Many popular places in the Blue Ridge Mountains, aka the Smokey Mountains, are between 2.5 – 3.5 hours from Pittsboro, North Carolina. Popular destinations include:
- Boone NC – 2.5 Hours (160 miles)
- Asheville NC – 3.5 Hours (215 miles)
- Hendersonville NC – 3.5 Hours (230 miles)
- Brevard NC – 4 Hours (250 miles)
- Cherokee NC – 4.5 Hours (265 miles)
In addition to these big name stops, there are hundreds of very cool mountain towns with rich histories throughout North Carolina, such as Saluda or Boiling Springs.
Boone makes for a quick trip and there is plenty of fun to be had in both the summer and winter and any time in between. Nearby Blowing Rock serves up amazing views and the fall colors are beautiful.
Asheville is a very popular spot for tourists and much more crowded than most of the others mentioned.
The Blue Ridge Parkway from Brevard to Hendersonville is a great drive, too with Sliding Rock, waterfalls, and great views along the way.
Just east of Hendersonville is “Apple Valley” where the freshest, most delicious apples around can be picked right from trees beginning in September.