Lynchburg, Virginia is uniquely situated in the midst of some of the East Coast’s most incredible attractions. From the sandy beaches of Florida to Maine’s rocky shores, the eastern United States is full of adventure. One such venture is the 469 miles of breathtaking scenery, captivating overlooks, and picturesque picnic plazas contained in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over 600 million visitors have made their way to see the Parkway since construction began in 1935. The 52 year project has awarded our generation the exhilarating experience of hiking through nature without having to leave the comfort of your vehicle.
The Parkway begins near Rockfish Gap, VA close to Skyline Drive. The scenic highway continues through a series of more than 20 tunnels and enchanting bridges woven throughout Virginia. Heading south, the Parkway passes Lynchburg, and finally ends in Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way, the sites of the Parkway are organized by mileposts. This enables visitors to plan what they would like to see while traveling. Skyline Drive in Virginia is milepost 1, and Cherokee, North Carolina wraps it up on milepost 469.
Peaks of Otter: MP 86
There are more than 100 overlooks along the way that will leave you breathless. Additionally, visitors can traipse through museums, historical sites, festivals, fishing spots, campgrounds, shopping centers and restaurants.
Waterrock Knob: MP 451.2
This much variety can be overwhelming, and those at the Blue Ridge Parkway official website know it! So, they have created a list of suggested itineraries to take the guesswork and stress out of the experience. For a list of itineraries, click here.
Craggy Gardens: MP 364
Autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway is unlike anything you have ever seen. ABC13 Meteorologist, Matthew Ferguson, predicts that the most beautiful leaves can be seen this year the last week of September and the first week of October. For Lynchburg specifically, the most gorgeous leaves are to be visible the last 2 weeks of October. Be sure to incorporate this inside scoop when planning your fall activities!
Autumn on the Parkway
Whatever you decide to do for your next family vacation or adventure with friends, we hope you will consider joining the 600 million who have visited the Blue Ridge Parkway. Named the largest linear National Park as of 2015, this winding, breathtaking tour is sure to leave you in awe. Get out there and explore!
For more information on fun things to do near Lynchburg, follow the Lynchburg’s Finest blog.
~ Anna Cribb