Posted by Robin Neville on March 29, 2011 at 9:35 PM
My husband and I are wanting some recommendations for where to go on a 4-5 day get-a-way at the end of April or maybe mid May if there were better visual opportunity.
We are close to Charlotte, and are looking for someplace to drive to and use as a base for a couple of days. We are both primarily interested in landscape. We have spent an extensive amount of time in the Brevard, NC area shooting waterfalls, and wanted to branch out to someplace else. We thought about the Cashiers, NC area as it is a little far for a day trip.
Where would you go in Tennessee? Virginia? Georgia? SC?
Two suggestions - Cades Cove in the Smokies - much has been written about this area. I'm headed there in mid-April for the wildflowers. The other is Roan Mountain. The rhododendrons are blooming in early/mid June & the scenery on the balds in that area are quite photogenic.
You'll miss most of the wildflowers except in the higher elevations by the end of April - mid-May. I'm going into the Smokies April 21 - 22 and am afriad that may be near the end. The flowers seem to be a week to two early this year. Even if you miss the flowers, I would go into the Smokies, but be prepared for crowds.
Roan Mountain is high enough that flowers bloom late. The Rhododendrons peak in mid-June. It's a pretty place with the balds.
Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are many great hikes and photo spots all along the Georgia - North Carolina section.
You can do Cades Cove if it's during the week but stay away on the weekends. I'm a bit more partial to the NC area of the Smokies rather than TN. Cashiers or Highlands are both good bases for day trips.
Posted by Steve Hamley on April 10, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Go early for Cades Cove. Once the tourons get stopped, they'll stay stopped until the deer/bear leaves, which would be sunset.
Discussion
6 repliesWe are close to Charlotte, and are looking for someplace to drive to and use as a base for a couple of days. We are both primarily interested in landscape. We have spent an extensive amount of time in the Brevard, NC area shooting waterfalls, and wanted to branch out to someplace else. We thought about the Cashiers, NC area as it is a little far for a day trip.
Where would you go in Tennessee? Virginia? Georgia? SC?
Thanks for any feedback and discussion on this!
Good luck Andrew
You'll miss most of the wildflowers except in the higher elevations by the end of April - mid-May. I'm going into the Smokies April 21 - 22 and am afriad that may be near the end. The flowers seem to be a week to two early this year. Even if you miss the flowers, I would go into the Smokies, but be prepared for crowds.
Roan Mountain is high enough that flowers bloom late. The Rhododendrons peak in mid-June. It's a pretty place with the balds.
Check out the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are many great hikes and photo spots all along the Georgia - North Carolina section.
Cheers, Steve