WT Chuck, I grew up in and around the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. It is the most beautiful place in the Fall and always calls my heart back to visit. All the places different people have mentioned are wonderful places to visit. There are camp grounds marked along your journey and normally can be plugged in to any GPS to find. Cracker Barrel is not as bad as someone suggested so if you have never been... go and enjoy! Fresh apple jelly or apple butter can be found all along the way once you hit Virginia Apple Country. Take some home with you and enjoy during the winter here in Texas. My caution to you in the mountains on Skyline Drive be cautious. I was there this time a few years ago and ran in to three black bears. Just know where you are and leave no food out or available and you should not have much to worry about. There is a restaurant at the top of Skyline Drive that is pretty good as well as a gift shop that sells hand made pottery and other items to enjoy. I pray you have a safe and enjoyable journey. Soak in as much Fall coolness and colors you can absorb and make thousands of memories which will remain in your head and heart and will call you back the rest of your life! Safe Journey, Good Luck, and God Bless.
Ditto on Mabry Mill.
If you are there near lunch $$$, a couple of more miles down the road, Chatteau Morrisette Winery . . . or dinner $$$$ . . . or a simple wine tasting for a dollar or two for up to 6 or tastings of wine. They also have musical festivals throughout the year on some weekends. Sometimes blues, sometimes jazz.
A little off the BRP . . . Blacksburg and VT, maybe it will be a game weekend and take in a football game. Husband and both sisters graduated from VT.
Oh right before you get to Mabry Mills, in Meadows of Dan there is a Nancy’s Homemade Fudge . . . very good, we always go at least once while visiting the in-laws nearby.
Also nearby but off the Parkway is Fairy Stone Park. The park’s cross-shaped, namesake stone is prevalent in the region . . . interesting.
Have a nice trip~!