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Planning a 3-day Blue Ridge Parkway intinerary but not sure where to begin? We have some suggestions! We've put together the perfect scenic road trip that starts in Staunton, Virginia and winds its way south along the Blue Ridge Parkway, ending in Boone, North Carolina. We are lucky here at Sugar Tree Inn to be located just minutes from the Parkway, making us an spot to start your adventures. With an abundance of things to do along the Blue Ridge Parkway like hiking trails, beautiful overlooks, and charming small towns, we are excited to share all of this with you. We’ve planned out a three day itinerary that might help guide you in checking out our beautiful Parkway.
Day 1- Explore Staunton: Gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Image from City of Staunton
The historic city of Staunton offers a wide variety of activities for any type of traveler. Downtown is packed full of unique, local businesses. Start your morning off with a coffee and pastry from Reunion Bakery & Espresso to fuel you up and get the energy pumping. The next stop after that is up to you.
If you are more of an artsy person, why not stop in the Art Hive, a community arts center that features local artists and peruse their boutique. If galleries are more your thing, Staunton is home to the Coart Gallery and R.R Smith Center for History and Art. Or maybe you want to get hands on and create some art of your own—the Sunspots Studios Glassblowing have you covered with demonstrations and a chance to blow your own glass ornament.
Maybe you’re more of a history buff and want to spend your day museum hopping. Staunton is home to numerous museums, covering military history (Staunton Military Academy/VWIL Museum at Mary Baldwin University), arts and culture (The Society for Victorian Arts and Culture and the Frontier Culture Museum), down to niche antique museums (Antique Fire Engine Museum and the Camera Heritage Museum).
Once you start feeling peckish, you are sure to find something that fits any taste buds. Nothing beats comfort food, which can be found at The Depot Grill, Mill Street Grill, or Marino’s. If pizza is what you’re craving (because who isn’t!), head over to Pizza Luca, who have gluten free and vegetarian friendly options. If you’re feeling like branching out a little more, Gloria’s Pupuseria offer Salvadoran style food, specializing in pupusas, whereas Thai Staunton Restaurant will meet your Thai-fix. Finally, since we are near the Chesapeake Bay, why not indulge on oysters, crab cakes, and lobster claws at the Blu Point Seafood.
Wrap up your evening by driving 30 minutes south to us and enjoying a cozy evening in, sitting by a fire in your room or playing board games in our tavern. We offer a full 3-course dinner service Friday and Saturday, but also have a selection of soups, salads, and hot food to order during the week day.
Day 2: Floyd, VA
Image from Floyd Tourism Office
The only thing better than waking up in a cozy bed in the mountains is waking up in a cozy bed in the mountains knowing you have a comforting and hearty breakfast waiting for you, made fresh by Chef Gerry. Take an easy morning before check-out at 11, have a cup or two of coffee while sitting on the porch. You’ll continue your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip with a scenic drive towards Floyd today, about three hours south west of us. Along the way on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll be hitting multiple overlook spots where you can take in the scenery and snap a few pictures. We suggest stopping at the Arnold Valley South Overlook which is located at MilePost 75.2.
For an afternoon stop, we suggest making a pit stop in Bedford, VA, about half way between us and Floyd. Bedford is home to the National D-Day Memorial, but the cute town offers much more than that. The Bedford Museum has 300 years of history all in one building, but also houses resources for tracing your genealogy and a bookstore. Antique stores line the town, where you are sure to find a treasure or two. If the weather is nice, or if you’re hearty like us, you can take a hike along the Appalachian Trail, or walk the 3.3 mile Harkening Hill Loop Trail.
This quaint town has lots of food options, all with charm and individuality. Sit back with a burger at Corner Burger, or be among flowers at the florist and café of The Blue Lady and Everafter. Soul Sisters & Brother Kitchen is one of Bedford’s newest restaurants, serving up southern soul food, or maybe you want to sit in a bit of history at the restored station house Liberty Station.
After enjoying a bit of lunch, you’ll be back on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading south to Floyd. Along the hour and a half trip, you’ll have more opportunities to stop and take pictures at an overlook. We suggest the Pine Spur Overlook about two-thirds of the way into the drive. Once you get to Floyd, you have a few different options for your evening. One option is stopping for dinner and wine at the Chateau Morrisette (dinner service Thursday-Sunday) if you are looking for a little more of an upscale experience. If you’re looking for a more low-key kind of night and want to cut loose with some live music, head to Floyd’s Country Store. Floyd’s Country Store is known for their Friday Night Jamboree, but feature live music most nights of the week. These events draw a crowd, so be sure e to get there early, and make sure you have your dancing shoes on!
For a place to rest your head, we couldn’t recommend Moonlight Manor more. Jenny and John are fellow Minnesotan transplants to Virginia like us, and that Minnesota Nice came along with them to Floyd. Nestled in the mountains, the five-room bed and breakfast have a gorgeous wrap around porch to sip your morning coffee or late night drink of choice with a view.
Day 3: Boone, NC
Image from New York Times
After checking out of the Moonlight Manor, you’ll be heading south again, making your way to Boone, North Carolina. Named after American pioneer Daniel Boone, this charming town is nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains. Boone is the perfect town for those who want a mix between outdoor adventure and a leisurely day.
As it’s within the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are ample hiking opportunities, but Boone has more to offer than just that. Fishing is a common activity in the town, as is mountain biking and climbing/bouldering. If you want to spend some time outside but don’t have the energy for hiking or climbing, Grandfather Mountain has free admission (reservations required however) to the top of the mountain. Here, you can cross the Mile-High Swinging Bridge where you will have panoramic views of the mountain ridge. Picnic tables are also available, so you can hang out and enjoy some packed snacks or lunch while soaking in the views.
Shopping in Boone could be considered a sport, as the town hosts over 130 shops that you can bounce between. From apparel, to pottery, to sports gear and everything in between, one day isn’t enough time to get through everything. Boone has 9 breweries and 3 wineries, so if you have a D.D, a beer/wine crawl could be the perfect way for you to see the town instead!
After all the activities (or maybe you need a bit of soakage after all that beer), we’re sure you’re feeling hungry. Downtown boasts 30 different cafes and restaurants, whereas wider Boone (including downtown) has a total over 88. Tacos, sushi, pizza…you name it, Boone has it, meaning picky eaters can rejoice. The Local, aptly named, is a local favorite that is open late. The Speckled Trout on Main Street describe themselves as a “low-country” seafood style restaurant, so if a bit of fish or shrimp is your thing, you might want to check them out. If you’re looking for live music on a Friday or Saturday night, Twigs Restaurant and Bar have live bands to listen to while sipping on a craft beer or a soft drink of choice.
When it comes time to sleeping, Boone has three B&B’s, as well as local and national brand hotels and motels. We recommend staying at the Lovill House Inn. We love their efforts to be a sustainable B&B and they are within walking distance to downtown. If you’re sick of comfort and want to rough it, Boone has 8 campgrounds and RV grounds; although if you’re like us and are more of the “glamping types”, most of these campgrounds have cabins to rent.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is host to cities and small towns alike, fitting every type of traveler. It was hard to pick just three places to visit, but we hope our three day itinerary helps point you in the right direction. If you follow our suggestions, let us know!
The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with vibrant cities and peaceful mountain towns, offering something for every kind of traveler. This 3-day Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary from Staunton to Boone highlights just a few of our favorite stops, blending history, nature, food, and fun. Whether you're a first-time visitor or planning your next scenic drive, we hope this guide helps you make the most of your journey.
At Sugar Tree Inn, we’re proud to be one of the most welcoming bed and breakfasts near the Blue Ridge Parkway. With cozy rooms, hearty breakfasts, and a peaceful mountain setting, we're the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure. Book your stay with us and enjoy the comfort, charm, and warm hospitality that makes your road trip unforgettable.
