Escape everyday life with a vacation along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This scenic parkway travels through the Blue Ridge Mountain range in North Carolina and extends all the way to Charlottesville, Virginia. It’s a great place to take a motorcycle drive or spend the day exploring nature at one of the national and state parks in the region. Here are some of the best places to look for a vacation rental near the Blue Ridge Parkway to consider as your vacation base of operations.
1. Maggie Valley, North Carolina
At the southern starting point of the Blue Ridge Parkway sits Maggie Valley. This area hosts amazing skiing in the winter months. Enjoy a small cozy cabin tucked away in the mountains as your private vacation rental or a larger family chalet closer to the action. Spend an afternoon exploring the small local shops and antique stores that dot the town of Maggie Valley.
2. Waynesville, North Carolina
Just a few minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waynesville offers your family the chance to rent a ranch-style home or a cabin retreat that comes with a hot tub attached. When you’re not out taking a scenic drive along the Parkway, check out one of the many scenic hiking trails. The Art Loeb Hiking Trail runs for 12 miles along varied terrain for experienced hikers. You can also tackle a section of the Black Balsam Knob trail that runs for more than 45 miles.
3. Fletcher, North Carolina
Before the Blue Ridge Parkway travels through the popular city of Asheville, you can choose a vacation rental in the low-key area of Fletcher. You can find rentals with wide open spaces. Some of the rentals sit on 20 or more acres of land to explore. While staying in Fletcher, plan a trip to the North Carolina Arboretum, where you and the family can enjoy one of the beautiful garden exhibits.
4. Asheville, North Carolina
Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville is a trendy city filled with eclectic shops featuring the artwork of local artisans. You can choose between a trendy in-town condo or select a vacation rental along the outskirts of town in the mountains. After exploring the city with its art galleries, shops, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs, spend an afternoon out at Biltmore Estates, exploring the magnificent home and attached properties and vineyard.
5. Little Switzerland, North Carolina
As the Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way north, it meanders through the town of Little Switzerland. Rent a large chalet for a family reunion or a small cabin nestled in the mountains with a hot tub on the back deck for a smaller family gathering. Take the family out for a hike to a waterfall. You can choose between the hike to Grassy Creek Waterfall that covers 2 miles or the Crabtree Waterfalls that loops around 2.5 miles.
6. Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Find stunning views when you choose a vacation rental in Spruce Pine along the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can find a quaint mountain cabin for a romantic weekend or a log cabin with room for everyone in your family for a week. Take the kids to the Gem Mining and Caverns for a day of fun. You and the kids can try your hand at mining and search for precious gems or gold.
7. Banner Elk, North Carolina
A few minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway is the town of Banner Elk, where you can find spacious vacation rentals with seven or more bedrooms to cozy cabins for a small family. In the winter months, get the family in the car for a short drive to Sugar Mountain Resort or Beech Mountain Resort for a day of skiing or snowboarding. These resorts offer lessons for beginners as well as slopes for all skill levels so that everyone has a great day.
8. Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Choose a small home, minutes away from downtown or a mountain cabin with amazing views and a movie theater in Blowing Rock. This small town in northern North Carolina offers a variety of activities all year long. Take the family to the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park for a day of fun, or visit one of the local wineries to learn more about how they make wine. You can even purchase a couple of bottles to take home.
9. Boone, North Carolina
In Boone, settle your family into a luxury cabin with amazing views or a family farm with room to roam. This small town offers a thriving art, history and cultural scene with mild weather in the summer and beautiful foliage in the fall. In the autumn, enjoy a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves changing colors.
10. Sparta, North Carolina
Almost to the Virginia state line, Sparta offers you one of the last places to stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Here your family can find country homes where you can enjoy a week’s vacation. Pack a picnic lunch at your vacation rental, and drive over the Doughton Park Picnic Grounds for an afternoon of food and fun.