Because of its vastness—more than 11,000 square miles—the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is best explored by vehicle, whether it be automobile or motorcycle. Bicycling and hiking are good options for shorter distances.

Here are some suggested itineraries to get you started. Some are local, based on a single community; others will take you far and wide through much of the region.

• A Drive Thru the Park, A Trip into Another Culture
• Bucolic Beauty in Madison County
• Black Mountain and Old Fort
• Cherokee
• Far Western Nature Tour
• A Free Ride Through the Blue Ridge—Black Mountain to Golden Valley
• High Country Crafts Day
• Highlands Heritage Trail
• A Parkway Day (or Two) in the High Country—Blowing Rock to Asheville
• A Visit to Mayberry
• Fall Leaf Peeping in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
• Motorcycle Itinerary to NC State Historic Sites & Museums near Asheville

In planning the best use of your NC mountains vacation days, know that the region can be divided into three sub-regions for ease of exploration:

• The far west includes Cherokee, the Nantahala Gorge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• The central region includes Asheville, Hendersonville, Chimney Rock State Park, the waterfalls of Transylvania County, and many more highlights.
• The High Country includes Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, Boone, Blowing Rock, and the high northern mountains. Further to the east are beautiful, rolling foothills with State Parks and vineyards.

The Blue Ridge Parkway threads through the entire region, from Cherokee to the Virginia border, and serves as a "Main Street" through the area. In addition to the unmatched scenic beauty that can be viewed from the Parkway, communities along the way are jewels of Blue Ridge heritage and culture, with great food, museums, craft, music, and shopping. There are also numerous state Scenic Byways to explore.