7 Places to See on the Blue Ridge Parkway | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 6

What should you do on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall? These are 7 places to see while you drive the 469 mile road through Virginia and North Carolina. There are definitely more than just what we show in this video, but we feel this gives you a good representation of the kinds of different things you can experience if you take a few days to visit.
This is the sixth episode of our Appalachian Mountain series where we took a two week road trip from Shenandoah National Park down the Blue Ridge Parkway and explored the Great Smoky Mountains. From hiking various portions of the Appalachian Trail up to summits and balds, to exploring majestic waterfalls and bluffs and historical mills and cabins deep within Appalachia, we definitely enjoyed seeing the beauty of America's National Parks.
Appalachian Mountains Road Trip 2020 playlist:
Four short hikes in Shenandoah National Park | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 1
• Shenandoah National Pa...
Luray Caverns History, Facts & AUDIO Tour! | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 2
• Luray Caverns History,...
McAfee Knob Hike | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 3
• McAfee Knob Hike | App...
Sharp Top Hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 4
• Blue Ridge Parkway - S...
Hiking to Peaks of Otter Plane B-25 Crash | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 5
• Hiking to Peaks of Ott...
7 Places to See on the Blue Ridge Parkway | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 6
• 7 Places to See on the...
Alum Cave Trail, Great Smoky Mountains Hike | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 7
• Alum Cave Trail, Great...
Rainbow Falls Hike, Great Smoky Mountains, TN | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 8
• Rainbow Falls Hike, Gr...
Mount LeConte hike (Myrtle Point, Cliff Top, Lodge) | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 9
• Mount LeConte Hike (My...
Bullhead Trail from Mount LeConte | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 10
• Bullhead Trail from Mo...
Biking Cades Cove Loop Road, Great Smoky Mountains | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 11
• Biking Cades Cove Loop...
Andrews Bald Hike | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 12
• Andrews Bald Hike, Gre...
Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains | Appalachian Mountains, Ep. 13
• Clingmans Dome, Great ...
Check us out on our other social media platforms:
Instagram - / magellanandgreyhound
Facebook - / magellanandgreyhound
Twitter - / magellanandgrey
0:00 Intro
0:58 Peaks of Otter
1:26 B-25 Bomber crash site
1:50 Mabry Mill
2:22 Puckett Cabin
2:42 Blue Ridge Music Center
3:48 Linn Cove Viaduct / Grandfather Mountain
4:36 Linville Falls
Music from Epidemic Sound - bit.ly/2MY6ilU

[@OpenRoad4Two]

Nice having this recap! I cant wait until we can drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It is pretty all year, but the fall is the best time to com, although we missed the full turning of the leaves by about a week or so, but you can’t always predict that

[@missr3438]

We love Graveyard Fields Loop Trail to Investor Gap (Blueberries in July)!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You had us at blueberries! We will hit that up next time we visit friends in Asheville.

[@Jax4umalta]

Wow what a Beautiful place. I’m gonna have to check it out one day.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We haven’t seen everything, especially outside the US, but this country never ceases to surprise us. It is so beautiful

[@slightlyoffthebeatentrack7322]

Really nice round up of lots of places to see on this route. So cool you got to see wild bears!! With all the news we get from the US it's so easy to forget you have so much nature and beauty and peace!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We find it easy to forget too! It really is a massive country. Glaciers, deserts, swamps, basically every climate and geography. And we haven’t even seen 5% of it. No complaints!

[@kimalzate4231]

What i love about the Linn Cove Viaduct is that there are so many places you can pull over and find trails to hike randomly. You find stairs, cliffs, waterfalls, and some trails go down the entire mountain!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Exactly! We just did just that! Might make another video about it. Rough Ridge was amazing!

[@seanhenry4830]

Thank you for your informative video. Well done.We're heading up there tomorrow looking forward to checking it out.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! We try to go every year and check out different spots. Hope you enjoy!

[@TravelwithSuri]

Beautiful video my friends! Starting from the beautiful lake at the start to the stunning waterfalls at the end, all the spots on the list are stunning! Thanks for coming up with the best list! I am sure you had hard time to short list among tons of best places..! Happy thanksgiving 🍁🦃🍽

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well! And thank you! This was a great trip

[@TravelShades]

Like 3. Beautiful scenery. Beautiful singing. Nice video.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It really was

[@717adventures5]

Love your documentary style! It's both consice and informative, very well thought out.

[@ReSprout]

Thank you!! We've been playing around with the video formats (voiceover vs. no voiceover etc). It's good to hear feedback! -Greyhound

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! Of the two of us, I really hate speaking too. She is much better at it

[@TooMuchLuggage]

Can’t wait to take a road trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It looks like an amazing trip.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It was really nice during the fall, we missed the full turning of the leaves by about a week or so

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

All 7 are amazing places and very unique and beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Great video

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you Bobby!

[@travelandamericanlifewithb3134]

@@MagellanandGreyhound you welcome

[@MountainRoots]

Yaaassssss! Love it....and no, I'm not biased because I'm Appalachian or because I live in the Virginia Blue Ridge (not too far from Mabry Mill) 😜 -Josh

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Nothing wrong with loving your home man. Absolutely beautiful area. I’m actually finishing up the leg of my trip. I’ll be passing through Roanoke on my way towards DC

[@MountainRoots]

@@MagellanandGreyhound dude! Don't know if it's possible but I'd be down for catching a cold one with ya at one of the many local breweries in the Roanoke area! homesteadoverland @ g m a i l

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@MountainRoots i’m sorry man, I’m almost to DC. Unfortunately when you drive around the entire United States, you might hit a snowstorm or you might hit a deer. I did both and so I’m actually a day late to my last friend I am visiting. I promise we will have a cold one when I am back in the area with more time.

[@MountainRoots]

@@MagellanandGreyhound oh man, bummer on the deer bro! Yeah, let's make it happen next time. Safe travels to ya (at least what's left of your trip)!

[@davidhorne2326]

Me too!

[@RuggedMile]

Some great stops! The Linville Falls look amazing!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

The fact that there were multiple points to see them was really cool

[@AngelaSMak]

wow, I love it, amazing views, I love all spots, the performance is fun, stop 6 views and 360 views and the fall are all amazing. you did such a really good job taking your to share all informations and history, I love that too. Great job dear !

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It really is a wonderful drive, and you could take days to explore everything if you want

[@Sylkenwolf]

Those Blue Ridge Mountains course thru my veins! My life quote is -The Mountains are calling, and I must go.-John Muir!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

John Muir isn’t a bad person to life quote. 😊 Love the Blue Ridge. Can’t wait to visit again!

[@CelticPaths4k]

I love all the places, but Linville Falls is absolutely amazing!! Grea video my friends, and congrats for your 1000 subs!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! The falls were great because you got to see them from several spots.

[@OMARZAKIALIRAQEY]

Thx 👍

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You’re welcome 😉

[@WagnerSaucedo]

That looks like the best place to visit! I love the mountains! Thanks for sharing guys! New sub in your community :)

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! It was a pretty awesome trip. There was so much we didn’t see either

[@costat9995]

Really well builded episode share my dear friends! Thanks for sharing! Wish you a nice weekend ❤️

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You as well Costa! Thank you

[@shanesmaineshop]

Thanks , we are planning a trip there this summer.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Awesome! Have fun. There is more to do than you can imagine

[@minifoodies9448]

U brought me to the great places I enjoyed watching ur videos 👍 Nice to meet u friend and stay safe

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! You as well!

[@WanderingKnights]

We just finished driving the whole thing ! Very fun adventure

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That’s awesome! We heard it snowed there too. Would have loved to have seen that!

[@southerngirlsrock2799]

My family and I are heading to the Tennessee area in about a week from now! We will be staying in Copperhill area , then visit the Smokie mountains and Gatlinburg, so excited!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That’s great! Make sure to do the sky bridge in Gatlinburg! The Smokies are amazing.

[@steverogers214]

Nice works guys. Blue Ridge parkway is definitely on my bucket list.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We didn’t even think we gave it its proper due either. With all of the hikes along it you could spend two weeks going down it.

[@ReSprout]

@@MagellanandGreyhound I know I feel like we should have spent at least 3 days there! -Greyhound

[@tyrannicaltypomichaeltester]

You wont regret it..The span from Ashe city NC down to Asheville is the best of the stretch

[@uselesstutorials1153]

Hey beautiful place, it start my Saturday well! thanks for sharing (O:

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! Hope it stays well!

[@TheContinuingStories]

Great video, really interesting and a beautiful place :)

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! We loved the whole area

[@robelgan7841]

The most strenuous and rewarding hike of my many years doing so is the Grandfather Mountain Trail. It is 5.9 miles, out & back along the summit of Grandfather. I describe it to folk as walking along the spine of the earth. You really must make this trek if possible in the future. A daypack and water is good to take along, and pay attention to the weather. I have hiked to Calloway peak many times, using this trail, and the trails from the bottom of the mountain along the eastern and western slopes. This one is the best!

[@ReSprout]

OMG we are so bummed we missed this hike. I literally made whining noises as we drove past it. We definitely will have to make a detour on a future trip! -Greyhound

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Rob, we knew the weather always would play a factor, but missing this was disappointing. It sounds really cool though! “Walking along the spine of the earth” - is it narrow at the top? We have family in Raleigh so we may have to make a special trip for this!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We made a second Blue Ridge video, based on all the comments from you all that we received on social media and email. Check it out here! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ambbpnyLn7d1gKM

[@hayzeebloke]

Very helpful, planning a trip in March from UK. First visit to the area to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Thank you.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

You’re very welcome. We have one other video I believe too if it helps. There’s so much to do along the Blue Ridge. Happy 40th in advance! We just had our 26th so we’re a bit of a ways to go 😁

[@Jerry-qg5ty]

My most favorite part of the Parkway is getting on Parkway off 321 at Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mtn. Many nice places to visit. Moses Cone Manor, Julian Price Park, Lake, Campground,. Also a great picnic spot on the creek in that area which is also part of the Price Park. Linn Cove Viduc which is just a short ways from the entrance to Grandfather Mtn and where they hold the Highland Games each year. I would say that area is some of the prettiest and has the most things to see of any part of the Parkway. My second favorite area is in Va. around Mabury Mill. There is also a nice Log Cabin to visit then 8 miles off the Parkway is a wonderful little town called Floyd, Va. Well worth the visit. I enjoyed your video.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Jerry, we know exactly where you're talking about! Not that we're trying to make you watch a second video we made recently, but we loved the parkway so much that we went back about two months ago again. Rough Ridge, Moses Cone (which was being renovated unfortunately), Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, etc. We are thinking of going every year to keep exploring areas. It is such a beautiful parkway and so much stuff to see. Glad you enjoyed the video. We will definitely visit Floyd next time. Galax is on our list too for the music!

[@theryanstravel1699]

Crazy to see that the pieces of the bomber were left behind. Wow, the Puckett mother was VERY dedicated to bringing babies into the world. 24 pregnancies?? Nice to see some live music in this "distant" time. What a beeyootiful drive!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

They were only playing for a short time too. We were very lucky

[@randyhorne2386]

There are four trails at Linville Falls. There is also a trail under the viaduct that goes all the way to Julian Price park 14 miles away.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Yes, we saw some of the others. I remember one going in and around the gorge too. Beautiful area

[@tommymiller9555]

I have traveled from Cherokee n. c. ,to Front Royal v. a. several times on my motorcycle .It is a must see if you love the outdoors .The beauty cannot be explained ,go see !

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

My dad lives in Raleigh area and takes his Harley out there. Makes me think I should finally learn how to ride! Such a magnificent stretch to see

[@TravelDrone]

Well recorded, i liked the video, greeting ❤️

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! 🙏

[@VietnamWalkingTV]

So helpful video. So beautiful places. I would like to travel there. Full watched and supported. Stay connected, my friend

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you so much! It really was

[@historymajor26]

I’m from NC (near the Sauratown Mountains) and thought this video was great! If you ever visit the Blue Ridge Mountains again, I would recommend going to the Mabry Mill restaurant, visiting the Grayson Highlands (awesome views!), and taking a detour into Galax, VA. Galax is the old time country music capitol of the world, and hosts the annual Fiddler’s Convention. Some places there I would recommend going to are the REX theatre, Barr’s Fiddle Shop, and Felts Park (where the Fiddler’s Convention and many other events are hosted!).

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you! That’s funny, my buddy grew up nearby, my brain is fuzzy, but I remember those mountains and Stokes county. He actually helped us a lot in planning this entire road trip series. We really loved this area and felt we didn’t give it enough time (that’s life right?), but have gotten so many suggestions from this video, it’s going to be a loaded trip next time we visit! I think the musicians we listened to were from Galax. My dad lives in Raleigh so we are going to just have to revisit this area often now. Hi dad, we’re coming to … see you?

[@historymajor26]

@@MagellanandGreyhound You’re welcome! I hope your future trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains are fun and adventure-filled! 😃

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@historymajor26 thank you! Yours as well!

[@VictoriaVlogz]

I am going to Linville Falls today. One of my favorite spots in the NC mountains. I will be uploading that hike to my KZbin channel.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It’s such a great little hike with so much bang for your buck!

[@awilbadoo]

wow absolutely bueatifull

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It really is! Wish we had more time!

[@BucketListTravellers]

Say what!? 24 children of her own? That is crazy! Very interesting though, thanks for sharing!

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Nothing surprises us anymore 🙃

[@greystone1577]

Grandfather mountain is one of the best hikes out there !

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Everyone keeps telling us that! We just visited again a month or so ago, and got to do the Rough Ridge hike. We are getting closer. I’m hoping when we visited my dad again that we finally do it !

[@PISETHeducation]

good Places

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you!

[@vs123]

I like view nature beautiful

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you!

[@theweek-ender8908]

I spent 25 summers and falls of my life at bluffs Lodge before sparky retired and it was sold. Even met one of the men responsible for the concrete shingles forms, one of caudill's son's, that lived in the caudill cabin below, he's since passed. . Very very sad the lodge no longer in operation.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It’s a beautiful place. That must have been nice! Fall is I think our favorite time.

[@DavidMichael-hj1lq]

I believe Crabtree Falls is at milepost 339, or 340 in Yancey County, North Carolina. It's a 1.6 mile (out and back) walk to one of the best waterfalls I've ever seen. (There is also a loop trail around it as well) Of course there are several waterfalls in close proximity to the BRP, but Crabtree is definitely a treat for any waterfall lover. Happy trails!🍻

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Wow, just watched a video on it. Awesome. We have family in the area so repeat trips are a must! Thank you for this.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We wound up visiting Cascade Falls, which was cool, but Greyhound sprained her ankle and so we couldn't see Crabtree. Thank you for the suggestion though. Our most recent trip was made up of many suggestions that people like you made here. We really appreciate it. And we are in the area at least once a year, so we won't give up!

[@marmeedoll]

I had a grand time in the fall. She took me high into the Smokies of NC. Grabbed me and said I was hers. And thus it was for more than 60 years. I had to lay her to her rest up high. I do miss her, her clogging, her mountains, her wildness, her loving. After 60 plus years, I miss her. If the Lord is willing I will see her again.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

I hope you see her again too.

[@pamelamcgurk2101]

request - as you list mile marker locations. it would also be great if u lusted nearby towns. galex is a great example.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That’s a really good idea! We’re planning to do a third video this summer and one day to do a series showing every stop and town. We’ve heard Galax is a great music town.

[@Beveleee]

Mount Mitchell is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We just visited that in August. What an awesome peak!

[@seanweatherall3151]

Nice video, I went to uni at App State in Boone and grew up an hour south of Roanoke, so the BRP has always held a special place in my heart. Little side note, Galax is pronounced 'Gay-lax'

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Awesome! We loved it and wound up going again a few months ago to different spots. Might try to make it a yearly trek. And thanks for the pronunciation help. We already got corrected for pronouncing Appalachian wrong a bunch. 😁

[@jeffp47]

Have you visited Eustace Conway of Mountain Men in Boone NC?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

No, but just looked it up! That looks really cool. We will have to check it out when visiting our friends in Asheville.

[@superblastpressurewashing.7256]

Crab Tree falls is a great stop at mile marker 339

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

That was the number one place on our list! We were set to go, but Greyhound sprained her ankle. Next time it has to happen!

[@willbyers7347]

One of my favorite spots is graveyard fields mile marker 420

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

We will have to check out. We haven't visited that section of the parkway yet!

[@MetroOnTheMove]

5:39 Gorgeous waterfall! Have to check this place out! Wish I would have gone here when I was in the area. Why was Grandfather Mountain not accessible?

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It was, we just couldn’t find parking and we lost a day due to rain. Well do next time. We heard it was awesome

[@MetroOnTheMove]

@@MagellanandGreyhound Grandfather Mountain looks awesome for sure! Earlier in the year, you had to schedule a visit with a reservation. Not sure if that is still in effect or not. Too bad the rain and time prevented you from going. This is on my list of places to visit soon. Maybe will see you there. Cheers

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@MetroOnTheMove that’s good to know! We’ll look to reserve if that’s the case. And as you can tell from our series, we work around the rain. Happy Holidays man!

[@Talan.4]

You forgot to mention the restaurant at Mayberry Mill

[@jasonstanley7197]

Its apple at cha

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Got two buddies from the area who promised to never let me forget that! 😁

[@jamesholden820]

Love how he said galax lol wrong answer

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Haha probably said a lot more wrong than that. Wouldn’t be the first 🤣

[@jamesfulk2301]

Big Medows

[@CmdrCallista]

Grandfather Mountain isn't the highest point on the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Mount Mitchell is.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Oh wow, our bad. I thought it was the highest on the eastern side. I must have misread the national park site or wikipedia. I knew Mount Mitchell was higher on the whole. That's a great mountain too. We visited that this summer. Lovely place to keep going back to!

[@thestormlscoming]

Part of this drive looks scary. I want to do it but am also scared to he that close to the edge of the mountain

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

It’s not a terrible drive overall. There’s curves for sure, but the speed limit is max 45 and will drop to as low as 25. People don’t drive on it to speed either and aren’t surprised when a vehicle is going slower than usual. Those mountain edges may look scary, but they’re also beautiful too. 😁

[@thestormlscoming]

@@MagellanandGreyhound thanks. I’ll have to suck it up and just do it. Seems well worth it

[@chrisoakley5830]

Not scary at all. It is a beautiful place and a fun drive. Check it out.

[@debbiegodwin6407]

Just a quick factual edit on your video Mount Mitchell's summit elevation 6,684 feet is higher than Grandfather Mountain's 5,946.feet

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Thank you for that! I’m sure this isn’t the only time we’ve made a mistake either. 😆

[@debbiegodwin6407]

@@MagellanandGreyhound it's an easy one to mix up. I think Grandfather gets more attention just due to having more to do for tourists. Love the video though well done.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

@@debbiegodwin6407 haha I can see that. We usually go down the parkway once a year to see different things and it’s hard to keep track of everything. Such a beautiful place. And thank you 😁

[@kvan4385]

moses cone manor

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Just looked it up! Love mansions. Great recommendation for next time, thanks!

[@kvan4385]

@@MagellanandGreyhound you are welcome.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Next time came, and we got to visit the Cone Manor and the craft center. It was under construction, but you could still see most of it (except the upstairs). The views and grounds outside were incredible. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@johnloo9242]

thanks for sharing. basically nothing special on this parkway.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

While I am sorry you feel that way, I’m glad we showed you enough to not waste your time, genuinely. We’ve had a few places hyped up for us and we went and we just never understood the allure. What places would you suggest? We’ve got a list 😊

[@randyhorne2386]

And it’s Appala “chun” when your in that part of the mountains. Phonemic awareness don’t count y’all

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

Haha we've been called out many times since, especially by two friends from the area, and we even pause now to pronounce it correctly, but phonemic awareness has nothing to do with it. Other than those living there, no one in the world says it the correct way, and not because it is misread, but because it is misspoken. People mimic what they hear and what everyone hears is Appa-laysha. I would blame the popularity of the Appa-laysh-an trail for that. Shame really, but these kinds of things happen everywhere.

[@GHW]

No offense guys but if you're going to have a video about the Appalachian mountains then you should learn how to actually pronounce the word Appalachia. If you're not sure how it's pronounced then ask someone that lives there.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

No offense taken if no offense given. We’ve been told this by friends we’ve made since, who live there, and we now (mostly haha) pronounce it App-uh-latch-uh. It doesn’t make it right, but most of the US and the world pronounces it as Apple-aysha, because it is the widely accepted pronunciation. Appalachia has lost the greater cultural war in this regard, and to be honest, no one ever corrected us while we were there. We’re sorry for adding to the pile (our next Blue Ridge video that we do when we visit, we will pronounce it the local way 😁). In much the same way that many say Germany (it’s Deutschland), Russia (it’s Rossiya), Melbourne (Mel-bun), Edinburgh (Edin-burra), or even New York where we live (it’s New Yawk), unless the folks on the area go on a massive long-term media campaign, Appalachia will always be mispronounced, just like everywhere else