Bryson City is a popular Blue Ridge Parkway rest stop due to its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the abundance of outdoor activities available there, including hiking, whitewater rafting, tubing, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding, and even zip lining through the treetops. Close to town, hikers may access popular destinations like Deep Creek, known for its waterfall paths, rapids, and breathtaking vistas of the Smokies. Motor lodges, quiet cabin rentals, and the spa-focused Lakeview at Fontana are just some of the places you may stay.
Edenton
Edenton, North Carolina is a great place for a couple to drift hunters go away to because of its scenic location on Albemarle Sound and its numerous 18th- and 19th-century structures. Take a trolley through the state's original colonial capital and stop in at some of the many restored historic residences (and second-oldest town). The Roanoke River Lighthouse, built in 1886, is an excellent example of a screw-pile lighthouse, of which just a few exist in the United States. The Inner Banks Inn is a majestic option for a themed stay in Edenton BBs.
Puffing Stone
Where are you going? This village on the Blue Ridge Parkway gets its name from the old gneiss outcrop nearby, the stony mass of which makes wind to blow vertically, giving the illusion that items are floating in the air. The Gilded Era home of textile magnate Moses H. Cone provides further Blue Ridge panoramas, and its 3,600 acres may be explored on foot or horseback. In addition to racing down Sugar Mountain on skis or on the Wilderness Run roller coaster, families should make time to ride the vintage Tweetsie Railroad. As a whole, the hamlet offers a scenic mountain hideaway with fine restaurants, unique shops, and quaint inns.
Seagrove
At the pulsing core of North Carolina's pottery culture, the little village of Seagrove is a rustic paradise for pottery aficionados. There are dozens (more than 100, by some calculations) of ceramics businesses and workshops scattered around the picturesque countryside and Uwharrie foothills, and many of them include active potters at the wheel. Uwharrie Crystalline is worth a visit because of its one-of-a-kind crystal-infused glazes.
Manteo
The beautiful Outer Banks are a short drive away from Waterside Manteo, which might be its biggest selling feature. (From this Roanoke Island town, you can easily reach other popular stops along the Outer Banks, such as Nags Head and Hatteras.) This historic district is teeming with antique stores, waterfront restaurants, and magnificent bed-and-breakfasts; some of them, like the White Doe Inn, have even been honored by being included to the National Register of Historic Places. That reminds me: there's a lot of history around here. The Lost Colony, an English colony that mysteriously disappeared in the 1580s, was located on Roanoke Island.
Sylva
This mountain settlement from the 19th century has a relaxed, community vibe because to its small population. Sylva, along with its even smaller western neighbor Dillsboro, serves as a hub for visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Tuckasegee River for activities like rafting and tubing. Breweries, antique shops, and mom-and-pop restaurants fill the time in between trips; the eccentric Lulu's on Main has been a local favorite for decades.
Hillsborough
