Bucket list scenic byways: See where the Blue Ridge Parkway ranks
The Blue Ridge Parkway came in third on a list of 10 bucket list-worthy All-American Roads.
The list, created by Stone Injury Lawyers, compiled data from Instagram hashtags, TripAdvisor reviews and TripAdvisor ratings of America's scenic byways. In third place, the Blue Ridge Parkway had 699,687 hashtags and a five-star rating across 6,994 reviews.
The top 10, while labeled "distracting" for their scenic views and attractions, were also suggested as choices for an ideal bucket-list road trip.
Here's some info on the list and the parkway.
More: Should Blue Ridge Parkway have National Historic Landmark designation? What to know.
Most bucket list-worthy roads in America
Here's the full list compiled by Stone Injury Lawyers:
Red Rock Scenic Byway (Red Rock Scenic Road), Arizona - 1,676,159 Instagram hashtags, 4,285 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
Las Vegas Strip, Nevada - 1,460,384 Instagram hashtags, 35,021 TripAdvisor reviews and a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating
Blue Ridge Parkway - 699,687 Instagram hashtags, 6,994 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
Acadia All American Road (Acadia Byway), Maine - 610,776 Instagram hashtags, 1,615 TripAdvisor reviews and a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating
San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway, Route 1, California - 545,291 Instagram hashtags, 172 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
Big Sur Coast Highway, Route 1, California - 434,766 Instagram hashtags, 1,676 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
North Shore Scenic Drive, Minnesota - 72,522 Instagram hashtags, 2,014 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi - 61,565 Instagram hashtags, 1,918 TripAdvisor reviews and a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating
Natchez Trace Parkway, Alabama - 61,565 Instagram hashtags, unlisted on TripAdvisor
Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road, Colorado - 36,243 Instagram hashtags, 3,464 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star TripAdvisor rating
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What is an All-American Road? Scenic byway?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, "America's Byways" is the umbrella term for the collection of 184 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. America's Byways include National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads.
To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a byway must meet the criteria for at least one of the following six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic.
In order to be designated an "All-American Road," a byway must meet criteria for at least two intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. It must also be considered a "destination unto itself," meaning that the road must provide an experience that makes the act of traveling along the highway a primary reason for the trip.
Where is the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Spanning 469 miles of Appalachian Highlands, the Blue Ridge Parkway runs from the Shenandoah Valley through to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Chetrokee, N.C. This top 10 list referred specifically to the N.C. portion of the parkway.
What is the elevation of the Blue Ridge Parkway?
According to the NPS, the highest elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway – and the entire Appalachian Mountain Range – is Mount Mitchell at 6,683 feet. Mount Mitchell is also the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
The highest elevation along the parkway road itself is 6,053 feet. This point is also located in N.C. at Richland Balsam.
More: Why Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smokies rank high on list of deadliest national park sites
Things to do on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The NPS website includes information on some of the most popular activities and areas on the parkway. A few of their suggestions include:
Hiking - There are 369 miles of hiking trails on the parkway. Some of the many popular options include Crabtree Falls, Craggy Gardens and Mount Pisgah.
Camping - The parkway has eight developed campgrounds and three primitive campgrounds.
Music - Enjoy music events and concerts on the parkway throughout the year at the Blue Ridge Music Center at Milepost 213. Go to the Music Center concert schedule at www.blueridgemusiccenter.org to find out who is playing.
Picnicking - There are 14 designated picnic areas located along the parkway. These areas have restrooms available and allow the use of camping stoves and self-contained charcoal grills. Many overlooks also have tables for picnicking. Picnic areas are generally open daily from sunrise until sunset, mid-spring through fall.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Blue Ridge Parkway among top scenic highway bucket list drives
