Things to Do

The High Country of North Carolina offers endless opportunities for things to do in your spare time. Every season has something different to offer and everyone in your family will be sure to find plenty of activities to enjoy.

Recreational Activities in the NC High Country

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds its way through the area providing the most scenic views in the Appalachian Mountains with no billboards or stoplights.
Golfing opportunities abound on well over a dozen mountain courses, half of which are public or semi-private.
Hiking is plentiful on hundreds of miles of trails, from easy to challenging, including the Appalachian Trail.
Fly Fishing along the Elk and Watauga Rivers is among the best in the eastern United States.
Grandfather Mountain, one of the most identifiable peaks in the region is a World Biosphere site featuring unique rock formations, a mile high swinging bridge and abundant wildlife.
Tweetsie Railroad is a family fun park geared to young children featuring the historic East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Rail Road, better known as “Tweetsie.”
Gem Mining is a popular pastime for youngsters, and serious rock hounds alike.
Whitewater rafting, kayaking and tubing are available on numerous rivers with several professional outfitters providing guided trips.
Rock Climbing and caving can be enjoyed year round on your own or through one of the local outfitters.
Horseback trail riding and boarding for horses can be found throughout the area.
Sailing and power boating on Watauga Lake with 104 miles of shoreline, covering 34,200 acres is 35 minutes from The Headwaters.
Snow Skiing and Snow Boarding are available at the area’s three ski resorts and cross country skiing is a favorite on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cultural Events

In Banner Elk, the Lees McRae College Performing Arts Center offers concerts and drama throughout the school year, while continuing education classes, numerous trips and expeditions for indiviudals are offered through the college.

Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock features a state of the art concert and live performance center with seating for over 350. The center attracts nationally known artists and Broadway performances including music, opera and ballet.

With over 14,ooo students, Applachian State University serves as a catalyst for nearby Boone. Appalachian State is known for having one of the most highly regarded Senior Education programs in the country that caters specifically to active retirees who wish to broaden their knowledge base through cultural studies. The Division I Appalachian State Mountaineers athletic program provides top-notch competition for sports fans, while the 1,734 seat Farthing Auditorium and the larger, 12,000 seat George Holmes Center regularly feature internationally known artists & performances.

The Highland Games bring together the largest gathering of Scottish-heritage participants in the United States for a week of ancient contests, music and food.

The Wooly Worm Festival in downtown Banner Elk draws over 20,000 visitors each October eager to celebrate this furry little critter that has long been considered a forecaster of winter weather. This lively festival features all sorts of food, fun and crafts displays.

Likewise, the Apple Orchard Festival in nearby Valle Crucis draws thousands each October to participate in mountain activities and culture.

Horn In the West Outdoor Drama in Boone is one of the oldest, longest running outdoor dramas in the country. It depicts the story of Daniel Boone and his adventurous treks through Western North Carolina.

Specialty Shopping

Rivaling many upscale, urban locales, Banner Elk and nearby Blowing Rock offer numerous upscale boutiques, as well as shops featuring more local fare. Outfitter stores provide a wide selection to meet all your active wear needs. The most famous, founded in the late 1800’s is the Mast General Store, offering high end outerwear & supplies, not to mention the Candy Barrel, which perhaps has the largest assortment of candy in western North Carolina. Another popular shopping destination, the Shops on the Parkway, operated by Tanger Outlets, features 38 manufacturer-owned outlet shops including Liz Claiborne, Nautica, Nike, Ralph Lauren, and many more.

Fine Dining

In Banner Elk alone, you can park and walk to 10 outstanding restaurants. From sophisticated Continental and Mediterranean Cuisine to American Grill and Country-Style Smorgasbord, Banner Elk and the immediate area feature some of the finest dining to be found in North Carolina. Numerous chefs from the area’s country clubs have opened their own restaurants, some having been featured in leading culinary and travel magazines including Wine Spectator, Southern Living, Bon Appetite, and Travel & Leisure among others.

At Simplicity at The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, enjoy gourmet slow dining of extreme quality and freshness; a meticulous cuisine prepared with “mindfulness”—mindful of our mountain region’s heritage, and mindful of the high quality of the natural ingredients, with a level of care and personal service second to none.

Arts and Crafts

Local mountain craft, with its unique historical qualities is alive and well in Banner Elk and surrounding areas. Western North Carolina has been long known for its old-time cultural arts & crafts scene. In recent years the High Country has attracted hundreds of artisans from around the world who have fallen in love with the area and decided to open studios here. Area artists’ works can be found in the Smithsonian, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the White House Permanent Collection, and the High Museum among others.