Blue Ridge Parkway.

[sandrooney]

We are leaving on Monday for the BRP via New Orleans from Colorado. We try to stay off the interstate as much as possible. Any suggestions on things we should see or highways we should take? Our only plans for now are to visit some plantations outside of NO and see the fall colors on the BRP, oh and the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Vally, NC. We have about a month to do this so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot,
Kevin

[MRichaud]

Great trip!


Don't miss the World War II Museum in N.O. Fantastic experience! For food, check out Liuzza's and Dooky Chase's. Plenty others, but those two are hard to beat!


Being from LA, I could go on and on, but you probably won't be there long enough.


Mickey

[sandrooney]

We will check it out. Thanks

[TurnerFam]

if you're hopping on the Blue Ridge from the 'start' at Cherokee, NC, ... enjoy, take your time, and don't worry about any of the 'low' tunnels that some fear - We took our Palazzo diesel pusher through there last year with no issues, though some of the '10'6" Tunnel Ahead' signs might give you pause.
They measure these tunnels from the far outside road edge, not from the middle arches where vehicles drive, so the height warning signs are very misleading. Even hearing this from seasoned BRP drivers will still give you pause when you see your first one, not too far from the entrance. The 5 lowest tunnels are all on this far end of the BRP, within the first 10 or so miles - once you're done with those, it's smooth sailing all the way to Virginia(Afton), if you wish.

We found that an early morning start from Cherokee is good, as little traffic is on the road yet, and if you feel like driving the 'middle of the road' thru this first few tunnels might make you feel better. If the weather has been wet, though, many trees along the BRP will overhang the roadway quite a bit, and can serve to demand that you drive in the middle of the road just to avoid them, especially those with taller coaches and fifth-wheels.

There are many, many pull-offs for viewing the amazing sites along the way, so you have plenty of opportunities to see the sights, but also places to pull off to allow any vehicles traffic behind you to pass... no worries, enjoy!

(there are also campgrounds and rv parks along the way, with some right on the BRP, and others just off, or down in the valley near a town - be careful in your routing, though, as some of the off-roads that lead to these other parks can be more treacherous than the BRP itself.)

Make a planned stop at Grandfather mountain along the way, and maybe Little Switzerland before that - they have a terrific 'overlook' Mountainview Restaurant right off the parkway(Hwy226a exit) that is fantastic, with outside seating and majestic views. A BRP parking lot(Museum of NC Minerals) is right off the exit, for your rig, and you can walk from there to the restaurant.

[sandrooney]

Thanks a lot TurnerFam. I would have probably turned around at the first 10'6'' clearance sigh I ran across.

[stustoner]

As stated, hit Grandfather Mountain, don't miss The Devils Courthouse. "From the top of Devil’s Courthouse at 5,720 feet, visitors can see into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in a 360-degree panorama." Be sure to yell out something and listen for the echos!

[Mr Sunshine]

Sounds like a great trip!

From Maggie Valley, you can access the back side of Great Smoky NP. Good chance to see elk up close. If you like to hike, Grandfather Mtn is awesome. So is the swinging bridge there. Enjoy!

[Lt Keefer]

If you have the time, I would suggest you go up the Natchez Trace then over to Gatlinburg on the way to Cherokee to start the BRP. Then you could do the Skyline Drive before hitting I 70 back to Colorado.

[Cliff10]

If you are driving on any mountain road, do not DRIVE THE MIDDLE ROAD or CHEAT THE LINE!! Do you want to be responsible for injuring or killing a motorcyclist, a bicyclist, or other motorist? Also, remember, the lights on bicycles are hard to see in the tunnels. Even with your lights on, the tunnels referenced are dark and the pavement is often wet with gravel along the edge. Be aware that if you cause anyone in the other lane to have to hug the outside edge, you may cause an accident.

I have seen the white knuckled RV drivers that get on the BRP. If this happens to you, just slow down and maintain YOUR lane, then enter each pull off to allow traffic behind you to move on. While in the pull-off, just take a breath, then, continue on until you can exit the BRP.

Also, just accept that your rig may get scratched from over hanging trees. Our rig shows it, but so what, it's just a vehicle. Do not put the looks of your rig over someone else's life.

People drive their rigs on the BRP and other mountain roads all the time with no problem and without using the middle of the road tactics offered in the above post.

Your trip will great. All the areas you mentioned are full of great people and beautiful things to see.

[Port24]

Take your time getting to the BRP. Leave are changing late this year. Natchez Trace is a nice to travel. Check it out.

Plan your BRP travel week days and you will have a lot less people to deal with. Weekend traffic gets heavy.

Near Devil's Courthouse check out Black Balsam/Sam's Knob side road. 6000+ peaks and views with a short walk. Pisgah Inn for a lunch stop/camping. Asheville has lots to see with a KOA on the east side of town. Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain and the swinging bridge. West Jefferson is a good side trip above Boone.

Wish I had a month to do it...

[Mr.Good]

Check the tunnel measurements at https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvis...el-heights.htm