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The U.S. Nationwide Parks Service simply launched its 2023 customer knowledge, and one place particularly was essentially the most visited in the complete United States.
Blue Ridge Parkway was the primary hottest Nationwide Parks Web site within the U.S. for 2023, with a complete of 16.7 million guests.
This scenic route stretches for 469 miles between North Carolina and Virginia, operating by the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.
This is why so many vacationers visited the Blue Ridge Parkway final yr and why it is the right street journey:
Discover America’s Most Visited Nationwide Park
The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park on the border of North Carolina & Tennessee with Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Virginia.
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is essentially the most visited nationwide park within the nation, with over 13.2 million guests final yr.
It is the right place to begin your Blue Ridge Parkway street journey. Spend a day or two exploring Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park and having fun with out of doors actions like mountaineering, fishing, and tenting.
Then hit the street and begin driving the Blue Ridge Parkway!
Scenic Views And Stops Alongside The Method
You possibly can theoretically drive the complete 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway in about 12 hours should you did not make any stops, however the great thing about a street journey is stopping alongside the best way!
One motive so many vacationers love the Blue Ridge Parkway is due to the scenic mountain views you may take pleasure in as you drive, and the nice stops you can also make alongside the best way.
The highest three stops I like to recommend making as you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway are:
Asheville, North Carolina: This stylish city is thought for its eating places, breweries, and artwork galleries. It is also value stopping on the Biltmore Property in Asheville, the biggest non-public house in the US constructed by the Vanderbilt household within the late nineteenth century.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina: An enthralling small city within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock is one other nice cease on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The principle spotlight right here is mountaineering as much as the Blowing Rock, a rock formation with sweeping views over the mountains.
Roanoke, Virginia: One other in style place to cease on a Blue Ridge Parkway street journey is Roanoke. This vibrant small metropolis is a superb place to discover with plenty of museums and sights.
End In An Underrated Nationwide Park
The Blue Ridge Parkway ends at Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Virginia. Though Shenandoah isn’t as in style or broadly visited as Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, this underrated nationwide park is unquestionably nonetheless value a cease!
That is one other nationwide park with stunning mountain surroundings and plenty of nice hikes and scenic viewpoints. It is the right place to finish your Blue Ridge Parkway street journey.
Street Journeys Are Inexpensive
Street tripping on the Blue Ridge Parkway was so in style final yr as a result of it is a very reasonably priced trip!
With many locations getting increasingly more costly, you’ll be able to nonetheless lower your expenses on a street journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Your essential prices can be a rental automobile (if you do not have your personal car for the journey), fuel, and meals. Lodging is one thing it can save you some huge cash on by tenting and even sleeping in your automobile!
After all, you may as well spend cash on inns, with loads of choices for each price range alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway.
I’d advocate a minimum of 5 days for a Blue Ridge Parkway street journey, however you would simply spend 7 to 10 days driving it relying on what number of stops you need to make.
The very best time for a Blue Ridge Parkway street journey is late spring by fall — it is top-of-the-line fall foliage locations in the US!
Learn Extra:
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This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.
