During your Appalachian Mountain getaway take in the spectacular scenery on one of countless driving tours around the area. Scenic backroad drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway, over the mountains and gently rolling farmland, along the shores of Watauga Lake – around each bend in the road is a new vista waiting to be discovered.

Along the way stop at local wineries for a tour, enjoy a delicious meal in an area restaurant, or shop for treasures at antique and craft stores. Take a car, or bring your touring bike, and let us suggest some historical, beautiful, easy or challenging rides through Johnson County, Tennessee, Boone/Blowing Rock, NC and Abingdon/Damascus, VA.

A favorite tour for motorcycles and sports cars is Hwy 421, "The Snake", between Mountain City and Bristol. This 33 miles of Hay 421 has 489 curves, 3 mountains, and 1 valley. The road and scenery are amazing. Check out 421TheSnake.com and the other day tours that take you to out-of-the-way places in northeastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.

See if you can answer the questions on our driving challenge tour of the county. It’s fun, and you’ll learn something about the area at the same time.

After spending the day exploring the area, return to your cozy accommodations at our bed and breakfast, Iron Mountain Inn, or one of our cottages or cabins: House on WataugaLake and Creekside Chalet. Relax in the peaceful splendor of a night in the Appalachian Mountains. Another day of fun awaits you in the morning.