World-Class Summer Weather—

and Travel Destinations Too!

Cool summers and outdoor adventure bring many to the Boone Area, but nationally-known travel attractions anchor the High Country’s appeal as a vacation destination.

Blue Ridge Parkway
The most popular unit of the National Park system is one of America’s great road trips. The High Country portion of the high road—where the Parkway was started and completed—is arguably the scenic apex of the experience. Check out our Ultimate Parkway Guide.

Grandfather Mountain
The world’s only privately owned International Biosphere Reserve is non-profit preservation at its loftiest. A spectacular drive takes visitors to the wheelchair-accessible Mile-High Swinging Bridge, thousands of feet above the Carolina Piedmont. A world-class nature museum, interpretive programs, and Environmental Habitats for deer, bears, cougars, eagles and otters offer outdoor education and entertainment. Awesome trails lead to high adventure.

Horn in the West
This June to August outdoor drama in Boone tells the tale of Daniel Boone’s adventures in the High Country and the little known, pivotal role local pioneers played in winning the American Revolution at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Don’t miss adjoining attractions. Hickory Ridge Homestead Living History Museum is a wonderfully interpreted classic collection of log cabins (including one owned by Squire Boone, Daniel’s father). The Daniel Boone Native Gardens showcases the High Country’s world-class biodiversity.

Linville Caverns
The Boone Area boasts awesome views—but some of those vistas are inside a mountain! The stalactites and stalagmites of the only publicly accessible cavern in North Carolina are partially handicapped accessible.

Mast General Store
Charles Kuralt considered the sagging, scenic 1882 Mast General Store in Valle Crucis a true destination among the nation’s general stores. You’ll agree. The historical atmosphere is unforgettable, and so is the shopping. This rural emporium that once carried “everything from cradles to caskets” is a trove of Americana and unusual merchandise. There’s a branch of Mast in downtown Boone.

Mystery Hill
This High Country family favorite amusingly defies the forces of gravity and physics. Mystery Hill’s Appalachian Heritage Museum is an historic 1898 home featuring authentic insight into 19th century life in the mountains.

Ski Resorts of the High Country
The Mid-Atlantic and South’s greatest concentration of ski resorts and snow tubing facilities brings national quality skiing and winter fun to the Boone Area. But don’t let summer stop you! These are the East’s highest ski areas. Slopeside lodging offers great views of grassy, wildflower-strewn meadows where mountain biking, hiking, tennis and golf are part of the fun.

State Parks of the High Country

High Country state parks represent a nationally significant spectrum of superb outdoor recreation and priceless preservation. Many feature programs, special music events, outdoor venues for family reunions and gatherings, even business retreats. Hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain or Elk Knob. Paddle or tube the New River or cast a line. Drive to the top of Mount Jefferson for awesome views.

 
The Blowing Rock
A colorful legend attributed to Native Americans explains the odd updrafts on this spectacular crag that led “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” to proclaim it “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.” The Blowing Rock's dramatic views from this cliffside perch, open since 1933 as “North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction.”

The Boone Area Wine Trail

Our trail to the East’s loftiest vineyards will elevate your appreciation of fine wine—and great scenery. Take this spectacular loop of the High Country for three sophisticated viticultural experiences on a visit to the Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe, Banner Elk Winery in Banner Elk, and The 1861 Farmhouse Restaurant & Winery in Valle Crucis.

Tweetsie Railroad
The Boone Area’s premier family fun park features a Western-themed ride on an authentic steam train—actually the Boone Area’s first high-tech link to the outside world from the late 1800s to 1940 (Engine # 12 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Now the shrill-whistled train nicknamed “Tweetsie” by early residents crosses a trestle, circles a mountain, and encounters robbers and Indians on the way back to a diverse assortment of rides and entertaining options. Great events include a Thomas the Tank Engine visit and October's Ghost Train.

Zip-line Adventure
Zip and soar above-it-all, including trees and meadows, at Scream Time Ziplines and at Hawksnest Resort in the town of Seven Devils. Hawksnest boasts one of the East’s longest zip-line courses.

Blue Ridge Parkway	Linville Caverns	Ski Resorts
Grandfather Mountain	Mast General Store	The Blowing Rock
Horn in the West	Mystery Hill	Tweetsie Railroad