There are a number of historic sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway ranging from modern museums to authentic 19th century cabins. A few are open to the public during the May through October tourist season and are staffed by park Rangers or volunteers who can show you around and answer questions. Other sites are closed and all you can do is take a photo.
The following is a list of historic sites directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are a few others, mainly log cabins, that are located along hiking trails. These are not included in the list. Click the link to see photos and get full information on a particular site.
Attraction and visitor facility locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway are referenced by Mile Post (MP) numbers. Mileage is tracked from 0 at the northern entrance to 469 at the southern entrance. You will see the mile posts along the Parkway just as you see mile posts on interstates and other highways.
Mountain Farm Outdoor Museum (MP 6)
Authentic 1890s farm buildings and equipment. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area (MP 34.4)
Short gauge railroad track exhibit (reconstruction)
James River Canal Trail (MP 63.6)
Short trail to Battery Creek Lock once used on the James River Canal
Johnson Farm (MP 85.4)
Restored 1930s farm accessed via a 1.5-mile loop hike
Polly Wood’s Ordinary (MP 89.5)
Cabin once used as an inn during the 1800s at Peaks of Otter
Bobletts Gap Overlook (MP 93.1)
Boblett family cemetery site
W. J. Trail Family Cabin (MP 154.5)
Authentic log cabin from the 1890s
Rakes Mill Pond (MP 162.4)
Pond and dam built in the early 1800s
Mabry Mill (MP 176.2)
Original grist and lumber mill, authentic farm buildings and equipment, traditional skills demonstrations by park Rangers and volunteers
Ground Hog Mountain Picnic Area (MP 189)
Exhibit of different fences found along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Puckett Cabin (MP 189.9)
Historic cabin
Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213)
Roots of Mountain Music Museum
Moxley Cemetery (MP 217.5)
Family cemetery at the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area
Brinegar Cabin (MP 238.5)
Historic 1880s cabin and out buildings. Cabin is open from May though October and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers.
Cool Springs Baptist Church and Jesse Brown Cabin (MP 272.4)
Two cabins from the 1800s on display in a field
Flat Top Manor (MP 294)
House tours of Cone Family mansion
Linn Cove Visitor Center (MP 304.4)
Access to Linn Cove Viaduct, the first bridge of its type in the United States
Museum of North Carolina Minerals (MP 330.9)
Mineral and geology museum
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Last updated on November 19, 2023