Lonely Planet Road Trip: Blue Ridge Parkway

Wind your way along the spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway, America's favorite scenic drive. Explore 469 miles of canopied forests, rolling farmland and towering alpine peaks, with stunning vistas around every turn. Hike to hidden waterfalls, spot wildlife and discover Appalachian culture. From Waynesboro, Virginia to just outside Cherokee, North Carolina, our handy guide reveals all the highlights of this twisty ribbon in the sky.

• GET YOUR HEART RACING - swing over a steep gorge on a mile-high bridge, try whitewater canoeing or hike along the Appalachian Trail

• EXPERIENCE HISTORY - visit stately presidential homes, reconstructed farmsteads, war memorials and working gristmills

• CUT A RUG - dance to live bluegrass music at the Floyd Country Store, check out the Old Fiddler's Convention or take part in an old-time radio show

• KID AROUND - apple-picking, hayrides, water slides, petting zoos, pint-sized railroads and more options for family fun

• GET CRAFTY - see demonstrations of folk arts like weaving, glassblowing and ironworks, and take home an authentic mountain souvenir

• REST EASY - the best places to stay, from lively campgrounds to rustic cabins and stately Victorian B&Bs