Too Much to do in the NC High Country!

TOO MUCH TO DO IN THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGH COUNTRY!

Of course when folks think of the High Country, they think of Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Linville Caverns, Mystery Hill and the original Mast Store. But when they arrive in the High Country, they find there is much more to the area than the familiar quality family attractions. Many visit Altapass Orchard, a new twist on a very historic orchard located astride the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland. The Orchard offers storytelling hayrides that tell about the Orchard as a pass through for soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and as a gateway for the first railroad in the area. In addition, many folks enjoy touring the Churches of the Frescoes in Ashe and Wilkes Counties, gem mining and much more.

While the attractions themselves fill up many days, still others can be spent shopping at Tanger Outlet Center in Blowing Rock or in the downtown shopping districts of Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Spruce Pine and the new arts district in West Jefferson. Over fifteen galleries plus numerous shops and restaurants now grace the streets of old downtown West Jefferson. The quaint shops and galleries are surrounded by large murals painted on the outside of renovated buildings.

Shopping may be enough adventure for some, still others may prefer the challenge of whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing or caving. Visitors from all over the world come to the High Country to canoe the New River, which is the second oldest river in the world. The New River, which was named an American Heritage River by President Clinton in 1998, begins in Blowing Rock and flows northward through Ashe and Alleghany Counties. There are many outfitters in the High Country that provide guided canoe trips or folks are welcome to put in their canoes in several places along the river in the Ashe County area.

While rugged adventure is appealing to many, it is the finer things that attract many others to the High Country. The High Country area is home to over 20% of North Carolina’s certified chefs and the range and quality of cuisine speaks for itself. To compliment the fine cuisine, many folks enjoy buying a bottle of locally made wine from an area winery. The High Country is home to several area wineries that offer tours, wine tastings and at Thistle Meadow Winery in Laurel Springs, they even offer education on how to make your own wine.

The High Country is also home to some of the finer performances and visual arts in the South. From “Doc to Bach,” the High Country offers everything from traditional country music to modern dance performances, crafts exhibitions to outdoor sculpture shows and all that is in between. This spring the High Country will welcome the opening of a major art gallery, the Turchin Center in downtown Boone. The Turchin Center promises to bring internationally known exhibits to the area, and offer a great visual experience for tourists and locals alike.

There really is so much to do and see in North Carolina’s High Country. For help in planning a trip, call the High Country Host Welcome Center at 800-438-7500 and request a Mountain Vacation Planner, visit them online at www.mountainsofnc.com or visit their visitor center at 1700 Blowing Rock Road in Boone.