Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway Tour
Experience the beautiful southeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Cruise from the edge of the Great Smokies National Park to Shenandoah on this scenic highway bathed in blue mist. Snap photos from jaw-dropping overlooks, spot incredible wildlife, and uncover the fascinating history and legends of the Cherokee as you drive. This self-guided driving tour reveals the parkway’s best sites and the hidden history behind them all!
Begin your tour in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton, and drive in either direction.
About the Tour
Your Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive tour can begin at any of the following locations: Cherokee, NC; Asheville, NC; Roanoke, VA; Afton, VA. From there, you can drive in either direction.
The tour is broken up into three sections: Cherokee to Asheville, Asheville to Roanoke, and Roanoke to Skyline Drive. If you want to see the whole parkway, from Great Smoky Mountains National Park all the way to Shenandoah National Park, you can do so! But if you’d rather break your trip up into smaller pieces and explore at different times, that’s also absolutely an option. Once you buy this tour, it’s yours for life so that you can explore the Blue Ridge Parkway entirely on your own schedule.
Cherokee to Asheville
Discover North Carolina’s stunning beauty along the westernmost stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. While driving, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at countless jaw-dropping overlooks such as Cowee Mountain and Cherry Cove Overlooks. Some of these also feature incredible hiking trails, like Skinny Dip Falls Trail, which leads to a sparkling wilderness waterfall.
As you drive, you’ll also get acquainted with the Native tribes of the region, such as the Cherokee. You’ll hear plenty of history and legends belonging to these people and revisit dark yet important periods of time like the infamous Trail of Tears. Plus, dig into the history of Asheville as you approach North Carolina’s most picturesque city!
Asheville to Roanoke
Watch the serenity of North Carolina give way to the ruggedness of Virginia along this middle stretch of the Parkway. Experience stunning vistas at Chestoa Viewpoint and Grandview Overlook, visit critical monarch butterfly migration routes, and uncover unlikely local heroes like a bear named Mildred.
Along the way, get ready to pass plenty of small, historic towns as well. Looking out across those distant villages, you’ll learn about the history of industry in the Appalachians—the rise, the fall, and the persistence of the hardy residents of these towns.
Roanoke to the Skyline Drive
Bridge the gap between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the breathtaking Skyline Drive with this easternmost portion of your tour. Cruise across scenic mountain landscapes that were tourist hotspots even before the ubiquity of the automobile, like the Peaks of Otter. Check out parts of the famous Appalachian Trail. Get to know the Seneca and the adventures of a little-known 1700s wilderness pioneer. And end it all at another national park well worth exploring!
Whether you’re looking to enhance a scenic drive or really dive into the weeds and explore, this 3-part tour gives you the tools to do it. So what are you waiting for? Buckle up and hit the road!
BONUS TOUR: This tour also includes a bonus walking tour of Asheville.
NOTE: Parkway areas are closed for ongoing road maintenance, construction, and Helene recovery projects, as well as impacted areas. To know more, click here.
Learn more about the admission fees, and other pertinent information here.
- Great Smoky, Cades Cove, Shenandoah & Blue Ridge Parkway Bundle: Experience the beauty of the Appalachian with self-guided driving tours for $39.99 per car and save 44%.
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Blue Ridge Parkway Map
Where To Start?
Starting Address:
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Highlands & Plateau (Asheville to Roanoke)
Blueridge Parkway Visitor Center: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Pisgah Region (Cherokee to Asheville)
Oconaluftee Visitor Center: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 1194 Newfound Gap Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, United States
Blue Ridge – Northbound – Ridge Region (Roanoke to Afton)
Blue Rdg Pkwy, 118 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Highlands & Plateau (Roanoke to Asheville)
3627 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Pisgah Region (Asheville to Cherokee)
Blueridge Parkway Visitor Center: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, 195 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
Blue Ridge – Southbound – Ridge Region (Afton to Roanoke)
Blue Rdg Pkwy, 24JR+CQ, Afton, VA 22920, USA
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. We are working with Apple for a resolution.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome - Oconaluftee Visitor Center
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Ballhoot Scar Overlook
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Ancestral Cherokee Land
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Thomas Divide
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Big Witch Overlook
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Ancient Medicine
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Bunches Bald Overlook
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Plott Balsam Overlook
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An Animal Conspiracy
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Soco Gap
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Thunderstruck Ridge Overlook
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Why Trees Lose Their Leaves
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Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
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Yellow Face Overlook
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The Indian Removal Act
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Trail of Tears
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Cherokee Rose
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Eagles
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What's In a Name?
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Blue Ridge Becomes a Park
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Building the Parkway
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Abbie Rowe
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Roy Taylor Forest Overlook
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Richland Balsam Overlook
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Cowee Mountain Overlook
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The Milky Way
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The Pleiades
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Rough Butt Bald Overlook
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Cathedral Falls And French Broad Falls
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Hidden Gems of the Blue Ridge
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Black Balsam Knob
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Creation of the World
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Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead
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Birds of the Blue Ridge
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Salamander Capital of the World
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Fryingpan Mountain
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Pisgah Inn and Observation Deck
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Mills River Valley Overlook
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Forest Fires
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Bad Fork Valley
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George Washington Vanderbilt
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A Green Estate
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
It covers a vast stretch of this scenic highway, from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park, revealing stunning overlooks, wildlife sightings, and the rich history and legends of the Cherokee people.
You can start this tour from multiple locations: Cherokee, NC; Asheville, NC; Roanoke, VA; or Afton, VA. You have the flexibility to choose your starting point and drive in either direction along the parkway.
The journey goes from Cherokee to Asheville, Asheville to Roanoke, and Roanoke to Skyline Drive. Each segment has unique sights, overlooks, hikes, and historical lessons. You can walk the parkway in one go or in smaller sections, depending on your inclinations.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has several attractions, including Cowee Mountain and Cherry Cove Overlooks, Skinny Dip Falls Trail, monarch butterfly migration paths, and historic communities.
Absolutely! The Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive Tour is self-guided, allowing you to explore the parkway entirely at your own pace. You can take your time at each location, stop for hikes or photos, and enjoy the scenic drive on your schedule.
Yes, this tour includes a bonus Asheville walking tour. You can walk around the city and discover its distinctive attractions, history, and culture, as well as drive the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Drive Tour is suited for all ages. No matter the season, this excursion is fun, but seasonal and weather concerns should be considered.
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
