Lesli

Parkway Peek does not have central heat. There are 2 wood-burning fireplaces/stoves and plenty of wood supplied, but you must be comfortable and familiar with using wood-burning heat.

We never need an excuse to hike around Parkway Peek, but this article from RiverSearch Outdoor Adventure just reconfirms what we've always known: hiking is fun and it comes with tons of health benefits, too. Come stay with us soon and FEEL BETTER!

Our vacationing guests often ask us, “where should we go to eat” while staying at Parkway Peek. That’s a tough question because there are SO MANY options! But here are some of our favorites, listed by location (be sure to check their open days/hours as some change seasonally):

Is it 10 degrees outside and the power is out? No worries, you'll be warm & toasty at Parkway Peek. Why? Because our cabin relies on wood-burning stoves for the main source of heat (and we have PLENTY of wood waiting for you). Did you know that a wood-burning stove warms an area faster and more efficiently than central air? The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions. Most guests only need

If you've ever visited Spruce Pine, NC, you probably noticed (or even took a stroll across) the footbridge crossing the Toe River. This historic, 402 foot long, pedestrian bridge was built in 1940 and is a "deck truss" design. The bridge connects "downtown" Spruce Pine to Riverside Park, which is a local favorite for swimming and fishing. Be sure to visit this landmark on your next stay at Parkway Peek!

This is a collection of pix taken by our recent guests at Parkway Peek. We love when folks get out and explore the area. There is definitely plenty to do and see (or you can just dine-in on the deck and enjoy the view)!

Some people like theirs burnt & cripy, some like them barely roasted to a light, golden brown... no matter which you prefer, you can make the perfect s'more at Parkway Peek! Just bring your own graham crackers, choice of chocolate and marshmallows; we've got the fire pit and plenty of wood (pictures submitted by recent guest). To learn more about the history of this ewwy-gooey treat, click here: The Gooey History of S'mores.

Here's a link to a recent article featured on the "Explore Mitchell County" website. Who knew there was SOOOOO much to do near Parkway Peek?!? WE DID--that's why we love it here. Make your plans to stay at our fabulous 3 1/2 bedroom/2 bath cabin soon. Book direct with us to get the lowest pricing and never pay "booking fees" charged by VRBO, Aibnb or other similar sites!

We are so fortunate to have "America's Favorite Drive" in our backyard (almost literally!). Located just a mile off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near mile-marker 325, Parkway Peek has a bird's-eye view of this national treasure. Whether traveling north or south from our wonderful mountain cabin, you will find unparalleled beauty, rich history, serene nature/hiking trails and an abundance of activities for all ages. Don't wait to book your next stay at Parkway Peek! Visit us here

The introduction of the HomeAway / VRBO service fee has caused sudden concern for both property owners and travelers alike. The service fee is a fee charged by HomeAway or VRBO to the traveler and is calculated on a sliding scale of 4% to 9% of the rental amount, excluding the deposit or taxes.

The Bare Dark Sky Observatory, located at Mayland Community College (just a 15minute drive from Parkway Peek) is a must-do for stargazers of all ages. This recent article published in Outdoor Adventure outlines the features of the telescope and it's uniqueness to our area. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children and reservations are for 2hour blocks. For viewing times and reservations, visit their website at Mayland Dark Sky Observatory.

The great hummingbird migration has started and, soon, Parkway Peek will be alive with these fluttering beauties. Here's a shot of a little one feeding off of our deck last summer. For more information about these amazing creatures, check out this article from Hummingbird Central.

One of Pisgah National Forest's historic fire lookout towers has been restored to its former glory. Rich Mountain Lookout Tower, near Hot Springs, North Carolina, was built in 1932 and was used to detect fires in North Carolina and Tennessee for more than 60 years.

Here is some very exciting news for the Spruce Pine area! June 14th weekend we will host the 1st Annual Alien Conference & Expo. Why Mitchell County??? According to the National UFO Reporting Center, our area has the most reported sightings of any county in North Carolina. There will be two UFO investigators speaking, visits to the Dark Sky Observatory at Mayland Community College and vendors, food and entertainment for everyone. Admission is FREE. Be sure to book your weekend stay at Parkway Peek before these dates are gone!

Well, folks, I don't think any of us expected this! It's early February and the 10-day forecast shows above average temperatures for the next 10 days. No snow, no below freezing temps, and highs in the 50's & to mid-60's! After record-breaking cold in December and January, we are now well on own way to seeing the Dogwoods and Daffodils in full-bloom soon. Now is the perfect time to book your Spring mountain vacation. In fact, check-out this wonderful 3bdrm/2bath cabin with amazing views and easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway: www.houfy.com/3450. There's never any booking fees on Houfy and you can speak to the owners directly PRIOR to booking!

AirBnB just announced that it made over $1BILLION in profits for Q3 2018. $1BILLION in 3months!!! Where do you think that money comes from--the homeowners listing their properties or YOU? The answer is BOTH. Homeowners are charged a percentage of their rent (or in some cases, an annual subscription fee of $500 or more) and guests are charged outrageous booking fees, ranging from $100 - $3500, depending on the amount of the rent and number of occupants. As the guest, you may not see these fees as they are often bundled into the total price, but you ARE paying them!

is an international center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers one-, two-, and eight-week workshops in books, paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking, letterpress, textiles, and wood.

We are counting down the days until warmer weather and eagerly anticipating all the outdoor adventure that #MitchellCountyNC offers in the spring! #ToeRiver #FlyFishing #Fishing #FishingontheToe...