Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center, Asheville

Visitors traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway can now make one stop at the new Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center to learn about the entire 469 miles and 73-year history of the Parkway - from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Western North Carolina.

Located near Asheville at Milepost 384 (about a mile south of the U.S. 70 intersection, 8 miles southeast of downtown) the Destination Center opened in 2008, unveiling its innovative, high-tech interactive exhibits.

This is the first National Park Service visitor center in the country to offer an I-Wall, a 22-foot interactive map of the entire Parkway which provides multi-media information on places to visit on and near the Parkway. The Center is operated by the National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
The Center’s exhibits highlight the natural and cultural diversity, economic traditions and recreational opportunities found in Western North Carolina and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The center also houses a 70-seat theater, information and orientation services and book sales area.

The building itself reflects the cutting edge of energy saving technology. Constructed to LEED certification standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), it features active/passive heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, a “green” roof and other energy efficient features. According to Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Philip Francis, “We are excited that in addition to orienting visitors to the region and Parkway, the structure exemplifies natural resources stewardship for the long term.”

The theater’s main attraction is a new movie “The Blue Ridge Parkway-America’s Favorite Journey.” Shown hourly in high-definition surround sound, the 24-minute film captures a father-daughter trip along the motor road that incorporates history and the region’s contemporary sights and sounds. In 2008, the film received a prestigious international award of excellence, the “Platinum Best of Show” Aurora Award.

Hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission free. Call them at 828-298-5330 for more info. Nearby is the Folk Art Center.