At more than a billion years old, this ancient outcrop captured human imagination, inspired a legend, and became one of the state’s earliest travel attraction. Our fascination with The Blowing Rock endures — and keeps drawing us west.
blue ridge parkway
Dawn’s Early Light
On New Year’s Day and each frosty morning after, dawn breaks clear and bright across our state, from coastal whitecaps to mountain snowcaps. In North Carolina, the brilliance of a winter sunrise brings the promise of fresh possibilities.
Joy Rides in Blowing Rock
In a private showroom in Watauga County, an early trailblazer in online auto sales collects life-size versions of the toy cars of Christmases past.
7 Mountain Drives to Take in North Carolina This Fall
Head west to discover stunning views, picture-perfect overlooks, and incredible pit stops — hint: waterfalls! — along our scenic roads and byways.
Sleep Beneath the Stars at 6 North Carolina Campgrounds
S’mores, ghost stories, and crisp fall air — in autumn, the land of the pines is a camping paradise. Discover six incredible spots to pitch a tent from mountains to coast.
Storybook Stays in Hendersonville
A couple has transformed Brightwaters, a former resort tucked among the hardwoods of Henderson County, into a compound of cozy cabins where vacationers are writing a fresh chapter on Blue Ridge getaways.
Mother’s Daughter
Camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway brings together two generations of women to share memories and to learn more about each other than either ever knew.
Rooms with a View at the Pisgah Inn
From the storied Pisgah Inn, elevation 5,000 feet, you can see for miles around — and back through generations of mountain memories.
An Our State Playlist: Mountain Music
Our curated Spotify playlist features a selection of Appalachian folk music and bluegrass — the perfect soundtrack for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Sparta to Cherokee.
