TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Stop in Asheville, just off the parkway and see Biltmore - great tour and winery. Several interesting places to stay in Asheville including Biltmore (but pricey), and tons of neat restaurants downtown.

Ted Evans Loc: Jasper, AL

Coming South, past Asheville, as you pass
over US74 Waynesville area you will go up
and up till you reach Water Rock Knob, a
pull off with parking and restrooms.
Take time to stop here for the view - stunning! Try to get to Smokies by last wk
on Oct - peak leaf season there. crowded.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Clingman's Dome The Parkway's southern terminus is in Cherokee, NC. It exits onto US441. Turn right and the Oconoluftee Visitor's Center will be about 1/2 mile on the right. The area is very popular for seeing elk. Continuing on 411 into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park you will find some gorgeous overlooks of the North Carolina Mountains. Clingman's Dome Road will be off to your left just before reaching the Newfound Gap parking area. It is 7 miles to the Clingman's Dome parking area. The paved trail up to the tower is a steep climb but well worth it.

As far as the Parkway some of the areas that you will not want to miss include the Peaks of Otter (there is a lodge there), Mabry Mill, Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, the Linville Viaduct (stop before crossing and photograph), Mt. Mitchell State Park (accessed right off of the Parkway). the North Carolina Arboretum (off of the Parkway at Rt. 191 near Asheville). The Mt. Pisgah Inn is right on the Parkway past Asheville. If you want to stay there make your reservation early because it stays full. The Inn also has a very nice restaurant. Travelling south just past the Mt. Pisgah Inn take Rt. 276 toward Brevard. You will have an opportunity to visit The Cradle of Forestry, Sliding Rock, and Looking Glass Falls.

These are just few of the wonderful and beautiful areas on and near the Parkway. I would suggest that before you go, try to find a copy of "Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway" by Victoria Logue, Frank Logue, & Nicole Blouin. I will send you a PM with a link where you get the book.

In Gatlinburg you will want to take a drive on the Roaring Fork Nature trail. Just ask for direction at the Sugarlands Visitor Center which will be on your left before you get to Gatlinburg.

Most of, take the time to enjoy.

Chuckwal Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

Go to the Brevard Transylvania County land of waterfalls off the BRParkway

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

So happy you asked this question. We're planning the same drive from Rhinebeck, NY to Asheville for about 8-10 days, mid-May. I will take all these suggestions into consideration, as well. Safe travels.

PattyBWest Loc: Jacksonville, FL

Be advised that around and just north of Asheville, NC, there are sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway that are closed due to road failure as a result of bad weather. There are several detours in this area, but, the trip is still interesting and enjoyable.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

My wife and I have driven, camped and toured the Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway for about 45 years and have enjoyed every trip. If you are a history buff you might enjoy McGaheysville, Va which is really just off of the Skyline Drive on the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has excellent accommodations and restaurants and the historical homes of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Monroe are within an easy hour or so driving distance. Many other historical sites in the area offer great photography opportunities as well. I would recommend about a 3-5 night stay here. Others have mentioned the fog that occasionally envelopes Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, if you get in it get off at next main exit, not a rural road, because it will take forever to get anywhere and you will not see anything. It can be very nerve racking. We only got into the fog on two occasions over the years. By the way Skyline Drive, since it is a toll road, is not quite as busy as the Parkway and the Smokies. Enjoy your trip.

minglla Loc: Palm Coast Florida

One of our favorite areas to explore is the Cherohala Skyway. It is about 40 miles in length starting in Robinsville,NC and ending in Tennessee. Our favorite segment is from Robinsville to the Tennessee/NC border. Take Highway 143 from Robinsville. There is a great website: search on google under Cherohala Skyway for plenty of info and maps. I have attached two photos from our trip in October 2016.

(Download)

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

These should be open when the OP visits, but it is a good idea to check this site just before any trip on the Parkway:

https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Dan Mc Loc: NM

Look into a walk around the Bristol Speedway...the fastest and highest banked 1/2 mile race rack in the world, I believe, and ride/drive the "Tail of the Dragon", 113 curves (switchbacks and reverse banking) in 13 miles...a real thrill on a motorcycle and you will see hundreds on that6 stretch...great action photo ops!!

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Bristol and "The Tail of the Dragon" would be somewhat out of the way. I live just a few miles from the Dragon. It is an interesting drive and it is also dangerous. I have driven it many times, a few of those times in our Miata MX5, which is a lot of fun. The main appeal is to motorcyclists. It does provide an opportunity for action photos of the cyclist as they round the curves. There are actually 318 curves in 11 miles. There are almost as many wrecks as there are curves in any given year. Many of those have been fatal. Bristol is in upper East Tennessee and would require a long detour off the Parkway.

bobben49

If you stay in Ashville, there is this great early 200'th century Hotel, the Grovepark inn (https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park), first oppened in 1913 with lots of 21st century amineties. It has a back veranda where you can see 70 miles across range after range of that appalachian mountains with the farthest range being the Great Smokey Mountains. It ain't cheap with peak season rates being in the mid $300 per night. I have just spent the day there and acted like a guest and spent my night in cheaper accommodations.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I can vouch for the splendor of The Grove Park Inn. I have stayed there on three different occasions over the years. I was there each time on company business so I was able to expense the room. Yes, it is very expensive.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

The parkway used to be a great place for some spectacular views but the US Park service has let the pull offs become over grown with trees so that you can no long see the scenery. These pull off's were built so that you can get these great views, but the environmentist movement has the parks service convinced that the public does not matter only a couple of trees.

ries55

Stayed at the Peaks of Otter lodge in 2015. Beautiful lake and trails.