I'm heading from Baltimore down Skyline Drive and the Blueridge Parkway to the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway the first week in October and looking for any advice, suggestions, recommendations, etc. Any must see sites, must eat diners or must experience side roads? I don't get away from work that often, especially without the wife, and want to make the most of it. Also, can anybody familiar with that route tell me what the weather (temperature) is like in early fall at 3000 ft? I never get above 4-500 ft. around here so I have no idea what to expect.

 

Don't forget to go through Cades Cove,it's a must see and is beautiful anytime but avoid it on the weekend because of the cages driving 5 mph.

 

Have fun!
I was just in Baltimore mid to late August... already miss it.

 

You should be prepared for any kind of weather including snow in late October make you have an idea of some alternate routes. That concludes the bad news portion of our post.

Should be a beautiful ride if weather cooperates. Google the motorcycle museum in Maggie valley that is a must see if you have time.

 

That would be the Wheels Through Time Museum.

http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/

 

Thanks RAWHIDE these in flight internet connections are too damn slow or I would Googled it .

 

Pretty cold & trecherous in the Mtns at night but nice in day lite. No place like it for scenery, take a camera and watch out for bears.

 

Yeah because the bears will be watching too

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Totally forgot about the Wheels Through Time Museum! I would have been pissed if I missed that.
I'm planning on doing all my riding during the day. Don't need to invite any run ins (literally) with the wildlife at night. I'm only doing about 250 mi/day so I'll have plenty of time for diversions.
Keep the ideas coming. I've got a whole week to fill up and I don't want to rely on Google's tourist trap suggestions!

 

There's a small Harley shop in Cherokee for your T shirt collection just 20 miles south of the museum. I usually eat at the BBQ Shack in Maggie Valley when I'm in town. If you don't mind riding a hard packed dirt/gravel road you can ride up to Cataloochee north of Maggie off of 276 and watch the elk play.