Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Audio Driving Tour

While not an actual stop on the tour, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is the official starting point. Narration will begin on the parkway heading north immediately after the visitor center.

The Folk Art Center at Milepost 382 in Asheville is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center showcases Appalachian arts and crafts in its Folk Art Gallery and also houses the headquarters of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. A gift shop sells handmade Appalachian crafts. You can hike a section of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail behind the center.

Located in the high-elevation forests of the Black Mountains, Mount Mitchell State Park is really one of the must-see stops on this tour. It’s free to enter, and the short walk up to the 6,684-foot summit might just be the highlight of your trip. In addition to several hiking trails, you’ll find a museum, gift shop, restrooms, a seasonal restaurant, concessions, and a visitor center. To get the fullest experience, visit both the observation deck on the summit for out-of-this-world views as well as the Balsam Nature Trail for a walk through the magical spruce-fir forest.

This time, instead of sweeping views of the valley from above–you’ll get a stunning view of the mountains from below. The entire Black Mountain Range coming right at you!

One of the closest towns to the parkway, the Alpine-themed village of Little Switzerland offers lodging, shopping, and food. If you have the time and budget, consider checking out Emerald Village. This fun tourist attraction offers family-friendly mining activities where the young and young-at-heart can: pan for gold Dig for real gemstones tour extensive exhibits in their 10-story Discovery Mill or tour a historic mine Warning--prospecting for gold and gems requires some digging in the dirt, so pack an extra outfit and bring along Ziploc bags for treasures. Open daily between April 1 and October 31. Check their website for seasonal hours and separate activity fees.

The Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located in the heart of the Spruce Pine Mining District, is home to interactive exhibits about North Carolina minerals and their mining history. It's open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.). The museum sits in Gillespie Gap where the Overmountain Men crossed the mountains during the Revolutionary War on their way to the Battle of King's Mountain. In mid-September, the museum hosts a re-enactment of the Overmountain Men. You can access the Overmountain Men Victory Trail behind the building.

Not only does the Orchard at Altapass pride itself on growing the best heirloom apples possible, but it also works hard to preserve the regional traditions and culture of the land. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 30, the orchard hosts educational and entertaining activities for all ages. Activities include: Live Old Time Music Apple picking The Clinchfield Model Railway walking trails "Hey" Rides--a storytelling ride through the orchard that brings to life the history of the Overmountain Men during the American Revolution and the fascinating life of early settler Charles McKinney. Wrap up your visit at the General Store with a serving of fresh, hot apple pie alamode. Check out their website for seasonal hours.

This is another place where the Overmountain Men passed on their way to the Battle of King’s Mountain during the Revolutionary War. Later in history, a single mother named Amanda Heffner managed her family farm here during the dangerous days of the Civil War. Her descendants still live in this gap which was named after her.

Linville Caverns reveal the natural wonders hidden deep inside Humpback Mountain. Guided cave tours showcase fascinating limestone features like stalactites, stalagmites, the "Ballroom" and a frozen waterfall. The moderately priced half-hour tours run every 10 minutes and are first-come, first-served. The temperature remains steady at 52 degrees, so bring a jacket or sweater. The caverns are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are only open on weekends during the winter. Check their website for seasonal hours and fees, and call ahead to check how busy they are. If it’s busy, consider purchasing tickets for a later tour, doing the hike to Linville Falls first, then returning to the Caverns afterward.

Off the beaten path, Flat Rock Trail is one of the parkway's hidden gems. This short, easy 0.6-mile loop trail offers views of interesting trees, plants, and fascinating geological features called "bathtubs." Once you reach the top, you'll see that Flat Rock lives up to its name. There are numerous large, flat rocks made of quartzite from which you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Valley below. Less crowded than other trails, Flat Rock is the perfect place to bring a picnic, sit on a rock, and enjoy the peaceful setting. The trailhead begins in the parking area. Stay to the left and hike the path clockwise, following the yellow arrows once you get to the top to complete the loop.

Grandfather Mountain is a must-see tourist destination that showcases all the beauty and splendor of Grandfather Mountain. Cross the breathtaking Mile-high Swinging Bridge for one of the most spectacular views on the parkway. Explore easy trails through peaceful forests or more difficult climbs on rugged peaks. (Note: Grandfather Mountain’s challenging hikes should only be attempted by experienced hikers with the proper gear.) Visit the interactive exhibits in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and see cougars, elk bald eagles river otters black bears ...up close. And drive the famous "Forrest Gump Curve" featured in the iconic American movie. Admission is steep, but the experience is priceless. Online reservations are highly recommended as space is limited and slots fill quickly during the summer. Check their website for fees and seasonal hours.

Probably the most photographed structure on the parkway, the Linn Cove Viaduct is an engineering marvel. The complicated bridge appears to float gently around Grandfather Mountain on tall concrete piers. Its design and construction preserve the fragile habitat of Grandfather Mountain while showcasing its beauty. Completed in 1987, the viaduct was the final segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be built. While the adjacent Linn Cove Visitor Center is no longer open, you can still access trails from the parking lot. A walk along the Tanawha Trail will take you under the viaduct for a close-up view.

Rough Ridge Lookout on the Tanawha Trail is one of the top places to view fall colors on the parkway. Just a short 10-minute hike to a wooden boardwalk offers multiple viewpoints the higher up you go. Even if you miss the fall colors, Rough Ridge Lookout still has plenty to offer including a view of the entire Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain plus lots of large boulders along the trail that make great spots to sit and soak in the breathtaking views.

The centerpiece of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is Flat Top Manor, the magnificent summer home of textile giant Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha. Open to the public from April 15 to November 27 during seasonal hours, the mansion houses a folk craft store as well as a National Parks Visitor Center with a small gift shop and park information. The beautiful and extensive grounds of the Cone Estate feature an orchard, fishing lakes, and 25 miles of beautiful carriage trails which are open to the public year-round.

Situated at the lower end of the Moses H. Cone Estate, Bass Lake is the sparkling gem you can see from Flat Top Manor. The tranquil fishing lake can be reached by one of the carriage trails or by car via Highway 221. A lovely one-mile walking path circles the lake and offers a view of the manor home on the hill behind it. The charming town of Blowing Rock is just a few minutes away. There, you’ll find quaint shops, cafes, lodging, parks, and North Carolina's oldest tourist attraction and town namesake, The Blowing Rock. It’s "The only place in the world where snow falls upside down."