Things To Do

Trains are the stars of this Wild West theme park. Located between Boone and Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad has entertained families with old-fashioned...

The Spa at Crestwood is located on the property of The Inn at Crestwood, which is centrally located between Banner Elk, Boone and Blowing Rock. Its larg...

A well-maintained and easy to navigate greenway walking and jogging trail located in the downtown of Banner Elk, North Carolina.

Wilson Center for Nature Discovery at Grandfather Mtn. uses hi-tech exhibits to teach visitors about the ecosystem of the Appalachian Mountains.

Apple Hill Farm Outpost is an extension of the store at Apple Hill Farm, selling alpaca fiber items like socks, scarves, hats, gloves, shawls and vests.

Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is on the grounds of Horn in the West, the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama. The museum was created ...

Climb, swing and dangle in the treetops at Wilderness Run Adventure Course beside Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster.

Kettell Beerworks creates high-quality craft beer on Main Street East in Banner Elk. The brewery typically has 10-12 styles of beer on tap.

Tate-Evans Park is a multi-activity park in Banner Elk. It includes a paved greenway, playgrounds, wading pools, a volleyball court and a picnic shelter.

A hidden gem is Reilly's Shop. Find everything from clothing to pottery to blown glass, from mountain honey and soaps to lotions, essential oils and more.

This critically-acclaimed summer arts festival/series, presented by App State University, features a diverse mix of music, dance, theater and more ...

Rustik features one-of-a-kind wooden creations. More than a furnishings store, Rustik is a gallery of artistic work. Be sure to check out the “petting zoo”

Step into an immersive experience of art from new and established artists worldwide. The gallery also hosts special exhibitions & art classes.

Enjoy professional theater in the NC mountains with Ensemble Stage, a troupe known for high-quality performances and a robust year-round schedule of events

Hardin Fine Jewelry eliminates the intimidating stereotype often associated with jewelry stores. Set in a charming cabin-like building with big windows ...

Westglow Resort & Spa was founded on the idea of relaxation. Originally constructed in 1917, the estate was the summer retreat of artist and writer ...

Shop for hiking boots, outdoor footwear, apparel, camping supplies, backpacks, travel gear and Lees-McRae shirts & souvenirs at Footsloggers in Banner Elk

Spoil your four-legged family members with a visit to My Best Friend’s Barkery, a local pet-supply store that focuses on natural treats made in-house.

Banner Elk Book Exchange is like a boutique book store minus the cash register. Bring a book you've read to swap for one you want to read, no return needed

Horseback rides with panoramic views are the specialty of Elk Mountain Riding Co. Pick from a variety of tours for both beginners and experienced riders.

The Spa is the newest addition to the historic Eseeola Lodge. This luxury day spa offers the public a range of pampering treatments befitting its peacef...

Wildcat Lake is a 13-acre public NC mountain lake with a sand beach and swimming area. It's open for swimming, kayaking, fishing & sunbathing.

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre charms audiences with Broadway-style shows blending aspiring performers and award-winning professional actors.

Beech Mtn is the highest ski resort in the eastern U.S. at 5,506 feet. The resort’s alpine village offers snow tubing, a craft brewery and two-story lodge.

Lost Province Brewing Co. is located in downtown Boone in a historic building that once served as an automobile showroom and later as the offices of ...

Minutes from its namesake waterfall (and the Blue Ridge Parkway), Linville Falls Winery rests on a 40-acre farm. The Tuscan-style tasting room is ...

Music at FORUM is an eight-week summer series bringing acclaimed national entertainment to Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College.

The Crab Orchard Falls Trail leads to a picturesque waterfall near Banner Elk. It is mostly shaded and has a total elevation gain of 324 feet.

This visual arts center is the largest of its kind in WNC. It blends new and historical artwork from nationally and internationally renowned artists.

What was once a community necessity in rural Valle Crucis is now a popular stop for tourists to journey back in time. Folks come to play checkers by the...

Sky Valley is a treetop zip-line adventure. Located between Boone and Blowing Rock, the property covers more than 140 acres of old-grown forest. The cou...

Choose from two- or four-seat UTVs for this exhilarating off-road Blue Ridge Mountain adventure about 15 miles from Banner Elk in Roan Mountain, TN.

Hit the slopes in style with a new snowboard or board rental, plus all the right gear from Edge of the World, one of the nation’s oldest snowboard shops.

From early June to October, ski slopes become downhill mountain biking trails served by the chairlift at Beech Mtn Resort. Bike rentals & lessons available.

Beech Mountain Brewing Company is owned and operated by Beech Mountain Resort, making it one of a few craft breweries in the US to be ...

America’s grandest Scottish-themed games include brawny athletes, delicate dancers, bagpipe parades, Celtic music and lots of kilts …

A great hike just outside Banner Elk is the Profile Trail at Grandfather Mtn. State Park, a strenuous 7.6-mile round trip with 1,775 feet of elevation gain

One of the best kept secrets in the High Country is Apple Hill Farm. Apple Hill is a working alpaca and llama farm offering tours year-round to visitors.

Head to Banner Elk’s Corner Park on Main for photos or selfies with the Easter Bunny, and candy for the kids.

Ruth Ann is a master certified groomer who uses all-natural shampoos and has been grooming pets since 1986. The shop is located in the heart of downtown...

With two entire floors of artwork, The Art Cellar offers a broad selection of original works in a variety of styles and mediums. Ninety percent of artis...

Browse a variety of candles, soaps, body scrubs and bath bombs in popular scents, along with a curated selection of women's fashions. Pet accessories, too.

Find the best in local art at BE (Banner Elk) Artists Gallery. Shop for objects of beauty & utility hand-made within a 50-mile radius of Banner Elk.

Banner Elk’s Trunk or Treat provides kid-friendly Halloween fun in the heart of town. Cars. Candy. Community. A favorite event for years!

Sugar Mountain is NC’s largest ski area with 125 acres of terrain. Guests enjoy skiing, snowboarding, skating, tubing, snowshoeing & relaxing in the lodge

Enjoy a round of golf on your choice of 400 golf courses – including Pebble Beach – at The Turn’s indoor simulator. Also has a bar and outdoor patio.

Take a piece of the mountains home with you when you purchase souvenirs from Banner Elk Soap & Candle Co. With fragrances named after area icons, su...

For an “axe-citing” time in the NC High Country, head to Hero's Axe House. It features six lanes of axe throwing fun, multiple games & digital scoring.

Foscoe Fishing Co. provides expert outfitting and fly fishing guide service for everybody from first-timers to experienced anglers. It is the only Orvis...

Enjoy indoor and outdoor tastings at scenic Banner Elk Winery. It is open daily on a year-round basis and features several award-winning wines.

Humans aren’t the only ones who enjoy being pampering by a spa visit. Banner Elk’s locally owned pet spa, Furvana, makes sure your dog looks...

Go prospecting for NC gemstones at Sugar Creek Gem Mine, open year-round with an expert staff providing instruction on the best methods for mining.

Grandfather Mountain is a popular tourist attraction located atop one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each year, it attracts about 250...

Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park challenges mountain bikers with miles of custom-built trails weaving through 185 acres of forestland near Boone.

Star-Spangled Banner Elk Fourth of July features one of the most popular & fun July 4th parades in NC, followed by a Party in the Park and Duck Race.

It’s ski season year-round at this lodge-style shop not far from the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort. Whether you’re in the market for the latest in ski...

Banner Elk Trading Co. is a spacious boutique featuring an always-evolving selection of upscale fashions, home décor, accent pieces and unique finds.

Mountain Emporium’s showroom features unique, one-of-a-kind items. Browse an eclectic mix of furniture, art, wood sculpture, craftsman lighting and more.

Admission is free to Beech Mountain History Museum, which tells the story of a town & ski resort on the highest ski mountain in the eastern United States.

Grandfather Vineyard produces a variety of wines in a relaxed setting near the base of Grandfather Mountain alongside the Watauga River.

The Emerald Outback Trail Park, located near the summit of Beech Mountain, is a multi-use trail system created by the Beech Mountain Parks and Recreatio...

Singing on Grandfather continues the tradition of a century-long event that cultivates fellowship through gospel music in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

A taste of Bavaria in NC. This family-friendly event has great food, kid’s area, Bavarian music & costume contest and Oktoberfest libations

This downtown Banner Elk outfitter specializes in white-water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling. The family-run business encourages gettin...

Horn in the West is the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama. It brings to life famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and the hardy mountain settler...

Four times a year, the historic school lawn comes to life with Art on the Greene, featuring quality, hand-made artwork from local & regional artists.

Weekend music/arts fest on multiple concert stages featuring Boone-connected artists who boomerang home. Also food, beer, vendors, kids zone, silent disco.

High Mountain Expeditions, which opened in 1986, helped pioneer whitewater rafting guide service in the North Carolina mountains. The focus is on provid...

Each summer, this day is a fun and educational way to highlight animal enrichment and its importance in caring for Grandfather Mtn’s furry inhabitants.

On the snow or in the air, a thrilling experience awaits at Hawksnest Resort. Hawksnest has the East Coast’s largest snow tubing park, plus ziplining!

BJ’s Resort Wear is one of those pleasant little discoveries in ladies’ shopping: a high-end boutique with unique fashion finds. Owner Sally...

Located inside the dining rooms of Sorrento’s, Chef’s Table and Barra restaurants in the heart of Banner Elk, Studio 140 showcases the artwork of painte...

Elk River Falls is one of the best waterfalls in the NC mountains, with a rush of water falling 50 feet over a rock cliff into an oval pool.

Family-friendly concerts take place Thursdays in summer. Popular bands play a variety of music from Southern rock to oldies, soul, country and funk.

Visitors to the High Country have relied on Erick’s for all their entertaining needs since the late 1970s. The shop carries wines from major regions, al...

A weekend of traditional holiday fun. Events include a tree lighting, cookie decorating, pancakes with Santa, parade, train rides and a variety show.

Lose yourself in a labyrinth of color at Mountaineer Garden Center thanks to a broad selection of annuals, hanging baskets, house plants, perennials, tr...

Learn about life in Banner Elk and the NC mountains during the 1800s at this museum in the preserved house of the town's founding family, the Banners.

View the Blue Ridge Mountains via horseback at Banner Elk Stables. This Banner Elk attraction offers one-hour guided rides on rustic trails perched alon...

Since 1978, this quirky, world-famous festival hosts woolly worm races to predict the upcoming winter weather in the North Carolina High Country …

North Carolina's first alpine coaster provides a thrilling downhill adventure, reaching speeds up to 27 mph. The average ride takes about five minutes.

Hawksnest has 4 miles of ziplines for riders. Cruise over trees, lakes & creeks taking in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge from high atop Seven Devils …

Step inside Humpback Mountain with a guided tour through Linville Caverns. The active caverns reveal stalactite and stalagmite formations — points hangi...

In downtown Banner Elk, enjoy a rotating selection of beers from more than a dozen craft breweries. Blind Elk is an indoor/outdoor tasting venue.

The Ski Shack is open seasonally, seven days a week, providing ski and snowboard equipment rentals for the slopes in Banner Elk. The Ski Shack rents ski...