Scenic Drives

With miles of awe-inspiring beauty to behold, find yourself whisked away to breathtaking heights on one of Asheville’s many scenic drives. 

Travel Advisory: Potential Blue Ridge Parkway Closures Due to Weather
With Hurricane Helene in the forecast, some areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway are experiencing temporary closures to ensure visitor safety. For real-time information on parkway closures, please refer to NPS.gov.

50 Things to Do in Asheville, NC

50 Things to Do in Asheville, NC

If you’re looking for things to do in Asheville, then consider this list your primer to the many activities available in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, or perhaps well acquainted with the flair of this… read more

Scenic Drives for Any Season

Scenic Drives for Any Season

There’s Always Something Around the Bend in Asheville You don’t have to travel far from Asheville to become immersed in natural beauty. The topography of the Blue Ridge Mountains lends itself to some of the best scenic drives and… read more

Scenic Fall Routes on a Motorcycle

Scenic Fall Routes on a Motorcycle

Travel Advisory: Potential Blue Ridge Parkway Closures Due to Weather With Hurricane Helene in the forecast, some areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway are experiencing temporary closures to ensure visitor safety. For real-time information on parkway… read more

Fall Scenic Drives: Middle to Low Elevations

Fall Scenic Drives: Middle to Low Elevations

When the fall color reaches the middle elevations (about 2,500-4,000 feet), it brightens the mountainsides and begins to show up like candy dots in the valleys. While the highest elevation areas such as Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell have peaked… read more

6 Drive-By Waterfalls: A Windshield Tour for All to Enjoy

6 Drive-By Waterfalls: A Windshield Tour for All to Enjoy

Easy-to-see cascades in the Blue Ridge Mountains The Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville are home to thousands of beautiful cascades. While most are in remote areas or require a hike to see, here are half a dozen waterfalls that you can easily… read more

Fall Scenic Drives: Late Season Color

Fall Scenic Drives: Late Season Color

From late October to early November (varies slightly each year), lower elevations around the Asheville area feature stunning color, which you can enjoy on these late-season scenic drives. Since the color changes happen often, visit our weekly leaf… read more

Fall Scenic Drives: Early Color

Fall Scenic Drives: Early Color

Travel Advisory: Potential Blue Ridge Parkway Closures Due to Weather With Hurricane Helene in the forecast, some areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway are experiencing temporary closures to ensure visitor safety. For real-time information on parkway… read more

5 Things You Need to Know About Fall in Asheville

5 Things You Need to Know About Fall in Asheville

Top tips for experiencing fall in Asheville, NC Fall in Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most sought-after places to go leaf peeping. Due to the area's vast elevation changes, the Asheville area is home to one of the longest fall color… read more

Best Fall Drives For Experiencing Craft Art in Asheville

Best Fall Drives For Experiencing Craft Art in Asheville

Discover Appalachian Craft Art Culture Along Area Byways As you travel mountain roads splashed with brilliant fall color, it's easy to understand why Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains have inspired artists and craftspeople for generations.… read more

The Beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway

The seed was planted for a scenic road through the Blue Ridge Mountains when North Carolina geologist Joseph Hyde Pratt proposed a mountain toll roll stretching from Marion, VA, to Tallulah, GA. World War I halted work on the road, but the idea of a… read more