Local Attractions
Appalachian Heritage Museum:
Hwy. 321 between Boone
& Blowing Rock (located at Mystery Hill). Open daily, year round. 264-2792.
An
Appalachian Summer:
Concerts, lectures, performances during the month of July sponsored by
Appalachian State University. 800/841-ARTS.
Ashe County Cheese Factory:
See cheese made.
Open daily 8:30am-5 pm. Mon-Sat. Year round. Located in West Jefferson in Ashe County. No
admission. 336/246-2501.
The Blowing Rock:
Scenic attraction. Views of gorge, gift shop
& snack shop. Daily April-Oct 8 am-8 pm. Open March & Nov, weather permitting. Closed
Dec-Feb. Call for admission prices. 295-7111.
Blue Ridge Soap Shed:
See soap made the
old-fashioned way. Open daily May-Oct. 10 AM-5 PM. Located 6/10 mile from Blue Ridge Parkway
Milepost 331 at the NC Museum of Minerals, off Hwy. 226, 4 miles south of Spruce Pine. Info:
765-6001; e-mail: (info@soapshed.com) ; website: http://www.soapshed.com
Daniel Boone Native
Gardens:
Located on the grounds of Horn in the West in Boone. 264-6390.
Emerald
Village:
Gemstone mining, underground mine tours, mining museum. Located in the Little
Switzerland area. Open all year, weather permitting. 765-6463.
Frescoes of Ashe
County:
Frescoe paintings by artist Ben Long in Holy Trinity Church & St. Mary's Church in
Ashe County. 336/982-3076.
Forum:
Artist & lecture series at Lees-McRae College on
Tuesday evenings throughout the summer months. Free. 898-8748.
Grandfather
Mountain:
Mile high swinging bridge, animal habitat, nature museum, food & hiking. Main
entrance on Hwy. 221 near Linville. Open year round, weather permitting. Daily 8 am-7:30 pm during
summer. After Labor Day 8 am-6:30 pm. Beginning Nov. 1, 8 am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving &
Christmas. 733-4377.Visit our website at http://www.grandfathermountain.com.
Grandfather Trout
Pond:
Fishing, gem mining, & more. Open daily noon-5 pm, weather permitting. Hwy. 105 South
in Foscoe. 963-5098.
Linville Caverns:
Tours of underground caverns. Entrance on Hwy.
221 between Linville & Marion. Open 9 am-6 pm daily June 1-Labor Day; 9 am-5 pm April, May,
Sept, Oct.; 9 am-4:30 pm Nov-March; weekends only Dec-Feb. Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving.
756-4171.
Linville Falls:
Two falls plunge into Linville Gorge. 1/2 mile hike to falls.
Open year round. Free. Between Linville & Marion. Entrance off Blue Ridge Parkway or Hwy.
183.
Magic Mountain:
Gem mining & miniature golf. Open spring through fall 9 am-11
pm. In Boone. 265-GOLF or 265-GEMS.
Mast General Store:
Old general store listed in
National Register of Historical Places. Retail & mail order. Two locations: historical site in
Valle Crucis; annex store in Boone. Open year round. Hours at the historic store Mon-Sat 7 am-6:30
pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Boone Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. 963-6511.
McElroy House:
Home of
the Rush Wray Museum of Yancey County History. Living History Demonstrations (apple butter making,
basket making, bee keeping, black smithery, candle making, etc.) through Oct. 10, 1-7 pm.
828/682-3671.
Moses Cone Estate & Parkway Craft Center:
Historic, scenic mountain
estate with hiking trails & lake in the immediate vicinity. The manor house serves as a sales
center for crafts by Appalachian artists. Located at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
295-7938.
Mystery Hill:
Scenic, optical illusions & natural phenomena. Located on
Hwy. 321 between Boone & Blowing Rock. Open all year - summer, Mon-Sat 8 am-8 pm, Sun 1-6 pm;
winter, Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. 264-2792.
The Orchards at Altapass:
Historic
Orchard at Altapass (founded in 1907) on Orchard Road, MP 328.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Open
late May to early Nov. Fresh baked goods, homemade fudge, ice cream, sundries, crafts made
locally, tours, hay rides, history, tall tales, live local music, craft demonstrations & fresh
apples in season. Something for the entire family. 765-9531.
Tweetsie Railroad:
Wild
West theme park with an authentic steam engine train. The train ride features Wild West
entertainment & the park features amusement rides, petting zoo, entertainment, souvenirs.
264-9061.
