Grab your fishing pole (with a valid fishing license) and stroll the mile loop around Abbott Lake.

After you’ve fueled up, stretch those car-weary legs by heading out on a hike. If you don’t plan to spend the night at the lodge or campground, be sure to stop in the lodge’s restaurant for a meal overlooking the lake. Since the 1800s, tourists have been coming to this part of the country to get away from it all.

You’ll want to make reservations at the historic Peaks of Otter Lodge in advance because once you get here, you won’t want to leave. Your first stop is Peaks of Otter at Milepost 85.9. Get ready for jaw-dropping views and some of the prettiest landscapes the East Coast has to offer. It’s time to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Book early at Milepost 85.9: Peaks of Otter Hike the challenging Sharp Top Trail or take the shuttle from the restaurant. There are three lodging options along Skyline Drive: Skyland, Big Meadows Lodge and Lewis Mountain Cabins. Take a scenic drive, hike to a waterfall, learn about the area’s history and more on your visit.ĭon’t forget to make reservations at one of the park’s lodges or campgrounds. With beautiful chestnut and red oak forests, abundant wildlife and panoramic views, this park exemplifies the best of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 75 miles from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah feels a world away. Start your Blue Ridge experience in beautiful Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Shenandoah National Park Sunset over Shenandoah National Park. Drive through the national park and on to Tennessee historic towns before rejoining the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee Entrance.Some of the National Park Service’s best East Coast sights can be found along the way from Shenandoah National Park to the parkway itself to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stretching from Virginia to North Carolina, the parkway enables you to experience history, breathtaking nature and a vibrant music scene. Buckle up and get ready to experience “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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