Lively Leisure
Stay calm and casual with outdoor activities in the High Country
Winter to summer, fall to spring, there’s never a dull season in the High Country. Area attractions and outdoor activities ensure every visitor has a fun and enriching vacation.
The main attractions in the High Country are mostly centered around the spectacular scenery, dynamic outdoor landscape and rich Appalachian heritage. Whether you’re on a fishing excursion or enjoying the beauty of your surroundings on a nature hike, you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy this leisurely way of life. Of course, the beautiful view of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the top attractions and a wonderful thing to admire as you sit back, relax and enjoy your hard-earned vacation.
Fly Fishing - Anglers will find themselves in high heaven with large rivers and small streams providing abundant fishing. Stocked and wild trout, musky and smallmouth bass are the most prevalent fish, and numerous guides and instruction services take anglers of all levels where they need to go to make a catch. Trips are not only entertaining but scenic as well—guides know where to find some of the purest, most untouched parts of nature. Keep up-to-date on catch and release regulations, and purchase your fishing license before you go at www.ncwildlife.org.
Hiking - Trails of varying strenuousness wrap around the mountains, hills, forests and rivers, allowing hikers of all levels of experience and fitness to easily navigate their way. For trail maps and a breakdown of the difficulty and length of dozens of trails, visit www.highcountryhiking.com. To benefit from the experience of an expert, try a guided hike from one of many companies offering half-, full- or multi-day treks.
Horseback Riding - Enjoy the scenery aboard a trusty companion—a horse. Many area stables offer trail rides through country you wouldn’t otherwise get to see. Experienced and knowledgeable guides offer insight and instruction for riders of all levels. Visit www.highcountryhorseback.com for more information about area stables and opportunities available for equestrians and horse-lovers.
Golf - Golfing may be North Carolina’s state pastime, but mountain golfing is a whole new way to play. With spectacular views, cooler weather and challenging courses, area courses range from Par 3 to pro-quality, suiting every golfers taste and level. And no matter where you tee off, you’re sure to be surrounded by extraordinary views.
Sight Seeing - Sites such as Tweetsie Railroad and Grandfather Mountain hold a special place in the hearts of most anyone who’s visited the North Carolina High Country, so you may choose to relive some of the memories you once experienced while creating some new ones for a small member of your own family. Or if you want to visit some new sites, consider taking a tour of the area wineries that have been popping up like luscious grapes on a vine for the past several years.
High Country Activities
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Daniel Boone Native Gardens Foggy Mountain Gem Mine Foscoe Fishing Company and Outfitters Grandfather Mountain Hawksnest Zipline and Tubing |
Horn in the West Daniel Boone Amphitheater, Boone 828-264-2120 www.horninthewest.com This famous outdoor production has been a High Country tradition since the 1950s. The play tells the story of Daniel Boone and the rugged mountain settlers of the late 18th century who fought for American independence.   Linville Caverns 4 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkaway at Milepost 317 onto US 221 S. 800-419-0540 www.linvillecaverns.com The informative and fun-filled guided tour of Linville Caverns showcases the stalactite and stalagmite formations, an underground stream, various forms of cave life, the “Bottomless Pool,” and even “total darkness”. Mast General Store Highway 194, Historic Valle Crucis 828-963-6511 www.mastgeneralstore.com Once known for selling everything from "cradles to caskets," this National Historic Landmark still carries nearly everything else you'd need for life in the past century and most of this one. The Original Mast General Store, established in 1883, is situated along the Mission Crossing (Hwy. 294) Scenic Byway in Historic Valle Crucis. Also visit Mast's Old Boone Mercantile (c. 1910), a turn of the century department store in historic downtown Boone. Open daily. 
Mountain Aire Golf Club River and Earth Adventures 828-963-5343 www.sevendevils.net Play tennis, hike, shop, zipline, snow tube or just relax while enjoying some of the best views around! From nature lovers to adrenaline junkies, there is so much to do and see in the area, and staying in Seven Devils makes everything easily accessible from our great central location. You will find an array of lodging choices... whether you stay for a weekend, a season or a lifetime! Wahoo's Adventures Boone 1-800-444-RAFT, 828-262-5774 www.wahoosadventures.com "Wahoo's Adventures two time outfitter of the year", as named by the professional Paddlesports Association offering Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Inner Tubing and Caving Adventures. We offer all levels of canoeing and instruction. Tours are geared toward the first-timer and intermediate paddlers. Climb down into the depths of a subterranean world, explore the very bowels of the Blue Ridge. There's nothing like splashing and floating down a crystalline mountain river in an inner tube!  Watauga County Farmers Market |
