1000 x 90

Tourism

“Spruced Up” Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for the Summer

April 14, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has once again updated its popular nighttime expedition series, Grandfather by Night, for 2025. The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe sunset, weather permitting, from this lofty vantage point. During this time, park educators will be on hand to discuss the unique flora and crepuscular (active during twilight) fauna that call Grandfather home. Two variations of the Grandfather by Night series will be offered this year — the Twilight Hike and the Naturalist Program.

Read more

Grandfather Mountain Announces New Event: “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day”

April 7, 2025 The mountains will be alive with the sound of music as Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, hosts a new event, “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day.” The fun-filled, nature-themed afternoon of music will take place Saturday, April 26 in the Williams Outdoor Learning Space, located next to the park’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Families can groove to the sounds in nature through an interactive concert celebration, featuring lively performances from Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation staff, as well as visiting Chimney Rock State Park staff, plus eco-themed songs and hands-on activities.

Read more

Status of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Six Months After Hurricane Helene

March 31, 2025 Over 45% of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail has reopened in the mountains in the six months after Hurricane Helene. This has been a collaboration across agencies and volunteer crews to tackle the unprecedented damage that Hurricane Helene caused. In the first weeks and months after the storm, a tremendous amount of work was done by National Park Service and US Forest Service staffs. These pros assessed the trail first and found that much of the damage was beyond even their training. Skilled professional crews and contractors were brought in to detangle the massive tree pile ups and create a narrow corridor of the trail route, oftentimes needing GPS to find the trail. Once the first pass was cut and certain areas were deemed safe for volunteers, our crews got to work.

Read more

Tweetsie Railroad Opens for the 2025 Season on April 5

March 12, 2025 Tweetsie Railroad is gearing up to welcome families back for another season of Wild West Family Fun. The park opens on April 5, and families looking to make the most of their visits can save $10 on a Golden Rail season pass if purchased by March 31. “For generations, Tweetsie Railroad has been a place where families come to connect, explore, and make lifelong memories,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad. “Whether it’s a child experiencing their first train ride, parents reliving their own childhood visits, or grandparents sharing the joy with their grandchildren, no one is left out of the fun. We’re excited to welcome everyone back for another season of adventure.”

Read more

Switzerland Inn Reopens for its 115th Season in the Blue Ridge Mountains

March 12, 2025  Switzerland Inn, an MMI Hotel Group property, announced today its official opening for the 2025 season. With an earlier start to the traditional season, the property proudly welcomes guests and the local community for an extended period following last year’s abbreviated season. Moreover, in a historic move, the hotel will remain open through the end of the year, providing visitors the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season and New Year’s festivities in the serene beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Read more

Additional Western N.C. State Parks to Reopen Nov. 15, Three Parks Face Long-Term Closures

November 15, 2024. RALEIGH, N.C. — Elk Knob, Lake James, New River, and Stone Mountain state parks will reopen at least partially on Nov. 15, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced. These parks have been closed entirely since Sept. 27 due to Hurricane Helene. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is anticipated to reopen before the end of November. On Nov. 1, Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, as well as Rendezvous Mountain, reopened at least partially. Three parks will remain closed until further notice and face long-term closures: Chimney Rock in Rutherford County, Mount Mitchell in Yancey County, and South Mountains in Burke County.

Read more

Tweetsie Christmas Returns to Bring Holiday Magic Back to the High Country Beginning November 29th

October 29, 2024 After a season of challenges, Tweetsie Railroad is excited to announce the return of its annual Tweetsie Christmas® celebration, beginning November 29th.The beloved holiday tradition will run on select evenings through December 30th,offering a festive atmosphere for families to experience the magic of the season in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. “This year, Tweetsie Christmas is more meaningful than ever,” said Chris Robbins, President of Tweetsie Railroad. “It’s not just about the lights and decorations—it’s about bringing people together, lifting spirits, and creating a joyful experience for families to celebrate the season.”

Read more

Sugar Mountain Ski Resort Partners with SKIDATA, Widens Northridge, Adds Additional Snowmaking Machines, and Purchases a New Fleet of Snow Groomers

September 18, 2024 Sugar Mountain Ski Resort has partnered with SKIDATA to offer an RFID chip-based, digital ticket system. Come this winter season, a personalized, reloadable RFID card will offer various onsite (via ticket agents or kiosks) and online lift/slope ticket purchasing options. In addition, the new SKIDATA ticket system will modernize the tubing and ice-skating purchasing experience by offering online sales only. The Northridge slope which meanders from the Mountain’s 5,300’ summit to the famed Gunther’s Way slope or to the subtle Switchback slope has doubled in width and been outfitted with new LED lights. “Giving skiers and riders more space and brighter night session runs always makes for a more pleasurable experience,” excitedly explains Resort owner, Gunther Jochl.

Read more

Town of Boone Awarded the Accessible Parks Grant; Will Go to Rivers House Project

September 3, 2024 The Town of Boone was recently awarded $250,000 from the Accessible Parks Grant Program through the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.. With this award, the Town will renovate the detached garage of the Rivers House into publicly accessible ADA-compliant restrooms. The Town has also committed $50,000 of local funds toward this project. The Rivers House and the Rivers House Park, located at 150 Clay House Drive, were willed to the Town of Boone by Ms. Rachel Rivers-Coffey, a prominent member of the Boone Community.

Read more

Explore Boone Unveils Upgrades to Beloved Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park; Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting Sept. 21

August 27, 2024 The Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (Explore Boone) is thrilled to announce the completion of upgrades to Rocky Knob, a 185-acre mountain biking park home to roughly 10 miles of trails for all experience levels alongside other amenities. Enhancements include a new observation deck, refreshed branding, additional parking and state-of-the-art additions to the pump track, which reopened to the public on August 9, 2024.

Read more

The 34th Annual Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride Will Be Held in Ashe County on Saturday, August 17

August 13, 2024 The 34th annual Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride will be held in Ashe County on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Hosted by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, the ride offers 25-, 50-, 70-, and 100-mile routes, each including scenic stretches, elevation changes, and stunning long-range views throughout Ashe. After completing one’s chosen course, riders may elect to take on the Assault on Mount Jefferson. Its 1,476-foot elevation gain within 3.4 miles makes for an unforgettable ending to an already memorable ride. In recent years, each Brutal ride has had approximately 400 participants, most of whom were visitors to the High Country

Read more

America’s Favorite Cowboys “Riders In The Sky” are Coming to Tweetsie Railroad August 10 & 11

July 31, 2024 Once again, Tweetsie Railroad is hosting Grammy Award-winning Riders In The Sky (a.k.a “America’s Favorite Cowboys”) for a weekend of Western music and comedy performances, August 10 and 11. “This is one music performance you don’t want to miss,” said Cathy Robbins of Tweetsie Railroad. “Riders In The Sky are very talented musicians. They bring lots of energy, laughs, and their spirit is infectious.”

Read more

Blue Ridge Conservancy and Watauga County Officially Open Valle Crucis River Access

July 29, 2024 “On Friday, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) and partners officially opened the Watauga River Access on 194 in Valle Crucis. BRC staff were joined by officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Watauga Tourism Development Authority (TDA), MaryAnn Mueller and Diana Travis, who gifted the majority of the land for the access point, and supporters of the project. This beautiful spot, including 1,300 feet of river frontage located in between the Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Park, provides parking and recreational opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.

Read more

Highland Games Set to Return to Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows July 11 – July 14

July 3, 2024 The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 11, continuing through Sunday, July 14. This marks the 68th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with the popular festival once again bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the High Country of North Carolina. Throughout the weekend of events, guests can take in the awe-inspiring spectacle of traditional Scottish athletic competitions, which includes Scottish heavy athletics, track and field competitions, Highland wrestling and more.

Read more

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Hosts the Annual June Jamboree, Sat. June 15

June 6, 2024 On Saturday, June 15, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) welcomes the public to explore conserved land in the Highlands of Roan during a day of FREE, guided hikes. SAHC will host its annual June Jamboree event at a variety of locations in the Roaring Creek area; these SAHC preserves are only accessible with a guide. “The June Jamboree showcases SAHC’s conservation work across the Highlands of Roan and helps people get outside to enjoy beautiful, protected places so that they can connect with nature,” explains Cheryl Fowler, SAHC’s membership director. “For years, this event has been a favorite for SAHC members and folks new to the organization alike. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the Highlands of Roan, and to be able to see, hear, and feel the direct benefits of conservation in the community.”

Read more

Watauga County Public Library Presents: What’s In a Name? Park Ranger Olivia Burke on the Creation of the Blue Ridge Parkway on April 11

April 8, 2024 Olivia Burke, Lead Park Ranger for the Highlands District of the Blue Ridge Parkway, returns to the Watauga County Public Library on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30 PM to discuss the history of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the context of the larger history of the National Park Service. Come on over to the library to learn about how National Parks came to be, how they’re managed, and where the Blue Ridge Parkway fits into the mix. Ranger Olivia will also dive into how the Parkway was planned and constructed. Light refreshments will be served.

Read more

Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty License Plate Sales Top $570,000 in 2023 to Help the Roadway

March 15, 2024 North Carolina drivers raised $574,461 to enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway by purchasing or renewing the national park specialty license plate in 2023. It is the largest amount raised for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s work through the tag program in more than a decade. The specialty plate fee is $30, of which $20 helps fund key improvements along the Parkway, including repairs at trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Proceeds also support projects such as wildlife studies, historic preservation, and educational programs

Read more

Blowing Rock TDA Partners with Black Folks Camp Too to Promote More Unity and Inclusion

March 15, 2024 Blowing Rock, North Carolina is known for its beautiful natural setting and exciting outdoor recreation opportunities. Through a new partnership with Black Folks Camp Too (BFCT), the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (BRTDA) aims to promote more unity and inclusion in those outdoor spaces and activities. Black Folks Camp Too was created not only to inspire more Black folks to explore the outdoor lifestyle and industry,but to bring awareness to the reasons why more Black folks have not been participating in the outdoors, what the current industry can do to help create more Unity, and why they should.

Read more

Just Released New Video Spotlights Village of Sugar Mountain Summer Stays

March 14, 2024 A new summer promotional video created by the Sugar Mountain Tourism Development Authority in conjunction with Visit North Carolina has been released just in time for family vacation planning. The video creation began with three days of shooting in July 2023. It will be utilized by both local and state tourism agencies. The 2.5-minute video is also available for all local tourism-related businesses to embed on their websites and share on social media to assist with their marketing efforts.

Read more

Blowing Rock WinterFest Brings Winter Fun January 25 – 28; Run Down of Events Here

January 25, 2024 The 26th Blowing Rock WinterFest event istarts today, featuring a calendar full of seasonal activities. From Thursday, January 25 through Sunday, January 28, everyone is encouraged to join in the celebration. Don’t hibernate- celebrate! “Blowing Rock WinterFest offers unique opportunities to come out and celebrate this exciting season,” says event coordinator, John Goheen. “Of all our events, I think this festival really showcases our town’s hospitality and fun-loving spirit!”

Read more

All Aboard! History of a Beloved Train

September 20, 2023 I remember when the only way a person could get to Boone was to be born there.” These words of a homespun philosophy were credited to an anonymous speaker at a railroad convention over a century distant, although the quote is debatable among avid railfans who enjoy fond remembrances. “Hear that train a’commin through the valleys and up the mountain side?” Locals and visitors to the High Country of Western North Carolina have been able to answer in the affirmative since 1957, when the Tweetsie Railroad amusement park opened between Boone and Blowing Rock, and its high pitched horn signaled a limited 30-minute ride through the park. By Peter Morris

Read more

Behind the Scenes at Lazy Bear Lodge

May 1, 2023 “It’s the little things that make a difference,” said Marsha Speer, innkeeper with her husband John at Lazy Bear Lodge Bed and Breakfast near Valle Crucis. By Jan Todd

Read more

Ski Season Begins Today at North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Ski Resort!

November 14, 2022 SUGAR MOUNTAIN – Ski season begins today at North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. After Hurricane Nicole ferociously blew through the North Carolina mountains this past weekend, temperatures plummeted, and Sugar’s snowmaking machines began churning water and air into snow. Today, eight to twenty-two inches of man-made powder and frozen granular snow coat five of Sugar’s twenty trails.

Read more

+ More Articles