Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

 store / shop, museum, mountain, parkway, rest area, national park

 Upload a photo

The new Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (formerly known as the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center) is located in Asheville, North Carolina at Parkway milepost 384. It features a variety of exhibits which highlight the natural and cultural diversity, economic traditions, and recreational opportunities found in Western North Carolina and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center also houses a 70-seat theater, information and orientation services, and a retail shop offering books, apparel, CDs, DVDs, collectibles, souvenirs, and children's items.

The building itself reflects the cutting edge of energy-saving technology. The LEED-certified (gold rating) structure incorporates active/passive heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, a "green" roof, and other energy efficient features.

One of the largest exhibits is a 22-foot interactive map of the entire Blue Ridge Parkway known as the "I-Wall" which provides multi-media information on places to visit on and around the Parkway. Other exhibits focus on the history and heritage of the Parkway and Western North Carolina and feature a variety of listening stations and interactive displays. The Visitor Center also houses interactive kiosks which provide information on nearby attractions.

Hours: 9 am - 5 pm.
The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Hiking trails are located near-by.