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Brevard & Transylvania County

About Brevard & Transylvania County Area

Brevard is a storybook town surrounded by fabled forests – Pisgah, DuPont, Gorges – known for their waterfalls and white squirrels. Don’t miss this classic American small town. Visitors enjoy one-of-a-kind shops as they explore art galleries, discover animal sculptures, murals, and a heritage museum. Brevard is the starting point of the Scenic 276 South Fine Art and Craft Corridor, a 13-mile stretch of highway featuring art galleries, working and teaching studios, shops, and fresh local produce. In the summertime, be sure to take in a concert at the world renowned Brevard Music Center. If you are looking for history, then step back in time at the Cradle of Forestry, home of the first forestry school in America, started by Carl A. Schenck, an employee of George Vanderbilt whose famous 250-room house is now part of the Biltmore Estate.

Brevard is located in Transylvania County. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds around the top of Transylvania County and borders the Pisgah District of the Pisgah National Forest. Known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” this region is home to 250 scenic waterfalls.

Area Visitor Centers

Lodging, Dining, Things to Do

PARI

Stories from Brevard & Transylvania County

9 Hints for Planning a Successful Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
June 16, 2022
History & Heritage, Hiking Trails, Wildlife, Arts & Culture
I bet most of us have an example of a vacation that didn’t go as planned. A road was closed, a parking lot was full, traffic slowed or halted your progress to your destination. It throws a wrench into your travel plans and can even derail your trip. So, what should you do to help prepare for the unexpected? Here are nine practical tips for planning a successful Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.
Multicolored fireworks light up the night sky in Gatlinburg, TN.
Ring in a Blue Ridge New Year
December 28, 2021
Seasonal, Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Local Food, Luxury, Arts & Culture
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winter lights in the shape of quilt squares are brightly lit at night at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Celebrate Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains
November 18, 2021
Family-friendly, Seasonal, Skiing, Arts & Culture
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Man Fly Fishing on a river in McDowell County.
Where can I fish in the Blue Ridge Parkway region?
November 11, 2021
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Fishing, Nature & Outdoors
There are many places in the Blue Ridge region where you can snag a prime fishing spot if you know where to look and what regulations to follow.
Polly Woods hosted early travelers in her single story log home near the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
Discovering History & Heritage in the Blue Ridge
February 24, 2021
History & Heritage
A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is literally a trip through time. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself. But there’s lots more history and heritage to experience along the Parkway beside the route itself.
Joyful children stand at the top of a sledding hill with their sleds.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Parkway’s Wide Open Spaces (Even when the road is closed)
December 31, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Stargazing, Waterfalls, Fishing, Winter Sports, Motorcycle Route
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike.
A purple women's sweater hangs over a black shirt and necklace in a store.
Tis the Season to Shop Online
December 4, 2020
Online Store, General & Country Stores, Apparel, Gems & Minerals, Home & Garden, Local Food
Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop for everyone on your holiday gift list from the comfort of your home and have the gifts delivered to your door or directly to the recipient.
A breakfast cookbook sits behind a plate of fruit, waffles, omelet and bacon with a glass of orange juice and a pitcher of syrup.
Romantic Getaways Across the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
November 16, 2020
Romantic Getaway, Nature & Outdoors, In Town, Road Trip, Complimentary Breakfast
Even while staying at home we still seem to be busy. Maybe this season you'll want to slow down and make time to take a getaway with your significant other. Regardless of when you choose to enjoy a romantic getaway along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we have some options and ideas for you to consider.
411-foot Whitewater Falls drops over the rocks into multiple streams surrounded by fall-colored leaves.
Waterfalls Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
September 9, 2020
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Nature & Outdoors, Hiking Trails
Numerous waterfalls are located throughout the Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway regions. Some are visible from the road and some require a hike. This list notes the location and ease of access for each waterfall.
Second Falls at Graveyard Fields tumbles over a rocky streambed surrounded by leafy trees.
Transylvania County, NC Waterfalls
September 8, 2020
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Nature & Outdoors, Hiking Trails
Transylvania County is North Carolina's Land of Waterfalls, offering access to 250 different waterfalls within just a few miles of each other. Some are along the road and some require a hike, but all are worth the visit. Exit the Parkway at MP 411.8 to see them for yourself!

Recommended Itineraries

People gather on the street in Brevard for a downtown festival surrounded by historic buildings.
Brevard & The Land of Waterfalls – Two Day Itinerary
Region: North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Hiking Trails, Nature & Outdoors, Waterfalls, Sunset Views, Education & Classes, Water Sports, Arts & Culture
Brevard and Transylvania County are known as the “Land of Waterfalls.” And with good reason: this awe-inspiring destination boasts over 250 waterfalls, the largest concentration in North America. But that’s just the beginning. Here you’ll find a wide range of outdoor opportunities, from hiking and biking to paddling and climbing. Add in the small-town charm of historic Brevard – with its vibrant art, culture, dining and shopping – and you’ve got several more reasons to linger in this magical setting.
Looking Glass Falls drops over a rock ledge straight into the pool at the bottom of the falls.
Brevard & The Land of Waterfalls – One Day Itinerary
Region: North Carolina
Duration:1 day
Hiking Trails, Nature & Outdoors, Waterfalls, Sunset Views, Education & Classes
With so much to do in Transylvania County, it can be hard to choose which adventure to jump into first. Here’s a virtual toy chest of fun, active, and educational activities guaranteed to keep every member of the family completely enthralled.