Must-see stuff on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

[Juju]

If someone were traveling up the Blue Ridge Parkway, what site or attraction would you recommend we NOT MISS?

The Chief and I will be heading on up the BRP after the Rally in the Valley in June. We'll be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this summer, so we've planned this ride to mark (several weeks early) that occasion. (Some people celebrate important anniversaries by going to Rome, some by going to Paris, and some to Hawaii. But not the Youngs, oh no--WE are riding our bikes up the BRP! :Biker: :Biker

Soooooo, in addition to not-to-be-missed attractions, any B&B or other lodging recommendations? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Lucky]

Juju a suggestion it is a liitle out of the way maybe,but ya'll could do Rome and Athens both on the way to the BRP.Georgia has both.Congratulations on the anniversary.RIDE SAFE

 

[Juju]

Lucky, yer killin' me!!! :faint:
I guess we could make a detour through Dublin, GA too while we're at it.

 

[Blondie Gal]

And if you have time, stay at Big Meadows Lodge - spent a weekend there back in 1972 and it still holds a special place in my memories!

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

I second Big Meadows!

 

[rickt]

the Biltmore in Asheville

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

We are having our "Friends on Wheels" Rally in Maggie Valley the end of June.
One of the places we are going to is "The Biltmore".
Also looking for other places to see.

 

[VaThumper]

Hey,

Peaks of Otter are very nice. Nice lake/pond there. Worth stopping at.:wtg:

 

[jjk1646]

The Pisgah Inn on the BRP has really great views of the mountains and ridgeline to the south and west. The inn also has a dinning room, food is good for both lunch and dinner,

I believe you get breakfast at the Inn. Depending on how deep your pockets are the Grove Park Inn is really interesting, some old style rooms in the original building, more spacious rooms in the newer buildings. Has golf, spa, and excellent restaurants (a bit pricey),

The Biltmore is a amazing property, the original house is huge (largest finished house in USA). the have accommodations the Inn, have never stayed, several dining choices, wine tasting rooms. great ice cream shop, some gift shops..

Some really nice B&B in Waynesville check with the chamber in both Asheville and Waynesville.. Enjoy your trip

 

[Calman]

Take in all the natural scenery you can handle. All the other stuff is "fluff".

 

[Juju]

The Pisgah Inn on the BRP has really great views of the mountains and ridgeline to the south and west. The inn also has a dinning room, food is good for both lunch and dinner,

Enjoy your trip

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

JJK, we ADORE the Pisgah Inn, and will probably schedule a stop there for either breakfast or lunch. Believe it or not, the Chief's favorite thing to eat there? Oatmeal! But of course the best thing is the view from the dining room--it's the very definition of spectacular!

 

[greyfang]

not being familiar at all with the area, we are planning to ride down to Savannah after the rally, is it possable to take the BRP in that direction?

 

[Lucky]

Greyfang it don't go that way.If you are not in a hurry you mite look at hwy 129 some intresting towns on it.RIDE SAFE

 

[Juju]

not being familiar at all with the area, we are planning to ride down to Savannah after the rally, is it possable to take the BRP in that direction?

From Maggie Valley, the BRP heads generally northeast. But I'm sure there are some pretty roads heading down to Savannah, and Savannah itself is a very pretty city. Loaded with great B&Bs in historic buildings and all sorts of excellent eateries.

 

[Juju]

not being familiar at all with the area, we are planning to ride down to Savannah after the rally, is it possable to take the BRP in that direction?

Greyfang, if you go to the HD Ride Planner site, there's a nice route listed as
"Savannah River Scenic Byway" under their Great Roads. It only goes as far as Augusta, so you'd still have to get from there to Savannah. Anyway, here's a link--not sure whether it will work, but even if it doesn't, HD's ride planner site is cool to surf around in for a while.
Harley-Davidson - Ride Planner

 

[oldman]

Take time to look at the BIRD & BEE ALL THE TREE God put them for all to see

 

[skuuter]

Get off at Boone, NC and ride every road in that Area that You have time for..."The Snake", etc., and make sure to go to Grandfather Mountain.....ThumbUp

 

[Nordic Valk]

Stations Inn exit 248 BRP is a 50's style motel. Country store Restaurant and Bar. This place is filled with motorcycle art and equimpment from days gone buy. Good food and friendship. I stayed there about 4 years ago and the rooms though small (true to the era) are very clean abd cozy. I'm coming to the rally and plan on staying there on the way back also. There is also a very nice cooperative with hand made local art and goods, glass, wood,textile products(blankets) paintings, pewter, metal and stone jewlery. I spent 2 hrs there and purchased some beautiful hand made wooden bracelets for my daughters done by a handicapped local artisan. I just today recieved my new BRP guide that I obtained from the National Parks Department. If you want to send me an E-Mail I would be glad to look up or call them to find out what mile marker the Co-op is located. There is also a beautiful restaurant over looking a mountain on the way back up. We are hoping to leave on the 18th or 19th to head down to the rally send me an E-Mail and I will give you my number. Depending on where and how your going down maybe we can hook up for the ride. Any other info I can dig up I will post. Mark LEver39537@aol.com

 

[Nordic Valk]

Stations Inn exit 248 BRP is a 50's style motel. Country store Restaurant and Bar. This place is filled with motorcycle art and equimpment from days gone buy. Good food and friendship. I stayed there about 4 years ago and the rooms though small (true to the era) are very clean and cozy. I'm coming to the rally and plan on staying there on the way back also. There is also a very nice cooperative with hand made local art and goods, glass, wood,textile products(blankets) paintings, pewter, metal and stone jewlery. I spent 2 hrs there and purchased some beautiful hand made wooden bracelets for my daughters done by a handicapped local artisan. I just today recieved my new BRP guide that I obtained from the National Parks Department. If you want to send me an E-Mail I would be glad to look up or call them to find out what mile marker the Co-op is located. There is also a beautiful restaurant over looking a mountain on the way back up. We are hoping to leave on the 18th or 19th to head down to the rally send me an E-Mail and I will give you my number. Depending on where and how your going down maybe we can hook up for the ride. Any other info I can dig up I will post. Mark LEver39537@aol.com