The High Country is full of
fun, unique experiences. Whether your idea of fun is
driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, visiting the many family
attractions, shopping til you drop, outdoor adventure,
skiing, or tasting downhome mountain vittles, there is
something for you in the High Country.
Tweetsie
Railroad Daily mid-May to Labor Day, Weekends
through October 31st Halloween Ghost Train...weekend
evenings in October. Blowing Rock...800-526-5740 or
828-264-9061. Allow half a day. Wild west theme park
centered around the original narrow gauge steam
locomotive that opened the High Country up for
civilization. Three-mile train ride includes hold-up,
Indian fights and spectacular mountain scenery. Show in
the Palace saloon, amusement rides in country fair,
petting zoo, crafts demonstrations, gift shops and more.
Admission charged.
The Mast General Store Open year round Valle
Crucis...828-963-6511...allow one hour. Established in
1883, the MAST General Store is listed on the National
Register Of Historic Places. In the old days, they
carried everything the community needed, from cradles to
caskets, and is still the place the people of Valle
Crucis stop every day to pickup their mail. The main
store carries eclectic array of items for the mountain
home and has one of the best shoe stores in the High
Country. The ANNEX has wonderful selection of casual
clothing and The Candy Barrel...an adventure for the
eyes with hundreds and hundreds of colorful candies sold
by the pound. Many retro candies (like Pez) to bring out
the child in everyone. Behind the main store is the
Little Red School House, a restored school building
housing a pottery shop. No admission charged.
Roan Mountain Natural Rhododendron garden Bakersville, NC...828-682-3303...1 hour. At
6,315 feet, Roan Mountain is the South's snowiest peak,
a crossing point for the Appalachian trail, and the
world's largest natural rhododendron garden. At this
elevation, the red Catawba rhododendron bloom mid-June
through early July. State park, no admission charged.
Ashe County Frescoes Open year around 24 hours a
day Glendale Springs and Beaver Creek, Ashe
County...336-982-3076 ...allow ½ hour per church, ½ hour
drive time between locations. Less than a mile from
the Blue Ridge Parkway, this tiny white clapboard chapel
houses some of the most important Fresco art in America.
Artist Ben Long used local parishioners as models for
the apostles when he painted "The Lord's Supper" on the
wall behind the alter at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
in Glendale Springs. Closer to West Jefferson, in the
crossroads of Beaver Creek, St. Mary's Episcopal Church
is home to Long's "Mary Great With Child," a life-sized
Fresco of an expectant Mary, "John the Baptist" and "The
Mystery of Faith," a life-sized representation of the
spirit of Christ rising from a lifeless body on the
cross. Spectacular and very moving. No admission
charged.
The Blue
Ridge Parkway Open year round, weather
permitting in winter. Do not travel on the Parkway
when there has been ice or snow. There is no snow
removal on the Parkway and no one would be looking for
stranded motorists. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 470-mile
National Park linking Shennandoah National Park to Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. Grandfather Mountain is
located at milepost 305. Asheville Administration Office
828-271-4779 Driving on the Parkway is free of charge.
Fees are charged for the use of facilities, such as boat
rentals or campsites.
Daniel Boone Native Gardens
May - September, October weekends. Boone
Unique native planting maintained by the Garden Club of
North Carolina. On the grounds of Horn In The West.
Grandfather
Mountain Open year round, weather
permitting.Allow approximately 2 hours.
It's the highest peak in the Blue
Ridge, and is considered the most biologically diverse
mountain in the eastern North America. Featured
attractions include the famous "Mile High Swinging
Bridge," native wildlife in enviromental habitats, an
interpertive nature museum, retaurant, picnic sites, and
12 miles of outstanding hiking trails.
Hickory Ridge Homestead Daily except
Monday, June - August, weekends thru October. A village
representative of a 18th century mountain homestead.
Horn In The West Outdoor Drama Late
June - mid August Boone...828-264-2120...2 hours. A
dramatic play set in 1771 - a time of British dominance
and Colonial unrest. Relive the building of a mountain
culture as early settlers, led by Daniel Boone, struggle
for independence from the Crown. A Cherokee Fire Dance
is a favorite feature of the show. Unforgettable lesson
in history and the performing arts. Admission charged.
Daily mid-May to Labor Day, Weekends
through October 31st Halloween Ghost Train...weekend
evenings in October. Blowing Rock...800-526-5740 or
828-264-9061. Allow half a day. Wild west theme park
centered around the original narrow gauge steam
locomotive that opened the High Country up for
civilization. Three-mile train ride includes hold-up,
Indian fights and spectacular mountain scenery. Show in
the Palace saloon, amusement rides in country fair,
petting zoo, crafts demonstrations, gift shops and more.
Admission charged. 
Open year round Valle
Crucis...828-963-6511...allow one hour. Established in
1883, the MAST General Store is listed on the National
Register Of Historic Places. In the old days, they
carried everything the community needed, from cradles to
caskets, and is still the place the people of Valle
Crucis stop every day to pickup their mail. The main
store carries eclectic array of items for the mountain
home and has one of the best shoe stores in the High
Country. The ANNEX has wonderful selection of casual
clothing and The Candy Barrel...an adventure for the
eyes with hundreds and hundreds of colorful candies sold
by the pound. Many retro candies (like Pez) to bring out
the child in everyone. Behind the main store is the
Little Red School House, a restored school building
housing a pottery shop. No admission charged.
Open year around 24 hours a
day Glendale Springs and Beaver Creek, Ashe
County...336-982-3076 ...allow ½ hour per church, ½ hour
drive time between locations. Less than a mile from
the Blue Ridge Parkway, this tiny white clapboard chapel
houses some of the most important Fresco art in America.
Artist Ben Long used local parishioners as models for
the apostles when he painted "The Lord's Supper" on the
wall behind the alter at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
in Glendale Springs. Closer to West Jefferson, in the
crossroads of Beaver Creek, St. Mary's Episcopal Church
is home to Long's "Mary Great With Child," a life-sized
Fresco of an expectant Mary, "John the Baptist" and "The
Mystery of Faith," a life-sized representation of the
spirit of Christ rising from a lifeless body on the
cross. Spectacular and very moving. No admission
charged. 
Open year round, weather
permitting in winter. Do not travel on the Parkway
when there has been ice or snow. There is no snow
removal on the Parkway and no one would be looking for
stranded motorists. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 470-mile
National Park linking Shennandoah National Park to Great
Smoky Mountains National Park. Grandfather Mountain is
located at milepost 305. Asheville Administration Office
828-271-4779 Driving on the Parkway is free of charge.
Fees are charged for the use of facilities, such as boat
rentals or campsites. 
Open year round, weather
permitting. Allow approximately 2 hours.
It's the highest peak in the Blue
Ridge, and is considered the most biologically diverse
mountain in the eastern North America. Featured
attractions include the famous "Mile High Swinging
Bridge," native wildlife in enviromental habitats, an
interpertive nature museum, retaurant, picnic sites, and
12 miles of outstanding hiking trails.
