Photos courtesy of Steve Kruger
Sights & Sounds
Activities & Interests
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville, North Carolina features an award-winning film and exhibits which highlight the natural and cultural heritage, economic traditions, and recreational opportunities found in Western North Carolina and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The visitor center houses a 70-seat theater, information and orientation services, and a retail shop offering books, apparel, CDs, DVDs, collectibles, souvenirs, and children's items.
The Blue Ridge Parkway—America's Favorite Journey, a 24-minute film shown in high definition surround sound, uses breathtaking aerial photography and the story of a father-daughter motorcycle trip to introduce visitors to the natural and cultural heritage of the mountains and the history of the construction of the Parkway. It features craft artisans and traditional musicians from the region.
The building itself reflects the cutting edge of energy-saving technology. The LEED-certified structure incorporates active/passive heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, a "green" roof, and other energy efficient features.
One of the largest exhibits is the "I-Wall," a 22-foot interactive map of the entire Blue Ridge Parkway which provides multi-media information on places to visit on and near the Parkway. Other exhibits focus on the history and heritage of the Parkway and Western North Carolina. The visitor center also houses interactive kiosks which provide information on places to visit.
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area staffs a regional visitor information desk and has its offices in the building.
A variety of family events showcasing the region's heritage are scheduled for 2009 at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.
A 1.2 mile loop trail starts from the parking lot of the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and joins the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm daily, year-round.
The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Location
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is located at Parkway milepost 384, which is about a mile south of the US 70 intersection (or one mile north of the US 74-A intersection) and about 8 miles east of downtown Asheville. The Folk Art Center is located nearby, two miles to the north along the Parkway.
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Parkway Milepost 384
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-5330
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Parkway Milepost 384
Asheville, NC
(828) 298-5330
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Also Nearby
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- YMI Cultural Center
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- Southern Appalachian Radio Museum
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