About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
April 29th, 2008 by susan j
Biltmore in the spring photo uploaded by
Although Biltmore is open 365 days a year, spring is one of the best times to visit the estate. Encompassing 8,000 acres of lush landscaping and lavish architecture, Biltmore both impress and inspires visitors from all over the world.
From now until May 18, visitors can enjoy the Festival of Flowers, an annual event showcasing hundreds of azaleas in a dazzling array of colors and hues. Plus, enjoy live music on Saturdays and Sundays 11:30 am-3:30 pm in the garden. You can also take a self-guided tours of the gardens, which is included with estate admission.
In addition, the Biltmore is offering free admission to Moms on Sunday, May 11 with the purchase of a youth or adult ticket. Starting May 30, the Biltmore will host a new interactive exhibit entitled If These Walls Could Talk. More information is available on the .
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
April 16th, 2008 by susan j
Jazz photo uploaded by
If you’re visiting Blue Ridge this weekend, then stop in at Grove Arcade from 5-8 pm on Friday, April 18 to enjoy free live jazz music performed by The Golden Quartet and Dave Perkins Certified Organic. This Friday performance is the final Jazz After 5 concert for 2008, and local restaurants will offer beer, wine, and appetizers for purchase.
Sponsorship for the Jazz After 5 series is provided by LandDesign, News Radio 570 WWNC, 880AM The Revolution, Fosters Group, and Empire Distributors of North Carolina.
Other upcoming events at the Grove Arcade include the Grove Arcade Flower Show April 26-27 and the Laura Boosinger & Josh Goforth CD Release Party on June 1.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
April 1st, 2008 by susan j
Ever since the Go Blue Ridge Card launched last spring, we’ve been working on ways to improve the product, making it even easier and more affordable to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. We’ve added a couple of new attractions, including French Broad River Rafting with Nantahala Outdoor Center (pictured above) and LaZoom Comedy Tours of Asheville.
But I think the biggest improvement has been letting visitors use their cards on non-consecutive days, making it even more flexible and convenient. Whether you’re purchasing 2, 3, or 5 days, you’ll be able to visit attractions in any combination of days during a two week period.
For instance, if you purchased a 3-day card, you might choose to activate it on a Monday, then pick any days during the next two weeks to use your two remaining days. You could see go to museums on Monday and Tuesday, relax on Wednesday and Thursday, try wildwater rafting on Friday, or any combination you choose. Check out our recommended itineraries for more ideas on getting the most out of your Go Blue Ridge Card.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
March 24th, 2008 by susan j
Tweetsie Railroad photo uploaded by
Despite a fire on Sunday, March 16 that destroyed much of the Tweetie Railroad’s collection of train memorabilia, tools, and photos, the Blowing Rock attraction plans to open for its 51st year on May 2, as originally scheduled. The old-fashioned park Tweetsie Railroad holds an extensive archive dating back to the 1880s, so many of those pieces will be on display when the museum reopens. Train collectors have also offered items from their personal collections to fill the void left by the fire.
The Carolina’s first family Wild West Adventure theme park, Tweetsie Railroad opened a year after Disneyland and has since hosted generations of visitors with its fun, imaginative activities. Guests can role play as a cowboy, cowgirl, or a train engineer. They can shop along Main Street, pan for gold, or even learn to clog. The park’s highlight is the historic steam locomotive train. Hop aboard for scene three-mile ride through the mountains of North Carolina!
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
March 20th, 2008 by susan j
Grove Arcade photo uploaded by
This Friday, March 21, Grove Arcade hosts Jazz After 5. This fun free event runs from 5-8 pm on Friday evening and features beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, as well as live music performances. This month’s program includes performances of cool jazz by Origins and Done for the Evening.
While at Grove Arcade, stop by the ARTS & Heritage Gallery and show your Go Blue Ridge Card for a free copy of the self-guided Architectural and Historical Tour of the Grove Arcade with each $30 purchase.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
March 13th, 2008 by susan j
Flowers along the Blue Ridge Parkway Photo uploaded by
Spring is fast approaching in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Blue Ridge visitor centers have announced their , and several of our Blue Ridge area attractions will be opening soon. Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and Lake Lure Tours open in mid-March, while Rose Creek Mine and Smoky Mountain Jet Boats open in April. Check out our full list of seasonal attractions.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
March 6th, 2008 by susan j
Sunset at Shenandoah National Park Photo uploaded by
Visitors to state parks and recreation areas, including those in the Blue Ridge area, will have extra time to enjoy the scenic views thanks to daylight savings time. . That means more time for hiking, picnicking, or just admiring the sunset.
In past years, most state parks closed at 7 pm during those months. The closing time at most state parks in June through September is 9 pm, although some areas and facilities, such as swimming areas and visitor centers, close earlier. State parks open at 8 am. View a .
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
January 18th, 2008 by susan j
Blue Ridge Parkway in the AutumnPhoto uploaded by NCBrian
Since we launched the Go Blue Ridge Card last spring, we’ve fallen in love with the beautiful scenery and natural charm of Western North Carolina. Now the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce has named the Go Blue Ridge Card as one of its “Top New Attractions, Events and Awards” of 2007.
We’re delighted to be among the award winners, which include the purchase of Chimney Rock Park by the State, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian’s “Emissaries of Peace” exhibit at the Smithsonian, and Ocracoke, which was named Best Beach in the United States.
For more on this exciting development, check out North Carolina’s Division Travel and Tourism newsletter from January 9. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
December 25th, 2007 by susan j
Christmas tree photo uploaded by
Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season! We’ll be back next year with even more posts about visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
December 17th, 2007 by susan j
Photo by Hugh Morton
Extending across parts of Virginia and North Carolina, the is the most visited place in all of the United States’s National Park System. And it’s no wonder with the area’s scenic vistas and rich heritage. The unspoiled beauty and natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains enchant visitors from all over the world.
To ensure the continued vitality of the local landscape, several organizations are worked tirelessly to preserve Blue Ridge’s rich history and natural beauty. The (BRNHA) was established by Congress in November, 2003 to “protect, preserve, interpret, and develop the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of Western North Carolina.” BRNHA awards matching grants to support projects in the areas of , , , , and/or . It is also developing that will help raise awareness about the region’s culture and encourage more visitors to drive through the Parkway. (more…)
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
