One of America’s oldest mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch between Georgia and Virginia. Home to incredible vistas and unparalleled wildlife, the area is a subset of the larger Appalachian Mountains and includes great swathes of protected acreage in western North Carolina.
Originally the ancestral home of the Cherokee people, the mountains are an important part of the region’s history. The highest point is Mount Mitchell, at over 6,000 feet in elevation, with breathtaking views in all directions, and the appropriately named Blue Ridge Parkway, which provides a scenic route to navigate the peaks.
Despite the region often being overlooked for the Great Smoky Mountains, home to the famed Blackberry Farm and a namesake national park, this nearby area features several luxury retreats and high-end restaurants worth a trip: Asheville, which is nestled inside the Blue Ridge Mountains, is increasingly becoming a culinary powerhouse, with many award-winning restaurants and innumerable breweries. The area as a whole is becoming buzzier every year, as new hotels and resorts keep opening, especially in the communities outside of Asheville.
As a longtime local, here are my must-try hotels, restaurants, bars, and sights.
What To See and Do:
This region has plenty of activities to fill the day during every time of year. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-see, with winding curves built by work programs during the Great Depression that offer jaw-dropping views at every turn. The 469-mile parkway connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park and can take a week to drive if you’re taking your time and making several stops along the way. While it’s most famous for its stunning fall foliage, it provides breathtaking sights year-round and has several visitor centers and scenic pull-offs along the way. There are also plenty of hiking trailheads, and the Appalachian Trail passes through the area. As with most roads in this area, check conditions before going.
If you venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, specifically the Cataloochee area, you can spot elk during the fall rutting season. Highlands in particular is surrounded by several waterfalls, some visible by the road and others requiring a hike to see. If your visit falls in spring and summer months, boat rentals on Lake Fontana are a nice way to spend the day. Winter brings skiing at the Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, the state’s oldest skiing slope with a plethora of beginner-friendly runs.
North Carolina has six viticultural areas, including the Upper Hiwassee Highlands, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and offering a variety of styles. Deep Creek Winery in Bryson Creek features merlot, chenin blanc, and pinot noir varietals, named for landmarks within the High Country. Slanted Window in Franklin has its tasting room in a former service station, showcasing its cabernet sauvignon and rosé.
For the occasional rainy day, it’s worth popping into the cultural centers within the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Museum of the Cherokee People honors the land’s original residents with exhibits on the tribe’s history and customs. The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts has a historic covered bridge, a sculpture garden, and a sprawling site with rotating exhibitions. Of course, you could also spend a day at the spa, including the aforementioned resort spas, or soak at the iconic open-air tubs at Lakeview at Fontana.
Where to Eat:
The restaurants in this region lean heavily into seasonality, pulling from the bounty of local farms. Be sure to check seasonal hours and make reservations in advance.
Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge in Highlands is set inside a former 1930s motor lodge designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Charleston import brings its top-tier Angus Beef cuts and locally sourced produce with mid-century cocktails.
Open since 2002, Osteria Del Monte in the town of Sapphire highlights traditional Italian dishes like veal scaloppine and snapper piccata with a wine list to match. It is seasonal, open from April to December, so plan accordingly.
The Greystone Inn Restaurant sits on the shores of Lake Toxaway and features Southern cuisine with international fare. Highlights include Carolina trout, Berkshire pork tenderloin, and a Wine Spectator-approved drink menu.
Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands is another favorite for Italian food for family recipes like rigatoni bolognese and daily specials. The family has operated restaurants since the 1950s and this location has been in operation since 1984.
Also in Highlands, Wild Thyme Gourmet has offered Asian-American fusion for the last 15-plus years. Locals love the mountain trout, crab cakes, and wasabi salmon. It’s another one of the town’s Wine Spectator award-winning restaurants.
Where to Stay:
Originally a family retreat opened to friends during the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair, The Swag in Waynesville is a nearly all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux property perched literal steps away from the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Outdoor exploration is a big part of the experience as guests are assigned hiking poles and given the option of packed lunches to take exploring — don’t expect any PB&Js here, meals are top-notch and chef-prepared. Guest rooms are outfitted with artwork chosen by the owners and the entire resort comes out for the Sunday lunches on the hill, with a sprawling buffet and views that will have you booking a return trip.
After extensive renovations, sister resort Cataloochee Ranch opened in 2024 on an adjoining property that had been a horse farm since 1933. Also a Relais & Châteaux location, guests enjoy modern ranch cabins and a swanky soon-to-open lodge. Switchback, the onsite restaurant, combines High Country cuisine with an emphasis on wild game and the Tack Room serves delectable craft cocktails. Guest experiences include, of course, horseback riding, as well as a high ropes adventure course, an archery course, and, seasonally, there’s trout fishing and skiing.
Old Edwards Inn is the peak of luxury in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with several properties under its umbrella within the town of Highlands. The original historic inn is the hub of activity, home to the award-winning spa and Madison’s, one of the top restaurants in town. 200 Main is a more traditional hotel experience, just down the street from the inn. Half Mile Farm is a short drive away, sitting on 14 acres with an onsite spa, a restaurant, and transportation to the main inn. The resort also has several cottages and cabins, a lodge, and a nearby golf course.
Generations of travelers have spent summers at High Hampton Resort, which has been open since 1922 and underwent a massive renovation. The National Register of Historic Places-listed property retained its rough-hewn wooden walls, adding upscale design touches in guest rooms. Guests can enjoy five restaurants spread between the inn and club. High Hampton also has a Tom Fazio-designed golf course and tennis, pickleball, and croquet courts.
How to Get There:
The easiest way to get to the Blue Ridge Mountains is by flying into Asheville Regional Airport, which has connections to New York, Chicago, Houston, and Minneapolis, among several others. Other cities may require a layover in larger cities like Atlanta or Charlotte.
How to Get Around:
A car is essential for exploring the mountains, but be careful on the winding roads.
The Best Time to Visit:
Spring is great for warm weather exploration, but there’s nothing quite like visiting during the fall when the area explodes in hues of yellow, red, and orange. Summer tends to be balmy for the uninitiated, especially with the humidity, and some of the resorts shutter during the winter when road conditions are uncertain.