Blue Ridge Parkway: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
4.2
23 Ratings
Cherokee
Embark on a self-guided driving tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway, exploring stunning landscapes, wildlife, and uncovering the hidden history and legends of the Cherokee people.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Blue Ridge Parkway - As we drive along the parkway, you’ll notice spots on the road where you can pull your vehicle to the side. These overlooks are designed to spotlight the mountains’ most scenic vistas. There are over 200 of them along the whole Blue Ridge Parkway! \n\nEach one features a large wooden sign that lists the name of the mountain or ridge you’re looking at, and your current elevation. It’s nice to give a little personal touch to the otherwise anonymous and similar-looking mountains that you drive through.
What's Included
  • Hands-free GPS-guided stories
  • Full itinerary with travel tips and hidden gems
  • No need for cell signal or WiFi
  • Private self-guided tour with flexible stops
  • Downloadable Tour Guide App with Password
  • Use anytime, multi-day flexibility, no expiration
  • One-time purchase per car, more economical than bus tours
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Explore the stunning southeast via the Blue Ridge Parkway! Journey from the boundary of the Great Smokies National Park all the way to Shenandoah on this picturesque thoroughfare veiled in azure haze. Capture the landscape from breathtaking vantage points, observe stunning fauna, and delve into the captivating history and lore of the Cherokee during your journey. This self-led driving tour exposes the best spots on the parkway and the intriguing past behind it!

Start your adventure in Cherokee, Asheville, Roanoke, or Afton — the direction of your exploration is up to you.

Opt to buy one guided tour for your vehicle, not per head. Listen as a group!

Once you’ve made your booking, access your tour by checking your email, downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique code, and opening your tour. Be aware that this process requires strong internet/wifi connection. Afterward, just adhere to the audio guide and the laid out path.

Remember, this isn’t an entry ticket. Be sure to check the operating hours before planning your visit.

No expiration date — Your purchased tour comes with a lifetime validity!

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
  • How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action’s Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Newfound Gap Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(23 Ratings)
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Pikasmom
Oct 30, 2023
Foliage at peak!stunning views and outlooks - The views were breathtaking, especially with the peak foliage. We drove pieces every day and saw some great overlooks and waterfalls
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q7831rbmattm
Oct 24, 2023
Great guidance tool - Was very easy to follow along the route and we learned fun facts about the history of the highway which was great
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lgo1958
Oct 21, 2023
Enjoyed Blue Ridge Parkway! - The Parkway was beautiful! Enjoyed the narrated guide with points of interest and historical information.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ladysuzie
Oct 19, 2023
Awesome tour. - The tour was right on perfect. We enjoyed hearing the historical facts and information . It gave us the time to see what we wanted to see in our own time and skip what we were not interested in.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K4505widavids
Mar 25, 2024
Blue Ridge Parkway - Amazing views and look overs. Unfortunately the inn, gift shops and toilets en route were closed! We will hopefully get the chance or do the Northern half do the route in future (our starting point was Asheville).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vickimadrian
Oct 19, 2023
Informative - The audio itself was great. Downside being that we also purchased other audio tours in the area and much of the info was redundant. Each tour should have its own unique narrative with filler stories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessie_d
Oct 10, 2023
Fun, informative tour - The narrator has a great sense of humor, was very easy to understand, and the information was very interesting. My only problem may have been with my own phone and car audio system as sometimes I could see something was playing but I couldn't hear anything. Otherwise we enjoyed the audio tour.
Review provided by Viator
Vernon
Oct 5, 2023
Good value family tour of the mountains. - Beautiful, relaxing and informative tour. The only issue we had is that when driving the speed limit, some stories can’t finish before they’re interrupted by the next so we missed out on the complete picture in some cases.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lilyan_t
Nov 9, 2023
Once the app is loaded and paid for, no help and no tour, and no refund yet, either! - My husband and I carved out 4 hours for this audio tour, but the app failed to open. Customer service put us in a loop with other 'outsourced' agents, and we never got the app to work. at one point, the agent asked us to go inside out pick up point and reach out to them...the Blue Ridge agents had no idea what we were talking about, apparently, the Viator folks didn't know either.
Review provided by Viator
Marie_f
Sep 30, 2023
It didn't work for me - I downloaded the app and try to use it and it didn't work. I couldn't contact anyone since there is no signal when you are in mountains.
Review provided by Viator
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May 2024
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