2026 Best of the Mountains Winners

Text By Jeff Wood

From late April through mid-July, you came out in record numbers to make your voices heard in the 2026 edition of our Best of the Mountains Readers’ Choice Awards Poll. In total, more than 37,000 votes were cast online for more than 615 individual winners, resulting in over 840 awards – the largest and most comprehensive awards list in Blue Ridge Country’s entire 38-year history!

In a departure from past editions of this poll, this year’s awards were also divided across three distinct regions: the Upper Blue Ridge, encompassing the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky; the Central Blue Ridge, covering the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee; and the Lower Blue Ridge, stretching across the highlands of South Carolina and Georgia. Within each region, the top vote-getters were recognized with Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards.

To all of the winners presented on the pages that follow, we extend our deepest and heartfelt congratulations. 

Lastly, to everyone who took the time to cast a ballot and help shape this year’s results, thank you. The Best of the Mountains would not be possible without each and every one of your votes, and the resulting list is a true reflection of the destinations, events, attractions, and experiences that make the mountains of the South so special. We’re honored to recognize your top picks here.