Known as "America's Favorite Ride," touring the North Carolina countryside via the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must for anyone visiting Asheville. The 469 miles of roadway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with North Carolina's own Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The parkway is itself part of the National Park System, and offers plenty of stopping points for hiking, picnicking, or photographing the spectacular vistas.
Make sure to stop at the visitor center at mile marker 382, just south of Asheville, to pick up maps and view the exhibits. You'll also want to stop at the Folk Art Center, which is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild. You'll find artwork in three different galleries, as well as craft demonstrations.
