This content was produced for our sponsor, NC High Country Host
Come up to the NC High Country mountains this summer! We are an easy 3-hour drive from the Raleigh area and always 10 – 15 degrees cooler. Here are some ideas of ways to cool off and enjoy each of our small mountain towns:
BEECH MOUNTAIN is the highest town in Eastern America. You will rarely find summer temps above 80 degrees there! A perfect day at Beech Mountain starts with a visit to Fred’s Backside Deli for breakfast and browsing Fred’s General Mercantile. Then go out and explore some of the 27 miles of hiking and biking trails or try to catch some native brook trout in the Heritage Trout Waters. The perfect ending to the day would be taking a scenic lift ride to the 5,506′ Skybar for drinks and snacks with a mountaintop view.
BLOWING ROCK got its start as a place to “summer in the mountains”, so you must start your day taking in some views from North Carolina’s Oldest Attraction, The Blowing Rock. Then head to the picture-postcard village of Blowing Rock for some unique shopping and al fresco lunch. If you are bringing the family- head to Mystery Hill, try ziplining or horseback riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway trails.
BOONE is the heart of the High Country, centrally located to everything. The perfect day in Boone starts with a big country breakfast at Dan’l Boone Inn and a visit to the Original Mast General Store. Then head over to Rocky Knob park for biking and hiking. Spend the evening in Downtown Boone. There is always some live music and entertainment in Boone to catch!
SPARTA really is the best kept secret in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Start at Becca’s Backwood Bean Coffee shop and then head over to Doughton Park for a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The wildflowers are in bloom this time of year on the Bluffs Trail. Then have lunch at the Bluffs Restaurant. It is one of only three restaurants located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After lunch, head over to Thistle Meaow Winery or Laconia Ale Works to relax and enjoy the fresh mountain air!
WEST JEFFERSON in Ashe County is known as the Coolest Corner of North Carolina. Ashe County is the perfect place to set off on a canoe, kayak or tube ride on the New River, which is one of the oldest rivers in the world. After your float, visit Mollie Chomper Cidery in Lansing and then head to downtown West Jefferson. Pick up some fresh cheese curds from Ashe County Cheese and walk around the downtown Mural trail before dinner.
This content was produced for our sponsor, NC High Country Host