Things to Do
The 50,000-square-foot Museum of the Shenandoah Valley seeks to preserve and enrich the cultural life and heritage of the Valley. It sits on land originally claimed by Winchester founder James Wood in 1735. Your visit includes the regional history museum complex including Glen Burnie Historic House, 6 acres of… Read More
Mystery Hill has been amazing Parkway visitors for over 70 years. Fun and educational for the entire family. Explore North Carolina’s only Natural Gravitational Anomaly (see above photo), experience hands-on science activities, create giant soap bubbles big enough to surround an adult,… Read More
Nantahala Outdoor Center – At the intersection of the Appalachian Trail & the Nantahala River in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts since 1972, NOC’s 500-acre campus boasts plenty of exciting adventures to keep your entire group happy & active, whether you spend a day or… Read More
Natural Bridge Zoological Park – Discover the largest & most complete collection of birds & animals in the state of Virginia. Ride on an elephant, stand next to a giraffe, see a huge white tiger, hug baby llamas & donkeys. Enjoy monkeys, gibbons, & mandrill baboons. See Himalayan bears,… Read More
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest just south of Asheville, NC. Accessible via Parkway Milepost 393.6, the Arboretum is surrounded by botanically-diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, encouraging personal connections with nature in the gardens, hiking… Read More
Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee’s only ski area and amusement park. Ski, snowboard, and snow tube in winter; Alpine Slide, Rock Climbing Wall, Chair-Swing, Maze, and Mini-Golf in warmer months, and Ski Mountain Coaster, Scenic Chairlift, Wildlife Encounter, Ice Bumper Cars and Ice-Skating are available year round! Visit www.obergatlinburg.com or… Read More
Oconaluftee Indian Village poses the question, “Is it actually Cherokee history if it’s still happening?” Today you can transport back to an 18th century village full of authentic stickball demonstrations, dance, staged war reenactments—you name it. If it happened then, it’s happening now. Season opens May 1st, and tickets and… Read More
Old North State Winery is unlike any other winery in North Carolina. Housed in a former hardware store built in 1890 at 300 North Main Street in Mt. Airy, Ben & Ellie Webb have successfully created a fun, up-beat ambiance combining wine tasting tours, outstanding local food, live entertainment… Read More
PARI is a former NASA facility that is now an active center for research and STEM education. Radio telescopes 26M (85ft.), space flight artifacts, meteorites, minerals, scenic views, hiking trails. A ‘Dark Sky’ designated location. Day tour, night viewings with optical telescopes and astronomy instruction. Family style cabin rooms… Read More
Penland Gallery at Penland School of Crafts in Mitchell County is one of the finest showcases for contemporary craft in the Southeast. Visitor Center provides information about area studios. Seasonal hours. Exit Parkway at Milepost 330.9 and take NC 226 north for 7.5 miles; turn onto Penland Road; follow… Read More