469 miles winding along the ridgelines of two states, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans not only mountain ranges and county lines, but also spans decades in time, years that saw technological advances and artistic movements, wars in foreign countries and the Great Depression.
The parkway was the brainchild of designers and politicians with vision. Not without controversy, its construction began in 1935 and didn’t finish until 1987. It was a created landscape, a cross-section of culture and history in the eastern Appalachian mountains, a road through mountains that were home to communities of rugged mountaineers, their own roots stretching over the ocean to the highlands of Scotland and Ireland.
The Blue Ridge Parkway cuts through land that’s echoed with mountain fiddle and sung ballad, land that’s poor and rich, past farms and cities, preserved grist mills, primitive Baptist churches and elegant wineries. The Civil War raged here. Noncombatants from World War II and Italian stonemasons were among those who built the parkway.
For more on the parkway’s history visit Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide.
Things To Do In The Blue
- RVing
- Farming
- Museums
- The Orchard at Altapass
- Exploring Secrets of the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Mabry’s Mill
- Find a great cabin along the parkway
- Wildflower Viewing
- Doughton Park
- Grandfather Mountain
- Visiting Historic Attractions
- The Mile-High Highlands
- Check Out Retirement Spots
Visit the BRP’s Sister Parks
