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Leaf Peeping
Covering 469 scenic miles through North Carolina and Virginia , the Blue Ridge Parkway connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south to Shenandoah National Park in the north , where you can extend the ride with another 105 ridge-top miles along Skyline Drive . Construction began during the Great Depression and was mostly complete by 1966 , but a 7.7- mile section that included the elegant Linn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain did not open until 1987 . Some motorcyclists bemoan the BRP ’ s 45-mph speed limit , but the graceful road encourages a leisurely pace with frequent stops at its many overlooks . The smoothly paved parkway blends seamlessly into the Appalachian landscape , and is delightfully free of billboards , traffic lights and commercial traffic . Though it sees millions of visitors each year , the BRP rarely feels crowded . Fall is the perfect season for this epic ride , when the leaves change color and the air feels crisp . Photo by Enrico Pavia