Escape. Unwind. Indulge.
Banner Elk
Banner Elk is a popular getaway near Boone in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the North Carolina High Country. It’s a place that blends small town relaxation with the amenities of a larger city.
Enjoy a richness of culture and adventure. Within 15 minutes of the town’s lone stoplight you can experience the great outdoors, fabulous dining, theater and the arts, family attractions like Grandfather Mountain, and the South’s two largest ski resorts: Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain.
Banner Elk’s tourism motto is “Escape. Unwind. Indulge.” This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Hike easy greenways or tackle challenging trails among the highest peaks east of the Rockies. Go for thrills via a white-water paddling adventure or navigate the topography on a mountain bike. On the lighter side, spend a day visiting the town’s unique shops, boutiques, spas and restaurants.
A thriving food scene awaits. In fact, Banner Elk is known as the culinary hot spot of the NC High Country. Food aficionados indulge in everything from five-star white-linen dining to upscale casual to down-home cooking to tasty delis. An array of wineries and craft breweries lie within a 15-minute radius of downtown.
Famed mountain attractions like Grandfather Mountain, Linville Caverns, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Tweetsie Railroad and The Blowing Rock are just a short drive away.
With so many things to see and do (and eat), Banner Elk provides an ideal getaway for couples, families, adventure seekers and baby boomers. The mix of lodging available in Banner Elk assures something for every taste and budget. Please click here to review the many accommodations available.
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Events
Wineries & Breweries
Outdoor Adventure
The Culinary Hot Spot
Attractions
Museums & The Arts
Skiing
Grandfather Mountain
Latest News
Four Best Places for Snow Tubing in NC Mountains
The Banner Elk area offers four great places for snow tubing in North Carolina. The largest, fastest, newest & best tubing parks are minutes away.
Banner Elk’s World Famous Woolly Worm Festival
Every autumn during the third weekend of October, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Banner Elk becomes the woolly worm racing capital. That's when this resort town welcomes visitors from near and far for the world famous Woolly Worm Festival. The festival features two...
Grandfather Mtn is Big Part of Winter Fun in Banner Elk
One of the biggest winter attractions in the area is Grandfather Mountain, known for its Mile High Swinging Bridge, animal habitats, hiking trails & views.
Banner Elk Lodging Nationally Recognized for Quality, Value
A major travel website says travelers seeking a desirable winter destination and affordable lodging rates can find both with Banner Elk lodging. TripAdvisor.com, which has more than 375 million unique visitors monthly, has recognized Banner Elk as a Top 10 Affordable...
Banner Elk is a Top 15 Summer Cabin Destination
Looking for fun and affordable summer cabin vacation? Look no further than a Banner Elk cabin says one of the world's largest travel websites. TripAdvisor.com, with more than 375 million unique visitors monthly, named Banner Elk to its list of 15 Affordable Summer...
Winter is Better Here
Winter is an especially magical time of year in the NC mountains, and Banner Elk is an ideal destination with winter sports, cozy lodging, great food and …
Banner Elk Named a Best Ski Town in North America
Banner Elk has been named a Best Ski Town in North America for 2022, as determined by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers' Choice awards. Banner Elk finished fifth in the ranking of 10 best ski towns. The awards contest began with nominations of 20 ski towns across North...
Learn the History of Banner Elk via Walking Tours & Porch Talks
By Carol Lowe Timblin Have you ever wondered how Banner Elk got its unusual name? Do you know that Banner Elk has been welcoming tourists since the 1800s? Two summer programs offered by the Banner House Museum shed light on these subjects. Wednesday through Saturday...
A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk
Soak up a season of holiday cheer with "A Small Town Christmas in Banner Elk" the first full weekend in December. Escape the rush and enjoy an authentic small town holiday Dec. 2-4, 2022, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Festivities start Friday and run through Sunday....
