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 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.