In the mountains of North Carolina, you are surrounded by beautiful views, delicious restaurants, hiking trails, waterfalls, ski slopes, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Like most areas of North Carolina, The High Country is made up of seven different towns, all with their own unique charm. Check out what kind of family attractions, local neighborhoods, and lodging options the High Country has to offer!
Local Neighborhoods
The High Country is known for many popular neighborhoods such as Diamond Creek, Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Elk River and neighborhoods within Linville Ridge. These neighborhoods are a few of the most popular areas and sought after communities. There are a variety of homes that provide an impressive lists of amenities, clubhouses, golfing, events, and outdoor activities. Specifically, in Linville Ridge, there are neighborhoods of single-family homes, cottages, and condominiums – with access to golf courses, dining venues, views of Grandfather Mountain, and spas. Check out the local real estate listings for opportunities within these communities! It’s easy to find an existing home to remodel and make your own or that perfect piece of land where it’s possible to build a gorgeous custom home with expansive views.
Local Family Attractions
Finding activities and attractions is one way to indulge in the family fun the High Country has to offer. In the colder months, App Ski Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, and Hawksnest are the most popular attractions for hitting the slopes and snow tubing. In the warmer months, there are lots of opportunities for shopping at Mast General Store, Tanger Outlets, or Antique Shops. Or for the more adventurous types, try gem mining, exploring science at Mystery Hill, visiting a western-themed amusement park at Tweetsie Railroad, ziplines or hiking Grandfather Mountain. The Valley Crucis Apple Festival is a great place to spend the day with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. There’s also Ashe County Cheese, various museums, or even fly fishing on the Watauga River. That’s quite a list, and it only scratches the surface of the fun things to see and do in the High Country.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Perhaps one of the most popular spots in the High Country is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located just three miles from downtown Blowing Rock, this is the perfect path for a scenic driving adventure. Along the way, you will pass by Julian Price Lake where you can rent kayaks, paddle boards and paddle boats, or enjoy a picnic for some outdoor fun with the family! Moses Cone Memorial Park is the next stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is the preserved country estate of Moses Cone who was a textile entrepreneur in the late 1800s. This twenty-room estate was built in 1901 on 3,500 acres of fields and forests and has a twenty-five-mile long carriage trail for horseback riding and a gorgeous view of Bass Lake. Moses Cone Mansion is now home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild that features regional and local artisan crafts, and it’s definitely worth a visit! Of course, there are numerous hiking trails, the most popular being Rough Ridge. You’ll also find waterfalls and overlooks – all great for pictures and jaw-dropping views.
Lodging
There lots of lodging options in the High Country for all size families as well as corporate gatherings, retreats and reunions. You can pick between hotels, motels and Inns, conference and retreat centers, cabins, condos and chalets, campgrounds, bed & breakfast, country inns, or resorts. The Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock was named one of the best places to stay in the Blue Ridge Mountains by Southern Living Magazine. It has lodges with thirty-seven guest rooms and five luxurious suites, enough room for all the fly fishers out there. It is also the only Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Lodge in North Carolina. A popular Inn, Green Park Inn, is the last of the “Grand Manor Hotels” in western North Carolina with two restaurants on the property. It has hosted presidents, movie stars, and novelists. Don’t worry about your pet, they can tag along for fun too with lots of pet accommodations!
There’s a lot to love about the High Country, and that’s why the team at Alair Homes proudly calls it home. Come on by and visit this beautiful part of the country, and if you decide to stay, we’ll be happy to help you build or remodel a home so that it’s a property you love to live in everyday. Contact us to learn more or get started on the path toward realizing your dream home.