Family Attractions
In the High Country you can find a large assortment of attractions to please the whole family. This mountainous area has been hosting visitors for over a century,
and today includes such popular attractions as Grandfather Mountain, the original Mast General Store, Mystery Hill and many others. In addition, you’ll find unique farms, wineries and orchards to tour and sample.
NC High Country Attractions
Original Mast General Store
Established in 1883, The Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis NC carries most everything you'd need for life in the past century and most of this one. On the National Register of Historic Places.
Next door, The Mast Store Annex, built in 1909, blends casual clothing with a mountain outfitters shop, and the original Candy Barrel.
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Sky Valley Zip Tours
Setting the bar high since 2012, Sky Valley Zip Tours is rated the #1 Outdoor Activity in Blowing Rock on TripAdvisor (February 2018).
Experience a canopy tour and zip line adventure like no other! An exhilarating half-mile ATV ride leads you to 10 zip lines, including the famous "BIG MOMMA," and over a mile of cable, elevations up to 300 feet, a cliff jump, and 120-foot long swinging bridge.
GOT KIDS? Our Whistle Pig Adventure Park is designed for ages 4 and up! Cheer them on as they master the 7 zips, bridge, and 20-foot slide out of the trees.
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Hickory Ridge Living History Museum
18th-century Carolina backcountry living, demonstrated by docents in period attire. Open Tues.-Fri., 9AM-3PM, April-November. Guided tours, 10AM and 2PM. Also open on summer evenings before Horn in the West.
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Hawksnest Zipline
Come visit one of the largest ziplines in the country! With 20 zipline cables we have over 4 miles of zipline fun. Zip over trees, through the trees, over creeks, and lakes all with incredible views. Open year round. Ages 5 and up.
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The Blowing Rock
North Carolina's Oldest Tourist Attraction Since 1933! The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below.
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."
Obtain amazing views of peaks in the region from the Rock and the observation tower, stroll the nature trail and enjoy a snack in the gardens by the waterfall!
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"The Schaefer Center Presents..." Performance Series at Appalachian State
Presented by Appalachian State University's Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, this annual performing arts series features the finest in touring performances from September-April.
World-class jazz, theatre, film, dance, world music and more, designed to enrich the cultural landscape of our region.
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Emerald Village
Discover real fun in real mines! Gem mining, mine tours, gold panning, museums, gift shops and more! Just 3 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. Open daily April-October.
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Ashe County Cheese
Ashe County Cheese is North Carolina's largest and oldest cheese factory! Come see cheese made in our factory viewing room. Then, visit our factory store to purchase free cheese curds, a variety of cheese, snacks, wines, and candy (even ice cream!)
Open Monday-Saturday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.
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The Historic Orchard at Altapass
THE ORCHARD
The Historic Orchard at Altapass is a non-profit heirloom apple orchard, heritage music venue, and education center with a mission to preserve the history, heritage, and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is open seasonally, May through October, and offers a variety of memory-making activities, sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.
APPLES
During the harvest season, over 35 heirloom apple varieties are available, with some varieties being available as early as mid-July, and others ripening into late October. Each variety offers something special through unique textures and complex flavor profiles. Whether you’d like to take home some bagged apples or have the full u-picking experience, fresh apples are available behind our General Store (the big red barn) in our Apple shed.
MUSIC AND FUN
The orchard offers free live music each weekend from June through October in a beautiful outdoor pavilion overlooking the Blue Ridge. Enjoy traditional mountain music, dance a bit, play a game on the back deck, and take a stroll down to the Apple Core Grill for a Jumbo BBQ Sandwich. Be sure to check our events page for details.
GENERAL STORE
Our General Store, located in the big red barn, partners with regional artisans and craftsmen to offer a curated selection of local items. There you’ll find everything from tasty treats like warm apple pie and handmade fudge to jarred preserves, jewelry, books, ceramics, and signature clothing.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
In keeping with its mission to educate the public about the Appalachian experience, the Orchard offers a variety of educational experiences. Visit the model train exhibit with a replica of the Orchard land, stop by our indoor Monarch butterfly exhibit, and search for the queen bee in our honeybee apiary.
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Hawksnest Snow Tubing
With over 20 lanes of snow tubing, Hawksnest is the largest snow tubing park on the east coast with 4 different areas of snow tubing. Lanes are 400-100 feet long!
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Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster
Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster 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!
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Horn In The West
Premiering in 1952, Horn in the West is considered one of three legacy outdoor dramas in America. The play tells the story of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution, including historic characters such as Daniel Boone, Governor Tryon, Nancy Ward of the Cherokee, Dragging Canoe and Attakullakulla. Open at 8 p.m. nightly except Mondays from late-June through mid-August. On-site Hickory Ridge Living History Museum opens at 5:30 p.m. during the Horn in the West season, as well as Saturday mornings, May-Oct.
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Mysterium Boone
Expect the unexpected at our immersive escape room experience. You’re the detective -- assemble your team!
Mysterium Escape Adventure uses the power of storytelling to immerse you in the escape experience. Our rooms are themed using incredible theatrical elements such as lighting, decor, sound, and video. You won't enter a bland, empty office room at Mysterium. Every element from the clues and riddles to the music and effects will make YOU a part of the experience.
Book today by visiting www.MysteriumBoone.com! You're the detective, assemble your team!
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Lantern Farm
Join us from Mid September to late October and enjoy autumn along the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Halloweentime fall event. This year we have added a 4 acre corn maze. If you enjoy mazes but don't want to invest much time in the corn then our hay maze might be the right stroll for you. When you are finished with the mazes take a leisurely walk through our most sincere pumpkin patch.
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The Block North Wilkesboro
The Block is an indoor family entertainment park located in the heart of historic North Wilkesboro. Park offers roller skating, trampoline park, dodgeball, basketball courts, arcade, toddler park, private party rooms and ninja warrior park.
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Doc's Rocks Gem Mine & Fossil Museum
NC's premier educational mining experience! Geologist on staff. Open 7 days a week year round. Heated indoor mining for winter/rainy summer days! Special tours available during the summer.
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Mystery Hill
Mystery Hill, Blowing Rock, has been amazing visitors from around the world for over 72 years. Mystery Hill is both fun and educational for the entire family.
- Explore North Carolinas only Natural Gravitational Anomaly
- Experience hands-on science activities
- Create giant soap bubbles big enough to surround an adult
- Get your souvenir Old Time Photos at Professor Finnegan's Old Time Photo Parlour
- Try your hand at Tomahawk and Knife Throwing
- Visit the historic homestead of the founders of Appalachian State University
- Visit with the rabbits and chickens
- View the worlds second-largest collection of Native American artifacts with over a quarter-million artifacts
- Mine for gems
- View local fossils at the Appalachian Fossil Museum
- Stroll along the River Walk and explore the tunnel
- Grab an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee at Front Porch Eats & enjoy our Picnic area
- Find the perfect gift or souvenir in one of our five retail stores, and more.
All located just three minutes from the Parkway between Blowing Rock and Boone, NC!
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The Children's Playhouse
Enjoy family together time at this intimate, friendly children's museum packed with indoor-outdoor fun for kids from birth to age eight.
Closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is $6 per person.
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Hawksnest Whitewater Rafting
Hawksnest Whitewater Rafting offers fully guided whitewater rafting trips on the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers!
Open Memorial Day Weekend- Fall.
Book online now.
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Gem Mountain
Gem mine at covered, comfortable flume lines rain or shine. Mine trips available by reservation. As seen on The Learning Channel and The Travel Channel.
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Linville Caverns
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. Open daily from March through November and open weekends from December through February.
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Grandfather Mountain
One of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge. Inspirational views, Mile High Swinging Bridge, native wildlife, picnicking, hiking. Open all year, weather permitting.
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High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park
"Welcome to the newest adventure experience in the High Country! Race your friends across ground-based elements to see who makes the best ninja. Plunge 45 feet on a Three-Person Giant Swing. Explore one of the aerial courses with 75 different challenges at heights ranging from 15 to 50 feet off the ground. Soar through the trees on a Zip Line Tour culminating in a 1,000 foot zip over the Tweetsie Railroad tracks. Free Fall 70 feet down through the center of the Blue Ridge Course. Whatever adventure you're ready for, High Gravity Adventures is ready to lead the way! Adventure options available for ages 4+."
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