North Carolina's Charming Blue Ridge Mountain Community Is Perfect For Outdoor Fun And Scenic Views

Considered "America's Favorite Drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway is an undeniably scenic route that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains for almost 470 miles between Virginia and North Carolina. A place worth stopping along the route is Linville, North Carolina, a quaint community nearly 70 miles northeast of Asheville, an artsy city full of eclectic fun. Linville, which is just 2 miles off the parkway, boasts a scenic setting in the shadow of the nearly 6,000-foot-tall Grandfather Mountain. 

Developed in the 19th century, Linville was planned as an elite vacation destination amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains' scenery with exclusive golf clubs and charming, wood-shingled cottages. Today, Linville's petite downtown still features historic architecture and low-key dining, and beyond town, visitors can enjoy the surrounding panoramas and outdoor adventures of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Linville's location is a convenient base for all types of Blue Ridge exploration at Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain State Park's wilderness offers several miles of hiking trails, while the privately owned Grandfather Mountain attraction features family-friendly activities where you can dare to walk America's highest suspension bridge. Fall is an especially popular time to visit, when brilliant foliage is on display. 

Less than a 5-mile drive outside downtown Linville will bring you to two parks that are popular for outdoor fun. The first is Grandfather Mountain State Park. The state park is free to visit and offers hikers nine 11 trails lacing through its forested expanse that range from easy to advanced. Visitors who want scenic views and an easier hike can head out on the Nuwati Trail that extends for 1.2 miles to reach the picturesque Storyteller's Rock. Experienced hikers can tackle the Grandfather Trail, one of the area's most difficult trails that requires scrambling over rocks and ascending ladders to reach multiple peaks, including the summit of Grandfather Mountain. The trail measures 2.4 miles each way, but due to its steep and rocky nature, the hike can take well over five hours to complete. 

Nearby, the privately-operated Grandfather Mountain attraction offers additional family-friendly activities. Unlike the state park, Grandfather Mountain charges admission, starting at $25 per adult and $13 per child. Your ticket grants access to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge that was built in 1952 and features sweeping views as you cross. The nature park also offers access to hikes in the state park, such as the forested Woods Walk or the 2-mile Black Rock Trail with panoramic views of the park. The site also includes wildlife habitats, home to species like bears, cougars, otters, elk, and eagles that live in the Grandfather Mountain region. Visitors can also stop at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery to learn more about the geological and natural history of the region with interactive installations.

The best way to experience Linville is by renting a house or cottage in the area. If you are a guest of a Linville Golf Club member, you can stay at the elegant Eseeola Lodge or rent a cottage through the club. These rental cottages range from two to nine bedrooms and encapsulate Linville's architectural style with wood-beamed verandas, stone fireplaces, and four-poster beds. There are also a number of homes available to rent on Airbnb, from cozy cottages near downtown Linville to a more secluded Scandinavian-style studio with a Finnish sauna and outdoor hot tub.

A longtime Linville institution for breakfast and lunch is The Tartan. This Scottish-themed diner nods to Linville's history as host of the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and the decor reflects that with tartan carpeting and wall hangings. The menu features Southern favorites, such as biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, and homemade pimento cheese sandwiches. Another Linville lunch classic is Smokey's Fillin' Station, a lunch counter with burgers, sandwiches, and flatbread pizzas. Nearby, the Old Hampton Store and Barbecue is a 1920s-era general store that sells local provisions and artisanal goods and serves up generous portions of home-cooked barbecue. It is open seasonally between April and December.