"What’s to love: Though fall is our favorite time to visit, this revamped retro-chic motor lodge in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains is a value-conscious option for appreciating North Carolina’s great outdoors in all seasons (It’s also a great choice for couples who like to travel with their dogs, even on romantic outings). Guest rooms surround a lifestyle-driven lawn (cornhole and s’mores, anyone?) where pups and peeps are free to roam. In-house restaurant, Oak Steakhouse, is located at the edge of the property, meaning fabulous drinking and dining are literally just steps away. Romance factor: Days here are often about rewarding hikes, and there are dozens of trails to choose from, including Whiteside Mountain, a short but steep two-mile Whiteside Mountain trail with sweeping views from the highest vertical cliffs in the eastern United States. Discover the myriad, breathtaking waterfalls the Highlands are famed for, starting with an exhilarating ascent to High Falls in Lake Glenville’s Pines Recreation Area as well as a trip to serene Ranger Falls. In warmer months, look forward to boating, biking, horseback riding, and fly-fishing—you’re in prime North Carolina trout territory, after all. Get there: A one-and-a-half-hour drive from Asheville by car; three-and-a-half hours from Atlanta" - Paul Rubio
