blue ridge parkway

Go north.When U get close to Washington DC,turn around.You already seen the best.

We were there last summer and loved it. Every vista is beautiful and best of all no mosquitoes. Be sure to see the Biltmore, Black Mountain, and the beautiful little towns all around. We also drove along the Smokey Mountain Highway from Tennesse to Cherokee and loved that too.

Go to the parkway and close your eyes and go north or south.You can't go wrong either way. Just don't continue to drive with your eyes closed or we will be reading ABOUT you instead of FROM you.

We live in Mitchell county not to far from the Parkway.
In my estimation the prettiest part is between Asheville and Boone.
Make sure to drive up to the top of Mt Mitchell,(after a front has gone by) it is the highest mountain east of the Miss.
In that section there are waterfall hikes and fantastic views as well as some great hikes like the Tanawa trail near Grandfather MT.

Jack L

If picking it up near I26 (actually use Hwy 191), heading south you are almost immediately in the Pisgah National Forest. About 25 miles south is Devil's Courthouse, what I think is one of the most breath taking places to take in the view. Mt Pisgah Inn, about 5-10 miles south of 191 which has nice meals with great views while you dine.

If picking it up near I40, then heading north drops you into the Asheville watershed with Craggy Gardens about 20 miles north. Mt Mitchell is about 10 miles further north. There is also a resturaunt at Mt Mitchell with great views while you eat. Food here depends on the cheif this year. Two years ago it was fantastic, last year only okay.

In between I-26 and I-40, to many house and not enough views, but it is only about 10 miles so not terrible.

In both directions, you have plenty of over looks to look at, each of which is special and wonderful in their own rights. So it would depend on where you are starting from and how much time.

Now one thing that may make you go south, is if it is hot and you want to jump in a mountain stream. For that, head south to the Graveyard Fields. From the parking area, it is a short steep (right side of parking lot) or long gradual (left side, 3 miles) to the stream and waterfall at the bottom of which is wonderful swimming hole. This parking area is easy to spot, it's the one with 50 cars parked any where they can and even down the side of the road on the weekends, and full parking lot on the weekdays.

All of it is good. Take your pick, it's a win-win. If you want more than that, tell us what your interests are.

Depends on what you want to see. Mt Mitchell, GrandFather Mountain, Linville Falls, Lin Cove viaduct, Little Switzerland, The Cone Mansion, Boone, and Blowing Rock, Are North of Ashville.

Also, The cool air of the Mountains is North of Ashville as well. Mt Mitchell is jacket weather all year round.

I live an hour south of Asheville and we always drive south towards Cherokee, NC. That section is the prettiest to us (and I think most agree). Going North a bit to climb Mt. Mitchel is very nice as well. after that, it sort of feels like a country road for a while.

Our sticks and bricks, bout 20 min away, I would go ether way, I guess I like it anyway.and now it's all happy-camping

I would head north and continue up the Blue Ridge to Skyline Drive.