Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, West Jefferson, Wilkesboro, Blue Ridge Parkway

High Country Winter Indoor Things to Do


Top Winter Indoor Things to Do for Families in the NC High Country of Boone NC, Blowing Rock NC, Banner Elk NC, Beech Mountain NC, West Jefferson NC. 

Weather not optimal for skiing? Too windy to hike?  Have no fear, we have plenty of indoor activities!  Here is our list of Top Winter Indoor Things to Do:

Mystery Hill Blowing Rock NC

Mystery Hill
Blowing Rock NC

Mystery Hill is truly the best place to find an activity for ALL ages in your family. *Open 7 Days a Week- purchase tickets HEREThe attraction offers the following indoor activities that can provide hours of fun:

  • Natural Gravitational Anomaly
  • Hall of Mystery Hands-on Science
  • Giant Bubbles of Bubblerama
  • Historic 1903 Dougherty House Museum & farmyard
  • Bull Riding Challenge
  • Native American Artifacts Museum
  • Axe & Knife throwing at Tomahawk Hill
  • Prospector Hill Gem Mining
  • Professor Finnegan's Old-Time Photos
  • Front Porch Eats
Mast General Store Banner Elk

Original Mast General Store
Valle Crucis, NC

The Original Mast General Store is a true indoor mountain attraction.  Sit by the pot-bellied stove and try your hand at a game of checkers, peruse the unique wares, and take the Mast General Store Scavenger Hunt- you will quickly figure out why the store was known for having everything from "cradles to caskets!"

TIP: After you have throughly explored the Original Mast General Store, head down the street to the Mast Store Annex Candy Barrel.  You don't want to miss the old-fashioned candy selection! 

Docs Rocks Gem Mine Blowing Rock

Doc's Rocks Gem Mine
Blowing Rock, NC

Located at the entrance of Tanger Outlets,  Doc's Rocks has three indoor attractions in one location! 

  • Indoor Gem Mine
  • Appalachian Natural History & Fossil Museum
  • Paleo Putt-Putt

*Closed on Wednesday!  Find details HERE

Childrens Playhouse Boone

The Children's Playhouse
Boone, NC

The Children's Playhouse features two levels and seven indoor play areas for children ages birth - eight.  Featured indoor play areas include:

  • Arts and crafts room
  • Light and color play
  • Music and train table
  • Kitchen, house and vet stations
  • Train table and infant floor play
  • Climbing wall and older children floor play
  • Legos and trucks

*Must reserve your time slot online HERE

The Block Wilkesboro NC Kid Things to Do

The Block
Wilkesboro, NC 

The Block is an indoor family entertainment park located in the heart of historic North Wilkesboro, just minutes from Wilkesboro. Kids can spend a few hours burning off energy here! The park offers roller skating, trampoline park, dodgeball, basketball courts, arcade, toddler park, Gellyball, private party rooms and a ninja warrior park. Find details HERE

* View Winter Coupon HERE

Ashe County History Museum

High Country History Museums

MUSEUM OF ASHE COUNTY HISTORY-Jefferson, NC
This museum features many interesting exhibits, included large train and mining dioramas, moonshine history and rotating exhibits. Find details HERE

WILKES HERITAGE MUSEUM- Wilkesboro, NC
View exhibits on early settlers, moonshine and racing and tour the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. Also visit the Old Wilkes Jail (where Tom Dooley was held) and the Robert Cleveland Log Home. Find details HERE

St Mary's Church Frescoe

High Country Frescoe Tour

In the 1970's, Ben Long painted frescoes in small mountain churches throughout the NC High Country. A cool winter day is the perfect time to take a country drive to visit them. Find details HERE

  • SLOOP CHAPEL- Crossnore
  • ST. MARY'S CHURCH- West Jefferson
  • HOLY TRINITY CHURCH- Glendale Springs
  • St. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH- Wilkesboro
Banner Elk NC Winery

High Country Wine Trail

Enjoy the cozy indoor tasting rooms, or a fire on the patio at a local winery. With only three on the trail- you can visit them all in one day! Find details HERE

  • BANNER ELK WINERY- Banner Elk
    Tastings Daily

  • GRANDFATHER WINERY- Foscoe
    Tastings Daily except Tuesday

  • LINVILLE FALLS WINERY- Linville
    Tastings Daily
Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM)
Blowing Rock, NC

Located in downtown Blowing Rock (with it's own parking deck!), this free museum has plenty to offer:

  • Permanent and rotating exhibitions
  • Weekly programming for children
    - Doodlebug Club: Thursdays @ 9:30
    - Afternoon Art: Tuesdays @ 3:30
  • Adult workshops
    - Cork & Canvas
    - Studio Workshops

*Closed Mondays. Find details HERE

Watauga County Recreation Center

Recreation Centers

Due to our cooler climate, the High Country is home to a few amazing recreation centers with plenty of indoor activities:

  • BUCKEYE RECREATION CENTER- Beech Mountain
    Offers indoor basketball, volleyball, and tennis, a fitness room and indoor walking track and a playroom built specifically for children under 7. Find details HERE

  • WATAUGA RECREATION CENTER- Boone
    Opened in 2021, this center offers day passes that give you access to two indoor pools (including waterslides and a climbing wall!), fitness equipment & classes and indoor basketball, valleyball and pickleball courts. Find details HERE

  • YMCA- Linville & Wilkesboro
    Both YMCA's feature indoor basketball,tennis, volleyball and pickleball courts, indoor pools, fitness equipment and walking tracks.