Chetola Resort - Blowing Rock, NC

Blowing Rock sits about two hours northwest of Charlotte — far enough to feel like you've actually gone somewhere, close enough to do it in a single day. I recently made the drive out to Chetola Resort in the Lyriq, and it's exactly the kind of trip this car was built for: two hours of mountain road without a drop of gas burned, without the drone of an engine, just the AKG sound system and the scenery getting better with every mile of elevation.

Chetola sits on its own 78-acre lake at the foot of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it doesn't try to be flashy about it — the lodge rooms designed by Bob Timberlake lean into the setting rather than fighting it, all timber and stone and big windows facing the water. If you're coming for the day, the grounds alone are worth it: walking paths, fire pits, Adirondack chairs scattered along the shoreline, kayaks and paddleboards if you want to get out on the lake itself. For longer stays, there's a full-service spa, fly fishing and clay shooting through the Chetola Sporting Reserve, and Timberlake's Restaurant, which is worth the trip on its own.

Here's the detail that made me smile as an EV owner: Chetola has three Tesla Destination chargers right on the property. With a NACS adapter, the Lyriq can top off there while you're at dinner or out on the lake — and if you need something faster, there's a 24-hour Tesla Supercharger a few minutes away in Boone. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of detail that tells you a place has actually thought about guests who drive electric, which isn't universal yet even in a mountain town this popular.

If you'd rather not drive it yourself, that's exactly what Coach EV is for. The same flat $40-an-hour rate applies whether it's a quick airport run across Charlotte or a full day trip into the mountains — no minimum, no surprise fees, just a quiet ride there and back while you actually get to look at the scenery instead of the road. Reserve a ride if you want to make the trip without touching the wheel.