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Raleigh, N.C. - Looking for a beautiful scenic drive to calm your nerves? Searching for a great place for some on-road bicycling over steep grades that will test your body's limits? Or, do you just want to shop and enjoy a good meal? Read on and then go to VisitNC.com for more details on the Blue Ridge Parkway's attractions, lodging, destinations and restaurants.

The construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began more than 70 years ago during the Great Depression and was completed in September 1987.Today, the Parkway has become the National Park Service's biggest attraction. Around 20 million people visit each year to drive, ride, hike, picnic and camp - or just sit and enjoy the views. In 2006, the Parkway was named an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration.This is the highest designation bestowed on any road.

New This Year: The Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center is open in at milepost 384 near Asheville

This 12,000-square-foot, environmentally-friendly facility strikes a pose with native plants growing from a sod roof and glass panels in front to collect heat to warm the building. Inside, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (www.blueridgeheritage.com) volunteers and staff assist visitors with trip plans. An expansive, interactive map covers an entire wall of the structure. As visitors move a monitor across the length of the map, videos and photographs pop up with relevant, intriguing travel information. Exhibits at the center focus on recreation, natural and cultural diversity and the economic strength of the region; a focus on the chestnut tree and its impact on Southern Appalachia is installed.

In addition, ten kiosks provide tickets to participating regional attractions, outdoor activities and tours. The new Go Blue Ridge Card is also available here. The Go Card is also sold online (www.goblueridgegocard.com) and features more than 25 participating attractions. A bookstore, auditorium, classroom space, and a 25-minute movie round out the center's offerings.

Sightseeing along and near the Parkway

The listings below highlight only some of the stops and are chronicled North to South, ranging from the north entrance of the Parkway at the Virginia border in North Carolina's Alleghany County to its termination in Cherokee.

Stone Mountain State Park

Roaring Gap - Gentle streams, trails and the sheer rock face of Stone Mountain have created a haven for anglers, hikers and climbers. Its 13,500 acres include tent, primitive and backpack campsites; 17 miles of trout fishing streams; rock climbing; hiking trails and waterfalls. The park joins the Parkway near Doughton Park.

The Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock - The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level, above Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. The rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind seeps with such force that light objects thrown over the void return to their senders, thus the name Blowing Rock. The current of air flowing upward from the Rock prompted the Ripley's "Believe-It-Or-Not" cartoon about "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down." Enjoy the scenic views and observation tower, gardens, small garden waterfall and unique gift shop.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

Blowing Rock - This 3,500-acre country estate was the turn of the 20th century home of "Denim King" Moses H. Cone, whose textile empire made this magnificent retreat possible. Today, 26 miles of carriage roads are available for hikers and horseback riders. Shop for fine crafts at the 23-room manor house. Or, simply sit on the front porch and enjoy the views and cool temperatures from 4,000 feet.

Linville Falls

Linville Falls - The home of the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains due to its accessibility to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge, the "Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians."

Mount Mitchell State Park

Burnsville - Mount Mitchell is the highest peak (6,685 feet) in the eastern United States. The park offers easy access from the Blue Ridge Parkway with a restaurant, tent camping area, museum and picnic area, as well as hiking trails connecting to the Pisgah National Forest.

Pisgah National Forest

Asheville - Experience more than 500,000 acres of towering mountains, hiking trails and Sliding Rock (a natural water slide with public access - bring old shorts for the ride down the rock.) Public campgrounds are available. (Mountain biking is also permitted in the national forest; on the Parkway, bicycles are limited to established roads.)

History and Heritage along and near the Parkway

Hickory Ridge Homestead & Living History Museum

Boone - Experience living history recreated by docents in traditional costume, working with traditional tools, engaged in hearth baking, candle making, weaving, tin smithing and other activities among original mountain cabins.

Appalachian Heritage Museum

Blowing Rock - Started out of a love for the history of the Appalachian Mountains, the Appalachian Heritage Museum found its home at Mystery Hill in 1989. With authentic turn-of-the-century decor, visitors learn how mountain families lived in the early 1900s.

Spruce Pine Gem & Gold Mine

Spruce Pine - Mine for native gemstones with one of the oldest mining families in North Carolina. Documented by National Geographic Magazine and featured on PBS and in Readers Digest, Spruce Pines is arguably one of the country's most important mining districts, dating back to 1810.

Asheville Historic Trolley Tours

Asheville - Sightsee Asheville in style on a vintage trolley with a fully narrated tour.

Cherokee Indian Reservation

Cherokee - On the reservation, experience the rich heritage of the Cherokee tribe:

Museum of the Cherokee Indian - This attraction underwent a $3.5 million renovation in 1998. The museum combines technology (computer-generated images, holographic imaging, specialty lighting and audio) with a solid artifact collection.

Oconaluftee Indian Village - Experience an authentic 18th-century Native American community in this recreated village that includes replicas of Cherokee homes, council house and squareground. Cherokee artisans and guides demonstrate and explain the arts and crafts and the lifestyle and culture of their ancestors.

Cherokee Heritage Museum - Located at Saunooke Village, the Museum highlights Cherokee's past through displays of art and cultural items such as masks, crystals, the uketena and more.

Arts and Culture along and near the Parkway

Folk Art Center

Asheville - Stop at Milepost 382 to visit the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, which represents craft artists from Southern Appalachia. The center shows work of contemporary and traditional Southern Appalachian craft, houses three fine art galleries and a library and an auditorium and offers daily craft demonstrations. Come for book signings, woodworking and quilt making demonstrations, and exhibits featuring traditional woodworking, textiles, furniture, basketry, pottery, dolls, and other crafts of Southern Appalachia dating from the 19th century.

Asheville Art Museum

Asheville - Explore world-class special exhibitions and the Asheville Art Museum's outstanding collection, showcasing the very best of 20th and 21st century American art.

Deja View Gallery

Waynesville - This art and craft gallery features work by local, regional and national craftspeople including a large selection of pottery, jewelry, original and limited edition fine art, garden art and decorative accessories for the home. Featuring the nature photography of Jon D. Bowman. Located in the heart of downtown Waynesville in the historic American Fruit Stand Building.

Maggie Valley Opry House

Maggie Valley - This staple of Appalachian culture is one of the many stops along the Blue Ridge Music Trail and features traditional Bluegrass and mountain music.

Stompin' Ground

Maggie Valley - Cloggers from all over the country come to Maggie Valley & the Stompin' Ground to participate in the American Clogging Hall of Fame competition.

High Adventure along and near the Parkway

Asheville Outdoors

Asheville - Provides rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, backpacking, teambuilding and youth group trips in Western North Carolina. Single and multi-day adventure activities are designed to incorporate recreation and skill enhancement into your next adventure experience. Guides are trained in the latest techniques and safety procedures.

Adventure Depot

Highlands - Outdoor adventure planners will put together any outdoor adventure and offer rentals of bikes, canoes and kayaks.

Blue Ridge Outdoor Adventures

Bakersville - Located in historic Loafer's Glory, Blue Ridge Outdoor Adventures offers you the best in river recreation. Choose from a float down a lazy river in a tube to riding the rapids in a funyak. Tube and boat rentals are offered along with half and full day guided rafting trips and overnight rafting trips.

Tip: Outfitters abound throughout the mountains. For more listings, go to VisitNC.com.

Lodging

Bluffs Lodge and Coffee Shop

Milepost 241 at Doughton Park - The lodge overlooks a tranquil mountain meadow. Expect quiet. There are no in-room phones or televisions, but then who needs them in this great natural setting, surrounded by more than 5,000-acres of unspoiled mountains. The nearby coffee shop has changed little since it opened more than a half-century ago and is reminiscent of the Parkway in its early days (or a stage set lifted from the 1950s.) The skillet-fried chicken and juicy cobblers are served by waitresses known for their Southern hospitality. Don't miss the sweet potato pancakes at breakfast.

Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock - Southern Living magazine says Chetola Resort is "one of the best stays in the Blue Ridge." Chetola Resort sits on 87 magnificent acres and features Chetola Lodge, the Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort and Chetola condominiums ranging from one to four bedrooms. Chetola is the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge in North Carolina. Fly fishing packages are available year round as well as a variety of other vacation packages. On site enjoy massage therapy, a complete fitness center, kid's camp, hiking, boating, yoga and much more. Dining is available in the historic Manor House Restaurant, Headwaters Pub and Snyder's Soda Shoppe.

Blowing Rock Cabins

Blowing Rock - Located just six miles south of Blowing Rock off U.S. Highway 221 with convenient access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy a magnificent view of Grandfather Mountain from rocking chairs and the covered porch of a true log cabin.

Alpine Inn

Little Switzerland - At this authentic mountain inn with unsurpassed views, guests choose from twelve rooms, all with private baths and most with balconies to view the breathtaking sunrises. Breakfast is served on the main balcony.

Pisgah Inn and Restaurant

Milepost 408 at Mt. Pisgah - In addition to the modern inn, the restaurant dining room, with its large windows, features unobstructed views of the slopes and valleys below. Bring a sweater if your staying overnight or into the evening. Even in summer, the air at 5,000 feet can be surprisingly cool.

Spas and Resorts

A Spa Inn Asheville

Asheville - Think beyond a bed & breakfast. This inn offers spa services, luxury amenities and beautiful gardens. Indulge body and soul in the unique boutique bed and spa.

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Asheville - One of the South's most famous grand resorts, The Grove Park Inn was built in 1913 overlooking the Asheville skyline and Blue Ridge Mountains. The 510-room inn boasts a world-class spa, championship golf and fine dining.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Highlands - A luxury destination spa resort featured on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy fine dining in Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden and indulge in the European Spa. The Inn boasts 32 individually appointed guestrooms, suites and cottages, featuring antiques and the latest contemporary amenities.

Blue Ridge Parkway Facts

• The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches over 469 miles, 252 of which are in North Carolina.

• The Parkway took 52 years to complete because of the countless bridges and 26 tunnels, which had to be blasted through rock.

• The Parkway required the close cooperation of highly skilled and very talented federal and state engineers and landscape architects, and private contractors. The result: a roadway that not only showcases North Carolina's beautiful mountains, but also takes in tranquil agricultural settings, passes countless streams, meanders through rich forests and accentuates colorful local folkways.

• The last section completed features the Linn Cove Viaduct, which offers a stunning a 60-mile view on one side and towering Grandfather Mountain on the other.

• The Linn Cove Viaduct has been called the "most complicated segmental bridge ever built," due to its complicated double-S structure. Built from the top down, the viaduct prevented damage to Grandfather Mountain's delicate ecology.

• The section of the Parkway that follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains averages 3,000 feet in elevation.

• The fact that there are no white lines on the side of the road is a product of the design itself, allowing the road to blend into the landscape, retaining a rural feel.

• The Parkway is closed to commercial traffic.

• No billboards or signs obstruct views.

• The speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph but many spots are too curvy and must be taken at slower speeds.

Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.