NC peeps, school me on the Blue Ridge Parkway

[CorvallisBMW]

My wife and I are going to be in NC for a wedding in August, and the plan is to head up towards Asheville for a few days after. We're hoping to hit Great Smoky NP, and I know the lower end of the Blue Ridge Parkway starts near there. But I didn't realize it was so damn long! Most of the pictures I see online of the elevated roadway seem like they're in Virginia. Is the southern/NC section as good? Worth doing? Tips/places to see are appreciated!

[Reichart12]

Ive only been once to that area and it was just recently for the Vintage show, if youre within a short drive of the Sierra Nevada brewery it is definitely worth the tour. Very informative and great beers to sample.

[agent]

Downtown Asheville has some great restaurants and tap rooms. Plan on at least one day/night of pub crawling.

EDIT: Cúrate is not to be missed.

http://heirloomhg.com/curate/

if youre within a short drive of the Sierra Nevada brewery it is definitely worth the tour. Very informative and great beers to sample.

+1, and it's worth planning your visit around a meal - the food there is excellent.

[bikerjim2000]

The southern end is actually more curvy! The lower section is right at the exit to the park so its an easy connection. There's good roads and food the whole way! Bogart's Steakhouse in Waynesville!!!! Bacon Wrapped Filet!!!. Also don't forget the BMW Museum in Spartanburg! SC

[jeffnhiscars]

We did a road tri yesterday and went from Charlotte to Blowing Rock. From there we drove south (toward Asheville) along the blue ridge for an hour or so, did some sight seeing then headed back.

Fun drive, far less traffic than we expected and the scenery is worth it

[CorvallisBMW]

Nice, we'll try and plan out some driving on it then.

Sadly the BMW plant is closing to public tours on August 1st, for an "undetermined amount of time" according to the pre-recorded message on their phone line. Not sure why, maybe tooling up for the new X7? Anyway, that's out :(

[agent]

They were closed for retooling when we were there one Spring a few years ago as well (for the F15 chassis IIRC). Still, the BMW Zentrum is/was worth checking out. Maybe schedule yourself a day at M School? ;D

[CorvallisBMW]

It's all closed :( :(

https://www.bmwusfactory.com/zentrum/general-information/zentrum-information/

[agent]

Well, shit. :(