6 minute read
Things to do in the High Country
Summer in the High Country offers plenty to see and do for visitors and residents alike. Whether it’s an outdoor adventure somewhere, enjoying some arts and crafts time or playing a round of golf, there is a little bit of something for everybody.
WATAUGA COUNTY
Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock opened for its 2022 season in early April and has plenty of special events to offer this summer, including appearances by Thomas the Train (June 10-13 and June 16-19), the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs (July 23-25 and July 28-31), Riders in the Sky (August 13-14) and Railroad Heritage Weekend (August 27-28). For a complete schedule of events and ticket prices, call 800-526-5740.
The Blowing Rock has been open each year since 1933 and remains open year-round, weather permitting. For rates or more information, call 828-295-7111.
High Gravity Adventures in Blowing Rock offers zip line tours and an aerial adventure park that will be sure to offer plenty of fun for the entire family. To book your tour, call 828-266-0176.
Sky Valley Zip Tours in Blowing Rock features 10 zip lines, a swinging bridge and cliff jumping to achieve the ultimate rush. To make your reservation, call 828-264-0002.
Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock truly defies gravity and no one can explain why. Enjoy a wide variety of attractions including the Hall of Mystery, Bubblerama and Tomahawk Hill. For more information, call 828-264-2792.
Horn in the West outdoor drama takes place from July 1 – August 13 and this year marks their 70th season putting on a show. Each year since 1952, Horn in the West’s outdoor drama about Daniel Boone has been a major attraction in Boone. For tickets or more information, call 828-264-2120.
Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine in Blowing Rock gives you an opportunity to mine for some previous gems from local gemstone mines throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. Doc’s Rocks is located at Shoppes on the Parkway. For more information, call 828-414-9889.
Foggy Mountain Gem Mine now operates two locations in Boone, the original spot on Highway 105 and a second location on Highway 321 South. For bucket prices and hours of operation, call 828-963-4367.
Mysterium Escape Adventure
in Boone offers is engaging, interactive experience that challenges all of your senses. The interactive escape rooms are theme with fully interactive and immersive elements that are lots of fun.
Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf on Highway 105 in Boone offers 18 holes of mini golf fun during the summer. For more information call 828-265-4653.
The Daniel Boone Native Gardens
located at 651 Horn in the West Drive in Boone showcases more than 200 plant species that can be found naturally in the High Country. For more information, call 828-264-1299.
Fun ‘N’ Wheels go-kart track on Highway 105 in Boone is open each summer with racing action all day long on weekdays and weekends, weather permitting. For more information, call 828-262-3780.
High Country Lanes in Boone offers bowling fun for the entire family. Bowling is open on Thursdays from noon until 11 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. until midnight, Saturdays from noon until midnight and Sundays from noon until 11 p.m. For more information call 828264-3166.
High Mountain Expeditions in Boone has been in operation since 1986 offering tubing, canoeing, whitewater rafting, hiking and and caving adventures. For more information, call 828202-1981.
Boone Golf Club is one of the most popular public golf courses in the region. The course plays at over 6,600 yards and is open on average about 250 days a year. For tee time reservations, call 828-2648760.
Willow Creek Golf Course is a nine-hole public course. All holes are Par-3 holes and some holes challenge even the best golfer with some tricky water hazards. There are no reservations required for tee times. Golfers tee off on a first come, first served basis. For course information, call 828-963-6865.
Wahoo’s Adventures in Blowing Rock offers numerous trips for paddling,
Tweetsie Railroad is open from April through December. FILE PHOTO
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rafting and tubing on the New River, Watauga River and Nolichucky River. For information on each tour, call 1-800-4447238.
ASHE COUNTY
Come and watch cheese get made at Ashe County Cheese, the oldest cheese plant in North Carolina. Located in West Jefferson, Ashe County Cheese offers a wide variety of cheeses and other locallymade products. For the weekly cheesemaking schedule, call 336-246-2501.
Mountain Aire Golf Club in West Jefferson is an 18-hole public course with amazing mountain views dotting the local landscape. The course plays at 6,415 yards from the blue tees, 5,858 yards from the white tees, 4,852 yards from the gold tees and 4,140 yards from the red tees. For tee time reservations, call 336-877-4716.
Unseen Pass in West Jefferson offers street legal side-by-side 4x4 on-road and
COURTESY PHOTO Mountain Aire Golf Club in West Jefferson is an 18-hole public course that plays at 6,415 yards at its longest.
off-road adventures. For more information, call 865-325-1353
New River State Park offers two access points, one off of U.S. Highway 221 and another off of Wagoner access, for all of your floating, kayaking or canoeing adventures. . The visitor’s center, located at the Highway 221 access point, can be reached at 336-982-2587.
Mount Jefferson State Natural
Area offers five hiking trails and numerous spots to see some breathtaking scenery overlooking West Jefferson and Jefferson. The park office can be reached at 336-246-9653.
Ashe County Park has playground equipment, a trout pond, baseball fields, basketball courts and one of the most popular disc golf courses in the southeast. For more information on the park, call 336-982-6185.
Zaloo’s Canoes located in Jefferson right alongside the New River offers canoe, kayak and tubing tours. Zaloo’s has been open for nearly 50 years. For more information, call 336-246-3066.
AVERY COUNTY
Grandfather Mountain State Park
covers 2,456 acres and has 12 miles of trails to hike. For more information, call 828-963-9522.
Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
features steep and rugged terrain with the Linville River running beneath it and dropping about 2,000 feet in elevation. The wilderness area is part of the Pisgah National Forest. For more information call 828-652-2144.
Mountain Glen Golf Club in Newland is a public, 18-hole golf course was completed in 1965 and offers four tee locations. For course information or to reserve a tee time, call 828-733-5804.
Edge of the World in Banner Elk offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling. For more information, call 828-789-3343.
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
in Banner Elk is open seven days a week. For information on registering for a ride time, call 828-898-7866.
Sugar Mountain Golf Club is an 18-hole public course that was voted as the #2 short course in the country. The Par-64 course is played at an elevation over 4,000 feet and has some of the best mountain views you’ll find on any golf course around. To reserve a tee time, call 828-898-6464.
Land Harbor Golf Club in Linville is an 18-hole public course that plays at 4,877 yards at its longest. For tee times or additional course information, call 828733-8325.
HIDDEN CREEK VENUE
Brand new wedding & event center located in scenic Beech Mountain.
Now accepting bookings for 2022.
Please contact Mike at: 828-773-0709
1001 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC