Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

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.  
 
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area staffs a regional visitor information desk and has its offices in the building.

Events
A variety of family events showcasing the region's heritage are scheduled for 2009 at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center.

Videos
Click here to view a video of the Visitor Center on the State Travel website. 

Click here to see a North Carolina Weekend profile of the Visitor Center (it's the second segment).
 

Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm daily, year-round.  The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.  
Movie times usually run on the half hour from 9:30  am- 4:30 pm.  Please call to confirm.
 

Location
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is located at Parkway milepost 384, which is about a mile south of the US 70 intersection (or one mile north of the US 74-A intersection) and about 8 miles east of downtown Asheville.  The Folk Art Center is located nearby, two miles to the north along the Parkway.

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
195 Hemphill Knob Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 298-5330
Click here for directions