The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area was designated by Congress and the President in November, 2003 in recognition of the unique character, culture, and natural beauty of Western North Carolina and their significance to the history of our nation. A land of mountain wilderness, waterfalls, Cherokee tradition, string bands, and craft studios, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is truly region with a "personality" like no other.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, serves an 11-County region and about 600,000 passengers a year. Since its opening in 1961, AVL has grown to offer non-stop service to eight hub cities on four major commercial airlines—Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways. AVL features a business center, free WiFi, an art gallery, an expanded baggage claim area and rocking chairs in waiting areas. AVL is also served by five car-rental agencies, and ground transportation is available.

For thirteen years, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine has been the definitive guide to outdoor sports and adventure travel in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.  Reaching over a half-million readers from Washington DC to Atlanta, Blue Ridge Outdoors is the country's largest regional outdoor publication. Each month, Blue Ridge Outdoors highlights the best destinations for outdoor adventure in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.  From the mountaintops to the river bottoms, BRO's got you covered!  For more information visit www.blueridgeoutdoors.com or contact Martha Evans at 828-225-0868.

The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the Appalachian Mountain chain and provides seemingly endless views of many parallel ranges connected by cross ranges and scattered hills. From Shenandoah National Park, the Parkway follows the Blue Ridge Mountains, eastern rampart of the Appalachians, for 355 miles. Then, for the remaining 114 miles, it skirts the southern end of the massive Black Mountains, weaves through the Craggies, the Pisgahs, and the Balsams, and ends in the Great Smokies.