why do tourists visit the appalachian mountains

• 8 Most Charming Cities in the Appalachians

Spanning over 206,000 square miles in thirteen states is the picturesque Appalachian Region. The area encompasses southern New York state, dips down to northeastern Mississippi , and includes all of West Virginia . With such a diverse area, there are several charming cities in the Appalachians. These cities offer visitors the chance to commune with nature in east Tennessee , explore the rich history in South Carolina , and experience the vibrant music scene in North Carolina . Since these cities are in the Appalachian Mountains , there is also plenty of outdoor adventures, scenic views, and nature to explore. From boating and paddling along stunning rivers to hiking rugged trails through the mountains and bird watching in state parks, these Appalachian cities offer something for everyone.

Asheville, North Carolina

One of the most charming cities in Appalachia is Asheville, North Carolina . The city has been a hub for great art and music for generations. A hallmark of the city’s music scene is bluegrass music, and visitors can catch live performances at the Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall. For art lovers, the Folk Art Center showcases unique Appalachian art and is home to the Allanstand Craft Shop, the oldest craft shop in America. Plus, a trip to Asheville is not complete without a stop at the Biltmore Estate, the largest home in America. The Biltmore also features 20 miles of nature trails and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains . For outdoor enthusiasts, the city offers fishing, kayaking, and float trips in the French Broad River. There are also several great hiking and biking trails in the mountains, as well as fishing and birding at Beaver Lake. 

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, surrounded by the Tennessee River and picturesque mountains, embraces its nickname of "Scenic City." Located in Tennessee along the Georgia state border, Chattanooga is home to Ruby Falls , the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the US that is open to the public. The waterfall is within Lookout Mountain, a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to hike, bike, and even horseback ride along scenic trails. Outdoor adventures continue at Chickamauga Lake, a 58-mile reservoir that is perfect for boating and fishing. Located along the lake is Booker T. Washington Park, which offers great hiking trails, a biking trail, and bird watching. For those looking for indoor fun, a trip to the Tennessee Aquarium is a must! Plus, history and art lovers alike will want to visit the Hunter Museum of American Art, which features colonial art to present-day pieces.

Greenville, South Carolina

One of the most picturesque cities in the state of South Carolina is Greenville . The city features a breathtaking waterfall, suspension bridge, and beautiful park, all located in the downtown area at Falls Park on the Reedy. Found along the Reedy River, the park boasts the historical Camperdown Mill, Liberty Bridge, and several walking trails. For those looking for a great place to eat and relax, you do not even have to leave the park! Passerelle Bistro is a cozy spot for French cuisine. Outdoor adventures continue on hiking paths at Cleveland Park. The city also has a thriving performing arts culture, and you can watch a performance at the Peace Center, Greenville Theater, the Warehouse Theater, and Center Stage. If you want to view local art, the Greenville Center for the Creative Arts offers a free gallery-crawl during their First Friday of the month event.

Huntsville, Alabama

Nicknamed “Rocket City” because of its history with space missions, Huntsville, Alabama offers out-of-this-world adventures. Visitors are sure to have a blast exploring the US Space and Rocket Center, the largest space museum in the world. For those looking to keep their feet on the ground, Huntsville provides plenty of attractions at Big Spring International Park, such as a koi fish pond, paved walkways, and the Panoply Arts Festival in the spring. The park is also home to the Huntsville Art Museum, which houses 3,200 objects in its permanent collection. For those looking for outdoor adventures, Monte Sano State Park provides 20 miles of hiking trails, 14 miles of biking trails, and zipline adventures on the beautiful mountaintop. The Tennessee River and Flint River also run around the city, and visitors can bike or walk along the Flint River Greenway.

Johnson City, Tennessee

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains is Johnson City, Tennessee. The city offers world-class outdoor activities, small-town charm, and cultural adventures for all to enjoy. On the first Friday of each month, the city closes down East Main Street in the evening for visitors to explore art galleries, local restaurants, and artisanal vendors during the First Friday event. For history buffs, the Tipton-Haynes Historic Site provides a look at historical buildings and Tennessee families from the 1700s. For nature lovers, a trip to Winged Deer Park is a must. The park rests along Boone Lake, an arm of the Watauga River, and offers fishing and several paved walking trails. For those looking for an outdoor adventure, Buffalo Mountain Park delivers incredible hiking trails and a breathtaking overlook at Huckleberry Knob. Mountain bikers can also ride along trails of all levels at Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Located in east Tennessee, Knoxville is a charming city that offers a unique cultural mix of music, local art, state history, and stunning nature to enjoy. Knoxville is also home to renowned museums, such as the East Tennessee Historical Society and Museum and the Knoxville Museum of Art. For those who want to experience the city as a local, Knoxville First Friday serves up musical entertainment and artworks downtown each month. However, a must-see for any visitor is the Sunsphere. Built for the 1982 World’s Fair, this unique structure offers 360 degree views of the city and the Great Smoky Mountains from the observation deck. For those looking to explore the great outdoors, the city offers several outdoor activities at Cherokee Lake, such as swimming, boating, hiking, and camping. Visitors also enjoy taking a quiet stroll through nature and viewing the mountains at Lakeshore Park along the Tennessee River.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

At the junction of three rivers, Allegheny River , Monongahela River, and Ohio River , is the charming city of Pittsburgh . Although the city is known for its professional sports teams, Pittsburgh is also home to summer festivals, incredible outdoor adventures, and iconic bridges. Pittsburgh boasts the most bridges in the world with a whopping 446 bridges. The city also hosts several annual summer festivals, including the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival in June and the nation’s only vintage street race, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in July. A trip to the city must include outings to the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. For outdoor enthusiasts, you can fish, kayak, and boat in the city’s three rivers, explore woodlands and winding trails at Emerald View Park, and discover the Allegheny Observatory and wooded trails at Riverview Park.

Youngstown, Ohio

Located in northeastern Ohio , Youngstown offers endless opportunities for exploring natural wonders, attending festivals and concerts, and viewing American art. The town sits along the Mahoning River and is home to several lakes and parks. Milton State Park boasts a 1,700-acre reservior, gorges, and walking trails to explore. For water enthusiasts, Lake Glacier, Lake Cohasset, and Lake Newport are part of the breathtaking park and provide a large area to fish and boat. Along with the scenic views is the historic Lanterman’s Mill, built in 1845 and still operational. For history buffs and art enthusiasts, Youngstown also offers a mix of cultural attractions and history. The Butler Institute of American Art showcases works solely by American artists that date back to 1719. You can also view outdoor public art downtown, such as A Handshake for the Century by sculptor Marc Mellon.

With such a diverse area to explore, these charming Appalachian cities offer the perfect getaway for those looking to learn more about American history, experience the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, and view local art. From exploring an underground waterfall in Chattanooga, Tennessee to viewing American artwork from the 1700s in Youngstown, Ohio, these cities offer outdoor adventures and indoor historical attractions that are perfect for everyone. Whether you want to visit the oldest craft shop in America or explore the largest space museum in the world, these Appalachian cities are sure to charm any visitor.

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The Geology, History, and Wildlife of the Appalachian Mountain Habitat

• Habitat Profiles
• Marine Life
• M.S., Applied Ecology, Indiana University Bloomington
• B.S., Biology and Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Appalachian Mountain Range is an ancient band of mountains that stretches in a southwestern arc from the Canadian province of Newfoundland to central Alabama, the heart of southeastern United States. The highest peak in the Appalachians is Mount Mitchell (North Carolina) which lies at an elevation of 6,684 feet above sea level.

Habitat Classification

The habitat zones found within the Appalachian Mountain Range may be classified as follows:

• Ecozone: Terrestrial
• Ecosystem: Alpine / Montane
• Region: Nearctic
• Primary Habitat: Temperate forest
• Secondary Habitats: Mixed deciduous forest (also known as southern hardwood forest), southern Appalachian forest, transition forest, and boreal forest

The wildlife a person might encounter in the Appalachian Mountains includes a wide variety of animals:

• Mammals (moose, white-tailed deer, black bears, beaver, chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, groundhogs, porcupines, bats, weasels, shrews, and minks)
• Birds (hawks, woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes, wrens, nuthatches, flycatchers, sapsuckers, and grouses)
• Reptiles and amphibians (frogs, salamanders, turtles, rattlesnakes, and copperheads)

A hiker along the Appalachian Trail would see plenty of plant life as well. More than 2,000 species of plants are believed to live along the mountain range, with 200 species living only in the southern Appalachians.

• Rhododendron, azalea, and mountain laurel are among those producing flowers.
• A multitude of tree species includes red spruce, balsam fir, sugar maple, buckeye, beech, ash, birch, red oak, white oak, poplar, walnut, sycamore, yellow poplar, buckeye, eastern hemlock, and chestnut oak.
• Mushrooms, ferns, mosses, and grasses also are abundant.

Geology and History

The Appalachians were formed during a series of collisions and separations of tectonic plates that began 300 million years ago and continued through the Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras . When the Appalachians were still forming, the continents were in different locations than today, and North America and Europe had collided. The Appalachians were once an extension of the Caledonian mountain chain, a chain that is today in Scotland and Scandinavia.

Since their formation, the Appalachians have undergone extensive erosion. The Appalachians are a geologically complex range of mountains that are a mosaic of folded and uplifted plateaus, parallel ridges and valleys, metamorphosed sediments and volcanic rock layers.

Conservation

The rich forests and coal veins provided industry to an often impoverished area. But the aftermath sometimes left areas of the Appalachians devastated with air pollution, dead trees, and acid rain. Several groups are working to conserve the habitat for future generations as the native species also face threats from urbanization and climate change.

Where to See Wildlife

The 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail is a favorite of hikers, running from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Main. Shelters are posted along the route for overnight stays, though it isn't necessary to hike the entire trail to enjoy its beauty. For those who would rather drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles from Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Some of the places you can see wildlife along the Appalachians include:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail (stretches from Maine to Georgia)
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)
• Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
• White Mountain National Forest (New Hampshire and Maine)
• Geology of the Appalachian Mountains
• Appalachian Plateau Geology and Landmarks
• Black Locust, a Common Tree in North America
• North Carolina Printables
• The Eastern Deciduous Forests of North America
• The Wildlife of Zion National Park
• National Parks in Georgia: Live Oaks, Civil War Sites, and Beaches
• Cumberland Gap
• Virginia Printables
• Geologic Maps of the 50 United States
• Geography of the Rocky Mountains
• National Parks in Virginia: American History and Forests
• A Look at the Valley and Ridge
• Southern Conference
• How Geography Shapes Regional Weather of the United States
• Cucumbertree, A Common Tree in North America

• Visit the Appalachian Triangle: Southeastern Kentucky launches tourism campaign

C ORBIN, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — The Appalachian Triangle is calling tourists to discover the adventure hidden in the southeastern Kentucky hills.

With its plentiful natural scenery, rugged outdoors, and charming towns rich with culture and history, the southeastern region of Kentucky doesn’t come up short when it comes to unique experiences.

What is the Appalachian Triangle?

The Appalachian Triangle of Kentucky is a coalition of eight counties and cities — Rockcastle-Mt. Vernon, London-Laurel County, the city of Corbin, Whitley County, Bell County, Barbourville, Manchester, and the city of Harlan — banding together to show the world what Appalachia has to offer. The coalition hopes that by combining resources and efforts, it can position southeastern Kentucky as a premier regional destination for travelers.

“It is a prime example of why we are proud to be Appalachian,” said Maggy Monhollen, Executive Director of the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission. 

Visit ATKY, a one-stop shop for everything Appalachia has to offer. Complete with events, festivals, museums, lodging, and more sorted by interests. You can browse by the following categories:

• Music and Culture
• Entertainment

The website features several hand-picked itineraries designed for tourists with a variety of interests. Users also have the opportunity to build their own custom itineraries. With its listings of destinations, amenities, and events,  visitatky.com  aims to create the first comprehensive guide for tourism for the entire region.

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“This is a unique opportunity for both Bell County and the entire coalition within the Appalachian Triangle. The chance for us to do any significant advertising on this scale is very, very rare,” Jon Grace, the Executive Director of Bell County Tourism, said. “What the team at RedTag has produced so far has been remarkable, and I for one think it’s going to have a significant impact on our home.”

“We are so excited here at Harlan Tourism about the launch of the Appalachian Triangle,” Brandon Pennington, Executive Director for City of Harlan Tourism, said. “By pooling our resources, our thrill of adventure, and our cultural heritage, we aim to draw more visitors, create jobs, and enhance community development, positioning the Appalachian Triangle as a premier destination for adventure and exploration where you will not only discover Southeastern Kentucky, but you’ll also discover a part of yourself.”

What are you waiting for? Begin your journey on a “Kentucky kind of adventure” today. To start, visit ATKY .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.

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• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

Insider’s Guide to the White Mountains

A northern extension of the Appalachian range, the   White Mountains   of New Hampshire attract visitors with the highest and windiest peak in the American Northeast— Mount Washington —and the oldest network of high-altitude huts in the nation.

> What to Know:

The warmer summer months, when days are longest and afternoon temperatures reach into the 80s F, remain the most popular time to visit the area. Leaf peepers flock here in late September, when trees begin their color transformation.

In all seasons, the famously changeable weather in these mountains can bring on sudden stormy conditions, high winds, and plunges in temperature—a source of exhilaration for some but consternation for the unprepared.

Hikers new to the Whites can consult the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) website Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) website   for information. Novice hikers also may want to hire a guide.

The AMC’s Highland Center at Crawford Notch offers an introduction to the area, with nature talks and guided day hikes. A bonus for guests who overnight at the center: hiking gear for loan.

> Trail Huts:  

The AMC hut system features eight huts, each accessible from lower trailheads. Most book up months in advance, so plan early.

Huts range from Zealand Falls , the lowest at 2,640 feet, to 5,032-foot-high Lakes of the Clouds , the closest to the summit of Mount Washington, itself reachable by riding “the Cog,” the world’s first mountain cog railway.   Hut stays from June into October include dinner and breakfast.

The best way to reach the trailheads June to mid-September (and weekends only to mid-October) is with the AMC Hiker Shuttle , which operates from Highland Center, the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center , and the Irving gas station in Gorham, New Hampshire; reservations suggested.

> Area Lodges:  

Base accommodations include the AMC-run Highland Lodge , Joe Dodge Lodge (named for the “father of the huts”), and Cardigan Lodge , each with bunk and private rooms.

For a taste of bygone days, stay or dine at the   113-year-old Mount Washington Hotel , an Omni resort.

Host to celebrities and presidents—Babe Ruth, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joan Crawford—the national historic landmark retains a gentility with its high-ceilinged guest rooms, afternoon tea, drinks served out on the long porches, and horseback riding. “The hotel felt downright luxurious after all the shale climbing,” says author Joyce Maynard.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

> Travel Trivia:  

• Hut crews use some 11,000 pounds of flour to bake bread in the summer season.
• The 1944 Bretton Woods Conference , held at the Mount Washington Hotel, established both the gold standard and the precursor to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
• A 1961 National Geographic story by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas popularized the White Mountains hut system.

This piece, reported by Jayne Wise and Monika Joshi, first appeared in the April   2015 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine .

> Related:

• Peak Experience: The   White Mountains  
• Nat Geo Travel’s Guide to New Hampshire

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• Switzerland
• 10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit...

10 Reasons Everyone Should Visit the Swiss Alps

Think of Switzerland and crisp snow-covered mountain tops probably spring to mind. Perhaps you think of beautiful green Alpine pastures with cows grazing gently in the background and the sound of someone yodeling in the distance. If those enticing thoughts are not reason enough for you to pack your bags for the Swiss Alps, then here are 10 more reasons to convince you.

It’s a no-brainer. The Swiss Alps is one the top spots for skiing in the world , and it boasts some of the best ski resorts, with, you guessed it, the best slopes. Pack up your skis and your waterproofs and set your destination for Switzerland, whose slopes you’ve got to enjoy once in your life.

The scenery

The peculiar culture

The Swiss Alps gave us the infamous Alpenhorn and yodelling, as well as a fascination with cows and their bells. No matter where you go in the Swiss Alps, you’ll be treated to something new since each region has different customs and traditions that’ll leave you scratching your head, like the Witch’s race in the canton of Valais or Swiss wrestling, bear-hug style .

The Swiss Alpine Club is incredibly well organised and runs a wide range of retreats at a low cost for hikers all across the Swiss Alps. As well as reasonable accommodation, there’s an incredible number of fully sign-posted trails that’ll let you explore the Swiss Alps to your heart’s content safe in the knowledge that you know exactly where you’re going.

Experience the Alpine village life

The Swiss Alps are full of charming little villages like Grindelwald where you can feel totally connected to nature and just relax and breathe the clean mountain air. Take a look at our guide to the most charming places in the Swiss Alps to explore the best that the Alps has to offer, be that skiing or hiking.

Good old melted cheese fondue has its shady origins in the Swiss Alps as a dish for poor farmers who sought to make use of all their left-over ingredients during the tough winter months. On a trip to the Swiss Alps you can dig into this and other regional specialities like raclette while sipping on some fine Swiss wine.

The Matterhorn

It’s not the world’s most photographed mountain for no reason. The Matterhorn is simply breath-taking, and while exploring the surrounding area, you’re certain to discover it from new angles that’ll be even more beautiful than the last. Be sure to bring extra memory cards for your camera.

The Great Aletsch Glacier

Europe’s largest glacier is in the Swiss Alps, and it stretches for 23 kilometres. What better way to spend your vacation than at high altitude, chilling out by a glacier that dates back to the ice age? A visit to this relic of a much, much colder time on Earth is reason enough to visit the Swiss Alps.

To visit Graubünden

Graubünden is Switzerland’s largest canton and an explorer’s dream. Its huge expanse is full of mountain peaks and some of the most glitzy ski resorts in Switzerland, like St. Moritz and Davos . And if that’s not enough to lure you in, it’s also where you can pick up a few words of Romansh , Switzerland’s curious fourth language that is spoken by only 60,000 people.

Visit the Top of Europe

The Jungfraujoch, where you’ll find the Great Aletsch Glacier, is rightly known as the Top of Europe. To get there, you’ll arrive at the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres and be treated to glorious sights of the two 4,000-metre mountains, the Jungfrau and Mönch.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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