Say ‘hello’ to the High Country W for a day will find Ashe County Cheese to be a delightful experience. As North Carolina’s largest cheese manufacturer, visitors to ACC can see first hand just how the savory product is made. ACC products, among imported cheese, can also be found at the retail shop across the road. Assorted candy, fresh fudge, ice cream and assorted wines are available for purchase as well.
BY LUKE BARBER
hen planning your adventure in the High Country, you cannot go wrong when choosing between the many attractions in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties that beckon visitors from all over the world. So before making a decision, take a deep breath of the cool mountain air and rest assure that a memorable experience awaits regardless of what attraction you choose to visit. The following list provides an overview of the most popular attractions in the area. More expansive information of specific attractions can be found elsewhere in Summer Times 2021.
AVERY COUNTY
• Grandfather Mountain Grandfather Mountain is one of the premier destinations in the High Country, and there are plenty reasons why the attraction is so popular. From the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the animal exhibits, the on-site museum and the numerous trails both within the non-profit attraction and around the surrounding state park, it is easy to see why visitors flock to the mountain every year to take in its incredible views. • Mountain Bike Parks When the snow melts off of the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort, summer fun begins soon after. During the summer months, the resorts turn into mountain bike parks, where visitors can careen their machines down the resorts’ rolling slopes. In addition, chairlift rides, food and beverage specials and summer events are common staples at the two resorts during the warmer months. • Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster One of the newer attractions in Avery County, the Wilderness Run Alpine
SUMMER TIMES 2021
FILE PHOTO Each run on the alpine coaster includes three circular loops, a series of waves and lots of twists. Riders use hand brakes to control speeds, which can reach 27 miles per hour.
PHOTO BY VICTORIA DARLINGTON | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION Grandfather Mountain provides daily animal enrichments for guests to learn and further appreciate the animals that call the mountain home.
Coaster has been thrilling guests since the mountain coaster opened during the summer of 2020. Built by the top coaster construction company in Germany, the ride takes visitors up a 770 slope before they twist and turn down 3,160 feet of track. Riders reach top speeds of 27 miles an hour during their heart-racing plunge.
• Summer Theater The Ensemble Stage within the Historic Banner Elk School offers visitors a chance to beat the heat by viewing a performance put on by the nonprofit’s professional theater. The theater is set to begin its summer programming on July 3. Additional theater performances are also available at the nearby college through Lees McRae Summer Theater. • Hawksnest Another adventure park that transitions during the summer months is Hawksnest. The attraction offers visitors the change to experience the High Country from above through one of the east coast’s longest and most scenic Zipline tours. With two tours to choose from, guests can reach speeds between 35 and 50 miles an hour zip across up to approximately three miles of cable.
ASHE COUNTY
• Ashe County Cheese Families looking for a free activity
• Mount Jefferson Just a stone’s throw away from downtown West Jefferson is Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. The state park rises more than 1,600 feet above the surrounding landscape and offers breathtaking views. Five hiking trails allow for the exploration of the park’s unique geology and plant diversity, while picnic grounds and shelters also offer families the ability to make a day of their trek. • Downtown West Jefferson Downtown West Jefferson offers something for everyone. The area’s vibrant arts district is accompanied by a variety of brewers, restaurants and retail options. Meanwhile, some of the more unique attractions can be found here. Great Southern Gothic officers guests an escape room, ghost tours and handmade Appalachian crafts, while the Parkway Theater brings the summer’s biggest blockbusters to theatregoers at great rates. • Frescoes The prolific work of American painter Benjamin Long can be seen at two locations within the county. The first is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, which features the work entitled Mystery of Faith and the second is Holy Trinity Church, which features the work The Last Supper. Both works are painted in a classical style know as frescoes. Long trained under Pietro Annigoni in FlorSEE ATTRACTIONS ON PAGE 42
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