Enjoy a Blue Ridge Adventure

An exquisite drive into the wonders of the Blue Ridge is one that winds through Jonesborough, Tennessee, to Hot Springs, North Carolina. This 55-mile drive will take you through a series of awesome views and panoramic optical feasts and will only take about an hour. Each adorable town has its own particular draws and makes this Blue Ridge adventure a delight for all.

Explore on the Way

Start your Blue Ridge adventure in Jonesborough, a cute hamlet exploding with Bed & Breakfast inns, antique stores and old-time music. State Route 81 sweeps out of town, flanked by radiant pastures, cow-speckled hills, and steeples slicing through the lush Appalachian horizons. You will see the countryside unfolding in its green glory before you as you head into Erwin, the town that claims to have once tried and hanged a berserk circus elephant. If you stop for a homemade barbecue sandwich and spiced curly fries drenched in ketchup at the River’s Edge Restaurant and Smokehouse, you will be able to read the details of this peculiar story from a faded old newspaper clipping, yellowing in an old frame on the wall. The only thing better than homemade southern barbecue is homemade southern barbecue with a view. Be sure to step out onto the deck and witness the breathtaking views of a plunging river bluff. A Blue Ridge adventure is not complete without this experience.

Your Blue Ridge Adventure Has a Relaxing Destination

From here, the road gallops along the Nolichucky River, a white water rafter’s heaven! You will know that your Blue Ridge outing is about to encounter Hot Springs when you pass by the quirky college town of Mars Hill, which is just before your destination. When you get to the bewitching town of Hot Springs, you will realize there are plenty of activities for any mood that you might be in. If you are feeling energetic and ready for outdoor excitement, Hot Springs is a prime destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and mountain lovers. If you would rather just relax, there are dozens of relaxing spas to rejuvenate your mind and body. A favorite resting place is a room or cabin at the Broadwing Farm Natural Bath, where your spring-fed hot tub sits on the patio of your secluded cabin. A Blue Ridge adventure has never had a more rewarding destination.

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