For most collegiettes, thinking of where we’d rather be than sitting in the library studying for tests probably conjures up daydreams of swaying in a hammock, pina colada in hand, under the shade of a Hawaiian palm tree. Maybe it’s admiring the Lourve and the street fashion of Paris, or visiting the Great Wall of China. A trip to visit the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina is probably not the first thing you think of, but after my trip there this summer, I think the Smokies make for a perfect getaway. Gorgeous and serene, both proud and unassuming, the Great Smokey Mountains are a surprising gem that is too-often overlooked. It sounds cliché, but there is truly something for every type of traveler: scenic drives, lots of adventure, historical sites, people-watching galore, and plenty of ways to relax—however you like to do it.
For sight-seers and nature enthusiasts, driving the Blue Ridge parkway—a 470 mile pleasure drive through the mountain range—is an opportunity to stop and admire the stunning views of sunsets and foliage-covered mountainsides, drive through tunnels cut straight from the living rock, or get out and hike one of the 100+ “mini-trails” and explore natural waterfalls, picnic by a stream, or observe wildlife. Tourists every year report sightings of elk, black bears, otters, alligators, and beavers. If a calm, scenic drive sounds too tame for your tastes, there is excitement around every corner—literally. Filled with steep drop-offs, twisting turns, and un-railed cliff-sides, the Blue Ridge parkway can be as much adventure as it is a leisurely drive.
If the possibility of falling off a cliff isn’t enough, and you need a more hands-on activity, adventure-seekers can find excitement in a variety of activities: there’s kayaking, white-water rafting, horse-back trail rides through the forest, zip lining, extreme mountain-biking, and even fly-fishing, a popular local pastime. For anyone who likes movies—and who doesn’t?—a short hike can take you to on-site locations where the Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans were filmed.
History buffs and those who enjoy the buzz of the city will find lots to do and see in Asheville, one of North Carolina’s largest and oldest cities. The Biltmore estate, built by George Vanderbilt in the 1890s, is the largest home in the United States. It’s beautiful and huge, and the history surrounding the mansion and the lives of the socialites who lived there makes for an interesting tour. Also, for fellow Jazz Age enthusiasts, the mental hospital where Zelda Fitzgerald died in the 1940s makes for an interesting, albeit morbid, historical site to stop by. For art lovers, the Asheville art museum is a popular destination, and the beautiful scenery of the mountains has inspired many local artists who showcase their work in art galleries all over the city. And tea enthusiasts and vintage-wearers rejoice—there are dozens of small, local shops to sit in, shop around in, and enjoy people watching where you will see both trendy young people, and the occasional stereotypical, rugged Appalachian family.
When the day’s events are over, there are many ways to enjoy nature and relax, whether you are staying at a big hotel, a quaint bed and breakfast, or a friend. I was lucky enough to stay with family who had a small house on a hill, with a babbling brook, a dairy cow, and a pastoral field where hundreds of fireflies buzzed around at night. Add a campfire, some live music, and telling stories with friends and family, and you have a vacation worth daydreaming about. Just try to avoid the bears!