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The Blue Ridge Parkway:
The Ultimate Driving Trip
13 Days/12 Nights
Click here to see
the Destination Distinctive Accommodations
for this trip!
Ever dream of cruising along one of America’s most
beautiful roads, getting gracious greetings at some very
unique lodging properties, discovering historic towns
just off the roadway and meandering in no particular
hurry? Sound appealing? A trip down the Blue Ridge
Parkway, an All America Road National Scenic Byway,
takes you from Shenandoah National Park in upper
Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in
Tennessee.
It is an opportunity to slow down, take a breath and
enjoy incomparable and endless views. While traveling
over hill and dale, your eyes are always reaching out
for the next vista. Soon you can extend your vision to
the farthest Appalachian Mountain ridge lost somewhere
in the expansive blue mountain haze. As a driving
adventure, the Blue Ridge Parkway tops the list of
scenic beauty for many. The experience is further
enhanced by the historic attractions along its borders.
Our “Ultimate Driving Experience” transverses the
Parkway from top to bottom and puts you, not only in the
drivers seat, but also in reach of very interesting
places that make your trip most engaging. We’ve also
worked in the story of the Parkway at the many official
Visitors Centers along the way. No matter when you
choose to travel, the Parkway is one of the few roads
where every season is spectacular in its own right. In
spring, the flowers are out, and leaves are budding on
the trees. Summer boasts a lush strong green. In fall,
Mother Nature puts on her best dress and delivers a
roadway shrouded in blazing color. In winter, the reds
and golds give rise to snow covered mountains, after
which the myriad of greens return again. Sometimes, in
silence, a newly fallen snow appears like magic. This
road can become part of your own personal history. Enjoy
it; it’s one of a kind.
Day 1: Washington, DC to Winchester, Virginia
Enjoy your time in historic Winchester, the oldest
English settlement west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Known as the “top of Virginia,” Winchester derived power
from its proximity to the Washington region, as well as
its position as the gateway to the Shenandoah Valley.
The city changed hands 71 times during the Civil War
because both sides regarded it as such a strategic
treasure. Historic structures in Winchester date from
the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and
the Civil War.
Overnight: Winchester, Virginia
Day 2: Explore Winchester Area
You’ll have a day to visit Winchester’s true historic
treasures. The incredibly well-preserved Abram’s Delight
dates from 1754. Once a massive 7,000 acre farm, Belle
Grove Plantation was the seat of power of a First Family
of Virginia that include the sister of President James
Madison. Savor the incredible views across the Valley.
The Glen Burnie House Museum has been complemented with
the new Museum of the Shenandoah Valley designed by
Michael Graves.
Overnight: Winchester, Virginia
Day 3: Winchester to Charlottesville via the Skyline
Drive
There will be an opportunity to drive the Skyline Drive
that traverses Shenandoah National Park today on your
way between Winchester and Charlottesville. Along the
way consider visiting Luray Caverns, the latest cave in
the East, the Belle Boyd House, the home of the famous
Confederate spy and Staunton. Downtown Staunton is just
finishing up a marvelous renaissance and restoration,
with shops, restaurants and five historic districts.
Check into the Omni Charlottesville at the end of the
hot and happening Downtown Mall.
Overnight: Charlottesville, Virginia
Day 4: Explore Charlottesville Area
You’ll be introduced to all the President’s men today
when you tour Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson,
Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe and
Montpelier, the home of James Madison. Together they
governed the United States for 25 years. Enjoy a period
lunch at Michie Tavern and top off your day tasting
Virginia wines at Barboursville Vineyards and
Restaurant.
Overnight: Charlottesville, Virginia
Day 5: Charlottesville to Roanoke
Get ready for rugged cliffs, gorgeous vistas, and
wonderful mountain scenery on the official start of the
Blue Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway which today
will take you as far as Roanoke. Be sure to leave time
to tour historic Lexington where time stopped in the
Civil War. The historic restoration is so good you can
almost see hoop skirts emerging from well detailed homes
and flowing down the street. You’ll find Roanoke, which
was once a gritty railroad town, complete with a Farmers
Market and Center in the Square.
Overnight: Roanoke, Virginia
Day 6: Roanoke to far Southern Virginia
You can visit another seat of power of a First Family of
Virginia at Smithfield Plantation on your way between
Roanoke and Southern Virginia. The prominent Preston’s,
in residence prior to the American Revolution are more
recently known as the founders of the Preston and Olin
Institute that is currently known as Virginia Tech.
Savor the quiet and pristine natural beauty of far
Southern Virginia at your accommodations this evening.
Accommodation: Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Day 7: Southern Virginia to Boone, North Carolina
All of a sudden, you’ll notice the Blue Ridge Parkway
change as you enter North Carolina. The mountains are
higher, the vistas are further and the flowers are
usually out in generous bloom. This is considered by
some to be the most beautiful drive on the Parkway.
Enjoy the authentic country culture in Boone at the end
of the day where the Mast General Store has been holding
court for more than 100 years. If you can’t get it
there, it doesn’t exist.
Overnight: Boone, North Carolina
Day 8: Explore Boone Area
You can go back in time to the 19th century at the Moses
H. Cone Memorial Park, a restored vestige of the Gilded
Age and even further back in time at Grandfather
Mountain which arose 740 million years ago when two of
the earth’s plates slammed together. 4,000 acres of
wilderness are now preserved by the Nature Conservancy.
Within the nearby virgin forest, water plunges 411 feet
from Upper Whitewater Falls and another 400 feet from
Lower Whitewater Falls at Linville Falls.
Overnight: Boone, North Carolina
Day 9: Boone to Asheville, North Carolina
Just 100 miles down the Parkway will feel like worlds
away in Asheville, a very sophisticated little mountain
city with great culture. The Southern Highland Guild has
pulled together the work of 900 artists and craftsmen
from nine southeastern states. The Jura Mountains looked
so much like Switzerland that the area is referred to as
Little Switzerland by the resident Swiss. The drive up
Mount Mitchell takes you up nearly to the peak, the
highest point in the East.
Overnight: Asheville, North Carolina
Day 10: Explore Asheville Area
There’s no other house in America like the Biltmore
Estate. At 250 rooms, its the biggest in the land. Plan
to spend the day touring the house, the grounds, the
winery, historic barn and other areas. At the end of the
day, taste the wines of the authentic French winemaker
imported from France and do a little shopping at
Historic Biltmore village.
Overnight: Asheville, North Carolina
Day 11: Asheville to the Great Smoky Mountains
Today’s journey is about the drive. You’ll be deep in
the mountains surrounded by natural beauty as you begin
to make your way into the Great Smokies. Take the Great
Smoky Mountain Railroad to get even deeper into the
backcountry that cannot be reached by car.
Overnight: Bryson City, North Carolina
Day 12: Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Do not miss the opportunity today to drive through Great
Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove and on the
Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway. The Great
Smokies are America’s most visited National Park. On
your drive, you will see why.
Overnight: Bryson City, North Carolina
Day 13
We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home, taking
memories of all the spectacular scenery with you.
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