3 minute read
Family Attractions
Great Fun Ahead!
Families have been coming to the High Country for cool, fresh air and spectacular views since well before the Civil War. The oldest attractions are areas of natural beauty such as The Blowing Rock, Linville Caverns and Grandfather Mountain. Newer attractions such as the unique Mystery Hill, gem mining and the adrenaline -pumping ziplines and aerial adventure parks offer memorable experiences. History buffs will enjoy learning about area history at Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, home of the Horn in the West. Whatever your family’s tastes, you are sure to make memories in the North Carolina High Country.
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Ashe County Cheese
106 E Main St, West Jefferson 336-246-2501 Ashe County Cheese is North Carolina’s largest and oldest cheese factory! Come see cheese made in our factory viewing room. Open M-Sat 8:30a-5p. ashecountycheese.com
The Blowing Rock
432 The Rock Road, Blowing Rock 828-295-7111 The current of air flowing upward from the Rock prompted the Ripley’s “Believe-it-or-Not” cartoon about “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.” Come see this unusual phenomenon! theblowingrock.com
Emerald Village
331 McKinney Mine Road, Little Switzerland 828-765-6463 Discover real fun in real mines! Gem mining, mine tour, gold panning, museums, gift shops and more! Just 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Open daily April-October.
emeraldvillage.com
Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville 800-468-7325 Inspirational views, mile-high swinging bridge, native wildlife, picnicking and hiking. Open all year, weather permitting. grandfather.com
Hawksnest Zipline
2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils 828-963-6561 With 20 cables, almost 4 miles of cable & 3 swinging bridges, Hawksnest is one of the largest zipline parks in the country. Children as young as 5 years old may participate. Open year round, reservation required. Book online: hawksnestzipline.com
High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park
215 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock 828-266-0151 High Country adventure for the whole family. Experience our award-winning zip tour, scream on the giant swing, and explore 75+ challenges in our aerial adventure park. Tickets & info available at highgravityadventures.com
Linville Caverns
19929 Hwy 221 N, Marion 800-419-0540 See inside a mountain...NC’s only show cave. Half-hour guided tours into a natural limestone cavern featuring stalactite and stalagmite formations and an underground stream!
linvillecaverns.com
The Appalachian Fossil and Dinosaur Museum
100 Shoppes on the Parkway, Blowing Rock 828-467-8817 Thousands of fossils from all over the region along with replica dinosaurs make for a fascinating visit for all ages. Check out our newest attraction- Paleo Putt Putt! docsrocks.org
The Original Mast General Store
Hwy 194, Valle Crucis 828-963-6511 Established in 1883, The Original Mast Store carries most everything you’d need for life in the past century and most of this one. Charles Kuralt called the Mast Store in rural Valle Crucis “a destination” on the National Register of Historic Places. mastgeneralstore.com
Mystery Hill Natural Gravitational Anomaly
129 Mystery Hill Lane, Blowing Rock 828-264-2792 Fun for all ages, the gravitational anomaly has been fascinating visitors since 1948. A visit includes all day to the anomaly, hands on science activities and bubblerama. mysteryhill.com
Sky Valley Zip Tours & Whistle Pig Adventure Park
634 Sky Ranch Road, Blowing Rock 828-264-0002 Ages 4+ can experience adventure with our Canopy Tour, Night Flight and Kid Zip courses! 10 zip lines, swinging bridge and cliff jump offer a priceless view. The area’s only kid-sized course includes 7 zip lines, a bridge and 20-foot slide.
skyvalleyziptours.com
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
3265 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk 828-898-7866 Take a ride down Wilderness Run’s Alpine Coaster! To ride the coaster, you must be 3 y/o, 38 inches, and ready to have fun! Bring the family & come adventure!
