Living in Charlotte, the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains are just a couple hours away, so this fall I spent a weekend exploring some of the small towns along the Blue Ridge Parkway that I hadn’t previously visited. In my typical fashion this mostly meant hiking and drinking beer along the way!

Mica Town Brewing:

My first stop on my way into the mountains was Mica Town Brewing in downtown Marion. It is a super cute little brewery with outside seating, a snack menu, extremely friendly staff, and great prices. I enjoyed the Orange Habanero Witbier.

Mount Mitchell State Park:

From Marion I continued my drive to Mount Mitchell State Park. The journey to the top was beautiful! You follow the curvy Blue Ridge Parkway to the parking lot at the end of the road. From the parking lot it is a short walk up to the observation deck. This is the highest point east of the Mississippi River with stunning views!

Crabtree Falls:

The hike I enjoyed most during my trip was Crabtree Falls. The trail has quite a few rocks and roots but overall it was an easy 45 minute hike from the parking lot right off the Blue Ridge Parkway to the falls. There were hardly any other people on the trail and the falls were gorgeous!

Linville Falls:

Personally I found Linville Falls to be very over-hyped and overcrowded. There are three options with clear signage when you get to the visitor’s center, which is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each trail is pretty short and easy. The views from each were pretty mediocre in my opinion, I would recommend visiting somewhere else off the Blue Ridge Parkway if you want to hike and see waterfalls.

Kettell Beerworks:

The next area I explored was Banner Elk, a cute little mountain town. Kettell Beerworks was just up the road from the downtown area. The brewery had cozy lodge-like vibes with a fireplace and wood paneling. The beers were solid overall and they also had a small food menu. I enjoyed their pizza and a flight of beers—my favorite was the Oatmeal Stout.

From Banner Elk I drove up the mountain to Beech Mountain Brewing, but unfortunately it was closed despite what the Internet said. It was super creepy and foggy at the top of the mountain when I visited, but I imagine it would be a nice place to drink a beer after hitting the slopes.

The next little mountain town I explored was Boone! Home to Appalachian State University, Boone has a lively spirit and some eccentric flair.

Boone Bagelry:

A great stop to start your day off right—beware they do sell out early!

Local Lion:

A cozy coffee shop with delicious creations and a plethora of baked goods.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery:

A super fun brewery with indoor and outdoor seating, lots of events and live music, and super friendly staff. They have a wide variety of beers, all of which are tasty, as well as ciders and hard seltzer. Be sure to check out their Great American Beer Fest medal winners! Farm2Flame food truck lives onsite for your food needs as well.

Lost Province Brewing:

A brewpub with a full food menu and restaurant-style vibes. They had solid beer options and the food was quite tasty. Lost Province also has frequent live music and is located right downtown.

Booneshine Brewing is also in Boone but was closed when I visited. I’ve heard good feedback so check it out if you’re in the area!

Blue Ridge Parkway:

Most of the traveling between these locations was along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469 mile long scenic road through the mountains. Each spot you’re going to has a lot to offer, but the journey there is also something to enjoy. Take your time and enjoy the viewpoints!

Lodging

I stayed at the quaint little Alpine Inn that provided stunning views of the mountains. It was conveniently located just one mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway.