Bucket List Stay at Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Absolute Serenity!
Introduction
We have been traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway for over 20 years. Living on the busy side of the Smoky Mountains in Sevier County (TN), we love venturing over to Western North Carolina any chance we get. The drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) is breathtaking without all the traffic you can, and most likely will, encounter on the Tennessee side of the Smokies. Not that we don’t love our area. There truly is unmatched beauty almost anywhere you turn in Sevier County, but we do enjoy less people, traffic, and businesses. I will eventually do other posts about driving the BRP. For now, this post is going to be about the incredible Pisgah Inn located at over 5,000 elevation right on the BRP in Waynesville, NC. I hope you will continue to read on to the very end as I share our first experience. However, if this is as far as you make it, I want you to know this…this place is just what the soul needs! If that intrigues you, please keep on reading to learn why.
We have stopped at this Inn multiple times over the years. The little General Store is a great place for a bathroom break and to grab a snack. This place has always seemed a bit magical to me with rooms right on the ridge in such a peaceful place. I have dreamed of staying here for many years. The Inn is only open April 1 through October 31. This is usually really busy months for my family and hard to get away. But, this year for my birthday (in August) plans changed a bit and I had the opportunity to finally book a room here! Well, you can bet your sweet patootie I was getting that baby booked. This time of year, I am not able to get away for very long. I work for our county fair, and this is just a week or so before our crazy “Fair Month” begins. Two nights was all I could manage to do and let me tell you, it was two nights of peaceful bliss! Just look at what a peaceful setting the front entrance is alone.
Getting There
The journey to the Inn is always a beautiful drive, no matter the time of the year. We can get to the BRP several different ways. We live in Sevierville, TN and the most common way is across Hwy 441 through the Great Smokies Mountain, but this is also the busiest route. There are times of the year this road can be closed due to weather and most other times it will be abundantly covered with tourist. You can also take I-40 over and get off in Waynesville, but what fun is that. You see the name of my page, right?!?! This gal tries to stay off interstates and major highways as much as possible hitting as many backroads as we can. I truly feel so much is missed because we hurry from place to place on major highways or trying to make it even faster by flying the skies. Sure, there are times these travel options are needed. Heck, I was just on the interstate today, but got off as quickly as I could because of constant bumper to bumper traffic in and around Chatanooga.
Back to the topic at hand. One of our favorite routes over to the BRP is the way we went over on this trip. This route is leaving Sevierville going into Newport, TN. There you can make your way over to Hot Springs, NC. This is a nice scenic drive with farms, rolling rivers, and smaller mountains. From Hot Springs you will head toward Waynesville, NC.
I am going to add a little note here. At the intersection of Hwy 209/63 there is a place you must stop, St. Jude’s Chapel, in Trust, NC. “Trust” me, you will not regret it. You can click the link above to learn more about this hidden gem off the beaten path. I will have a post soon just about this little chapel and my personal history with it. To sum it up, it is a 12’x14’ beautiful wooden chapel open 24/7 by a gorgeous little creek all nestled in the trees. Be sure to sign the guest book when you go in. It is free and well worth taking a few minutes to visit or maybe even throw down a blanket and have a picnic by the creek. I have been many times and I look forward to stopping when I know I will be passing by.
Gorgeous scenery is all along this route. I am not going to share to much here about that so we can get back to the Inn, but for us it is just not about the destination, more so about the journey. This is a much slower paced route with very little traffic. Keep your eyes open…you never know what you may find along the route.
My hubby, Dan, loves metal detecting and usually has his detector with us on our trips. He enjoys finding places as we travel to hunt for a bit. I don’t mind it at all. I often bring work, crafts, or something to read. Sometimes, you may even find me taking a little nap or swinging on the playground. Got to love my sweet nerd…LOL. That is truly meant as a term of endearment. I think he looks pretty hot and sassy :)
Our Building & Room
Once we got checked in, we pulled down to the building where our room was located. I want to add how pleasant check-in was. The staff was so very nice and helpful. Not just nice because that is their job, but they genuinely seemed to care about our stay being the best it could be. There are three separate buildings that have guest rooms. Our room was located in the Treetop Building on the lower floor, which is the furthest building from the main building (restaurant & gift shop). No steps were required to get to our room. In the picture below you see steps, but on the other side you can walk right out the lower rooms without them. It was a room with double beds. There were no king rooms available when I booked.
Parking is right out front for easy access, located in front of the trash cans you see here. Everything we encountered was handicap accessible. However, if you are on the top floor, stairs are required. So, if steps are not something you need, make sure you get on the lower level.
Are you ready for your breath to be taken away?!?! When you scroll on down, you will see our first sight as the door opens. My word, it really leaves you speechless at first!!! I had seen pictures of the rooms, so I knew what to expected, but opening that door and seeing this view for the first time…and knowing it was for us the next two days sent chills all over me. I had dreamed of staying here and what it might be like. Finally, we would get to experience it and see if it would be all I had dreamed of. This view can calm a hectic mind, bring peace to your soul, and make your eyes happy!
As you step out on your private porch this is what you get, and boy, it does not disappoint! We were here August 10th & 11th for my birthday. At home we left miserable heat in the lower 90’s with that great southern humidity making you peel your clothes off. But up here, it was around 70 with a little breeze and no humidity.
The rooms are not overly fancy or full of frufru. With that said, they are updated, comfy, and very clean. Who needs all the fluff when you’ve got all this outside? Do you notice the windows open in the picture? Something you do need to know, there is no air conditioners in their rooms. Say what!!! Yes, you read that right. I am pretty certain AC would hardly ever be needed, because we were there in mid-August, and we were a tad bit chilly. They do have this stated on their website so folks should not be surprised by that.
For being at the top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere, the amenities were surprising to me, specifically satellite and WIFI. Here is what you get (taken from their website): Free Wireless Internet Access, Telephone with Local and Long Distance Access, Alarm Clock with AM/FM Radio, Hairdryer, Refrigerator, Coffee Makers, Flat Screen TV with Satellite Service, 100% Non-Smoking Rooms, 100% Pet-Free Rooms, 24-Hour Front Desk, Cafe for grab and go food items, Handicap Accessibility, ADA Kits Available, Free Parking, Photocopy Services, Mail Services, Wake-Up Calls, Connecting Rooms Available, Roll-a-ways Available (additional charge), Pack-n-plays Available (additional charge), and No Resort Fees.
Restaurant & Meals
There is not only a Grab and Go area, the Grazing Bear Cafe. and a little General Store at the Inn to purchase quick meals and snacks, but also a wonderful restaurant with views for miles. More on that coming up. For now, let’s talk just a bit about our meal planning for our two nights at the Inn. We knew the rooms had refrigerators. I went online to look at their menu and pricing. We are always traveling on a budget and this trip was a splurge for us. The Inn is more than we would typically spend nightly on a room and the restaurant is certainly not the most expensive place you will ever eat, but a tad more than being “Fancy Like Applebee’s”. It is not like a B&B with breakfast provided, nor is there a free continental breakfast. Any meal you have there you will pay for. You can find a link to the menu and dining info here. I planned two dinners and one breakfast at the restaurant, making reservations as soon as I booked the room. We brought snacks, drinks, and supplies for sandwiches to keep in our room. This provided our lunches each day. There was also an ice machine right by our room.
Check-in is at 3:00pm and Check-out is at 11:00am, so our first meal would be dinner at the restaurant just a few hours after we arrived. For our entire stay we ate two dinners, and one breakfast at the Inn’s restaurant. Every meal was delicious, and we both felt it was well worth what we paid for them. Our hostesses and servers were all excellent and very accommodating. The restaurant recommends (as a guest) you make reservations due to limited space. Lunch at the restaurant is open to the public, while guests of the Inn can dine at the restaurant for breakfast and dinner as well. Just remember to make your reservations.
Here are the hours:
Breakfast – 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM by reservation (for guest of the Inn)
Lunch – 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM by reservation (open to the public — please book online)
Dinner – 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM by reservation (for guest of the Inn)
Observation Deck & Gift Shop
Outside the back of the restaurant, you will find a sleek modern observation deck. You can go out from the restaurant. However, you do not have to enter the main building to get to the deck. If you are just passing by and want to stop, you are welcome to. You can get to the deck from the side of the main building. It is worth it! I highly recommend at least stopping to enjoy the view. The gift shop is located right there as well, if you would like to pick up some souvenirs.
In the gift shop you will find some local artist offerings, basic needs for a stay, and souvenir items. It is located in the same building as the restaurant. Prices are a bit high, but to be expected like any other specialty or Park gift shop. There are some very nice things, and it is sure worth poking around to see what you might find.
Staying Put
Our plan was to not leave the Inn at all during our stay. I wanted to enjoy every moment I could of that view. And that is exactly what we did. We stayed in our room, walked to the restaurant several times, and walked over to the general store once. Most of my time was spend out on our porch. Dan did watch just a little TV. I would say we were being lazy just basking in the beauty of the Inn, but I never feel slowing down and recharging is lazy. It is a necessity. When I slow down to do just that, the mountains are absolutely, without a doubt, my number one happy place.
Remember me telling you there is no air condition at the Inn and this stay was mid-August. I am here to tell you no air condition was ever needed. Our windows remained open the entire time. I would have loved to keep our doors open too, but we know there are bears around and we did not feel like one just walking right in and getting in bed with us. Now, I know the bears could just claw right through the screens on the window, but, just maybe, we would have heard that first for a quick warning before they got in bed with us. Anyways…. windows were open all night and it was INCREDIBLE! I slept right by the window, and it felt like a little piece of heaven right here on this crazy ol’ earth.
I woke up several times during the night with the hopes of all the clouds clearing and we would be able to see some of the Perseid Meteor Shower that happens every August around my birthday. Sadly, it stayed totally cloudy the entire time and no meteors were ever seen. The moon was still bright and helped luminate the valley below. But, man what a place that would be to get to watch any meteor shower. Maybe another time. We have watched this particular shower from Waterrock Knob on the BRP before and that was so much fun. Highly recommend doing that sometime.
Meteor or not, the view at night from the Inn is magical, peaceful, renewing, and surreal. During the day you realize just how small you are in this big ol’ world. Not in a bad way. We can all do big and great things, but to look out at that view during the day pulls you back down to earth. It will certainly help ground you. I think it helps center you and get you focused. I look out and think of how much land has never been touched my man at all. But at night, it was different. It was much more intimate. Oddly, feeling much more a part of the landscape.
Rising Early
I awoke before sunrise both mornings. There was so much cloud cover remaining each morning, so the sunrises were not too spectacular. I did enjoy the constant change from being totally in the clouds and then it opening up to this view almost all morning long. This gal loves an ocean view as much as the next person, but I will forever and ever pick an ocean of mountains over an ocean of water any day! This got me to thinking! Exactly how far are we seeing here?!?! A trip to the gift shop at dinnertime would be required to see if I could find a map that could answer that question.
Breakfast
Up and at it early. Well, ok, may not really “at it”, but up for sure. When we got here y’all, this gal was tired! I mean physically, but more so mentally. Sort of “peopled out” as I call when being around so many people for long periods of time. As you read my post over time you will learn that I work for our county fair. It is a busy job all year round, but as it draws near, we are putting in a lot of hours. At this point I was ready for a little breather before the intense “Fair Month” began. You can sure tell it by this picture…lol. I do look pretty darn wore out.
We had 9:00am reservations for breakfast. It was all very good, and our service again was wonderful. Dan and I had the same things. Still a good crowd at breakfast time. We now understand why reservations are required and the reason they do not open to the public for breakfast and dinner. They just don’t have the space to accommodate extra visitors.
General Store
Later after lunch, Dan wanted an ice cream. We took a very short walk over to the general store to see if they had some. And they did. You will find all sorts of snack items and drinks there, but also some souvenir items. We each picked an ice cream and took out to the picnic tables to eat. If you are just driving the BRP this is a great stop for bathrooms and a snack. We have been here multiple times just passing by.
Birthday Dinner
We both enjoyed just laying around, sitting on the porch, and relaxing all day. Then it was time for our last meal at the Inn. Dinnertime was once again here. And this day was my birthday. Birthday #52 to be exact. A little walk over to the restaurant to enjoy some more of their yummy food. Instead of cake, it was super yummy blackberry cobbler for my birthday treat! Fresh flowers were always on the table. Once again, it was so very cloudy with light rain, but still a perfect day.
What Are We Seeing
As I mentioned above, I had to wonder how far we were seeing from our porch and what exactly was in our view. I went to the gift shop and found this great map. I purchased it to bring home with us. It specifies all the landmarks visible from the Inn. 31 miles was the furthest away ridge, which is Hogback Mountain, SC. It also tells the towns that are off the horizon. To the left is Tyron, NC which is 32 miles away with Greenville, SC about in the middle at 43 miles away. And to the right is Gainsville, GA at 97 miles away. Or course, that is all as the crow flies.
Departing Recharged
Our time went by so very fast. In that bit of time, I was able to totally recharge and feel ready to tackle that wonderful world down below us. It was time to start our journey back home on the backroads again. We would take our time, try to find places for Dan to metal detect, and just enjoy the ride. Our trip home would be back through Cherokee in hopes to see some Elk and across the mountain on 441 at Newfound Gap. I woke up early once again to take in the views and solitude before going back to reality full of chaos, craziness, and tons of people. I don’t mean that bad at all. That is where I thrive, it is what I enjoy, and I love it. However, it can drain you and you need to unplug to recharge. This was my chance to do that.
Review Summary
Above all else, this is a place that felt super close to God. Just look at this image below. What a creator our God is! I thank God for the opportunity to finally stay here and relax. It was time to pack up and leave this view for now, but I will be back!!!
To sum up our visit to the Pisgah Inn, it was FANTASTIC in every aspect. It was absolutely all I dreamed it would be. We were not disappointed in one single thing. We were actually more impressed than we thought we would be by the updated amenities, the delicious food, and the extremely pleasant staff. I am well aware the Inn did not make this view, but they have surely made the Inn in a way that you can enjoy every single moment there. Without hesitation, I give this trip and the Inn a 10 out 10. A big bucket list item checked off for me as well.
If you are passing by, be sure to stop and at least check out the observation deck. But once in your lifetime, book a room and stay! If it means you save up for like we did, then that is what you need to do. You will not regret it and I am certain you will be just like us and plan to come back again. The history of the Inn and the ties to the Vanderbilts is very interesting. To learn more, go here.
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