NY to Asheville, NC

[rjn5656]

I will driving from Upstate NY to Asheville this summer. Any interesting stops I should make on the way.

[Laker14]

Here in Upstate NY. Eastern, Western, Central?

[oldtimes]

We thought My Airy, NC was fun
Visit Mount Airy




| Mayberry, NC (https://www.visitmayberry.com/)

[dtennent]

Skyline drive through Shenandoah National Park is very pretty. If you wish to hike any of the trails, you may need to get tickets. Far cry from 50 years ago, when I hiked the A Trail.

Gettysburg is interesting if you have never been there. Would recommend that you do some research to get the most of your visit. Also, the Eisenhower farm is nearby which might be of interest.

Finally, consider the civil war sites in Virginia.

Have fun!

[laboutj]

If you don't get claustrophobic the Luray Caverns are pretty cool. Natural Bridge is really nice too. Both in Virginia. Also recommend Blue Ridge Parkway if you have the time.

[Stu from NYC]

Highly recommend Gettysburg and Shenandoah national park

[villagetinker]

In agree, head a little west and go through Gettysburg, you will be able to completely avoid DC, and that portion of 95, which you can pick up again in VA, or take another route south based on others suggestions.

[rustyp]

Assuming you are taking / paralleling Rt 81 to Rt 26 - Here are a few more stops I found interesting in my many trips back and forth from northern NY to FL:

Jim Thorpe PA - voted one of the best small towns in America

Lititz PA - another great preserved small town in Amish country

Abingdon VA - well preserved beautiful historic town. A great live theatre in the center of town

Harpers Valley W VA - civil war buffs

Frederick MD - another quaint restored downtown city. All cuisines of dining in a concentrated area.

Homestead Resort Warm Springs VA - one of the most magnificent grand hotels in America

Mabry Mill Blue Ridge Parkway - probably the most famous stop on the parkway. Tip parkway is long and a slow drive but beautiful. If you do just the section around Mabry you will get a good feel for what the entire parkway is like.

Bristol - main street divides Tennessee and Virginia smack down the middle of the street. If a race fan visit the speedway. More like a sports stadium then a racetrack. Imagine what the sound level must be during a race.

[Andyb]

The Ark

[Worldseries27]

if you don't get claustrophobic the luray caverns are pretty cool. Natural bridge is really nice too. Both in virginia. Also recommend blue ridge parkway if you have the time.
also recommend the blue ridge parkway. Try the 1 mile high swinging bridge at grandfather mountain along the way. They filmed forest gump running the mountain trail here.
Happy trails

[rjn5656]

Albany

[me4vt]

(Beaufort, SC) awesome place to visit……..
Hit up all of the Breweries in Asheville over 20 micro breweries. Construction on 26 from west of Columbia through east Asheville sucks

[Lesdavenator]

where in ny are you starting from?

[Laker14]

Albany

If your route takes you down I-81, Staunton (pronounced "Stanton") VA is an interesting little stop for one afternoon and evening.
I'd recommend the Stonewall Jackson Hotel right in town, some good restaurants nearby, and practically next door to the American Shakespear Center.

Google em and see if it interests you.

[mrlee]

If your trip is ending in Asheville, NC make sure you visit the Biltmore Estate. It will knock your socks off!

[ElDiabloJoe]

Concur with others about Gettysburg, Frederick (MD) and her Revolutionary War history (Spired churches, Francis Scott Key, and Roger Brook Taney's house (he of the Dred Scott decision). Also consider colonial Williamsburg in VA, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge) area of TN and DO NOT miss out on the Biltmore Estate when you get to NC if you are at all interested in either history or architecture.

[Number 10 GI]

If your trip is ending in Asheville, NC make sure you visit the Biltmore Estate. It will knock your socks off!

Agree. It was quite interesting.

[MandoMan]

I will driving from Upstate NY to Asheville this summer. Any interesting stops I should make on the way.

Take I-78 to I-81 and stay far away from I-95. Less traffic and pretty all the way. At Harrisburg, move over to highway 15 if you are going to Gettysburg. There is a lot to see at Gettysburg. My 3rd great-grandfather received his death wound at Big Round Top, so it’s extra special to me. I walked in silence across the field where Pickett’s Charge happened, imagining what that was like, approaching the cannons.

Someone mentioned Luray Caverns, which is about half an hour from I-81 at the New Market exit. It is spectacular, but as I recall, you need to be able to walk well. From Gettysburg, you can stay on 15 and related highways and off I-81 and visit charming Middleburg. Lots of shopping there if you like fox hunting things. Jackie Kennedy had a horse farm there. The road from Middleburg to Gordonsville is gorgeous fox-hunting country, and you’ll see lots of beautiful horse farms. If you aren’t in a hurry, detour to Colonial Williamsburg and spend a day there. (Get reservations) There is so much to see and learn. Gordonsville is a few miles from Charlottesville and Monticello and also James Madison’s house. (Again, reservations required.) These are interesting, but forget about the role of Jefferson and Madison as presidents. These days they are presented mainly as “enslavers” and “oppressors”. I was not pleased by the change in focus.

Galax, Virginia, south of Roanoke, has a famous bluegrass festival yearly but also has an Appalachian heritage center there is worth visiting all year.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

Down 81? How far off the Interstate are you willing to venture? I suggest Charlottesville, VA for Jefferson's Montecelo. The Greenbier Resort's Bunker in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Go on NPS.gov Homepage (U.S. National Park Service) (http://www.NPS.gov) and check out the many Battlefields and other NPS sites along the route. In Asheville don't miss the Biltmore (advance booking suggested) and the Grove Park Inn and drive a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[craigrmorrison]

I would recommend mapping your route to include ad much of the Blue Ridge Parkway as possible. The scenery is gorgeous!

[TOMTOFVIL]

(Beaufort, SC) awesome place to visit……..
Hit up all of the Breweries in Asheville over 20 micro breweries. Construction on 26 from west of Columbia through east Asheville sucks

Born and raised in Asheville. You must have gone wrong time of year. Spectacular in fall. Go see or stay at the Grove Park Inn, nice and lots of history. Travel thru some of the old residential areas Biltmore Forest and Beaver Lake. Lots of Art Deco buildings downtown and hippie restaurants. Play golf, preferably Hendersonville. Hiking outside Brevard, Great Smokey Mts. National Park. Drink some apple cider at a road side stop. Best

[Worldseries27]

The lodge offers reprises of dirty dancing
events
also
on youtube you can find reenactments by people of the final moments of last of the mohicans filmed at chimney rock n.c.

[DAVES]

I will driving from Upstate NY to Asheville this summer. Any interesting stops I should make on the way.

Obviously, different interests. Time for the trip. Style, wing it or plan? You stop for a meal, gas etc buy a news paper, it will tell you what is happening in that town and surrounding area. Two drivers or one? I comfortably drive around 350 miles after that it is a haul. Plan, we have to be in by 2;30. No we can't stop in that shop, museum or ?????

No shortage of guides. I want to see, I gotta see, if I have time see. Someone mentioned DC and avoiding it. You could easily spend at least two days in DC, museums etc. Unlike most other places it is mostly free or inexpensive.

In a rush? We tend to miss so much. Time to stop to smell the roses? Or at least see em.