Skyline Dr & Blueridge Parkway

[cmdmfr]

My wife and I are going to do a drive down the Skyline Dr and the Parkway. I would like to get some suggestions on things to see and do in the area that I cannot find on the internet.

 

[Brett]

My wife and I are going to do a drive down the Skyline Dr and the Parkway. I would like to get some suggestions on things to see and do in the area that I cannot find on the internet.

you can find almost anything on the internet!
But I suppose it depends on what kind of things you like to do - scenic views? good places to eat - waterfalls - vineyards?

Untitled by c w, on Flickr

 

[jme]

Ditto, if it's not on the internet at this point, it's illegal, not worth your time, or doesn't exist. I would pick a "best drive" or either visit the most note-worthy towns listed, the most beautiful overlooks listed, or whatever sounds most interesting to you. The attraction of the Blue Ridge Parkway "destination" is the drive itself---the sheer breathtaking beauty of nature. Don't make it hard. Relax and enjoy the scenery. Spectacular overlooks are seldom forgotten! Trust the picturesque sites they've listed.....no others have cropped up during the night.

 

[taterhed]

Blue Mountain Brewery http://www.bluemountainbrewery.com/
Mountain brewpub with American eats, their own brand of beers & occasional live music.
Afton, VA

Gathering Grounds Cafe https://ggrounds.com/wp-content/cache/all//index.html
24 E Main St
7.3 miles from Skyline Drive in Luray, VA

The overlooks are always full during holiday weekends......be careful.

The drive is the deal.

 

[DeniseM]

It would also be helpful to include the state, or region in the title. I have never heard of either place.

 

[Luanne]

It would also be helpful to include the state, or region in the title. I have never heard of either place.

The only Skyline Drive I'm familiar with is one in California. It's actually Skyline Boulevard and goes from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.

 

[Brett]

The only Skyline Drive I'm familiar with is one in California. It's actually Skyline Boulevard and goes from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.

LOL ! I actually find that funny. I've mostly lived on the east coast and only heard of the skyline drive in Virginia. apparently a lot of roads are named skyline drive !

I suppose one could google "skyline drive" and find the real Skyline Drive (if that's the actual real skyline drive)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Drive

 

[amycurl]

Are you going to take it the entire way (Skyline Drive in VA through to Smoky Mountains National Park?) Be sure to try and schedule it so that you can Sunday Brunch at the Hotel Roanoke. This is a historical railroad hotel and is worth every penny for the brunch (and if you HHonors points, you can stay there, too--it's now a Doubletree.) While in Roanoke, also be sure to check out the Link Museum (it's basically across the street from the Hotel Roanoke.)

But my absolutely favorite place to stay off the Parkway is much further south, near Asheville: The Sourwood Inn. Stay on a Friday or Saturday night so that you can have their fabulous dinner there, too. And then be sure to spend a day just wandering around downtown Asheville, stopping at my absolute favorite French Broad Chocolate Lounge.

 

[taterhed]

Ooh!! 2nd on the French Broad. Very nice.

 

[WalnutBaron]

I have fond memories of driving on Skyline Drive about 20 years ago. We were taking in the amazing beauty of the fall colors when our sons insisted on stopping to try boiled peanuts (or "bolted" peanuts if you speak Southern). They each ordered a large bag, served hot, insisting the peanuts would sustain them through the hours of driving we still had before we got to Asheville, NC. But when those California boys dipped in for their first taste, they found them completely inedible.

I was happy the large bag had only cost $1.50 each.

 

[x3 skier]

Was at the French Broad Chocolate last week. Good Stuff!

Unfortunately, Skyline Drive was really fogged in for most of our drive. The Visitor Center near Asheville has some great photos of the construction.

Cheers

 

[Miss Marty]

Ride The Sky

On July 3, 1936,
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
dedicated Shenandoah National Park

The Civilian Conservation Corps (formed in 1933)
played a large part in constructing Skyline Drive.

As you travel along Skyline Drive in Virginia you will notice mileposts. These posts help you find your way through the park and help you locate areas of interest. The mileposts begin with 0.0 at Front Royal, (near Route 340) in Warren County Virginia and continue to milepost 105 at the southern end of the park. The speed limit is 35 mph. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park.

Skyland is located at the highest point along Skyline Drive
in Shenandoah National Park at an of elevation of 3680 feet.

Area attractions nearby include Front Royal,
Luray Caverns, The Town of Luray Historic District
Massanutten Resort US 33 Harrisonburg Virginia
Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Blue Ridge Parkway

Entrance Fee $
2017 Free Days

• August 25: National Park Service Birthday
• September 30: National Public Lands Day
• November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

 

[jme]

Here are a few things:

Definitions:
The Skyline Drive is the 105 mile scenic road through Shenandoah National Park. At Afton Mountain in Virginia, the Skyline Drive heads north while the Blue Ridge Parkway heads south.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Parkway


Along the drive:
(scroll down)
https://roadtrippers.com/trips/10380386

WHAT TO DO along the Blue Ridge Parkway drive:
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=2

https://roadtripusa.com/appalachian-trail/the-blue-ridge-parkway/

Images Blue Ridge Parkway:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...H_kZTUAhUGSiYKHem2BIwQsAQIMg&biw=1271&bih=676

Images Blue Ridge Pkwy overlooks:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...XF5CYKHWQiAZ0QsAQITQ&biw=1271&bih=676#imgrc=_

Images Skyline Drive:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ima...WRkpTUAhVLwiYKHSq9BQ0QsAQILg&biw=1271&bih=676

 

[pedro47]

Ride The Sky

On July 3, 1936,
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
dedicated Shenandoah National Park

The Civilian Conservation Corps (formed in 1933)
played a large part in constructing Skyline Drive.

As you travel along Skyline Drive in Virginia you will notice mileposts. These posts help you find your way through the park and help you locate areas of interest. The mileposts begin with 0.0 at Front Royal, (near Route 340) in Warren County Virginia and continue to milepost 105 at the southern end of the park. The speed limit is 35 mph. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park.

Skyland is located at the highest point along Skyline Drive
in Shenandoah National Park at an of elevation of 3680 feet.

Area attractions nearby include Front Royal,
Luray Caverns, The Town of Luray Historic District
Massanutten Resort US 33 Harrisonburg Virginia
Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Blue Ridge Parkway

Entrance Fee $
2017 Free Days

• 
  
  
  • August 25: National Park Service Birthday
  • September 30: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

Hello Miss Marty and jme, you have given the OP some excellent suggestions. Great Information. Remember "Virginia is for Lover."
Luray Caverns is a must stop traveling in Virginia on the awesome Skyland Drive..

 

[Brett]

Hello Miss Marty and jme, you have given the OP some excellent suggestions. Great Information. Remember "Virginia is for Lover."
Luray Caverns is a must stop traveling in Virginia on the awesome Skyland Drive..

definitely a lot of history and scenic beauty on and off Skyline Drive. It's in a National Park so if you're over 65 get the Lifetime Senior Pass for $10 (soon to increase to $80)

 

[Patri]

The pass is for 62 and over.

 

[beejaybeeohio]

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove Plantation near the northern terminus of the Skyline Drive is a Civil War battleground. We heard an excellent talk by a park ranger at the plantation, stopped at the visitor center upon his recommendation and then followed along to a CD and map to key points in the battle. Ate at Nana's Irish Pub nearby.

We also visited several wineries in both VA & NC.

In NC we detoured off the Blue Ridge to Mt. Mitchell state park- the highest pt. in that state.

 

[mbinpa]

If you are a Civil War history buff, both New Market Battlefield and VMI are not too far from the Highway. If you know the Civil War you know why it would be worth the trip. If not, it's when the Cadets of VMI marched and fought at New Market.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Ride The Sky

On July 3, 1936,
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
dedicated Shenandoah National Park

The Civilian Conservation Corps (formed in 1933)
played a large part in constructing Skyline Drive.

As you travel along Skyline Drive in Virginia you will notice mileposts. These posts help you find your way through the park and help you locate areas of interest. The mileposts begin with 0.0 at Front Royal, (near Route 340) in Warren County Virginia and continue to milepost 105 at the southern end of the park. The speed limit is 35 mph. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the park.

Skyland is located at the highest point along Skyline Drive
in Shenandoah National Park at an of elevation of 3680 feet.

Area attractions nearby include Front Royal,
Luray Caverns, The Town of Luray Historic District
Massanutten Resort US 33 Harrisonburg Virginia
Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Blue Ridge Parkway

Entrance Fee $
2017 Free Days

• 
  
  
  • August 25: National Park Service Birthday
  • September 30: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

Near Front Royal was the US Army Remount Depot Center which was opened in 1911. It played a significant role in providing horses and mules for the calvary and field artillery caissons in WWI and beyond. For more info see: http://www.historic-fortmyer.com/2011/08/30/front-royal-us-army-remount-depot/

To get a more personal flavor of the Front Royal Remount Depot Center, a great read is "The Fourth Horseman: One Man's Mission to Wage the Great War in America" by Robert Koenig.

Richard

 

[RonB]

If you go to Big Meadows you might get lucky, (from this morning):