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That’s because these mountains, with their fragrant forests, crashing waterfalls and cool glades, as well as that trademark misty-blue hue, aren’t just gorgeous—they’re also just an acorn’s throw from civilization. Over the years, we’ve hiked, fished, kayaked, shopped, driven, eaten and viewed our way through the area. Here are some of our favorite stops. Great Views Whether you prefer climbing up the rock faces or enjoying the scenery without the work, bring your camera to Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 1994, we wandered the footpaths with our young children. Today, our teenagers can hike well into the forest, where wildflower-filled valleys and massive rock formations delight us all. The end reward, stunning views of tree-lined mountain peaks and sheer cliffs, is worth the trip. On the way back, we always drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway , even if it means taking the long way around. Ablaze with foliage in the fall, the parkway’s gorgeous vistas have us looking forward to every curve in the road. Great Diversions Known for its vast network of trails, Pisgah National Forest has a number of other tricks up its sleeve. One of the best is Sliding Rock, a natural water slide. We were secretly happy when our children were young and wanted us to slide down with them, as it gave us a great excuse to race down the slippery boulder and into the frigid pool that took our breath away at the end of the ride. When moms get a day to choose the activity, more often than not that means a visit to Biltmore Estate. Site of Biltmore House, the 250-room palatial former home of George Vanderbilt, the estate, which sits on 8,000 acres, has a winery as well as 250 acres of gardens that were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the creative genius behind New York’s Central Park. Great Towns Biltmore House is just minutes from Asheville , the artsy yet refined city that’s often compared to Santa Fe. Home to The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Asheville offers a stylish mix of elegant galleries and shops, funky coffee shops and chic-but-attitude-free cafés that is a spectacular surprise tucked into the mountains. (More information about Asheville, including links to festivals and other events, is available at asheville.com.) Smaller but with a fun-loving soul, Blowing Rock is another town we love, particularly for the casual charm of its boutique-lined Main Street. We came to these mountains 10 years ago wanting nothing more than a respite from the hot summer. What we’ve found is a treasure chest so full that we’ll never run out of reasons to return. It’s All in the Details
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That first year there were 12 of us, three moms and nine children ranging in age from 4 to 13. We’d been invited to North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains to escape the blistering heat of Columbia, S.C. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were starting an annual tradition that, 10 years later, our families would plan around and look forward to all year long.