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Jazz After 5 at Grove Arcade

April 16th, 2008 by susan j

jazz sign
Jazz photo uploaded by Geoff Coe

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.

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Flowers of North Carolina

April 7th, 2008 by jamie a

Biltmore flowerFlower at the Biltmore Estate Photo uploaded by wjklos

It’s time to celebrate the beginning of Spring in North Carolina! I’m sure you’d love to take some pictures of your trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway, complete with flowering blossoms.

Thanks to the Blue Ridge Parkway Association,  this handy bloom schedule will let you know what’s flowering and where it’s located along the road. You’ll see everything from Mayapples and Dogwood to Flame Azaleas and White Rhododendrons.

Be sure to keep your eye out for beautiful flora at your favorite attractions as well, like the flower pictured in this post, found at the Biltmore Estate. We’d love to hear which flower you’d like to see during your travels, so let us know in a comment!

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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LaZoom Comedy Tours of Asheville

March 18th, 2008 by jamie a

La Zoom
Photo courtesy of La Zoom Tours

If you’re looking for something unique to do during your trip to Asheville, look no further than LaZoom Comedy Tours of Asheville!

Started by Jim and Jen Lauzon, this tour provides visitors with a historical tour of Asheville with a special twist of zany entertainment. This 40 seat purple bus runs every day of the week, complete with history, comedy skits, musical acts, and captivating stories.

You’ll learn about everyone from George Vanderbilt to Edwin Wiley Grove and learn how Asheville grew into the charming city it is today.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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New Hours for National Parks

March 6th, 2008 by susan j

Blue Ridge SunsetSunset at Shenandoah National Park Photo uploaded by Waldo Jaquith

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. Beginning March 1, state parks and recreation areas are closing no earlier than 8 pm during March, April, May, and October. 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 complete schedule of operating hours for all state parks and facilities.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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Top Tourism Sites

February 22nd, 2008 by jamie a

IgoUgo.com has added the North Carolina Tourism Services website to their list of Top 10 U.S. State Tourism Sites!

The sites were ranked according to how helpful they are in assisting travelers plan their trips, offering suggestions for everything from skydiving to cheap eats. IgoUgo writes, “Split into sections for the Piedmont, the mountains, and the coast, North Carolina welcomes visitors with ideas for all three regions”

There’s an RSS feed to keep you constantly updated along with a virtual magazine of the area, making it impossible to have an unorganized trip to North Carolina!

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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Blue Ridge Antiquing

January 22nd, 2008 by jamie a

Antique Toy Puppet Theater
Antique Toy Puppet Theater
Photo uploaded by Paul Keleher

MountainTimes.com recently published a guide to antiquing in the high country of North Carolina. These are the oldest mountains on the continent where there have been settlers for over 200 years. This great history and ancestry provides a wonderful market for antiques where dealers can sell the best in heirlooms and pieces with regional history.

From the Appalacian Antique Mall with three floors of goods to de Provence et d’ailleurs that specializes in the glory of French antiques, every traveler is bound to set their eyes on a fantastic find to take home.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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New Year’s Eve in Blue Ridge

December 20th, 2007 by judy c

blr_champagne.jpg
Champagne photo uploaded by Waldo Jaquith

Are you still without plans to ring in 2008? Then look no further than Balsam Mountain Inn in Balsam, North Carolina. On New Year’s Eve, the Inn is hosting a group of talented folk artists to perform in a private setting at their popular “Songwriters in the Round” event. Check out such artists as Casey Kelly, Leslie Ellis, Todd Cerney, and Wood Newton.

Plus, indulge in a spectacular gourmet dinner buffet consisting of Stuffed Lobster Tails, Carved Pork Steamship Round, Grilled Asparagus, 100-Year-Old-Scotch Pudding, Individual Centennial Baked Alaska and more. And don’t forget the obligatory midnight toast! Good company, great food, excellent music and champagne…what more do you need? For reservations, call 828-224-9498.

Other North Carolina New Year’s Eve events include North Carolina Symphony’s New Year’s Extravaganza and Appalachian Mountain’s fireworks celebration, torch lighting and ice skating until midnight.

Do you have anything planned in the area for New Year’s Eve? If so, leave a comment and let us know.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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Protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway

December 17th, 2007 by susan j

viaduct.jpg
Photo by Hugh Morton

Extending across parts of Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway 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 Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (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 Agricultural Heritage, Cherokee Heritage, Craft Heritage, Music Heritage, and/or Natural Heritage. It is also developing region-wide signage 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.

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Asheville on Frommer’s Top Travel Destinations

November 29th, 2007 by susan j

11292007camp.jpg
Photo uploaded by Bruce Tuten

Last week, Frommers announced their Top Travel Destinations for 2007, and we’re pleased as punch to see that Asheville, North Carolina made the list. Asheville has a small town charm and several tourist attractions like Biltmore and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, among others.

Frommers says the area is “great for driving tours and shopping trips to numerous crafts and pottery shops (we suggest picking up a hand-made broom).” We at Go Blue Ridge Card couldn’t agree more! Check out Frommer’s guide to visiting Asheville.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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Stumps, Boards & Gourds

November 19th, 2007 by susan j

11082007dulcimer.jpg
Photo uploaded by Cindy Funk

The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery recently opened a new exhibit called Stumps, Boards & Gourds: Handmade Instruments of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From dulcimers and lap harps to gourd banjos and stump fiddles, the exhibit explores the hand-crafted instruments and musical heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountain region. In addition to many of the instruments that are commonly associated with the music of Appalachia, the exhibit showcases some of the more unusual ones created by locals. A collection of photographs by the F32 photography group also document the local music scene. The exhibit runs through February 2. Click for more information on exhibits at Grove Arcade.

Planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Blue Ridge Card.

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