Blue Ridge Parkway Day Trips: Top 5 Spots
Looking to run away for the day? How about a change of pace? The Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s almost this scenic ribbon that just winds through Virginia and North Carolina, that is, and is frankly calling your name. It offers, too it seems, the chance to disconnect and reconnect with nature. We’re, very, going to walk through five awesome day trips that will just leave you breathless and refreshed, that is.
1. Mabry Mill: A Glimpse into Appalachian Life
Mabry Mill, it seems, which sits at milepost 176, could be, in a way, like a portal back to the 1900s. It’s almost as if time is standing still here, what with a working gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. It feels very real. The waterwheel that’s spinning, yet it just provides the background music to a simpler time, what with the crafters demonstrating old-school skills, too.
While there, why don’t you stroll along the peaceful trails or just pack a lunch to enjoy by the millpond? I guess you might just want to check the schedule for special events that are held here, too, and sometimes demonstrations.
Read our full review: Mabry Mill Full Review and Details
2. Rocky Knob Recreation Area: Hiker’s Paradise
If it’s a place for a real outing you want, just point your GPS that, is, or rather your steering wheel in the direction of the Rocky Knob Recreation Area at milepost 167. It can really get you in the mood. And trust me, its views are something else.
It is here where, like your blood is boiling and you’ve got all kinds of excess energy, and several routes like the Rock Castle Gorge Trail. Rocky Knob that could be called challenging but incredibly gratifying loops give some sensational looks.
Very tired but happy hikers can unwind here in campsites too, which, if you book up ahead, are there ready and able. Pack the kit.
Read our full review: Rocky Knob Recreation Area Full Review and Details
3. Doughton Park: High Country Delights
For wide open skies, just roll on over to Doughton Park. It can just be found around mileposts 238 to 244, and with a huge stretch of varied habitat, is one special spot, like your birthday.
The Bluff Mountain Trail could be perfect if you like a relaxing jaunt, since along the route you will pass stunning meadows, cool woodlands too, all sorts. Maybe even watch animals grazing in the grassy fields, too.
Very glad trailgoers will find their efforts repaid with views of the region once on top. Here, on the mountains, are amazing spots from which you’ll watch eagles circling in the air.
Read our full review: Doughton Park Full Review and Details
4. Moses Cone Memorial Park: History and Handicrafts
Moses Cone Memorial Park, it’s almost that perfect combination of cultural background and handicrafts and lovely scenery is located at milepost 294. As a matter of fact, the Flat Top Manor here that houses the Parkway Craft Center has just become a well known landmark for folk artists to come along and set out their craft works for many to see.
Strolling round, very lovely views will slowly present to the traveler through the routes around Bass Lake as they wander or simply take that very slow easy amble along the woodland paths close by.
Read our full review: Moses Cone Memorial Park Full Review and Details
5. Graveyard Fields: Unique Mountain Scenery
How about somewhere truly strange to round up the list of very exciting jaunts here? Then, just shoot up to milepost 418.8. Graveyard Fields will truly provide memories which you just wouldn’t think could be from planet earth, you know, and almost surreal landscapes that it can throw up too, it makes up some amazing experiences and feelings of the strangeness.
Its nickname is just said to come through the early parts of the 1900’s, what with the eerie look from the dead trees here; that happened, so too they say, through many years of over felling by logging operations plus the many huge forest fires. Even so, there exists today like an open space to gaze, filled as it is too with shrubs, plus there’s water cascading right through there making this some very fine trek if you are just the energetic type and love going off somewhere which almost no other visitors ever venture.
Read our full review: Graveyard Fields Full Review and Details