Thedailymiaminews– If you were raised in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge, you are well aware of how easy it is to overlook its value. However, there are some places that are simply too amazing to overlook, regardless of how many times you have visited them.
These communities feature views that make you want to stop and look, paths that actually go somewhere, and locations that still have the atmosphere of old mountain towns.
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock has been a popular tourist destination since 1933, and it is certainly worth seeing today.
The rock is interesting, particularly on a windy day when the updrafts blow leaves and lightweight debris back up into the air. The town really becomes enjoyable in January during WinterFest, which has ice carving, wine tastings, and the kind of polar plunge that you instantly regret.
Main Street offers exactly the right number of shops to explore without feeling like you’re locked in a tourist trap.
Boone
The mountains around the village have remained the same, but the town itself has changed. Howard’s Knob is still the greatest place to see the town, especially after twilight when the lights start to turn on below.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right next to it, and it has some of the highest peaks in the state, which is why it is cooler up here in the summer.
However, the weather is not pleasant. One moment, the sun is shining; the next, a thick fog sweeps in, causing you to reconsider the entire journey.
Bryson City
Bryson City is the place to go if you want to avoid the crowds in Cherokee but still want to visit the Smoky Mountains.
The Tuckasegee River runs directly through the town. If you know where to go, you may fish there all day without running across anybody else.
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is still in operation, and it is not only for tourists. It leads you far into the mountains, where the only sounds you hear are the wind and the river.
Waynesville
Elk had not been seen in this area for a long time, but since they were brought back to Cataloochee Valley, they have become very common. If you leave early, you will witness them wandering across the road as if they own the place.
Waynesville is a good combination of old and new, but if you want to see a nice view, you should go to Waterrock Knob. It is technically closer to Maggie Valley, but no one is keeping track of that. It is difficult to find a sunset that is better than the one up there.
Banner Elk
Elevation is the main focus of this site. It remains cooler up here, even during the summer months.
Fall is a completely other experience, with leaves so vibrant that you would think someone had increased the saturation. However, winters are difficult.
The wind blows straight through, and when it snows, the snow stays for a much longer time than it does in the towns below. Driving up Beech Mountain to have a look around is worth it, even if you don’t ski. The air at the top has a different feeling.
Black Mountain
Compared to many other locales, Black Mountain has retained more of its mountain town atmosphere. You may still hear old-time music being played as if it were just another Tuesday.
If you want to learn about how people lived in this area before there were paved roads, the Swannanoa Valley Museum is a great place to visit.
The pathways in this area are lined with abandoned homesteads and ancient railroad tunnels, which are the kind of sites that make you think about who lived there before the woods took over.
Switzerland in miniature
If you have ever driven the Diamondback 226, you already understand why people are so fond of this location. The twists, the hills, and the views.
Even though it is a little town, it feels like a secret place because of the way it is nestled in the mountains, even when it is not. Mornings here are something else.
The fog is in the valleys, so when you look out, all you can see are mountain peaks that look like islands in the sky.
Hot Springs
Because the Appalachian Trail goes directly through town, you may expect to encounter a few trekkers searching for a place to take a break.
The French Broad River is also right nearby, with places to go rafting if you’re looking for a little excitement or tranquil areas if you’d rather to float. The mineral springs that gave the town its name are still running, and on a cold morning, you may see steam rising as the warm water meets the crisp air.