Scenic Drives while staying at this Blowing Rock Bed and Breakfast

Blue Ridge Parkway - South to Asheville

A 90-mile paved segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the famous scenic drive that connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic routes in the eastern United States. It follows a 469-mile route along the crest of the Blue Ridge and other mountain ranges between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The road was designed as a recreational route and is remarkably free of commercial establishments, subdivisions, and truck traffic. Its roots lie in the Depression of the 1930s. Although visitors can travel this scenic section of the parkway in a day, its many attractions can fill two or three days. Special attractions: Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, Julian Price Memorial Park, Linn Cove Viaduct, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Crabtree Meadows and Falls, Mount Mitchell State Park, Craggy Gardens, Folk

Globe Road

A 26-mile paved and gravel road from the busy resort town of Blowing Rock deep into the tranquil Pisgah National Forest and past the tiny communities of Globe, Edgemont, Mortimer, and Roseboro. This drive starts in the mountain resort town of Blowing Rock and winds along back roads in the Pisgah National Forest. On its way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it passes tiny communities, rushing streams, and waterfalls. Special attractions: Blowing Rock, Pisgah National Forest, Coffey’s General Store in Edgemont, hiking, fishing, fall colors, and waterfalls.

New River Byway

Imagine a silvery ribbon of water looping around the forested Stone Mountains. This is just one of the sights you'll encounter on the New River Valley Scenic Byway, just one of the many state byways that will take you into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The byway is named for the New River, which is the oldest river in the country and second oldest in the world (the Nile is estimated to be the oldest). Paralleling the Blue Ridge Parkway for a time, the New River Valley Byway, provides a new perspective to some favorite familiar territory. As the road winds from Boone to Laurel Springs, travelers drive "the Old Buffalo Trail" on NC 194. Visitors will also pass the largest concentration of Christmas Tree farms in the country. So during the holidays, you may have a piece of the New River Valley Byway in your living room.

Little Parkway

Also known as the Yonahlossee Trail, the Little Parkway travels through undeveloped wilderness areas in the Pisgah National Forest. The road was constructed in 1889 by man and mule for a toll road and was the link between Blowing Rock and Linville until 1987 when the Linn Cove Viaduct was completed on the Blue Ridge Parkway. As travelers drive the Little Parkway, they will notice little parts of history from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Linville Falls and Caverns present natural wonders while Grandfather Mountain is a natural landform and landmark. Visitors will pass the back entrance to the Moese H. Cone Memorial Park where they may catch a glimpse of Flat Top Manor. The manor resides on Flat Top Mountain and is now used as a museum and craft center. Throughout the drive, travelers will find plenty to see and more to do. Picnic and hiking areas area available all along the byway and sights of the Blue Ridge Mountains offer excellent photo opportunities. The resort towns of Blowing Rock and Linville offer a variety of festivals and shops as well.

Mission Crossing

This byway begins in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, where the mission for which the byway was named can be found. It winds its way to for about 12 miles to Cranberry, originally called Cranberry Forge for the iron believed to have been worked by the Indians. Cranberry was founded in 1850 and named for the abundant supply of Cranberries found in the region. The land for the mission, 3000 acres, was purchased by Bishop Stillman Ives, who, in 1942 founded a divinity school and began the first Anglican Monastic Order since the reformation. In 1852 the school and monastic order were forced to disband. In 1895 the mission school was founded and was run until World War II. Today the mission serves as a camp and conference center for the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. The name 'Valle Crucis' means valley of the cross and is named for the converging rivers found in the valley. All along the byway there are historical points of interest as well as recreational opportunities. The largest concentration of ski resorts in North Carolina is found near the byway. And don't miss the Mast General Store, opened in 1882. The store now offers outdoor supplies to visiting skiers.