodging, Restaurants, Shopping, Wineries, Outdoor Recreation, and more! www.verysurry.com (877) 999-8390.

The adventure tourism capital of the Appalachians, Tazewell County is home to the best ATV trails, motorcycle routes including the famed “Back of the Dragon”, hiking, biking and other adventures in the mid Atlantic region.  Aside from adventure tourism, the scenic vistas in this county are to be matched by none – it is a photographer’s paradise!

Exit at Milepost 229 - travel south on Hwy 21. Visit more than 6 wineries of the Yadkin Valley on your way to historic Elkin. Lodging, restaurants, shopping and more! www.VisitTheYadkinValley.com